NFL Week 14 - What We Learned

Written by John Edward Betancourt

As we close in on the end of the regular season, it seems that some of the juiciest stories in the league are coming to light and quite frankly many of the ones that keep rolling around in my mind have left me shaking my head. I say that because well, one of the stories that came out this week...was baffling on a level I never knew, so let's get right down to discussing what we learned in Week 14.

1. The Washington Redskins are still a mess.  This is the story that left me stunned. After all, a week ago, the RG3 controversy was apparently put to bed, then reports snuck out from FedEx Field that GM Bruce Allen and Daniel Snyder may fire Jay Gruden in an effort to save face and stand behind the disappointment that is Robert Griffin III, and heck there's even talk RG3 may start again. Now granted, none of this is set in stone or solid, but the fact that this is even being discussed speaks to how dysfunctional this franchise is. Clearly no one is on the same page in Washington and sadly the only people that suffer from this kind of gross miscommunication and hints of ego are the fans. It's a shame really and baffling that such dysfunction would even be evident behind the scenes of a team sport.  Heck, I'm shaking my head as I write this over how ridiculous things have become in Washington. 

2. Where does Chicago go from here? Another game, another dismal outing from the entire team.  Cutler's play was so so yet again and Bears fans are rightfully growing restless. In fact I was having a discussion with a good friend of mine about Jay Cutler and he was quick to point out that clearly the money has clearly gone to the quarterback's head since all of the fight and fire has gone out of him. I mention that, because now there is buzz that GM Phil Emery is on the hot seat and buyer's remorse has settled in on Cutler's new contract that just happens to pay him $54 million over the next three years, guaranteed. With that much money committed, trading or releasing Cutler will be difficult, so what do they do in the offseason? Do they try and renegotiate his contract a year in? Do they detonate the roster yet again? It should prove to be an interesting offseason in Chicago. 

3. 49ers fans need to look on the bright side...they get the reset button next year. Colin Kaepernick no longer looks like an elite quarterback, and well...you lost to the freaking Oakland Raiders, so it doesn't get much worse than that.  I'm not sure what quite happened behind the scenes with Jim Harbaugh and the team's top brass, but clearly this is Harbaugh's last year with the team and it's for the better, it's been an ugly fall from grace since the loss in Super Bowl XLVII and a new head coach may be able to inject some life into a talented roster. 

4. It's showtime for Johnny Football.  Yes, after a rough outing from Brian Hoyer the powers that be in Cleveland decided why not roll the dice and give Johnny Manziel a shot. Yes, Johnny Football time has come to Ohio and it's quite the gamble to say the least, but the decision makes sense. If Manziel proves to be the hero and leads the team to the playoffs, the decision is a stroke of genius. If he falters, it gives the team an idea of where to work with him in the offseason. This story will be one to keep watching over the next few weeks.

5. The Broncos continue to surprise as they suddenly become a run heavy team.  C.J. Anderson has been the shot in the arm the Denver Broncos anemic run game has needed over the last few weeks as they continue to pound the rock.  It has of course brought scrutiny on Peyton Manning and the pass game, but this is exactly what Denver needed. Teams have been using the same formula the Seattle Seahawks used against the Broncos in Super Bowl XLVIII to beat Manning and the vaunted pass game so to see Denver wearing down defenses and running the ball at will is wonderfully refreshing and it was also the formula that got the franchise its first two Super Bowl wins. 

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