NFL Week Eleven Review: Pretenders Fall and Legitimate Contenders Rise

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From an Irish perspective, this was quite THE sporting weekend. The performances by the men’s senior soccer team against Portugal and Hungary in the World Cup qualifiers have gone viral (And so have some fans) and will receive plenty of newspaper headlines: and there was also a memorable win for the U17s team AT an actual World Cup! Many had to take a deep breath after the heroics in Budapest … Just as our passions cooled and the heart rate lowered … we got to change channels and enjoy Over Time between the Dolphins and Commanders in the NFL’s maiden game in Madrid! We barely had time for the Sunday roast when the early window kicked off … We cover the rejuvenation of the Pats under Vrabel, the Broncos’ resurgence and the Bills’ redemption in this week’s NFL Week Eleven review.

Vrabel’s Patriots Go 9-2
Mike Vrabel, TreVeyon Henderson and Drake May are becoming the favourite sons of the North East. The Patriots recorded their eight win in a row against the hapless New York Jets. In their much admired Nor’ Easter jerseys (ok, “uniforms”), the Pats improved to 9-2 with this win against the Jets. Henderson was instrumental with 3 TDs for 69 yards. The Jets have been floundering all season, and this was another performance in which they struggled. The defense showed resilience throughout, but devoid of Sauce Gardner and Quinnen Williams, Henderdon and Maye were quite productive despite the Patriots underperforming here. The calamity of the Jets offense was evident throughout the game: Aaron Glenn again is faced with evaluating starters, with veteran Tyrod Taylor surely going to usurp Justin Fields as starting QB. This is akin to placing a bandage on a severed artery: the Jets roster is struggling and there are calls amongst fans for changes in the front office, not mere shuffles amongst coaching staff and on the field. 
Patriots 27 Jets 14

Broncos Reign Supreme Atop AFC
Bo Nix waved two proverbial fingers at the critics with a composed performance against the Chiefs: ending a sixteen game losing streak against the Chiefs. He showed great composure leading the offense down the field to set up the game winning 35 yard FG with two seconds remaining. His 295 yard performance here showed his maturity and calm under siege from a determined Chiefs defense. Sean Payton heralded Nix’s composure: he has lead his team to five game winning drives this season: most by any QB across the NFL. In Kansas City, it is clear their consecutive AFC West wins are over at nine. With a 2-4 Conference record, a 5-5 record overall, they may not progress to the post season: unthinkable a few years ago! With ten penalties committed, six caused by the O-Line, the Chiefs progression was stifled by their own hand: an element that would have been completely unheard of during their time at the top! 
Broncos 22 Chiefs 19

Allen Proves Dolphins Game a Blip

While Troy Parrott was sending the island of Ireland and millions of diaspora across the globe into dances of delight, Josh Allen was delighting Bill’s Nation. Three rushing TDs and three passing, despite not having the best of targets due to injuries, saw Josh Allen spring back into MVP contention, could he pip another Running Back to the title again this year? We all know by now, that Allen would willingly sacrifice that personal accolade for a ring for all of his team-mates. And the defense does certainly need to find form to back him up. They helped Allen by keeping Baker Mayfield to 173 yards through the air and 39 yards on the ground. The Bills D forced Mayfield into one interception and one lost fumble from Allen’s fellow 2018 draft colleague. Whisper it quietly, that loss to the Dolphins may have been a mere blip!
Bills 44 Buccaneers 32

This review was written when Jets Corner Back Kris Boyd was reported to be in critical condition, following a shooting. There are no words to describe how shocked and appalled we all are here at Gaelic Gridiron, we hope for his safe and speedy recovery. Our thoughts are with him, his family and the Jets community.