NFL Week 11 Rewind

Instant Recap

-11 Weeks in and only 6 games to go, and things are really starting to heat up. The Ravens bounced back this week against the Bengals and won after a Jermaine Gresham TD was overruled, costing the Bengals the game.  Meanwhile we had a shoot out between the Panthers and the Lions, but it ended up in another 17 point comeback victory for the Lions, as Matt Stafford through 5 TD Passes and Cam newton threw 4 INT's. The Buffalo Bills who started off as the surprise team early in the season dropped their 3rd straight game, to the Miami Dolphins who have won 3 straight since starting the season 0-7. In the nations capital the good Tony Romo showed up as he tossed 3 TD Passes, and led a game winning drive in OT to sweep the DAL-WAS series. In Chicago Jay Cutler and the Bears stepped all over the hapless Chargers as both teams are going in opposite directions with the Bears winning 5 straight, and the Chargers losing 5 straight. As for the undefeated Packers, they stayed undefeated beating the Buccaneers at home, but their defense didn't look good doing it. Vince Young led the Eagles to a big time divisional win, and kept their playoff hopes alive. On Monday Night it was a blowout with Tom Brady completing 15 passes and 2 TD's, both going to TE Rob Gronkowski.

"Say What" Stats

31: TD Passes by Packers QB Aaron Rodgers, 3rd QB in NFL history to throw 30+ in 10 games.

3: 17 point comebacks by the Detroit Lions this season. First team to do it in NFL history

9: Wins for the 49ers, the first time since 2002, they will finish over .500

149: Straight weeks a University of Miami alum has scored a TD, the streak ended this week

8: Turnovers by the Philadelphia Eagles in the Red Zone this year. Most in the NFL

MVP Watch:

Aaron Rodgers, GB (vs.TB): 23/34 299 Yards 3 TD's 1 INT, 5 Carries 28 yards

2011 Total: 238/329 3,168 Yards 31 TD's 4 INT's 128.8 QB Rating, 2 Rush TD's

Tom Brady, NE (vs. KC):  15/27 234 Yards 2 TD's 109.2 QB Rating 102.5 QB Rating

2011 Total: 253/387 3,266 Yards 25 TD's 10 INT's 

LeSean McCoy, PHI (@ NYG) 23 Carries 113 Yards (4.9 YPC),  3 Catches 2 Yards

2011 Total: 188 Carries 1,019 Yards (5.4 YPC) 10 TD's, 34 Catches 198 Yards 2 TD's

Ray Rice, BAL (vs. CIN) 20 Carries 104 Yards (5.2 YPC) 2 TD's, 5 Catches 43 Yards

2011 Total:  158 Carries 663 Yards (4.2 YPC) 8 TD's, 51 Catches 513 Yards, 1 FUM

Defensive Player of the Week:

Patrick Willis LB, SF: 7 Tackles (6 Solo) 1 PD, 1 INT, 1 FF

Willis had a great game on Sunday, forcing
one fumble, and intercepting John Skelton

-Patrick Willis considered by many to be the best LB in the NFL, stepped up big this week for the 49ers. Willis recorded 7 Tackles, deflected a pass, intercepted another and forced a fumble Sunday against Arizona. Willis, helped the 49ers to their 8th win in a row, and their 9th  win on the season. This is the first time since 2002 that the 49ers will finish above .500

Top Plays of the Week

Nate Washington 40 Yard TD Catch

NFL teams should be on the look out for Blount,
who at 247 pounds is a big bowling ball in the open field

LeGarrette Blount 54 Yard TD Run

Sidney Rice 55 Yard Pass

Play of the Week: LeGarrette Blount 54 Yard TD Run
-In a big game LeGarrette Blount stepped up with a big play against the undefeated Green Bay Packers (10-0). Blount ripped off a 54 yard powering TD run that included 6 broken tackles, as Blount proved to everyone in the NFL why it isn't fun to tackle him. It was Blounts highlight of the game as he ran it 18 times for 107 yards with the lone TD on they day. After another tough loss the Bucs drop to 4-6, and if they want any shot at the playoffs they should give it to Blount more often.

Injury Updates:

Adrian Peterson, MIN: High Ankle Sprain, OUT Week 12
-The Vikings got a real scare in the 1st quarter of Sundays game against the Raiders. Peterson suffered an ankle injury and had to be helped off the field by trainers, while keeping any weight off the ankle. X-Rays on Petersons ankle were negative, and he has no ligament damage. However, Peterson does have a high ankle sprain and will likely miss 2 weeks.

James Starks, GB: Knee Sprain, Doubtful Week 12
-While the Packers aren't known at all for running the ball, James Starks being injured is a significant injury for their offense. Late in the 4th quarter as the Packers were trying to run down the clock, Starks suffered a knee sprain inside the 10 yard line. The Packers play in 4 days at Detroit, and without Starks they lose their top pass catching RB on the team. If Starks is out, expect Ryan Grant to get a majority of the carries.

Jay Cutler, CHI: Broken Thumb, TBD
-For the past 5 games Jay Cutler has finally been getting help from his Offensive Line, and because of it the Bears have won all 5 games. Unfortunately, one of the few hits he did take in this game resulted in a broken thumb in his throwing hand, and could result in season ending surgery. If he is indeed out for the season, expect Caleb Hanie to be the Bears starting QB

Fred Jackson, BUF: Calf Strain, OUT Week 12
-The Bills are a terrible offense with star RB Fred Jackson, without him, well we saw what they can't do on Sunday. After Jackson left early in the game with a calf injury, the Bills were held to 2 FG's in a 35-6 beatdown from the Miami Dolphins. The Bills were down early so there was little running to do, but what little carries there were had little effect as C.J Spiller and Johnny White only combined 6 carries for 8 yards.

Coaches Hot Seat
Norv Turner, SD: Evaportated
-There should now be no doubt in anyones mind that Norv Turner is not worthy of a head coaching job. After years of killing the great Chargers teams in the playoffs, Turner has now turned this San Diego team into the laughing stock in the AFC West. With the help of Phillip Rivers, the Chargers have dropped 5 straight and are doing their best to finish with a Top 5 pick. Turner has proven this season he isn't a motivator, game manager, and he doesnt know how to use timeouts. If Turner isn't fired after the season, the entire Chargers Front Office should lose their jobs..

Andy Reid, PHI: Fried
-Andy Reid was given everything he needed this year, Michael Vick, LeSean McCoy, a strong defense (or so we thought) and plenty of weapons on offense. Thanks to his marvelous coaching abilities and every player but McCoy on the team being a dissapointment, the Eagles now have a snow balls chance in hell at the playoffs. "Dream Team" + spending every dollar in FA + not making playoffs= Andy Reid must go. It was a long tenure for Andy Reid, but with ZERO Super Bowl Rings his time has come

Andrew Luck Sweepstakes


-We are 11 weeks through 2011 Season and there is a clear leader in the "Andrew Luck Sweepstakes". The Indianapolis Colts, have reached the lowest of lows, and have the best chance of finishing with the worst record in the NFL, and that could easily be a 0-16 season the way they are playing. badly,. They are the only remaining win less team and now will be without TE Dallas Clark for several weeks. Luck meanwhile didn't have his best stuff on Saturday against the Californi throwing another interception.

In his past few games Luck has found the opposing DB's 5 times
while his status as No.1 pick is still certain, he isn't as glorious as before

So what will the Colts do with Andrew Luck? Peyton Manning is coming off a neck injury and soon will be reaching his "Old Man" years, and the Colts will need to find a new franchise QB. Andrew Luck gives them an immediate impact QB who can come in and make their franchise relevant again. The Colts have key impending free agents (Reggie Wayne, Pierre Garcon,and Jeff Saturday). Assuming all 3 can be re-signed that would give Luck a veteran Center, and two legitimate WR's to throw to. Luck would arrive in a place filled with tradition, leadership and great coaching. But what about that guy Peyton Manning, you know the 1st Ballot Hall of Famer. Then again the Colts could trade Luck to a young team, and roll with Peyton Manning for a few more years. 2 difficult scenarios to think about and one the Colts front office, and Colts fans will be scratching their heads on.