NFL Week 14 Takeaways

1. Alvin Kamara illustrated his worth Thursday night in the Saints loss to the Falcons. After leaving the game early in the first quarter with a concussion, New Orleans offense stalled. Drew Brees and company struggled to move the ball down the field. Even though he is just a rookie, Kamara has proven that he is one of the NFL’s most valuable offensive weapons and the Saints play after the running back’s departure reaffirmed that.

2. DeAndre Hopkins is indefensible no matter the quarterback. The Texans wide out put on quite the show Sunday afternoon as he torched the 49ers defense for 151 yards and two scores. Week in and week out Hopkins continues to impress. Relying on Tom Savage and T.J. Yates to throw him passes, Hopkins has made the best of a less than ideal situation.

3. The Chiefs seemed to regain their early season form. At home facing the Raiders in a battle for AFC West supremacy, the Chiefs were clicking on all cylinders. Kareem Hunt ran for over 100 yards for the first time since Week 5 while the K.C. defense forced three turnovers. It wasn’t the prettiest performance, but it got the job done. Considering how things have gone as of late, Andy Reid has to be satisfied.

4. The Panthers made a statement with their victory over the Vikings. Now at 9-4, Cam Newton and company find themselves right in the midst of the NFC playoff picture. A loss would’ve been devastating given Carolina’s remaining schedule, but Ron Rivera’s squad would not be denied. Jonathan Stewart had himself a day as he rushed for over 100 yards and three touchdowns.

5. Aaron Rodgers return is imminent. With the Packers narrow victory over the lowly Browns, Green Bay moved to 7-6 and all but ensured that Mr. Discount Double-Check will be lining up under center next Sunday for the Packers. With the NFC being so competitive this year the Packers are still less than likely to make the postseason, but having Rodgers in the fold certainly bolsters their chances.

6. Dak silenced the doubters. There had been a lot of talk surrounding the Cowboys second-year quarterback and his struggles during Ezekiel Elliott’s absence. Well on Sunday, he quelled that talk for the time being throwing for 332 yards and three touchdowns. Like the Packers, the Cowboys find themselves on the outside looking in on the postseason despite their 7-6 record, but if they continue to get high-level play from Dak with Zeke’s return looming, you cannot completely write off the Cowboys.

7. The Chargers are not just beating teams, they are embarrassing them. Winning seven of their last nine games, Phillip Rivers is carving up opposing defenses. On Sunday, the offense put up thirty points on the Redskins en route to a seventeen-point victory. At 7-6, the Chargers are tied with the Chiefs atop the AFC West. That is what makes Saturday’s showdown with Kansas City all the more meaningful.

8. The Eagles won a game, but lost their season. Philadelphia’s second-year quarterback, Carson Wentz, tore his ACL late in the third quarter of Sunday’s contest against the Rams. I know his backup, Nick Foles, is an experienced quarterback in this league, but he is no Caron Wentz. In a season filled with injuries to star players, this may be the most impactful of them all.

9. Blake Bortles is not a hindrance in Jacksonville. I have been saying this for quite some time and on Sunday the whole world saw it. The Jaguars did not win in spite of their quarterback, they won because of him. Bortles threw for 268 and two touchdowns on the vaunted Seahawks pass defense. With the defense and running game that the Jaguars have, all that they really need is competent quarterback play to make a run in the playoffs. Blake Bortles is more than competent; he’s skilled and on Sunday he demonstrated just that.

10. The Steelers missed Ryan Shazier dearly Sunday night against the Ravens. In the team’s first game since losing their All-Pro linebacker due to a severe spine injury, Pittsburgh surrendered 38 points to a Joe Flacco-led offense. Yes, Pittsburgh was still able to win the game thanks to monstrous performances from Ben, Brown, and Bell but the Steelers cannot rely on such offensive productivity week after week. Mike Tomlin needs improvement on the defensive side of the ball or else they will be an easy out come the postseason.