The List: Competitive games and Joe Burrow’s injury highlight Week 11 schedule
Week 11 of the NFL season offered more competitive games and drama than in a usual weekend. A total of 10 games came down to the final possession and two went to overtime. While longtime stars had top performances, several young and unsung players had solid games as well. Chargers rookie quarterback Justin Herbert torched the Jets and Patriots wide receiver Damiere Byrd had his best game as a professional.
However, the biggest news of the week is the torn ACL and MCL suffered by top pick Joe Burrow in Cincinnati’s loss to Washington. Burrow was carted off the field and his season is over. Here are the rest of the happenings in Week 11.
THE GOOD
Chiefs repay Raiders for Week 5 loss
Kansas City and Las Vegas squared off in an AFC West showdown on Sunday night, and the Chiefs were out for revenge after losing at home in Week 5 for their only blemish so far this season. Each team scored touchdowns on their first two possessions, with the Raiders scoring on a Josh Jacobs run and a pass from Derek Carr to Nelson Agholor, while the Chiefs countered with a pass from Patrick Mahomes to Tyreek Hill, followed by a run by rookie Clyde Edwards-Helaire. After Dan Carlson put Las Vegas ahead with a field goal, Kansas City looked to retake the lead before halftime. However, Mahomes’ pass to Demarcus Robinson was intercepted by Trayvon Mullen with 30 seconds left, and the Raiders held a three-point lead.
Edwards-Helaire added a second scoring run in the third quarter, before the teams put on another wild scoring outburst in the fourth. Carr hit tight end Darren Waller with a three-yard pass on the first play of the quarter to put Las Vegas back in front, 24-21. After the teams traded punts, Mahomes led Kansas City on a 12-play, 91-yard drive that culminated in a six-yard touchdown run by Le’Veon Bell for a 28-24 advantage. Carr responded with a 12-play drive of his own, with a 20-yard pass to Agholor and a 22-yard pass interference penalty setting up a one-yard connection to longtime Cowboys tight end Jason Witten to put the Raiders back on top with 1:43 on the clock. Mahomes completed two passes to Hill and added first-down passes to Mecole Hardman and Travis Kelce before hitting his All-Pro tight end with a 22-yard strike with 28 seconds left to give the Chiefs the lead for good, 35-31. Carr’s next pass was intercepted by Daniel Sorensen, and Kansas City improved to 9-1 with the victory.
Mahomes threw for 348 yards and two touchdowns, one each to Kelce (eight receptions for 127 yards) and Hill (11-102), and Edwards-Helaire added 69 yards and two scores rushing. Carr had 275 yards and three touchdowns and Jacobs ran for 55 yards and a score. Agholor and Waller each totaled 77 yards receiving and a touchdown for Las Vegas (6-4).
Juan Guarin-Camargo breaks down the Sunday night game here.
Rams hold off Brady and the Buccaneers on Monday night
Jared Goff threw for three touchdowns and an NFL week-high 376 yards to lead the Rams to a 27-24 win over the Buccaneers on Monday night. Los Angeles preserved the victory when Jordan Fuller intercepted Tom Brady with less than two minutes remaining.
The Monday night offering was a true back-and-forth contest. The Rams got on the board first, thanks to Goff's pass to Robert Woods. Brady responded with a scoring strike of his own to Mike Evans and Tampa Bay took the lead on a Leonard Fournette run midway through the second quarter. Los Angeles (7-3) came right back, with Goff hitting rookie Van Jefferson Jr. with a scoring pass to tie the score and Matt Gay kicking a field goal as the first half expired. Gay was released by the Buccaneers before the season.
His replacement, Ryan Succop, kicked a field goal early in the third to tie the score at 17-17. After Gay missed a field goal, Brady threw an interception, and Goff capitalized with a touchdown pass to running back Cam Akers. The six-time champion returned the favor in the fourth. Goff threw an interception midway through the quarter and Brady responded with a 13-yard pass to Chris Godwin, knotting the score once again with 3:53 left. On the ensuing possession, Goff and Woods connected twice and Cooper Kupp hauled in a 19-yard reception to set up Gay’s 40-yard field goal with 2:36 on the clock. Brady found Godwin with a first-down pass, but Fuller’s interception allowed Los Angeles to nearly run out the clock. Los Angeles stopped Kenjon Barner on a punt return as time expired.
Kupp had 11 receptions for 145 yards, and Woods caught 12 passes for 130 yards and a score for the Rams. Brady had 216 yards passing, two touchdowns, and two interceptions. Godwin had seven receptions for 53 yards and Antonio Brown added eight catches and 57 yards for Tampa Bay (7-4). Neither team could get a ground game going, as the Rams and Buccaneers combined for just 79 rushing yards overall.
Cowboys edge Vikings in Dalton’s return
A game between two teams with losing records turned out to be one of the best contests of the day. Andy Dalton returned after missing the past two games with a concussion and a bout of COVID-19 to toss three touchdown passes, including the game-winner to Dalton Schultz with 1:37 left, and the Cowboys held off the Vikings, 31-28. The game was a battle between two of the NFL’s top running backs and two receivers who are capable of highlight-reel catches at any moment.
Dalton found Ezekiel Elliott with a six-yard pass to open the scoring, but Minnesota responded with a touchdown from the league’s leading rusher, Dalvin Cook. Dallas responded with another Dalton scoring pass late in the second quarter, this one to CeeDee Lamb. The rookie caught the ball despite having to twist his body while in mid-air parallel to the ground. Not to be outdone, Kirk Cousins led his team to a scoring drive early in the third. The capper came when Adam Thielen made a double move and caught the ball with one hand while somehow keeping both feet in bounds.
The fourth quarter was wild. A second Cousins-to-Thielen touchdown pass on the first play put the Vikings back in front, 21-16. Less than three minutes later, Elliott’s backup, Tony Pollard, took off on a 42-yard scoring run. Dallas used a little trickery on the two-point attempt. Dalton handed the ball to Elliott, who then flipped it to Lamb to finish the run and put the Cowboys back in front, 24-21. A run by Cook and a pass to Thielen set up Cousins’ 39-yard strike to rookie Justin Jefferson, giving the Vikings a 28-24 advantage. The teams traded punts before Dalton took over with exactly four minutes left. He completed 10-yard passes to Michael Gallup, Amari Cooper, and Schultz, and Elliott added an 18-yard run to set up the scoring pass to Schultz. Cousins completed a short pass to Cook but misfired on his final three attempts, and Dallas ran out the clock.
Dalton had 203 yards passing, Cooper had 81 receiving, Pollard had 60 yards and a score, and Elliott totaled 103 yards rushing for Dallas (3-7). Cousins threw for 314 yards and three touchdowns, Cook had 115 yards and a score, Thielen caught eight passes for 123 yards and two touchdowns, and Jefferson totaled 86 yards and a score for Minnesota (4-6). On Monday, the Vikings placed Thielen on the reserve/COVID-19 list.
Titans, Colts win overtime contests
Sunday’s game in Baltimore started with head coach John Harbaugh getting angry about the Titans having a pre-game meeting on the Ravens’ logo, and it turned into a battle of 6-3 teams that could not be won in 60 minutes. Reminiscent of Terrell Owens posing on the Dallas star twice after scoring a pair of touchdowns for the 49ers in a game in September 2000, Harbaugh took exception to the Titans having a meeting at midfield, even confronting A.J. Brown and Malcolm Butler.
Ryan Tannehill started the scoring with a pass to Jonnu Smith, but Baltimore grabbed the advantage on a J.K. Dobbins rushing touchdown in the second quarter. Lamar Jackson’s 31-yard pass to tight end Mark Andrews put the Ravens in front, 21-10 but, after two Stephen Gostkowski field goals, Tannehill found Brown with a scoring pass, and the quarterback added the two-point conversion run for a 24-21 Titans lead with just 2:18 left.
Jackson completed passes to Andrews, Willie Snead, and Dez Bryant, and also had two first downs running to set up Justin Tucker’s game-tying 29-yard field goal with 15 seconds on the clock. Baltimore started with the ball in overtime, but Harold Landry sacked Jackson and Tennessee forced a punt. Tannehill completed a pair of passes to Corey Davis and another to Brown, and Derrick Henry took care of the rest, finishing off the Ravens with a 29-yard touchdown to give his team a 30-24 victory.
Henry finished with 133 yards, Tannehill had 259 yards passing and two touchdowns, and Davis added a game-high 113 yards for Tennessee (7-3). Jackson threw for 186 yards and a touchdown, and he added 51 yards rushing. Dobbins totaled 70 yards on the ground and Andrews led Baltimore (6-4) with 96 receiving.
A second AFC South team needed extra time to win on Sunday. Philip Rivers threw for 288 yards and three touchdowns as the Colts came from behind to defeat the Packers, 34-31. The teams traded first-quarter scoring passes, with Aaron Rodgers throwing a 25-yard touchdown to Robert Tonyan and Rivers responding with a 45-yard strike to Michael Pittman. Rodgers had two more scores in the second quarter and Aaron Jones added a two-yard run to offset a Rivers pass to Trey Burton and put Green Bay up 28-14 at halftime.
Rivers led Indianapolis (7-3) to four second-half scoring drives, including a six-yard pass to tight end Jack Doyle. The other possessions ended with Rodrigo Blankenship’s field goals, including a 43-yard kick that put the Colts ahead, 31-28, with 8:56 remaining. After their next drive ended with a loss of downs, the Packers forced a punt and got that ball back with 1:25 on the clock. Rodgers started deep in his own end, but a 47-yard connection to Marquez Valdes-Scantling and two first-down passes to Davante Adams set up a Mason Crosby 26-yard field goal that tied the score with three seconds left in regulation.
Green Bay started with the ball in overtime, but Valdes-Scantling fumbled and DeForest Buckner recovered for Indianapolis on the 29. Although the Colts could not pick up the first down, they were close enough for Blankenship to end the contest with a 39-yard kick.
Pittman led his team with 66 yards receiving and Jonathan Tayler added a game-high 90 rushing yards for Indianapolis. Rodgers had 311 yards and three touchdowns, Adams posted 106 yards and a score, and Aaron Jones added 41 yards rushing and a touchdown for Green Bay (7-3).
Seahawks take over NFC West lead
Russell Wilson had 197 yards and two touchdowns, and trade deadline acquisition Carlos Dunlap sacked Kyler Murray on fourth down with less than a minute left as the Seahawks took over first place in the NFC West with a 28-21 win over the Cardinals on Thursday night. Wilson’s scoring passes to DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett offset a Kenyan Drake rushing touchdown as Seattle took a 16-7 lead at halftime. Carlos Hyde scored on a two-yard run in the third quarter, but Kyler Murray tossed two touchdown passes as Arizona cut the deficit to 23-21 with 13:19 left.
The Cardinals were backed up in their next possession, and ex-Seahawk J.R. Sweezy was penalized for holding in the end zone for a safety. Wilson led the Seahawks on a 12-play, seven-minute drive that ended with a Jason Myers 41-yard field goal with 2:19 remaining. Murray led his team into Seattle territory but, after three straight incompletions, he was sacked by Dunlap, a two-time Pro Bowler who was acquired on Oct. 28 after spending his first 10 seasons with the Bengals.
Murray had 269 yards and two touchdowns, and Larry Fitzgerald was his top receiver with eight catches and 62 yards for Arizona. Hyde ran for 70 yards and a score, and Lockett posted nine receptions for 67 yards and a touchdown for Seattle. The game was the first played in the newly named Lumen Field. The CenturyLink telecommunications company was renamed Lumen Technologies in September and the stadium was given the name change this week. The building was known as Seahawks Stadium from 2002-04, Qwest Field from 2004-11, and CenturyLink Field from 2011-20.
For more on the Thursday night game, check out Richie Dordas’ recap.
Best of the Rest
Deshaun Watson threw for 344 yards and two touchdowns passing, and he also had a rushing score, but the Texans had to stop a late Hail Mary pass to defeat the Patriots, 27-20. All three of Watson’s touchdowns came in the first half, including a six-yard connection with Keke Coutee with 10 seconds remaining that gave Houston a 21-10 advantage at the break.
Cam Newton had 365 yards passing, and his 42-yard touchdown to Damiere Byrd midway through the third quarter brought New England (4-6) to within 21-17. The teams traded field goals, with Ka’imi Fairbairn’s 46-yarder giving Houston (3-7) a seven-point cushion with 4:11 remaining. The Patriots got into Texans territory before turning the ball over on downs with 1:11 left, then used their final two timeouts to preserve 18 seconds for one final push. After a nine-yard completion to Ryan Izzo, Newton heaved the ball downfield on the final play. Izzo came out of the crowd with the catch, but the 50-yard pass fell 12 yards short of its needed destination.
Watson was helped by a trio of receivers: Brandin Cooks (85 yards), Jordan Akins (83), and Will Fuller (80). Byrd finished with a game-high 132 yards receiving, and Damien Harris added 43 yards and a score rushing in a losing effort.
Melvin Gordon ran for 84 yards and two touchdowns, and the Broncos did what the last three teams could not, defeat Tua Tagovailoa. Brandon McManus added a pair of field goals and Denver improved to 4-6 with a 20-13 win over Miami. Despite playing with sore ribs, Drew Lock threw for 270 yards and an interception, and Tim Patrick added a game-high 119 yards receiving for the Broncos.
Tagovailoa threw a touchdown to DeVante Parker, but he had just 83 yards passing, was sacked six times, and was benched by Brian Flores in the fourth quarter. Ryan Fitzpatrick came in and threw for 117 yards over the final two drives, but his potential game-tying pass was intercepted by a diving Justin Simmons in the end zone. Parker had 61 yards receiving to lead Miami (6-4).
Justin Herbert threw for 366 yards and three touchdowns, and Keenan Allen had a team record and NFL season-high 16 catches, but the Chargers had to withstand a late rally by the winless Jets. Los Angeles started with the ball, but quickly lost momentum. New York blocked a Ty Long punt and Quinnen Williams recovered on the Charters’ 29. Four plays later, rookie La’Mical Perine scored on a five-yard run. However, that was just about all the Jets offense could muster in the first half, as New York totaled just 87 yards on five possessions. Herbert threw two touchdown passes and Tevaughn Campbell returned a Joe Flacco interception for another score as Los Angeles went into halftime with a 24-6 lead.
After Flacco hit Breshad Perriman with a 49-yard scoring strike, Herbert connected with Allen to make the score 31-13. The Jets held their opponents to three points the rest of the way, and they cut into the lead on a Frank Gore scoring run and a Flacco pass to Chris Herndon with four minutes left. New York had one last chance. Long tried to run out the clock on a punt attempt, but he was forced to step out of bounds for a safety with one second remaining. The Chargers stopped Braxton Berrios’ free-kick return to preserve the victory.
Allen had 145 yards and Mike Williams added 72 for Los Angeles (3-7). Flacco finished with 205 yards and two touchdowns, Gore had 61 yards and a score, and Denzel Mims added 71 yards receiving for New York (0-10).
A heavy rain fell for most of Sunday’s game between the Browns and Eagles, but Cleveland (7-3) used the ground game to control the ball and the clock in a 22-17 win. Nick Chubb ran for 114 yards and Kareem Hunt added a fourth-quarter touchdown that put the Browns up, 19-10. Cleveland opened the scoring when Sione Takitaki intercepted Carson Wentz and ran 50 yards to the end zone on the third play of the game. The Browns got the rest of their points on three Cody Parkey field goals and a safety when Olivier Vernon tackled Carson Wentz in the end zone late in the third quarter.
Carson Wentz threw for 235 yards and two touchdowns, but he also had two interceptions and was sacked five times. Miles Sanders added 66 yards rushing for Philadelphia (3-6-1), and tight end Dallas Goedert was the game’s leading receiver with five catches for 77 yards, including a touchdown catch from Wentz with 30 seconds remaining.
Sean Payton found out the answer to his question, Taysom Hill is a capable starter for the Saints once Drew Brees retires. Hill had 233 yards passing to go along with a game-high 51 yards and two scores rushing, leading New Orleans to its seventh straight win, 24-9, over Atlanta. Michael Thomas finally looked like the record-setting receiver we know and love, registering nine catches for 104 yards. Alvin Kamara added 45 yards rushing and a touchdown just after the two-minute warning of the first half for the Saints, who took over the top spot in the NFC with an 8-2 record.
Calvin Ridley had five receptions for 90 yards to lead Atlanta (3-7), with scoring coming on three Younghoe Koo field goals. Matt Ryan passed for 232 yards, but he threw two interceptions and was sacked eight times, including three by Cameron Jordan.
Despite not having starter Teddy Bridgewater available, the Panthers shut out the Lions, 20-0. Bridgewater’s replacement, former XFL quarterback P.J. Walker threw for 258 yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions to win his first NFL start. Mike Davis ran for a game-high 64 yards, including a one-yard score late in the first quarter, and Joey Slye added two field goals for Carolina (4-7). D’Andre Swift missed the game with a concussion, and Detroit (4-6) totaled just 40 rushing yards in his absence. Matthew Stafford threw for 178 yards, but he was sacked five times.
The Steelers spotted the Jaguars a field goal before Ben Roethlisberger took over and led his team to a 27-3 victory, which made them the 18th club to start a season at 10-0. Roethlisberger threw for 267 yards and two touchdowns, including a 31-yard strike midway through the second quarter that rookie Chase Claypool caught on a dive. With the score, Claypool became the first wide receiver in the Super Bowl era to catch 10 touchdowns in his first 10 career games. James Conner had 89 yards rushing and Dionte Johnson added 12 catches for 111 yards receiving for Pittsburgh. James Robinson had 73 yards rushing and 21 receiving for Jacksonville (1-9), but rookie quarterback Jake Luton threw four interceptions.
Stat Leaders
Jared Goff threw for a week-high 376 yards, three touchdowns, and two interceptions in a Rams win over the Buccaneers on Monday night. Others who hit the 300-yard mark include Chargers rookie Justin Herbert, who threw for 366 yards and three scores in a win over the Jets, Deshaun Watson (344) and Cam Newton (365) from the Texans-Patriots game, Chiefs star Patrick Mahomes (348), along with Kirk Cousins, who had 314 yards in a Vikings loss to the Cowboys and Aaron Rodgers, who threw for 311 yards, but the Packers fell to the Colts in overtime. With his performance, Mahomes became the first passer this season to hit the 3,000-yard mark (3,035), but Russell Wilson (2,986), Matt Ryan (2,798), and Tom Brady (2,955) are all within striking distance of the league lead. Wilson still tops the NFL with 30 touchdown passes, followed by Rodgers with 29 and Mahomes with 27.
Titans star Derrick Henry posted an NFL-high 133 yards in an overtime win against the Ravens in Week 11, and that performance allowed him to re-take the lead in the overall rushing yard battle with Dalvin Cook, 1,079-1,069. The Vikings back had a solid game for his own, rushing for 115 yards in a losing effort, and he still leads the league with 13 touchdowns. Cleveland’s Nick Chubb (114) and Dallas’ Ezekiel Elliott (103) also reached the 100-yard mark this week.
Keenan Allen took over the NFL lead in receptions with 81 after making 16 catches for 145 yards in the Chargers’ win over the Jets. Other stars for the week included Rams receivers Cooper Kupp (11 receptions for 145 yards) and Robert Woods (12-130) Steelers up-and-comer Diontae Johnson (12-111) and Damiere Byrd. The undrafted free agent in 2015 out of South Carolina had 132 yards, but the Patriots fell to the Texans. Cardinals star DeAndre Hopkins still leads the NFL with 912 receiving yards, but he is followed closely by Bills receiver Stefon Diggs (906) and Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce (896). Despite going on the reserve/COVID-19 list, Minnesota’s Adam Thielen scored two touchdowns, giving him a league-best 11 this season. Kansas City’s Tyreek Hill and Green Bay’s Davante Adams each have 10.
NFL schedules week-long Pro Bowl event
Even though the NFL canceled the Pro Bowl in mid-October, the league and the Electronic Arts gaming company announced on Nov. 17 that the game would be turned into a weeklong virtual event. Fans can still vote for players to be selected to the Pro Bowl, and the virtual week will feature celebrities, NFL legends, current players, and streaming fans playing games with the official rosters. The event will culminate with 2021 Pro Bowl players competing in a virtual game through Madden NFL 21.
Fans can vote for Pro Bowl rosters either on NFL.com or through Madden NFL 21 console and mobile games. Starting on December 1 through the end of the voting period 17 days later, fans can also vote on Twitter, either by tweeting the first and last name of the player, tagging the player’s official Twitter handle, or creating a hashtag that includes the player’s first and last names (all Twitter methods must also include #ProBowlVote with the submission). After fan voting has ended, players and coaching will vote on Dec. 18, with each group counting as one-third of the total. Although the game will no longer be played at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, ESPN and ABC will still have full coverage of virtual Pro Bowl week.
Officiating crew makes history
Even before the games began in Week 11, fans were promised something that had never happened in the league’s history. For the first time, an NFL game featured an all-black crew. Jerome Boger, a referee in his 17th season, led the seven-man crew during Monday night’s contest between the Rams and Buccaneers. Four of the officials have worked in a Super Bowl, including Boger, who was the referee in Super Bowl XLVII between the Ravens and 49ers. Three others, umpire Barry Anderson, line judge Carl Johnson, and back judge Greg Steed, all worked in last year’s game between the Chiefs and 49ers, and Steed also was the back judge in the Saints’ win over the Colts in Super Bowl LIV. Rounding out the crew will be down judge Julian Mapp, side judge Dale Shaw, and field judge Anthony Jeffries. There is also some significance to this crew working the Rams game. Los Angeles was the first NFL franchise to integrate after signing Kenny Washington and Woody Strode in 1946.
Broncos coordinator recovering from hospitalization
Broncos defensive coordinator Ed Donatell is back at home recovering on Wednesday after being hospitalized last week with COVID-related systems. Although he has not been on the sidelines since testing positive before the Week 8 game against the Chargers, the 63-year-old Donatell has been taking part in virtual team meetings. He was the defensive coordinator with the Packers (2000-03) and Falcons (2004-06), and he is in his second season in that role with the Broncos.
Peko signs with Cardinals
Domata Peko, a defensive tackle who is a 14-year NFL veteran, signed with the Cardinals on Thursday. Peko, who will turn 36 this week, spent his first 11 seasons with the Bengals, totaling 18½ sacks and 517 tackles while playing in 171 games. He spent two years with Denver and one with Baltimore, but was unsigned at the start of the 2020 season. Arizona targeted Peko after veteran nose tackle Corey Peters went down with a knee injury. Peko will be reunited with defensive coordinator Vance Joseph, who was the head coach of the Broncos during Peko’s tenure.
THE BAD
Former Super Bowl MVP and Dolphins star Jake Scott passes away
Jake Scott, a member of the perfect 1972 Dolphins team and the first defensive back to win the Super Bowl MVP award, passed away on Nov. 19 at the age of 75. He reportedly suffered head injuries in a fall while going down steps.
Scott was an All-American safety at Georgia, but he left after his junior year to play in the Canadian Football League with the BC Lions. After one year in the CFL as a receiver and kick returner, Scott was drafted by the Dolphins in the seventh round of the 1970 NFL Draft. He started all 84 games at free safety with Miami over the next six seasons, while setting team records with 35 interceptions and 1,330 punt return yards.
While Scott was selected to five Pro Bowls and two All-Pro teams, his biggest contribution came during the postseason. Miami made three straight Super Bowls and Scott was a starter in each of those contests. He had two tackles in Super Bowl VI, but the Cowboys won, 24-3. The following year, Scott had two interceptions and made two tackles to win game MVP honors, helping the Dolphins complete their perfect season with a 14-7 win over the Redskins. Miami won its second straight title with a 24-7 victory over Minnesota in Super Bowl VIII, with Scott contributing three tackles and two fumble recoveries. He joined the Redskins in 1976 and had 14 interceptions in his final three seasons. Scott retired after picking off seven passes in 1978.
After his playing career, Scott was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2011. He owned a cattle ranch in Colorado with fellow Dolphins safety Dick Anderson before selling his share so he could move to Hawaii.
Game featuring top two picks overshadowed by injury
Antonio Gibson ran for 94 yards and a touchdown, but despite the Washington Winners pulling off a 20-9 victory, all the talk was about the injury to Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow. The matchup pitted Burrow, the top pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, against Washington defensive end Chase Young, the draft’s second selection. After Gibson’s scoring run, Burrow responded with a touchdown of his own to A.J. Green. Randy Bullock’s 53-yard field goal gave Cincinnati (2-7-1) a 9-7 halftime lead.
A pass from Alex Smith to Steven Sims Jr. midway through the third quarter put Washington back in front, and Dustin Hopkins added two field goals. However, the key play came with about 11½ minutes left in the third. Burrow released a long pass that was incomplete, but replays show that a battle between a Cincinnati and a Washington player resulted in them falling into his left knee. The result is a torn ACL and MCL, which will end his season and require reconstructive surgery. Burrow sent out a tweet while he was in the locker room that said: “Can’t get rid of me that easy. See ya next year.” He left the game and was carted off the field after throwing for 203 yards and a touchdown.
Tyler Boyd led all receivers with nine catches for 85 yards, but Burrow’s replacement, Ryan Finley, was sacked four times and threw an interception. Smith finished with 166 yards and a score, and Terry McLauren added 84 yards receiving for Washington (3-7).
Man involved in the death of former Saints star gets new trial
Cardell Hayes, who was convicted of manslaughter after killing former Saints defensive end Will Smith in 2016, was granted a new trial in Louisiana. Hayes was convicted of manslaughter by a 10-2 vote, but the retrial was granted after the U. S. Supreme Court ruled that laws allowing split jury convictions in both Louisiana and Oregon were unconstitutional.
On April 9, 2016, Smith and his wife, Raquel, were in a Mercedes SUV and bumped the rear end of Hayes’ Hummer. Hayes followed him for two blocks and rear-ended the Mercedes twice, breaking the vehicle’s back window. The vehicles emptied, leading to a confrontation in the street, which ended with Hayes shooting Will Smith once in the side and seven times in the back. He also shot Raquel Smith in the legs, leading to an attempted manslaughter charge. Hayes and his passenger both said Hayes fired only after Will Smith punched him, but that was not supported by any other witness accounts. Hayes was sentenced to 25 years in prison in early 2017.
Brees to miss time, Olsen injured on Thursday night
While Saints coach Sean Payton waffles between using Jameis Winston or Taysom Hill at quarterback, Drew Brees will be out for the next three weeks. New Orleans placed its star passer on injured reserve, meaning he will miss at least the next three weeks. Brees suffered what was originally thought to be five broken ribs last week against the Buccaneers, but turned out to be 11. One of those breaks punctured his lung, causing it to collapse. He is eligible to return for the Week 14 game against the Eagles.
Brees was not the only player placed on injured reserve this week. The Saints star was joined on injured reserve by Bengals running back Joe Mixon, who suffered a foot injury in Week 6 against the Colts, and Titans edge rusher Jadeveon Clowney, who is dealing with a meniscus injury in his knee and is contemplating surgery.
Three other quarterbacks besides Brees were injured during Week 10 games. Detroit’s Matthew Stafford (thumb) and Denver’s Drew Lock (ribs) were active for Sunday’s games, while Stafford’s potential opponent, Carolina’s Teddy Bridgewater, was inactive with an MCL sprain.
Other players who are out for Week 11 include: Carolina running back Christian McCaffrey (shoulder), Detroit wide receivers Kenny Golladay and Danny Amendola (both with hip injuries) and running back D’Andre Swift (concussion), Jacksonville quarterback Gardner Minshew II (thumb), and wide receiver Laviska Shenault (hamstring), Miami running back Myles Gaskin (sprained MCL), Jets quarterback Sam Darnold (shoulder sprain), Houston running back David Johnson (concussion) and Kansas City wide receiver Sammy Watkins, who missed his fifth straight game with a hamstring injury.
The in-game injuries began on Thursday night. Seattle was without running back Chris Carson, who missed the game with a foot injury. The Seahawks lost another weapon during the game. Early in the fourth quarter, tight end Greg Olsen ruptured the plantar fascia in his foot while blocking for a screenplay. The three-time Pro Bowler could miss up to eight weeks with the injury, putting his season and playoff availability in jeopardy. Olsen has 23 catches for 224 yards and a touchdown in 2020.
While Cincinnati quarterback Joe Burrow was the biggest name injured during Week 11 games, he was not the only one. Others who suffered injuries include: Jets running back La’Mical Perine (knee) and tackle George Fant (ankle), Texans wide receivers (“significant” to injury) and Kenny Stills (leg), Saints guard Andrus Peat (concussion), Jaguars linebacker Josh Allen (knee), Eagles tackle Lane Johnson (shoulder) and Patriots running back Rex Burkhead (knee). Titans linebacker Jayon Brown sustained a fractured and dislocated elbow during the overtime win against the Ravens, and he will miss the rest of the year.
THE UGLY
Giants’ bye week includes a firing and three new COVID-19 cases
Even during their bye week, the New York Giants cannot get out of their own way. Apparently, tensions between head coach Joe Judge and offensive line coach Marc Colombo had been rising for weeks. Although the offensive line has improved this season, Judge was not pleased with how Colombo was running individual drills in practice or rotating in players during games. Last week, Judge hired former Patriots offensive line coach Dave DeGuglielmo as a consultant, but Colombo took exception to the hire. Judge and Colombo had a conversation earlier in the week which turned “unprofessional” on Columbo’s end (with some sources saying there was a fistfight while the team denied it), and Judge fired him after just 10 games. Colombo came to the Giants early in 2020, following Jason Garrett, who was the named offensive coordinator after 10 seasons as Cowboys head coach.
In addition, three players tested positive for the coronavirus on Friday. Tight end Kaden Smith, rookie offensive lineman Matt Peart, and wide receiver Dante Pettis were placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list on Friday.
Teams under intensive protocols for the rest of the season
Beginning on Saturday, the NFL placed all teams under intensive COVID-19 protocols for the remainder of the season. Among the more notable guidelines, all players and coaches must have a negative test the previous day before entering team facilities, regular daily PCR testing will continue, all meetings must be held virtually unless there is a pre-approved outdoor or indoor plan, face masks must be worn at all times, including on the practice field, all meals must be grab-and-go, locker room use is discouraged on non-game days and all team or player gatherings away from the facility are prohibited. Before Saturday, only teams with a positive test or those that had been exposed to a team with a positive test were subjected to intensive protocols.
Memo addresses further concerns
On Monday evening, the NFL issued a memo with updated protocols. Starting in Week 12, all players must now wear masks on the sidelines if they are not wearing a helmet or entering the game, although all play-callers do not need to wear a face mask if they are wearing a shield. Team traveling parties for road games have been reduced to 62 players, and all players, coaches, and staff must now wear N95 or KN95 masks on the team plane or bus. Starting on Monday, only players in the “Essential Football,” “Essential Support” or “Other Medical/Special Services” categories will be allowed in club facilities. All others must either work remotely or at a separate facility. The message from the NFL is clear, either follow the guidelines or face league discipline.
Raiders among teams facing more COVID-19 issues
The Las Vegas Raiders just can’t seem to avoid coronavirus concerns. Defensive end Clelin Ferrell tested positive for COVID-19 on Wednesday, and Lamarcus Joyner was added to the reserve list as a close contact. Safety Johnathan Abram, defensive tackle Maliek Collins, defensive tackle Johnathan Hankins, defensive back Isaiah Johnson, defensive end Arden Key and defensive tackle Kendal Vickers were determined to be close contacts to Ferrell and were added to the list the following day. However, after multiple days of no positive tests, all but Ferrell were cleared to play against the Chiefs on Sunday night. Linebacker Cory Littleton remains on the reserve list from last week, and Trent Brown still has not returned to game action since Week 5. Kansas City also has COVID-related news. The team took starting tackles Mitchell Schwartz and Eric Fisher off the reserve list on Thursday. Wide receiver Mecole Hardman and offensive lineman Martinas Rankin remained on the reserve/COVID-19 list, while Schwartz is still sidelined with a back injury.
Both teams in the Eagles-Browns matchup have been affected by COVID-19 as well. On Thursday, safety Marcus Epps became the first Philadelphia player to test positive. The Eagles also placed wide receivers J.J. Arcega-Whiteside and John Hightower, running back Corey Clement, defensive end Vinny Curry and practice squad wide receiver Deontay Burnett on the reserve list. Cleveland will lose its best defensive player for this week, as defensive end, Myles Garrett, who leads the NFL with 9½ sacks, tested positive for the coronavirus on Friday. In addition to Garrett, the Browns placed tackle Jack Conklin, fullback Andy Janovich and kicker Cody Parkey on the reserve list earlier in the week. Janovich remains on the list while Conklin and Parkey were removed on Saturday.
In addition to Thielen, several other players were placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list on Monday. The Bears placed two-time Pro Bowl safety Eddie Jackson on the list. The Ravens closed their facility on Monday while also placing three players on the reserve list. Running backs Mark Ingram and J.K. Dobbins both tested positive and defensive lineman Brandon Williams was a close contact. All three will miss the Thanksgiving night game against the undefeated Steelers.
Bills tight end develops COVID-related heart condition
Like many of us, Tommy Sweeney’s 202 has gone from bad to worse. The Buffalo tight end was placed on the physically unable to perform list with a foot injury during training camp and tested positive for the coronavirus in late October. Even though he has since recovered, his season is over after he developed myocarditis, a condition that inflames the wall of the heart and can weaken the heart or cause an abnormal heartbeat. In severe cases, myocarditis can lead to heart attack, stroke, or cardiac arrest. Sweeney was a seventh-round pick out of Boston College who played six games with the Bills in 2019.
What to expect in Week 12: The schedule begins with three contests on Thanksgiving Day. Two feature usual holiday mainstays, with the Lions hosting the Texans at 12:30 p.m. and the Cowboys hosting Washington at 4:30. Thursday night’s game is an AFC North heavyweight battle between the Ravens and the Steelers. Sunday afternoon features an AFC South slugfest between the Titans and Colts, as well as a game between the Chiefs and Buccaneers that features arguably the best player in the NFL right now in Patrick Mahomes and the player many view as the greatest in the game’s history, Tom Brady. The NFC North is featured in the Sunday night game between the Bears and Packers, while NFC division leaders meet as the Seahawks face the Eagles on Monday night.
Writer
-By: Kevin Rakas