By Matthew DelDonna, PSO Director of Football Development
Nov 30, 2020

Plenty of exciting action took place Sunday afternoon with several records being broken across the league and outstanding individual performances. Tyreek Hill blew up the league with an almost 300 YD/3 TD performance in the NFL’s Game of the Week against Tampa Bay. Derrick Henry and A.J. Brown also had sensational showings for the Titans while the Giants won their third game in a row to take control of the NFC East.

San Francisco upset the Rams to show they’re not ready to back down from playoff contention just yet, Kirk Cousins led the Vikings to a double-digit fourth quarter comeback, and finally Green Bay capped off the day with a dominant demonstration of their A-game to pick up its 100th win over their long-time rival Chicago Bears in a week full of interesting takeaways to break down.  

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Key Fact: Kirk Cousins is the 2nd QB in Vikings history with consecutive games of 300 PASS YDS, 3 TD, and 0 INT 

Best Highlights:

  • Beebe redeemed himself and caught the GW TD pass

  • Don’t let Robby Anderson get in space

  • Chinn took it the other way for 6 x 2

Most Valuable Intel: Don’t bet against the Vikings making it to the playoffs

Besides New Orleans, Minnesota might be the hottest team in the NFC right now. Since its bye, MIN has won four of its last five games after starting the season 1-5 and looking like a high draft pick contender. Now sitting at 5-6, the Vikings have taken control of second place in the NFC North and are in close contention with ARZ, which fell to 6-5 against NE, for the final playoff spot in the NFC. With Justin Jefferson continuing to rise as a WR1 already, Dalvin Cook’s ability to single-handedly impact the outcome of a game, and Kirk Cousins’ efficient play as of late, MIN could be set for a miraculous season turnaround that finishes with a playoff berth as opposed to the top-10 pick they looked to inevitably land. 

Final Results: @MIN (-146) d. CAR (+126) 28-27 [CAR +3.0 | o50]

Key Fact: Derrick Henry is the only player with 100+ RUSH YDS vs. the Indianapolis Colts since 2018 (done it 3x)

Best Highlights:

  • AJ Brown is an absolute beast

  • King Henry had a 1st half to remember

Most Valuable Intel: Derrick Henry is changing the perception of paying RBs big money

As several teams look on with regret for signing their star RBs to major contract extensions, the Titans stand alone as Derrick Henry continues to have a record-breaking season, despite his bank account already filling up. He made a statement today to the NFL on how he’s worth every penny, scoring three times in the first half and running for almost 200 yards while continuing to lead the league in total rushing yards. There’s no question that he’s worthy of the title “King Henry,” as he can now influence the RB market going forward. 

Final Results: TEN (+125) d. @IND (-145) 45-26 [TEN +3.0 | o51.5]

Key Fact: New York Giants have won 3 straight games for the 1st time since 2016

Best Highlights:

  • NYG move to 1st thanks to clutch strip-sack

  • Cincy went right up the gut for KR-TD

  • Nobody was suspecting this fake punt

Most Valuable IntelThe Giants’ defense is quickly becoming a threat

In a division that has been historically awful, the New York Giants have been pretty much the opposite over the last three weeks, especially on defense. Forcing a whopping 8 turnovers in that short period of time has allowed the G-Men to control the tempo of each game and help put their offense in scoring position numerous times. 

Credit is also due to the next man up at RB in Wayne Gallman, who has scored in each of his last 5 games and contributed to controlling the clock on offense. Should his performances remain steady over the course of these remaining weeks in the regular season along with continued support on the defensive side of the ball, Big Blue can certainly win this division and enter the playoffs with some unexpected momentum.

Final Results: NYG (-280) d. @CIN (+235) 19-17 [CIN +6.5 | u45]

Key Fact: Arizona Cardinals have 100+ RUSH YDS in 10 of their 1st 11 games of a season for the 1st time since 1970

Best Highlights:

  • Folk’s kick won it at the buzzer

  • Kyler Murray made it look like a piece of cake

  • White’s 4th down conversion TD was crucial

https://twitter.com/nfl/status/1333120934216040449?s=21

Most Valuable Intel: The Cardinals’ playoff hopes are slipping fast

Just two weeks ago, the Arizona Cardinals were in a prime position on top of the NFC West and looking like a top contender in the entire NFC. Having suffered two back-to-back losses now, ARZ has set itself back significantly in the playoff race and could soon be on the outside looking in as several teams continue to climb and leapfrog in the standings.

Despite the Rams loss to SF, Arizona still remains one game behind the Rams and could be two behind Seattle if they beat Philly on Monday Night Football. Minnesota is also creeping up on the Cards with Chicago still only a game behind as well. Next week will be critical for Arizona to get back on track as it goes up against the Rams in a huge NFC West showdown that will have monumental playoff implications for both teams. 

Final Results: @NE (+105) d. ARZ (-125) 20-17 [NE +1.0 | u51]

Key Fact: Josh Allen has the 2nd most total TD by a QB in a season (29) in Buffalo Bills history, behind only HOF Jim Kelly (34)

Best Highlights:

  • Herbert wasn’t giving up that easy

  • Beasley made the most out of this trick play

Most Valuable Intel: No longer in NE’s shadow, BUF is ready to take over the division

It’s easy to overlook a team like the Buffalo Bills. Given they played in the same division as Tom Brady and Bill Belichick over the last two decades, any success they’ve had (albeit very little) during that period has been overshadowed by the NFL’s greatest dynasty. Now that they’ve finally built up a solid team and Brady is no longer in Foxborough, Buffalo is making its case to become the next king of the AFC East with a young, promising QB and a stout defense that can run that division for years to come. 

Final Results: @BUF (-215) d. LAC (+185) 27-17 [BUF -4.5 | u51.5]

Key Fact: CLE snapped a streak of 12 losing seasons (tied for 2nd-longest in NFL history), 1st .500 or better season since 2007

Best Highlights:

  • Glennon dropped it in the breadbasket

  • Baker threaded the needle to Jarvis

  • James Robinson was an unstoppable force

Most Valuable Intel: This season could be a historical one for Cleveland

Just three short years ago, the Cleveland Browns made NFL history by becoming the second team to go 0-16, a feat only done by the Detroit Lions in 2008. While it was certainly nothing to be proud of, it does show how far CLE has come in such a short period of time. Now sitting at 8-3 and second in the AFC North, the Browns finally snapped a 12-year streak of consecutive losing seasons. More importantly, the Dawg Pound is now one step closer to ending the longest playoff drought in NFL history at 18 years, marking a new era in Cleveland football. 

Final Results: CLE (-350) d. @JAX (+280) 27-25 [JAX +7.5 | o48]

Key Fact: New York Jets are the 7th team to start the season 0-11 since 2000

Best Highlights:

  • Ryan Fitzpatrick laid in a beauty for Mike Gesicki

  • Perriman went full extension for this one

Most Valuable Intel: From ‘tanking’ to playoffs in just 365 days

After cruising to a 20-3 win on Sunday, the 7-4 Miami Dolphins are now in prime position to potentially snag a Wild Card playoff spot over the Baltimore Ravens. While Baltimore’s season is falling off the rails in a hurry, Miami is making it look easy for their sixth win in seven games. Even though Tua wasn’t available, Ryan Fitzpatrick proved to be one of the best backups in the league with a turnover-free performance. 

Sure, it’s the lowly New York Jets who they defeated, but that’s exactly where fans viewed the Dolphins a year ago when they started the 2019 season 0-7. MIA has carried their momentum from finishing last season 5-4 into this year as the respect for Brian Flores continues to grow throughout the league. 

Final Results: MIA (-360) d. @NYJ (+290) 20-3 [MIA -7.5 | u46.5]

Key Fact: Derek Carr had the t-most lost FUM by a QB in a game (3) since 2003

Best Highlights:

  • Falcons blew the game wide open with pick 6 

  • Ruggs almost reached the endzone on 4th & 3 

Most Valuable Intel: Raheem Morris is making his case to become Atlanta’s permanent HC

Atlanta finally had a defensive performance it’s been desiring for the last few seasons, forcing five turnovers and sacking Derek Carr five times. Each of their four wins have come under interim HC Raheem Morris (now 4-2; 0-5 under Quinn). Sunday’s performance added further credit to Morris’ work he’s done so far with their biggest victory of the season over a legitimate playoff-contending opponent. If the Falcons can continue to string some wins together down the stretch, Morris may very well be the front runner to become the next official HC in ATL and ditch the “interim” title.

Final Results: @ATL (+163) d. LV (-183) 43-6 [ATL +3.5 | u53]

Key Fact: Patrick Mahomes recorded the most PASS YDS (359) in a 1st half by any player in the last 40 years

Best Highlights:

  • Nobody could contain the Cheetah

  • Amazing hurdle by RoJo leads to TD 

  • Mahomes fooled multiple defenders on 3rd down 

  • The GOAT was dropping some dimes

  • Brady and Gronk did what they do best

Most Valuable IntelNot the passing of the torch originally expected but one nonetheless between Brady & Mahomes

Sunday’s game between the Chiefs and Bucs was the premiere matchup of the week and was seen as the game where Brady would pass off the torch to Mahomes as the King of the NFL between two GOATS of their generations. It looked like Mahomes was going to leave no doubts about who should wear the crown in 2020 as KC took a 17-0 lead in a hurry when Mahomes and Hill hooked up for 200+ YDS and 2 TD in just the first quarter, having the look of the Saints’ blowout of TB earlier this season. 

However, the game shifted when Shaq Barrett strip-sacked Mahomes to force his first fumble loss of the season and put the Bucs right back in the game that would eventually be decided by only a single FG. Both QBs exchanged interceptions in the second half and the game ultimately came down to just three points in the end; an unexpected outcome given how it happened, but it was a passing of the metaphorical torch nonetheless as its Mahomes’ turn to claim some rings and chase his chance to be considered the GOAT. 

Final Results: KC (-170) d. @TB (+150) 27-24 [TB +3.5 | u56]

Key Fact: Aaron Donald has the 2nd most seasons with 10+ SKs (5) by an interior DL in NFL history since SKs were a stat 1982

Best Highlights:

  • Robbie’s GW-FG was as good as Gould

  • Donald put his team right back in the game

  • The rook took it to the house

  • Sherman welcomed back in a fitting way

Most Valuable Intel: Kyle Shanahan is one of the best coaches in the NFL

As injury-ravaged as they’ve been, the 49ers have plenty of reasons to want this season to end but are too well-coached to call it quits. Sunday’s win showed what they are capable of even at partial strength, proving that this Niners team isn’t going to be an easy win for any team, because their coaching staff is among the league’s elite. 

Sitting at 5-6, SF is just one game out of the final playoff spot in the NFC but it’ll be an uphill battle for them given that their two best players (Nick Bosa & George Kittle) are out for the year and they’re stuck with a backup QB for at least a few more weeks. However, if any team can pull it off, it’s a team with an A-caliber coaching staff like Kyle Shanahan, Robert Saleh, and the 49ers. 

Final Results: SF (+190) d. @LAR (-220) 23-20 [SF +5.0 | u45]

Key Fact: Denver Broncos are the 1st team to CMP only 1 pass and record less than 15 PASS YDS in a game since 2000

Best Highlights:

  • Lethal juke from Latavius led to TD

Most Valuable IntelThe Saints’ defense has a case to be considered the best

Sitting pretty in the No. 1 seed right now, the New Orleans Saints have been on fire the last nine weeks. Winning all eight of those games, their last four have been especially impressive on the defensive side of the ball (ironically since Sheldon Rankins was placed on IR). The Saints defense has allowed only one TD over the last four weeks, an accomplishment that is impressive no matter who the opponents are. 

The defense likely won’t be able to keep that streak once they face Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs in Week 15 but their four other opponents the rest of the season (@ATL, @PHI, v.MIN, @CAR) provide optimism that they can keep the home-field advantage in the playoffs as long as Green Bay loses just one more game or NO can find a way to beat KC which will likely require Drew Brees to return and play at his best. 

Final Results: NO (-1600) d. @DEN (+890) 31-3 [NO -17.0 | u36.5]

Key Fact: Rodgers is the only QB in NFL history w/ 50+ career PASS TD & a 100+ PASS RTG vs 1 opponent (vs. both MIN & CHI)

Best Highlights:

  • Rodgers burned Da Bears with his classic bootleg pass

  • Montgomery went 57 YDS untouched

  • The Smith Bros cooked up a FF TD return

  • Rodgers –> Adams is the definition of consistency

  • Savage snagged a pair of picks from Trubisky

Most Valuable Intel: Green Bay’s suspect run defense could be a problem against playoff teams

After not having the same defensive production they had last season, the Green Bay Packers finally broke through on defense last night and demolished the Chicago Bears. GB forced three turnovers, including one returned for a touchdown and made a statement on offense against one of the league’s premier defenses. 

However, Chicago’s offense is about as abysmal as it gets and GB still found itself on the wrong side of the Bears longest run in a couple of years. The Pack have been continuously gashed in the run game and will have to figure something out soon or they could get exposed by the time they face a playoff-caliber opponent with the season on the line (just like last year’s NFC Championship).

Final Results: @GB (-385) d. CHI (+315) 41-25 [GB -7.5 | o44.5]

Key Fact: JJ Watt joins Deion Sanders as only 2 players with 3+ REC TD & 3 INT-TD in the Super Bowl era (incl. playoffs)

Best Highlights:

  • Fuller and Watson FEASTED on Detroit

  • Johnson hauled in an absolute dime from Watson

  • Watt snagged this one to get HOU on the board

  • DET pulls out the Thanksgiving trickery

Most Valuable Intel: Deshaun Watson’s happiness must be priority #1, #2, & #3 for HOU going forward

As it goes through a big transitional period, Houston needs to keep one thing in mind: do whatever it can to keep Deshaun Watson happy and playing behind center for the Texans as long as possible. Keeping Will Fuller past the trade deadline certainly helped, made evident by Thursday’s performance along with his and Watson’s chemistry they’ve showcased over the years. It was reported earlier this week that the Texans would allow him to give input on their next coaching hire, so it appears there is widespread agreement on making sure Watson’s future is in H-town.

Final Results: HOU (-161) d. @DET (+141) 41-25 [HOU -3.0 | o52.5]

Key FactAntonio Gibson is the 1st rookie since at least 1948 to have 3 RUSH TD in a Thanksgiving game

Best Highlights:

  • A trifecta of TDs for Gibson

  • Montez doesn’t break a sweat on this INT

  • Dalton connects with Coop on a DIME 

  • WAS went deep in the playbook on Thanksgiving

Most Valuable Intel: Washington’s young talent can carry the team to a postseason berth 

The NFC East once again has a new leader, and this week it’s the Washington Football Team. After curb-stomping the Dallas Cowboys to earn a huge divisional win, WAS will now wait and keep its fingers crossed that PHI will fall to SEA and CIN takes care of the NYG to maintain its NFC East lead.

It’s become evident these last few weeks that their young talent is what drives the team’s success. RB Antonio Gibson has scored a TD in each of his last five games and added three more to his plate on Thanksgiving. WR Terry McClaurin and DE Chase Young have also displayed extremely promising potential up to this point, and with likely Comeback POY Alex Smith leading the way using his veteran experience, WAS has a legitimate chance to come out on top of this historically awful division if they can beat Philly in Week 17.

Final Results: WAS (+120) d. @DAL (-140) 41-16 [WAS +2.5 | o46]

Key Fact: Russell Wilson has passed Steve Young (.767, 23-7), for the best win % (29-8-1, .776) in prime-time games by a starting QB since 1950

Best Highlights:

  • Nobody loves DK more than Russ

  • Chris Carson made a statement in return from injury

  • Quandre Diggs makes easy clutch INT to end game

  • It didn’t matter, but this Hail Mary TD was still sweet

Most Valuable Intel: Jalen Hurts isn’t saving this Philadelphia offense

A lot of talk has been surrounding the Philadelphia Eagles’ QB situation as Carson Wentz’s struggles continue and some believe Jalen Hurts is the answer. While it’s fair to say Wentz has fallen far short of expectations this season and even the last few years, blame certainly shouldn’t all be placed on him. Wentz’s protection (or lack thereof) has allowed 46 sacks this season, the third most of any QB through 11 games since the 1970 merger, causing him to make errors that even an Aaron Rodgers-caliber player would have a difficult time avoiding. 

He has a tendency to hold onto the ball a long time which has been a result of being depleted of offensive weapons. Most of his offense has been injured this year and promising WR Travis Fulgham, who started out hot when he came to PHI, has been a non-factor the last few weeks. All of that on top of an offensive line that has been playing musical chairs all season will not change if Hurts is starting under center. Not to mention, Philly’s leading rusher on MNF was Wentz himself (42 YDS) with Miles Sanders being the only other Eagle to register over 10 RUSH YDS (15 YDS). That’s not a recipe for success whether it’s Hurts or Wentz in the game. A simple QB change might boost the fan base in the short-term but will be a disappointment long-term.

Final Results: SEA (-285) d. @PHI (+240) 23-17 [PHI +6.5 | u50]

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