Two quarterbacks will be making their fist start of the season this week, and they happen to be two of my favorite backup quarterbacks. Those two would be Denver's Brock Osweiler and St. Louis's Case Keenum. Osweiler came in for Peyton Manning last Sunday after Manning threw four interceptions. Earlier this week, we learned that Manning had been battling plantar fasciitis, so Osweiler was named the starter this week for the injured/ineffective Manning. It's remains to be seen whether Gary Kubiak will stick with Osweiler if he plays well, or go back to the future Hall of Famer in the midst of a miserable season. Meanwhile, in St. Louis, Jeff Fisher announced that Keenum will start over ineffective Nick Foles this week. The Rams have an outstanding running game with Todd Gurley, but no passing game due to the lack of talent at quarterback and receiver. If this is the first time you've heard the names Brock Osweiler and Case Keenum, let me provide some background. Osweiler is 6'8", 240 lbs., and is in his fourth year out of Arizona State (third round draft pick). The 6'1", 205 lb. Keenum is in his fourth season (undrafted) out of Houston, where he set multiple career passing records. This is an audition for quarterback of the future for Osweiler and Keenum (as well as Johnny Manziel.
Week 10 Review
Top Games
Lions 18, Packers 16
The last time the Lions beat the Packers at Lambeau was in 1991. They broke that streak on Sunday, but they almost blew it. The Green Bay offense couldn't do anything, as Detroit held them to just three points through three quarters. The Packers finally scored a touchdown with just under six minutes left, making it 12-10 Lions. The Lions then answered with just under two minutes left, but failed the two-point conversion. Green Bay scored again with 32 seconds, but needed to convert the two-point conversion. They didn't get it on a well-defended pass, and it looked like Detroit would escape Lambeau with a win. But then the onside kick went right through Calvin Johnson's hands and the Packers recovered. They got into field position for a Mason Crosby 52-yard field goal. However, the ball was not kicked well and fell well short, and the Lions finally won in Green Bay.
Jaguars 22, Ravens 20
Blake Bortles led the Jags to a fourth quarter comeback victory (he did it again Thursday night against the Titans). The Ravens scored with 7:30 left to take a 20-13 lead, but didn't get the two-point conversion. After a couple punts, Bortles and the Jaguars got the ball back with 1:06 to play. Bortles drove the offense 45 yards, and Jason Myers made a 53-yard field goal as time expired.
Patriots 27, Giants 26
The Patriots remained undefeated, but only after a close encounter with the Giants. New York took a 26-24 lead with 1:47 left, a few plays after a Odell Beckham Jr. touchdown catch was reviewed and ruled an incompletion (didn't complete the process of the catch). The Giants could have run out the clock before the field goal, but they decided to throw the ball, giving Tom Brady more time. On the ensuing Patriots possession, Brady threw what looked like a sure interception, but as Landon Collins came down with the ball, he hurt his arm, dropping the ball. Brady took advantage, setting up a Stephen Gostkowski 54-yard field goal with one second left.
Top Performances
Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger vs. Cleveland (W 30-9): 22-33, 379 yards, 3 TD, INT
Big Ben was active but didn't start after getting injured last week, but after starter Landry Jones was injured early, he came in and (as usual) tore up the Browns defense.
Vikings RB Adrian Peterson @ Oakland (W 30-14): 26 carries, 203 yards, TD
AD ran all over the Raiders defense, including on an 80-yard touchdown run that put the game out of reach.
Steelers WR Antonio Brown vs. Cleveland (W 30-2): 10 catches, 139 yards, 2 TD
Brown is really good, and the Browns are really bad. Brown went to town on Cleveland's depleted secondary, exemplified by front flip into the end zone.
Play of the Week
Texans receiver DeAndre Hopkins made a fabulous one-handed touchdown catch against the Bengals on Monday night. Despite tight coverage, Hopkins was able to hold on to the ball and get both feet down. The play helped propel the Texans to an upset of the previously unbeaten Bengals.
Play of the Weak
As I have done sometimes, I am putting something I found funny from last week in this spot. After J.J. Watt and the Texans took down Andy Dalton and the Bengals on Monday Night Football, Watt made a funny comment about beating Dalton.
Week 11 Preview
Quick Picks (home team listed last)
Last Week: 6-8
Overall: 80-55
Byes: Browns, Saints, Giants, Steelers
Thursday Night Final: Titans 13, Jaguars 19
Sunday
Raiders 34, Lions 28 (1:00 PM, CBS)
Colts 27, Falcons 31 (1:00 PM, CBS)
Jets 22, Texans 24 (1:00 PM, CBS)
Buccaneers 24, Eagles 21 (1:00 PM, FOX)
Broncos 35, Bears 17 (1:00 PM, CBS)
Rams 23, Ravens 16 (1:00 PM, FOX)
Cowboys 38, Dolphins 30 (1:00 PM, FOX)
Redskins 17, Panthers 27 (1:00 PM, FOX)
Chiefs 28, Chargers 26 (4:05 PM, CBS)
Packers 32, Vikings 28 (4:05 PM, FOX)
49ers 22, Seahawks 35 (4:25 PM, FOX)
Game to Watch: Bengals 27, Cardinals 30 (8:30 PM, NBC)
The Sunday night game is usually the game to watch, and that is the case here when the 8-1 Bengals visit 7-2 Cardinals in a battle of two great defenses.
Monday
Bills 31, Patriots 38 (8:30, ESPN)
Start 'em
Cowboys QB Tony Romo @ Miami
Broncos QB Brock Osweiler @ Chicago
Of course you should start Romo, who's likely to play this week after coming off IR. Romo is always a strong fantasy quarterback when healthy. Osweiler may be a bit of a flier, but I believe in him. Plus, he has weapons around him and doesn't face an extremely tough defense. Other Suggestions: Raiders QB Derek Carr @ Detroit, Rams QB Case Keenum @ Baltimore
Chiefs RB Charcandrick West @ San Diego
Cowboys RB Darren McFadden @ Miami
Charcandrick (great name) has scored a rushing touchdown in each of his last three games, and has at least 20 carries in each of those games. San Diego has one of the worst rushing defenses in the league. Speaking of one of the worst rushing defenses in the league, Miami would be the worst (according to yards allowed per game) if not for the Cleveland Browns. Other Suggestions: Panthers RB Jonathan Stewart vs. Washington, Raiders RB Latavius Murray @ Detroit
Buccaneers WR Mike Evans @ Philadelphia
Rams WR Tavon Austin @ Baltimore
Evans has had 150 yards receiving and 126 yards receiving the last two weeks, respectively. This week he is up against a below-average Eagles pass defense. Austin is up against one of the worst defenses in the league. He is also St. Louis's top receiving option, and Case Keenum might be an improvement over Nick Foles (we'll see). Other Suggestions: Raiders WR Amari Cooper @ Detroit, Chargers WR Stevie Johnson vs. Kansas City
Sit 'em
Bengals QB Andy Dalton @ Arizona
Dalton got silenced by the Texans last week, and now he must play one of the top defenses in the league on the road.
Bears RB Jeremy Langford vs. Denver
Langford has filled in admirably for Matt Forte, but he faces Denver's defense this week.
Bears WR Alshon Jeffery vs. Denver
Same thing with Jeffery, along with the fact that he is questionable.
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