Breakdowns

12/14/20

2 min min read

NFL Week 14 Takeaways

By Mike Tannenbaum

Former NFL Executive

Here are five key takeaways from Week 14 in the NFL:

1. Bills on the move

Don't look now, but Buffalo is only one game behind Pittsburgh. The Bills looked like the better team Sunday night -- with a better future and a younger, better QB. Josh Allen significantly outplayed Ben Roethlisberger, both with his arm and his feet. Pittsburgh may go from being the No. 1 seed a week ago to being the No. 3 seed by the end of the season. The Steelers' average depth of target is too small -- it shrinks the field and allows DBs like Taron Johnson to squat on routes, which led to his pick-6.

2. The balance of Tampa Bay

In the Buccaneers’ 26-14 win over Minnesota, Tampa Bay was able to run it effectively. Ronald Jones and LeSean McCoy combined for 112 yards – and as a team, the Bucs averaged a healthy 8.5 yards per attempt. Tom Brady threw 2 TDs and no interceptions, and it was the balanced attack that made the Bucs dangerous. Tampa Bay’s win combined with New Orleans’ loss to the Eagles has closed the gap in the NFC South. The Saints are up by two games, but the division is still up for grabs.

3. Colts run wild

Talk about a complete victory. Indianapolis ran for 212 yards in their 44-27 win over the Raiders. Philip Rivers completed passes to nine different receivers and the Colts scored on defense. The Colts are tied with Tennessee atop the AFC South. When healthy, Indy can beat anyone in the AFC in the playoffs.

4. Nice debut, Jalen Hurts

After Jalen hurts passed for 167 yards and rushed for 106 in the Eagles’ upset win over the Saints, the question must be asked: Did the Eagles wait too long to start Hurts? Yes! The Eagles are still alive in the wide-open NFC East. Just imagine the shape they might be in had Hurts started sooner.

5. Can the Chiefs be stopped?

Despite four turnovers against a good Dolphins defense, the Kansas City Chiefs showed how explosive they can be. Again, that is a good Miami defense they faced Sunday – and even with the turnovers, they still put up 33 points.

Tags: Indianapolis Colts, Jalen Hurts, Kansas City Chiefs See More

Mike Tannenbaum

Former NFL Executive

Mike Tannenbaum is a former NFL Executive and current ESPN analyst.  Throughout Tannenbaum’s nearly three-decade-long football career, he has constructed quite an impressive résumé.

Tannenbaum began his career in 1994 as an intern for the New Orleans Saints. In 1995 he became a Player Personnel Assistant for the Cleveland Browns. A year later he would rejoin the Saints after completing his Law Degree at Tulane University Law School.

Tannenbaum’s longest tenure came with his hometown New York Jets from 1997-2012. Hall of Fame head coach Bill Parcells hired him as the Director of Player Contracts in 1997. Tannenbaum developed in this role and was promoted to Director of Pro Personnel/Assistant General Manager in 2001.

In 2006, Tannenbaum was chosen General Manager/Senior Vice President of Football Operations at 36. Tannenbaum oversaw seven drafts and led the Jets to four winning seasons during his tenure with the team. Before departing New York, Tannenbaum led the Jets to four playoff wins and orchestrated the blockbuster trade for Darrelle Revis.

After a brief break from an NFL front office, Tannenbaum served as the Executive Vice President of Football Operations for the Miami Dolphins. Since leaving Miami, Tannenbaum has joined ESPN as an NFL Front Office Insider. Tannenbaum is a regular on shows such as, ‘Get Up’, ‘First Take’, and ‘This Just In.’ He also teaches Football Business Management: The Inner Workings of the NFL at Columbia University.

In 2019, Tannenbaum founded the NFL’s premiere think tank in The 33rd Team.

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