NFL Week 11 - What We Learned

Written by John Edward Betancourt

This is the time of year where football teams should be settling into "the norm" if you will as the bad teams stay bad and the great teams stay great and well, Week 11 proved that the norm simply does not exist. We saw a team without a its Hall of Fame quarterback win, more teams that should be left for dead suddenly came to life and well, I guess if there was any sign for normalcy...it's the fact the that undefeated teams still can't lose. Either way it was a week full of incredible stories and here are the top ones from the field this week. 

1. Brock Osweiler...looked good. In fact he basically transformed the Denver Broncos offense in Peyton Manning's absence. Gone were the turnovers and three and outs that Denver fans have become accustomed to this season, Brock was confident in the pocket, confident when the pocket collapsed, but most importantly he was the spark the offense has been needing. The run came game alive at last with Osweiler at the helm, and well, he looked Brock Solid (sorry, had to do it) the entire game, throwing for two touchdowns and completing 80% of his passes. Not a bad first career start but his biggest test will be coming since he was just named the starter for the New England game. But either way, the Broncos brass now have an idea of what they have in this kid and time will tell if a quarterback controversy is brewing in the Mile High City.

2. It's interesting how much wins cure all because we haven't talked much about the Philadelphia Eagles and the fact that they are still an inconsistent and poor football team. Why? Because they put together some wins. But here we are again, with Philly in the headlines after getting absolutely slapped around on the field this weekend, by one of the worst teams in the league. Tampa Bay has been nothing to write home about this year and they dropped 45 points on the Eagles defense and held the offense to only 17 points. That kind of result...well it's an unmitigated disaster and has me questioning if Chip Kelly can actually coach at this level. To make matters worse, he admitted, again, that the team was out coached which means a couple of things. One, Chip's clearly not that good of a coach and two, I hope ownership is ready to make a change. 

3. Let's ask the tough question that is on everyone's mind...what the hell happened to the Atlanta Falcons? They started off the season 4-0, looked phenomenal on offense and defense and then...it all fell to pieces. This is a team that lost to the super mediocre Indianapolis Colts on Sunday, with Indy's #2 quarterback at the helm and to top it off, Matt Ryan set up the win for the Colts with that lovely pick six near the end of the game and well, I'm in disbelief. This is a team filled to the brim with talent and once again that talent isn't producing on the field, even after a coaching change. At this point, I'm not sure what could be causing these problems in Hotlanta, but there is a silver lining, they are 6-4, but if the season continues to fall apart don't be shocked if the Falcons brass make some significant personnel changes in the offseason. 

4. Speaking of teams that continue to shock and surprise...say hello to the resurgent Houston Texans. They have suddenly come to life, and it could not have come at a better time since the AFC South is basically up for grabs. First they shock the world by taking down the Cincinnati Bengals and then they go ahead and rattle the New York Jets at home. They've put together a solid three win streak and well, they are starting to look like the team they are supposed to be. I don't know what changed in Houston and frankly I don't care. This is another team filled to the brim with talent, especially on defense and it is a welcome sight to see this team realizing its potential at last. 

5. Can anyone beat the Undefeated teams? Carolina swatted at Washington the same way anyone would a fly and the Patriots weathered a minor storm with the Bills in their house and well...here we are, looking at two 10-0 teams and it is time to have the "The Perfect Season" discussion? I say no. I honestly don't think either of these teams will finish perfect. If the NFL has taught me anything, it's that a team will shock you when you least expect it. The Patriots have had a couple of scares this season and Carolina is getting cocky, so really the answer to the question is...yes. It's really just a matter of time before someone surprises these teams, and we will all be watching and waiting. 

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