Week eleven was insane, featuring some last second wins, exciting divisional match-ups with major playoff implications, and some unexpected blow-outs. Here’s week eleven’s Final Drive!
New York Jets 34, New England 31
They didn’t necessarily establish authority over the Patriots, but Brett Favre and the Jets won which is all that matters. Thomas Jones had 30 carries for 104 yards, controlling the time of possession for New York. Their defense may not have performed up to their normal level, but the offense and special teams made up for their lack of productivity. Through 10 games with the Jets, Favre has them in the AFC East lead. Who expected that?
Matt Cassel’s not bad. He’s certainly come a long way from week one. In fact, he’s progressed to the point where he throws for 400 yards and leads his team to an over-time forcing touchdown with only one second remaining on the clock! It’s okay, you can think it, it was Brady-like. Unless the Patriots franchise him (which is an idea), Cassel will surely leave via free agency this off-season. Expect a Matt Schaub-sized contract.
New York Giants 30, Baltimore Ravens 10
The Giants are continually showing the NFL why they are the best, handily beating their opponents. Tennessee may be undefeated, but they’ve had too many close calls to be dominant. Tom Coughlin’s three-headed running attack racked up over 200 yards on the ground, punishing a fantastic Ravens defensive unit. In the NFC, they are certainly head and shoulders above the rest.
After the loss the Ravens have slipped back into second place in the AFC North. Still, they’re sitting with the rest of the second place AFC teams at 6-4, prime to make a move on a wild-card berth. Their schedule increases in difficulty in the closing weeks, but in a drooping AFC, 10 wins will get you in.
Pittsburgh Steelers 11, San Diego Chargers 10
Despite a suspicious 13 penalties for 115 yards (San Diego had one for 5 yards), the Pittsburgh Steelers escaped snowy Heinz Field with a win. They did it with old fashioned Steeler football: efficient quarterback play, establishing the run, and hard-nosed defense. With two Philip Rivers interceptions and 36+ minutes in time of possession, this should have been a wider margin of victory. Speaking of, WHY did they even bother calling back Polamalu’s touchdown? The Refs for this one have since come and out said they botched the call, but they’re lucky it didn’t decide the outcome.
With the Denver Broncos winning again to put them at 6-4, the San Diego Chargers are that much closer to officially being out of the playoffs. Let’s face it, they’re not pulling out a wildcard berth unless they go on a miracle six game winning streak and get major help in the form of superior teams dropping multiple contests. This season goes down as a vast disappointment for Norv Turner and his squad.
Tennessee Titans 24, Jacksonville Jaguars 14
Jeff Fisher should find a game on the Titans’ schedule to lose, honestly. Not to a serious contender or a trash heap, but a mid-level team that could use the confidence but can’t do anything with it. We all saw what happened with the Patriots. Tennessee was down in this one early 14-3, but rallied with 21 unanswered to remain undefeated. Kerry Collins has been called on to win games, and he has delivered expertly. Vince Young wouldn’t have been able to do that. That's all I'm sayin'.
Joining the Chargers in the ranks of AFC squads that have masterfully underperformed, the Jaguars have gone from the sexy pick in the AFC South to barely beating out Houston for the worst record in the division. Injuries have hampered their running game this season, but maybe now Jack Del Rio and company see the need for a legitimate number once receiver. Their top four receivers only managed seven catches combined. I say it’s time for new blood. The acquisition of Jerry Porter obviously didn’t help.
Dallas Cowboys 14, Washington Redskins 10
Ugh. I’ll have to continue discussing the Dallas Cowboys and their playoff hopes for another week. Defeating the Redskins in Washington has propelled them to second place in the NFC East, since the Eagles could only tie the Bengals (That’s right McNabb, ties DO exist). Tony Romo brought a spark to this sluggish offense in spite of his two interceptions, and Marion Barber proved yet again that he is the most punishing running back in football. He’s extremely fun to watch if he’s not pounding on your team.
Jim Zorn’s ‘Skins missed a grand opportunity to distance themselves from the East pack, but never established much of an offensive rhythm. Clinton Portis ran the ball well, despite being injured, but back-ups Shaun Alexander and Ladell Betts only carried the ball twice between them. (Betts left early with an injury.) For a Washington Redskins team to only hand the ball off 17 times is unacceptable. Jason Campbell stuck to the underneath routes, favoring his tight end Chris Cooley, but never stretched the field. Did Jim Zorn even prepare an actual game plan?
Cleveland Browns 29, Buffalo Bills 27
At 4-6, the Browns would have to go on a significant tear in order to play in the post-season. Keeping that in mind, beating the Bills on Monday night is a step in the right direction. Having given up double digit leads in the fourth quarter of their last two outings, the Browns looked ready to collapse again as the Bills surged late. Luckily, Brady Quinn calmly led his team to a down the field to set up Phil Dawson for a 56-yard field goal. After the Bills missed on a 47-yard attempt with 38 seconds remaining, Cleveland has momentarily saved its season.
Buffalo QB Trent Edwards should feel lucky. His team was still in a position to win, even after his throwing three interceptions on his first four possessions. Had they been playing a better team, it might have been out of reach going into drive five. Running back Marshawn Lynch kept the Bills in the game with a season-best 119 yards on the ground, to which he added 58 yards on ten receptions, both of which led the team. Dick Jauron’s Bills now reside in last place in the AFC East thanks to a four-game losing streak. It will take a massive effort to save their season.
