With Week 11 nearly in the books, we can say…
1. Peyton Manning had such a miserable time behind his battered offensive line he’s likely to vote yes on Richie Incognito, and ironically just in time to face the Dolphins.
2. The Patriots are the best team in the NFL. Even on nights when Tom Brady throws two early picks. And Gronk is Gronk again. And Revis is Revis again.
3. Andrew Luck is having the same problems with Bill Belichick that Peyton Manning had in his early years.
4. Aaron Rodgers is the best quarterback in the NFL. But you already knew that.
5. Bruce Arians is the Coach of the Year.
6. J.J. Watt deserves a raise.
7. Ryan Mallett appears to have learned a few things under Brady and Belichick, no?
8. You really didn’t think it was going to be all sunshine and roses for the Sanchize did you?
9. It’s time we lower the standards for the Raiders: Just cover, baby!
10. Marshawn Lynch is Least Mode when it comes to class.
11. The NFC South is a joke. All of a sudden the Saints can’t win at home. All of a sudden the Falcons are the class of the division. And the 2-8 Bucs are two games out of first.
12. RGIII and the Redskins are a mess.
13. Josh Gordon’s suspension ending Monday comes at a perfect time for Brian Hoyer and the Browns. And yes, Johnny Football misses Mike Evans.
14. Imagine what Jeff Fisher could do with a big-time quarterback.
15. Emmanuel Sanders (concussion) seemed coherent after the Broncos’ upset loss to the Rams, but rookie No.2 pick Cody Latimer is warming up in the bullpen.
16. Every time you want to believe in Matthew Stafford and the Lions, they give you reason to jump off the bandwagon.
Cloudy skies in Seattle
The Seahawks are in trouble. And learning why no Super Bowl champ since the Patriots has defended its crown in 2003-04.
Russell Wilson, when he isn’t using his legs, looks human without a stud wide receiver. Marshawn Lynch is flipping off Chiefs fans and showing disdain for the media. The Legion of Doom defense no longer scares anyone, and they don’t get to play the Giants again.
And a resurgence by the 6-4 49ers means the 6-4 Hawks find themselves locked in a furious battle for a wild-card berth with their archrivals and runners-up of division battles between the Eagles and Cowboys, Packers and Lions.
Rookie runners ramping up
This was a Sunday when rookie running backs stole some thunder from their rookie wide receiver brethren.
There was downhill power back Jonas Gray, an unknown toiling for his third team in three years, making Bill Belichick again look like a genius with a 38-199-4 TD rampage over the Colts. Stevan Ridley just got Wally Pipped.
There was the Bengals’ Jeremy Hill, gashing the Saints for 152 yards in his return to Louisiana.
“He’s strong, he can cut and run and he’s got great speed, great vision and can catch the football,” Marvin Lewis said. “He’s a very complete player.”
There was Alfred Blue, running wild in relief of Arian Foster to the tune of 156 yards on a Texans-franchise-record 36 carries against the Browns.
And there was the Rams’ Tre Mason, 29 rushes for 113 yards against the vaunted Broncos run defense.