NFL Week 11: Broncos victorious behind Osweiler, Cowboys win in Romo’s return

Every Monday morning, Section 215’s Akiem Bailum gives an in-depth and unfiltered look at all of the latest sports news in The Monday Morning Realist. You can follow Akiem on Twitter @AkiemBailum.

Solid as a Brock

Nov 22, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Denver Broncos quarterback Brock Osweiler (17) looks to pass the ball against the Chicago Bears during the first half at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports

Last week was not exactly a glowing moment in Denver Broncos history. Quarterback Peyton Manning, who they had signed after a somewhat bitter divorce from Indianapolis for the primary purpose of winning a Super Bowl looked like a quarterback that did not belong in the Poinsettia Bowl let alone the big dance.

It resulted in a shocking defeat to the Kansas City Chiefs—a team that they had defeated in stunning fashion earlier in the season in a loss that defined the first half of Kansas City’s season.
Manning threw four interceptions and was benched by head coach Gary Kubiak, stoking fears of if The Sheriff’s era of laying down the law on opposing defenses had ended.

Not so fast…and this was something I even had to tell myself.

It turned out that Manning had suffered a severe pain in his foot, giving the starting duties to Brock Osweiler.

Football fans outside Colorado probably would not have known who Brock Osweiler is if you picked him out of a crowd. And, also, you never want to be the guy that replaces THE guy as the old saying goes in sports.

One could not have guessed how Osweiler is going to perform. The usual tone is that backups are backups for a reason and teams typically take major steps (or minor) in the wrong direction when their starting quarterback either no longer looks like someone who should be starting, or is badly injured.

There were some who really tried to build up Osweiler as the potential next big thing. But as we know, Hall of Fame trophies are not won in the NFL—they are earned and this guy is just starting the major point of his career.

The only thing was his first game would be against the Chicago Bears in Chicago. It does not matter at this point in the season if the Bears play in Chicago, Wrigleyville, Joliet, Palatine, Naperville, or anyplace else in Chicagoland. As Denny Green once bellowed, the Bears are who we thought they were—one of the worst teams in football.

But wins are also not given in this league. They too are earned and throughout this game, it certainly appeared as if Osweiler (not to mention a Denver defense that once again looked like what they were prior to the last couple of games before this one) earned his.

Dare I say Osweiler had a Manning circa Colts like game? He completed 20 out of his 27 passes. Also, he threw for 250 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Plus he only ran for four yards on two carries.
Throw the ball a lot, yet do not do much outside of the pocket. Manning taught this fella well.

Also instrumental in the victory was Ronnie Hillman who had 102 yards on 21 carries. Owen Daniels caught four receptions for 69 yards.

On the Bears side Jay Cutler once again looked like, well, Jay Cutler. He completed 18 of his 32 passes for 265 yards and one interception. Ka’Deem Carey carried the ball nine times and got 32 yards out of it. Out of those 265 yards, 102 of them went Marquess Wilson’s way via four Cutler passes.

And what is Osweiler’s big reward for this win (other than the win?)—his opponent next week—the New England Patriots. Yeah—Tom Brady’s New England Patriots.

As for the Bears, Thanksgiving would not be a good time to break a television. If the Bears play well on Thursday against their arch division rival Packers that will not happen.
Final: Broncos 17, Bears 15

Stop the Presses!

Nov 22, 2015; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) celebrates with teammates after scoring a touchdown during the fourth quarter against the Oakland Raiders at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports

Realists, follow along for just a second. I am writing about the Detroit Lions in an MMR recap.

The Lions. This is a team that until they show a commitment to winning games should probably be playing their games in Lansing rather than Detroit. No shot at Michigan State fans.

But why the Lions? Well just like teams such as the Washington Redskins and their Bay Area (for now) neighbors to the south, the 49ers, they seem like they would rather be better off making headlines by trying to do more things off the field than on it.

Honestly—is any team in the NFL supposed to lose to the Lions at this point?

A lot of ire began being directed at the Lions after a radio host by the name of Mike Valenti went on his radio show on WXYT-FM 97.1 The Ticket in Detroit. Valenti has been a constant critic of the Ford family who owns the franchise and is one of the highest rated personalities on Detroit radio.

The Lions recently announced that they will be changing their radio flagship from The Ticket to a News/Talk station on AM known as WJR 760. It has a very formidable signal for an AM station but is still an AM station.

It was said by Valenti as well as the parent company of the station he’s on, CBS Radio, that they changed flagships because they did not like his criticism of the team and that he has had constant run-ins with one of the Lions’ PR people.

It seemed to be a clear microcosm of just the sheer incompetence the Lions continue to exude where the words of a radio personality seem to be more of a priority for the team than the fact that the team is arguably the worst-run franchise in North American sports and once again nowhere near a Super Bowl.

One would have imagined that a Lions loss to the Oakland Raiders on Sunday would have only fueled the ongoing tension that there obviously is between Lions communications brass and Valenti the radio show host.

A few weeks ago, a loss by Detroit to Oakland seemed not only likely but a virtual foregone conclusion a few weeks ago the way the Raiders had been playing. All of a sudden, Oakland, while in less of a situation than the 49ers (who lost Colin Kaepernick for the remainder of the year and whose career in San Francisco could be as good as over) they were losers of two straight heading into this game.

The last couple of losses were at least forgivable to an extent. They were defeated by a team in Pittsburgh that once again looks like playoff contenders by a final of 38-35. Plus, the Vikings loss came in another game where Adrian Peterson went off.

Losing to the Detroit Lions, especially considering where they are right now is not something that should happen. Even worse is that the Raiders would all of a sudden see themselves at 4-6 when pundits (including myself were already pegging the Raiders as resurgent, rejuvenated, re-energized, and a lot of inspirational-type words beginning with the letter “R.”

And early on in this game, it was not because of Matthew Stafford or any of the Lions’ receivers as to why the Raiders were losing. The problem was Matt Prater. The former Denver kicker had three field goals in the early going and that was the difference in Detroit leading 9-0 at halftime.

It appeared that in the third quarter order was restored. A touchdown by Latavius Murray and two field goals courtesy of Sebastian Janikowski had put the Raiders in front 13-9.

Oakland’s defense would not hold on to their slim lead for long. Before they knew it, it was gone, and the deciding play was a five-yard touchdown run from Stafford, allowing the Lions to go ahead 16-13.

That drive lasted nine plays, 80 yards and over four minutes.

To add insult to injury, the Raiders three-and-out’ed the following drive, and the one after that did not go well as well. After being pinned close to their own end zone, they eventually gave up two more points via a safety. That made it 18-13 and game for the Detroit Lions.

At least Valenti’s criticism of the team on Monday will be at least a bit muted if any at all.

The deciding play was Stafford on a QB keeper. He had six of those on the day for a total of 31 yards. Matthew Stafford also threw for 22/35 passes for 282 yards while Calvin Johnson caught five passes for 88 yards.

As for Derek Carr, he threw for 169 yards. He also completed 13 of his 25 passes in addition. Latavius Murray had 28 yards on 13 carries while Their leading receiver had 54 yards on two receptions.

Speaking of teams that play on Thanksgiving—the Lions are one of those teams that traditionally are on our TVs on Turkey Day. And they will be again. This year’s opponent—the Philadelphia Eagles.

The Raiders will be on the road next week in Nashville to face the Tennessee Titans, but at 4-6 they have allowed the Kansas City Chiefs to reclaim second place in the AFC West as they seem to be finding their way after the Jamaal Charles injury.

Final: Lions 18, Raiders 13

Romo rides again

Nov 22, 2015; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo (9) throws a pass against the Miami Dolphins during the second half at Sun Life Stadium. The Cowboys won 24-14. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

Nov 22, 2015; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo (9) walks up to the line of scrimmage against the Miami Dolphins during the second half at Sun Life Stadium. The Cowboys won 24-14. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

Whatever the Cowboys have been doing ever since Tony Romo went on the shelf with an injury in the early portion of the season has not worked.

Whatever the Cowboys have been doing ever since said aforementioned Romo injury has not been indicative of a team that would be the NFC representative in the Super Bowl.

Whatever the Cowboys have been doing ever since said aforementioned Romo injury has not looked like NFL football.

This is why when the news that Romo was cleared to play and that he was returning to start for the Cowboys against the Miami Dolphins in South Florida, Realists, we could have heard the jubilation and celebration from North Texas even if we were in Virginia.

Because with Tony Romo, as we know, the Cowboys do look at least like a playoff team even if they do not look like a Super Bowl-winning team.

Romo’s return would be against the Miami Dolphins, a team that early on under new head coach Dan Campbell was being looked at as if he had inspired a new toughness in the team before reality happened.

That reality essentially was that the Dolphins were just another team with players and a quarterback who just are not as good as other team’s players (especially at quarterback) and still has to live with the reality that the Patriots play in the same division as them.

At the start of the third quarter, the Cowboys were leading 14-7. Romo had thrown one touchdown pass (to Terrance Williams) but he had also thrown two interceptions. Of course the internet memes began which is one thing we seem to forget about Romo.

Romo is a kind of “darned if he does, darned if he doesn’t” sort of quarterback and NFL player. The Cowboys miss him when he is gone and everyone in the media sees how mediocre (or even bad) the Cowboys are without him.

But when he is on the field, sometimes people expect him to throw interceptions and make things harder for the team when he actually makes things easier.

Let’s save the Romo memes for the playoffs…

As for the game, Ryan Tannehill would find Kenny Stills for a 29 yard touchdown on 3rd and 6 from the 29. That 3rd quarter drive ended one that lasted five plays, 53 yards and under two minutes. How’s that for a “two minute drill.”

That tied the game at 14. Said tie would be X’ed out when Dallas threw up the X. Romo to Dez Bryant for 16 yards made it a 21-14 game and a field goal from Dan Bailey a few minutes later extended that advantage out to 24-14.

That would be the Cowboys’ margin of victory for this game.

Romo did not have the best of games. He threw for 227 yards on 18 out of 28 passing along with two interceptions and two picks. Darren McFadden rushed for 129 yards on 29 carries while Terrance Williams caught four passes for 79 yards.

Ryan Tannehill had a rating of 90.4. How did that happen? He was 13/24 with one pick and two touchdowns—that’s how. Lamar Miller rushed for 44 yards on seven carries while Jarvis Landry caught four passes for 66 yards.

The Dolphins play the Jets next at MetLife Stadium, but of course, this game is about Dallas.

Speaking of teams that will also be playing on Thanksgiving and have traditionally done so (Is that a hidden theme of this week, Realists? If it was it completely happened by accident. But as we know some accidents are good.)

Just look at the NFC East right now. Thanks to this win, the Cowboys are now only two games back of the Giants for first place even with all of the problems and injuries they have sustained. That right there is the weakness of this division in a nutshell.

If the Giants were better (or the Eagles), it would not matter if or if not Tony Romo was quarterbacking this team. But since he is and the Cowboys are in the paper-thin NFC (L)east, the Cowboys, believe it or not, still have playoff aspirations.

But, in order to keep those playoff aspirations going, they have to defeat the Carolina Panthers. The game is in Arlington since it is on Thanksgiving Day, but the Panthers (who advanced to 10-0 by defeating another NFC East team in Washington) already have victories this year against the Seahawks in Seattle and the Packers.

Final: Cowboys 24, Dolphins 14

All Day? No Way

Nov 22, 2015; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Green Bay Packers running back Eddie Lacy (27) carries the ball during the fourth quarter against the Minnesota Vikings at TCF Bank Stadium. The Packers defeated the Vikings 30-15. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports

And this is the part in this week’s Realist where I say…speaking of the Packers? We get how this works.

We also get how the Packers have worked the last three weeks prior to their in-division matchup with the Minnesota Vikings. The thing is prior to this week, the Vikes have looked closer to NFC contenders than Green Bay has.

The Packers as we know lost on a nationally televised game to the Denver Broncos when Peyton Manning still looked like the Peyton Manning we are used to seeing and not this older, less accurate version of him.

The Packers as we know lost in Charlotte when they traveled to face the Carolina Panthers by a final of 30-13. But as I noted last week it is one thing when you drop a game to those teams since Broncos/Panthers could be a potential Super Bowl matchup.

The only way the Detroit Lions will be appearing to a Super Bowl is if they can afford a ticket or if they are doing some kooky promotion in San Jose with a sponsor. Green Bay lost to the Lions (you know the team that this week was revealed to have a rocky relationship with the highest-rated personality from its flagship station) last week.

Meanwhile, these struggles in Wisconsin have allowed Minnesota to leapfrog them in the standings. And it has not necessarily been Teddy Bridgewater, but more of a resurgent Adrian Peterson leading the charge for the Vikings.

So with the Packers struggling, the Vikings surging, and the game at TCF Bank in Minnesota it is easy for one to think that this one has a Minnesota win written all over it and Green Bay will be left fighting with the Falcons (and possibly a few other 4-6 teams) for Wild Card berths out of the NFC.

Full Disclaimer: I picked the Vikings in last week’s Realist.

The Packers would win this game by a final of 30-13. How did they win the game?

The defensive line.

Green Bay’s defensive line played the way a pro-caliber defensive line is supposed to play in the National Football League. Mike McCarthy and Dom Capers went into this one with a defensive plan to hold #28 in his tracks.

That defense held Adrian Peterson in his tracks. He only had 13 carries for 45 yards. By All Day’s standards, that is a bye week.

In addition, when you have a ferocious defensive line that not only stops your superstar runningback but also is able to put pressure on a young (albeit, mobile) quarterback you will win many football games. The Packers defenders sacked Bridgewater six times. Two of the sacks came via Datone Jones.

Ha-Ha Clinton Dix, Mike Daniels, Julius Peppers, and LeTroy Guion also got to Bridgewater once a piece.

This forced Bridgewater and the Vikings offense to do something they are not accustomed to doing—throwing the football. Bridgewater threw for 296 yards on 25 of 37 passing with one touchdown. Kyle Rudolph caught 106 of those yards on six passes with one touchdown.

Calling 38 passes and 18 runs for a run-first team will not help either.

Aaron Rodgers threw for 212 yards on 16 out of 34 passing with two touchdowns and one pick. Green Bay’s running game actually was working unlike Minnesota’s as Eddie Lacy got 100 of Green Bay’s 124 rushing yards (22 carries).

James Jones caught six passes for 109 yards.

And continuing with the accidental but highly appreciated Thanksgiving theme, Green Bay will be at home this Thursday to face Chicago. As for the Vikings they get the sputtering Falcons in Atlanta.

Final: Packers 30, Vikings 13

NBC=Nobody Beats the Cards

Nov 22, 2015; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Cardinals kicker Chandler Catanzaro (7) celebrates a game winning field goal against the Cincinnati Bengals during the second half at University of Phoenix Stadium. The Cardinals won 34-31. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

If anyone read last week’s Realist, I gave a shout-out to KPNX-TV Channel 12 in Phoenix—the primary NBC affiliate for the state of Arizona.

There was a reason for that—because this week that just concluded was the second one in a row where the Arizona Cardinals were featured in Sunday Night Football.

If this week and last week are any indication, every Arizona Cardinals fan are going to start demanding that every game for the remainder of the season be aired on NBC.
More on that later.

Carson Palmer out of USC is the current quarterback of the Cardinals. He once was the QB for the team they were facing on Sunday—the Cincinnati Bengals. Of course much was made of that in the mid-week buildup to this game.

What also was a primary conversation-starter in many water colors was what happened on Monday Night Football on ESPN this past week.

From the Queen City, it was the Cincinnati Bengals facing the Houston Texans. Andy Dalton vs. T.J. Yates. On paper, this is a mismatch but as has been proven on so many occasions throughout the NFL, there is a such thing as the phrase “Any Given Sunday.”

Or Monday in this case.

The Bengals suffered an embarrassing defeat at the hands of the Texans in a win that surprisingly, despite the fact that Houston still has zero quarterback, put the Texans in first place in the AFC South.

Oh how this thing called the NFL works sometimes. Just as Tom Brady has traditionally had Peyton Manning’s number over the years (sans 2006) and how Eli Manning has Brady’s number in February, T.J. Yates seemingly has Andy Dalton’s.

As for the Cards, the win they got last week was one against the Seattle Seahawks in the Emerald City. One must never look at the record of Seattle when facing that team at CenturyLink Field. Defeating the 12s is an accomplishment for any team.

It was also an opportunity for the Cards to continue to establish themselves in the AFC. Because of Arizona’s history and the fact that it isn’t exactly associated with winning, it is extremely easy to simply dismiss Arizona, but they are winning now.

And they continued to win on Sunday night.

It was 14-7 at halftime with the Bengals leading. Someone please tell me what the Bengals defense was doing shortly after halftime concluded. Carson Palmer threw three touchdowns to three different receivers and a 14-7 lead became a 28-14 deficit for Cincinnati.

With the score at 31-21 after a Jeremy Hill run for a touchdown and a Chandler Catanzaro field goal, a Dalton pass in the direction of Tyler Eifert for a touchdown plus a Mike Nugent field goal tied the game up at 31. Three of the last four Cincinnati offensive possessions resulted in touchdowns.

That was before a Catanzaro field goal would win it for Arizona.

If it was me, I would not be as concerned about these types of losses as I would be the loss last week against the Texans. For one specific reason. At least they came back and showed that they can still show the same offensive prowess they have for much of the year.

And the Cardinals behind Palmer continue to establish themselves as one of the premier teams in the NFC. It can now possibly said that the Panthers’ biggest threat to the Super Bowl could very well be Palmer’s Arizona Cardinals.

Palmer threw for four touchdowns and two interceptions. He also had 317 yards on 20 out of 31 passing. Chris Johnson only had 63 yards on 18 carries while J.J. Nelson completely went off, Realists. How’s four receptions for 142 yards doing for your fantasy teams?

Dalton went 22/39 for 315 yards plus a pair of touchdowns. Giovani Bernard caught eight passes for 128 yards while Hill along with his two touchdowns had 45 yards on 13 carries.

Breaking the accidental theme, here, neither Arizona nor Cincinnati will be on our televisions this Thursday. Both will be on the more traditional Sunday football circuit. Cincinnati gets St. Louis at home, Arizona gets San Francisco on the road.

Cardinals will probably get the win Sunday. Rams a possible upset threat? We’ll see.

Final: Cardinals 34, Bengals 31

Other Games

Nov 16, 2015; Washington, DC, USA; NFL logo on the field during the second half of the game between the Washington Redskins and the New Orleans Saints at Charles E. Smith Center. George Washington Colonials won 73 – 68. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports

Jacksonville Jaguars defeat Tennessee Titans 19-13

Indianapolis Colts defeat Atlanta Falcons 24-21

Baltimore Ravens defeat St. Louis Rams 16-13

Carolina Panthers defeat Washington Redskins 44-16

Houston Texans defeat New York Jets 24-17

Tampa Bay Buccaneers defeat Philadelphia Eagles 45-17

Kansas City Chiefs defeat San Diego Chargers 33-3

Seattle Seahawks defeat San Francisco 49ers 29-13