In this installment of Thoughts & Observations from Week 12 of the NFL season, we break down the top four winners and the top four losers from the week that was. Have your own thoughts? Let everyone know in the comments section below. But, for now, it's time for some winners and losers.
WINNERS
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| Greg Jennings and the Packers are 11-0. (AP photo) |
* Green Bay Packers: I'm not sold on the Packers being unbeatable this season, not even close. The Packers may end the season undefeated, but doing it against the NFC and the AFC West isn't exactly a murder's row of competition. It might not be until the Super Bowl that Green Bay gets handed its first defeat, which would be their toughest competition of the season. Still, the Packers were impressive in their victory over the Lions on Thanksgiving day, a 27-15 final that wasn't even that close. This was a game I could have easily seen Detroit pulling off the upset, with the home crowd behind them and playing on national television. For a half, the Lions were in the game, but Green Bay took them apart in the second half in an easy win to improve to 11-0. Aaron Rodgers threw for over 300 yards and two touchdowns and the Packers defense actually looked like a pro unit for once, forcing three interceptions in the game. As for going undefeated in the regular season, the only test is this week at the Giants. Get past that and the Packers might not be challenged against Oakland, Kansas City, Chicago and Detroit.
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| Drew Brees. (AP) |
* Drew Brees: The Saints quarterback was at his best in beating a desperate Giants team Monday night, throwing for 363 yards and scoring five total touchdowns, including four through the air in a 49-24 victory. The Saints needed the big performance from Brees as the win kept them one game ahead of the Falcons, who defeated the Vikings on Sunday, in the NFC South. Tight end Jimmy Graham deserves mention as well, as he caught five passes for 84 yards and two touchdowns. But, of course, it was Brees throwing him the ball. "There's that confidence that players around him have, and obviously we have in him," Saints coach Sean Payton said. "He made some fantastic throws tonight."
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| Sebastian Janikowski. (AP) |
* Sebastian Janikowski: With the way Janikowski is kicking this season it's almost an unfair weapon for the Raiders to have. Janikowski is having the best season of his career and he may have had the best week of his career Sunday against the Bears. The Raiders kicker nailed a team-record six field goals and totaled 19 of the 27 Oakland points in the game. Janikowski made field goals from 40,47, 42, 19, 37 and 44 yards. The Raiders also have the best punter in the game, Shane Lechler, who had a team-record 80-yard punt in the game. Lechler had a net average of 49.2 yards against Devin Hester and the Bears. "Those guys are game-changers," quarterback Carson Palmer said. "There's not many punter-kicker combinations in the league ... there can't be a better one."
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| Joe Flacco. (AP) |
* Baltimore Ravens: John Harbaugh and the Ravens got the victory over Jim Harbaugh and the 49ers on Thanksgiving night and in turn Baltimore retained control of the AFC North. The win also proved the Ravens could not only beat one of the NFC's best teams, but do so in dominating fashion. That, of course, was a victory for the entire AFC as well, as it proved the NFC is second-class citizens in the league, even with the Packers being undefeated. But for the Ravens, this game against San Francisco meant more because of the opponent and circumstance. "I think the No. 1 game plan was to win the Harbaugh Bowl," Terrell Suggs said. "Coach tried to downplay it - act like it's not me against my brother, this is the Ravens vs. the 49ers and let's get win No. 8 and make sure our destiny is in our own hands - but it was really important to him. We as a team went out there and really wanted to win for him."
LOSERS
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| Ndamukong Suh has been suspended. (AP) |
* Ndamukong Suh: The last thing the struggling Detroit Lions needed in the stretch run was to lose one of their best defensive players, especially when the loss is caused by the player himself. Suh was suspended for two games for slamming Packers offensive lineman Evan Dietrich-Smith's head into the ground several times before finally stomping him during a nationally televised game on Thanksgiving. Suh was ejected and that was followed with a two game ban by the league. The worst part was that Suh said he didn't do anything wrong after the game, something that made the Lions defensive tackle look even worse around the league. Former Nebraska teammate, and current Jets offensive lineman Steve Slauson, said Suh was out of control. Up to this point, Suh was given a pass for several incidents of rough behavior because that was said to be how football is played in the trenches. The Thanksgiving incident, however, had nothing to do with football and that's why Suh is now viewed as a player who's out of control and bordering on crazy. His suspension was well deserved.
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| Eagles coach Andy Reid. (AP) |
* Andy Reid: The Eagles coach was the target of the Philadelphia fans' abuse Sunday while his team was getting routed by the Patriots. The crowd chanted for the coach to be fired, and it would be hard to disagree with their stance. This was supposed to be the "dream" season for the Eagles after they signed almost every free agent available this offseason, taking the lead as favorites to win the Super Bowl. It hasn't worked out that way this season, actually the complete opposite. The Eagles, who have virtually no chance to make the playoffs, are 4-7 and an embarrassing 1-5 at home. "Andy's a tremendous guy," quarterback Vince Young said. "I have the utmost respect for him. Fans don't understand some of the situations that goes on during the game. You can't put it all on Andy. We're going to always continue to keep fighting hard, playing hard for him." While it can't be put on all Reid, the blame does have to fall on someone's shoulders, and that will be the head coach. The Eagles should start over next season.
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| Matt Leinart. (AP) |
* Backup Quarterbacks: It wasn't a good week for backup quarterbacks getting starts because of injuries. Texans passer Matt Leinart couldn't finish his start because of injury; Bears quarterback Caleb Haine lost to the Raiders; and Chiefs QB Tyler Palko could lead his team to just nine points in a loss to the Steelers. Leinart's tale is the worst of the bunch, though, as he finally got the opportunity, with Matt Schaub lost for the season, to take over a good team that is going to the playoffs and prove he can be a starter in the league. But he broke his collarbone and won't get that opportunity. "It's pretty disappointing," Leinart said. "It's tough to swallow, but we'll just move forward. Everything that's happened to me, this was a great opportunity. ... It's unfortunate, but I'm not going to give up. It's not my nature. I'll just keep moving forward and figure this thing out one step at a time." The road got a lot harder for Leinart now.
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| Norv Turner. (AP) |
* Norv Turner: Earlier we wrote about one coach on the hot seat, here is another. Turner, the Chargers coach, should have no chance to return next season, especially after another terrible loss, this time to the Broncos. The Chargers are 4-7 this season and have lost six games in a row. San Diego won't make the playoffs this season which is surprising considering the talent level on the team. "There's nothing I can say to make it sound good," quarterback Philip Rivers said. "It's about as rough as it gets." Rivers is having the worst season of his career as well, but he's not going anywhere.
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