NFL Week 11 recap
RAMS: The Rams dropped to 7-3 overall on the year losing, 24-7, to a solid (8-2) Vikings team on Sunday, but remain atop the NFC West.
It was a rough outing all around for the resurgent Rams offense, especially with Robert Woods going down with a sprained shoulder. Woods is expected to miss at least the next 2-3 games. He has proven to be the Rams most dependable and explosive wideout in recent weeks.
Woods caught eight passes for 81 yards before injuring his arm against the Vikings.
Sean McVay will depend on a committee of young receivers to try and make up for his absence. Sammy Watkins, Tavon Austin, and Cooper Kupp will need to cumulatively step up their game in the coming weeks.
Watkins will need to find some separation while spreading the field. Austin will need to get involved in the passing game once again and Kupp will need to learn to protect the ball while fighting for yards near the end zone.
Goff was facing a stout Vikings defense on their home turf and managed to move the ball with moderate success considering the run game was missing in action. Todd Gurley was a non factor with just
Goff threw for 225 yards, but was held without a touchdown toss.
Neither Goff or Case Keenum threw an interception but Keenum came out on top Sunday with his new squad. The ex-Ram threw for 280 yards and one touchdown in his revenge match. He moved well in the pocket and scrambled to extend plays when needed. He also added 20 yards rushing on three carries and was not sacked by his old team.
Latavius Murray marched all over the Rams. He averaged 6.3 yards a carry and found paydirt twice.
Adam Thielen proved why he is Keenum’s favorite target on Sunday with a dominate performance of his own. He caught six receptions for 123 yards and a touchdown.
The Rams will look to rebound next week against the Saints at the Coliseum. The Saints’ improved last week to a record of 8-2 with a miraculous come-from-behind victory over the Redskins. It was their eighth straight and are looking like a championship contender if the defense can stop being so leaky and can be consistent down the stretch.
Bree’s rallied New Orleans to its eightone-manght win by going a perfect 11-for-11 for 164 yards and two touchdowns in the final minutes of the fourth quarter. The Saints became only the second team to overcome a deficit of 15 or more points with less than three minutes remaining.
CHARGERS: The Chargers capitalized on the Bills’ questionable decision to start the rookie, Nathan “Pick Me Please” Peterman, in place of Tyrod Taylor on Sunday. A decision that resulted in five interceptions and a .3 QBR-- the lowest I have ever seen in a statline.
The fifth round draft pick out of Pitt will have to forget about his horrific first start and forgive his new coach for throwing him into the lion’s den on the road against a fast Bolt defense.
Joey Bosa was a one man wrecking crew in the pass rush, creating havoc and chaos for the Bills. He was unstoppable and forced Peterman to desperately get rid of the ball before being rocked by the big man. Bosa’s pressure led to at least two interceptions directly.
The Chargers defense and special teams combined for four touchdowns on the day. The Chargers haven’t looked like a playoff team all season, but it was a whole new look for LA on Sunday as Anthony Lynn’s team seemed to be firing on all cylinders.
With the win, the Chargers gained a game on the rest of the AFC West as the Raiders, Chiefs, and Broncos all lost.
The Chiefs losing to the Giants in overtime last weekend, one of the biggest upsets of the season, really helped the Chargers’ chances of making the postseason. The Chargers are feeling good about joining the Rams in legitimate playoff contender conversations. Hopefully that will help fill the undersized StubHub with Charger fans for once.
Philip Rivers made his 186th consecutive start, passing the NFL’s concussion protocol to extend his streak after he concussed himself colliding with a defender who intercepted his pass last week in Jacksonville.
Rivers completed 20 of his 32 passing attempts, accumulating 251 yards through the air for two touchdowns to his favorite target, Keenan Allen. Allen finished the day with 12 receptions for 159 yards and two touchdowns.
It was Keenan Allen’s best performance of the season. He caught 92 percent of his targets against the Bills. Allen’s 12 receptions was one more than the previous three games combined. His 159 yards receiving was nine yards better than the last three games combined as well. It was the third game this season that Allen eclipsed 100 yards, but the first since October 1. He only had one touchdown catch all season before last week.
Both Melvin Gordon and Austin Ekeler were able to score, but let's face it, not too many Chargers didn't score last week.
This Thanksgiving the Chargers head to Arlington to face the (5-5)Cowboys in a Week 12 matchup that is another must win for both teams. The Bolts must take advantage of a depleted and downward trending Dallas team who will be without Ezekiel Elliott, Sean Lee, and Tyron Smith. They are coming off an embarrassing 37-9 loss on primetime to the soaring (9-1)Eagles who look to be running away with the NFC East.