The NFL Roundup 2020: Week 11 – What We Learned

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Wow. That’s really the only word that properly describes Week 11 in the NFL. Because this past weekend’s slate of games were downright incredible, since every team gave it their all and left everything on the field. But what matters more about this magnificent weekend of football, is that all of these incredible performances taught us a lot about our favorite teams and what a win means to them, and now that Week 11 has come to a close, the time has come to reflect upon every epic moment and every poignant lesson it sent our way.

The Titans went back to basics and it paid off in spades.
Last week when we sat down to discuss the Tennessee Titans, we talked a lot about how they needed to go back to basics in order to get back to their winning ways. Because this a run team and their attempts to make Tannehill and the passing game the focal point of their matchups hasn’t gone all that well. And clearly, Tennessee figured this out as well, because they let Derrick Henry run and run hard on Sunday and by sticking to that plan, they walked away with a super important win over a conference rival they might see again in the playoffs. But in the here and the now, what matters most is that this squad has made pounding the rock a priority once again, and if they can shore up their leaky defense as well, then the rest of their season will be filled with victories.
 
The Pittsburgh Steelers are 10-0.
Leave it to the Pittsburgh Steelers to handle a win streak in a far different manner than everyone else in the NFL. Because often times, when a team goes 10-0, there’s a push to keep the streak out of everyone’s mouth for fear of jinxing the team. But the Steelers are just enjoying the ride, as evidenced by their play on Sunday and it appears as though the pressure that normally comes with a win streak isn't present in their locker room in the slightest. They’re just playing their game and that’s really the right way to handle this. So, I for one, applaud this boisterous and fun approach that the team is taking when it comes to their record. Because they earned this, and they’re making team history along the way, so why not bask in the glory of perfection?
 
The New Orleans Saints made the right call at quarterback.
There was a lot of buzz surrounding the fact that Taysom Hill got the nod to start for New Orleans on Sunday. Simply because everyone thought that Jameis Winston was the next man up since he knows what it means to prepare for a game as the starter. But honestly, I don’t know why everyone was so keen on seeing him start once again. Because he really didn’t do anything special in Tampa Bay and he turns over the ball way too often and needs more time on the bench in order to learn how to properly read a defense. So, in the end, Head Coach Sean Payton made the right call for certain and hopefully Hill can continue to light up the scoreboard and wow in this manner, so that the Saints head into the playoffs in good shape when their legendary QB returns from his nasty set of injuries.
 
The Seattle Seahawks still need to be worried about their defense.
Yeah, yeah, I know. Winning cures all, and the Seahawks did indeed earn a big dub over a plucky divisional rival, which should in turn give them momentum heading into Week 12. But this writer still has serious concerns about the ‘Hawks and their defense. Because despite snagging the win, the D was still awful through and through and victory or no, their sloppy defense is still going to cause trouble for this team down the line. Because eventually, they are going to face elite squads with top-tier quarterbacks. The kind that will carve that defense up like a Thanksgiving turkey and unless Pete Carroll and his staff do something about it now, their season is going to end in heartbreak; when that forthcoming team puts a big game and their Super Bowl hopes, out of reach.
 
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers need to change up their offense, if they want to win.
When you play for 21 years in the NFL, teams eventually figure out your tendencies and your weaknesses and for proof, then look no further than last night’s game. Because it is a well-known fact that if you hit Tom Brady and disrupt his routes and delay his receivers, that you will fluster him and force him to make mistakes and that’s exactly what Los Angeles did to beat the legendary #12. Which means that Bruce Arians, needs to make some serious changes to the offense if he wants to see this team go far in the playoffs. Because sadly, Tampa Bay’s O-line is mediocre at best and Coach Arians is all about that stretch offense and extended routes and Brady isn’t used to running that kind of offense. He’s used to bubble screens and quick slants and outs and there’s nothing wrong with integrating that into this O. Because it would make Brady comfortable and it would get him into a rhythm and it would likely help the Bucs win some more games, and it will be quite interesting to see if Arians will relent and cater the system to his player, or if his one-Tom-fits-all approach will stick around and eventually cost this team a shot at the title.

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