Five Wide: 2022 Week Eleven

By Thomas Willoughby

Redzone is stunning, isn’t it? Weird place to start, but having watched an iteration of BT Sports’ European Goals Show, which attempts to bring a “Redzone” style format to our football, I’m amazed all over again. No slight on what they do on Champions League nights, but when you see Scott Hanson hold down a whole league for seven hours straight, you can’t help but get engrossed. Here, instead of moving around which terrestrial channel gets to show highlights, put Redzone on ITV4 or something. The ultimate way of getting people into the sport, guaranteed.

What a week for Redzone, by the way. Basically every game felt like it could be a classic in any other year. And how blessed we were that it all happened in one night. Anyway, let’s have a quick scan over week two, and get a lay of the land!

Cooling The Jets

The New England Patriots vs New York Jets rivalry might well be one of the most one-sided in the NFL, but there have been signs of the gap closing up this season. Mainly because the Jets squeaked a few wins out against teams you might not expect them to this season. There was an air of expectancy as they traveled to Foxboro for the latest chapter in their story, and I think I speak for everyone when I say I wish they hadn’t bothered.

With 30 seconds left, the score was 3-3. Neither team were doing anything of note. The Jets offense, frankly, were stinking the joint out, but that’s neither here nor there. It took a last-second punt return for a touchdown to win the tie for New England, but I’m not sure either side can be too happy with how Sunday went down.

I know one person who can’t be happy at all: Robert Saleh. His young quarterback, fresh off a 9/22 for 77 yard-effort, opted to do the one thing quarterbacks aren’t supposed to do publicly. He didn’t take responsibility. When asked if his offense let down their defense, he didn’t think they had. That has led to his own team questioning whether he should remain as their QB1. Good job.

Where do they go from here? The potentially Fields-less Bears represent the perfect “get right” scenario, but who will be under center for that first snap? All cards are on the table.

AP Photo

Scoredarrelle Patterson

Cordarrelle Patterson is the best player in the NFL. I’ve said it multiple times over the past two seasons, and not once did I say it as a joke or a bit. I mean that 100% sincerely. Cordarrelle Patterson is the best player in the NFL. Bar none. Change my mind. You can’t.

Patterson was drafted in the first round of the 2013 draft as a wide receiver by the Minnesota Vikings, but found little success on offense. What separated him was his kick return ability, where he thrived. He bounced across a number of teams before winding up in Atlanta last season, where he became a focal point of their offense. A true “do it all”. Over 500 yards both rushing and receiving, 11 total touchdowns, and a long-term extension with the Falcons. What alluded him was a real dent in the returns game. That changed this weekend.

On Sunday, as the Falcons stumbled about, he stepped up. From just inside the endzone, he received a kick and made his way forward. He dodged tackled, and slipped past defenders, before tripping into the Bears endzone to the tune of 103 yards. His 9th career kick return touchdown. An all-time NFL record. The Falcons would go on to win.

Cordarrelle Patterson is absolutely integral to these Falcons. They’re not great, obviously, but they’ve got something. It’s likely that they’ll only go as far as their Patterson-likes will take them. Based on this showing, their Patterson-likes will wake them up at just the right moment.

Drawing The Steel Curtains

I don’t think I can say enough good things about the Pittsburgh Steelers’ defense this week. With only three games in the late slot on Sunday, Steelers vs Bengals was given a longer look than it might have normally had. Well, maybe not, given they do NOT get on. But, certainly, it’d be a less intriguing fixture given how far apart these two sides are. But the game was a lot closer than the scoreline suggests, which can only be considered a good thing for the Steelers moving forward.

Obviously, the Bengals have their issues (and injuries) that’ve hindered them this season, but i’d be hard-pressed to argue that those were what kept the scoreline close throughout the day. Led by the man-machine that is TJ Watt, the Steelers kept Joe Burrow on his toes, and the Bengal’s much-maligned offensive line on their backs. He even came up with one of the most impressive interceptions I think I’ve seen from anyone, let alone a defensive lineman, ever.

The problem is the offense. The Steelers gave the Steelers every opportunity to overtake them on Sunday, but Kenny “Ken You” Pickett (sounds like “can you” Pickett (what a nickname, me (thanks, me))) and company really struggled in the second half of the game. There are a lot of really likable pieces on that offense, by the way. George Pickens looks like a player, Najee Harris has been through it this season, but he’ll be fine. But they’re young, and learning. Luckily, they have an excellent defense to help them out. These Steelers might not be anything this season, but next? I’m on board.

How 'bout That Dan Quinn?

Speaking of defenses, this Cowboys’ defensive unit is something special. They’ve been there or thereabouts for what has felt like forever, now, but they’ve decided to wait until their entire division is ridiculous before showing out. They traveled up to Minnesota, an 8-1 outfit that looked to be the best in the entire conference, looking to keep pace with the faltering Philadelphia Eagles in their own division. We had a potential play-off clash on our hands. Dallas blew the doors off them.

From minute one, Dan Quinn’s defense was absurd. Kirk Cousins, who’s had a pretty good season to his credit, managed a total of 105 yards. Dalvin Cook fared slightly better, averaging 6.5 yards a carry across 11 carries. But the Vikings were limited to only 3 points. The Cowboys’ defensive front racked up 7 sacks. It was dominant.

The Cowboys are 7-3. They have the third-best record in the NFC. They shook off the defeat to the Packers, and are back on course. Granted, they’ve still a pretty difficult schedule on the horizon, but they’re looking good to keep the heat on their own division rivals. Is this their year? Don’t look now, but it’s worth entertaining.

Tom Fox-Dallas Morning News

Full International

You might not have noticed (mainly because I’ve not mentioned it once), but the NFL’s international calendar came to a close this weekend, with the Arizona Cardinals getting a pasting at the hands of the San Francisco 49ers. George Kittle, my fantasy team salutes you.

78000 fans filled the Estadio Azteca, hosting its 4th regular season game, and it’s first since the pandemic kicked off. What they were treated to was the most complete performance from the San Francisco 49ers this season. An offense that looked to be operating at its peak. Garoppolo made a case for himself long-term with a 4 touchdown performance that had 49ers fans purring. The 49ers are back on top of the West, and it’s difficult to see them losing grip on that spot.

For the international games, the world has been blessed. The quality of the games has been hither and thither, but to see full, and vocal, crowds, which isn’t something you get in the NFL every week, shows what these games mean. Bring on the 2023 slate.

Features Image Credit: John Bazemore-Associated Press

Thomas Willoughby

NFL ANALYST & SOCIAL MEDIA

THOMAS IS A WRITER, AND REGULAR GUEST ON THE TOUCHDOWN REVIEW SHOW PODCAST, FOR THE TOUCHDOWN. YOU CAN FIND HIM @WILLO290592 ON TWITTER

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