WHAT WE LEARNED: NFL WEEK 14

WHAT WE LEARNED: NFL WEEK 14

BY ADAM GREENE

With the NFL entering its final three games of the regular season, here’s what I’ve picked to talk about.

THE RAVENS HAVEN’T FIXED ANYTHING

From the outside, the score looks impressive. The Baltimore Ravens defeated the Cleveland Browns 47-42 in what will likely be the game of the year. Not just for the back and forth nature of the fourth quarter, but the hilarious and heroic way it ended when Lamar Jackson, who obviously had to visit the facilities in the worst way, returned to the field after missing a couple of series to drive his team to victory.

And, before I get into that, I know Jackson has denied that he trotted off to the locker room to take the Browns to the Super Bowl, figuratively, while the actual Browns outside were fighting back into the game.

But you watch this man scoot back to the locker room, shooing a worker out of his way, and tell me what’s happening. I’ve had that “cramp.” We’ve all had that “cramp.” That wasn’t caused by a lack of hydration on a hot muggy night. That was caused by the Grand Slam Breakfast from Denny’s.

Jackson needs to have a better sense of humor about the whole thing. It was a hilarious, human moment that we can all laugh about now together because he came back into the game and had his absolute best moments.

Which is why Baltimore’s offense is so frustrating. They obviously can do more. Jackson is capable of running an NFL level passing attack. Why won’t they let him?

I realize it may be silly to complain after the Ravens put up 45 points, but look at how they did it. Nearly every big play, even in that final drive, was built off a Cleveland defensive screw up. They bit hard on a fake. They lost contain or a defensive back, stupidly, 30 yards down the field leaves the man he’s covering to attempt to close in and tackle a scrambling Jackson who is nearly half a football field away. Just insanity.

These are not designed big plays. Most were not designed scoring plays. They were Jackson scrambling, improvising, using his natural abilities to control his body while keeping his eyes down the field. It’s magnificent, but it’s all flukey. It all looked good on the highlight film, but virtually no highlight play from Jackson Monday night, especially in that fourth quarter, was called from the sideline. It was Jackson playing on the sandlot. And it’s not sustainable.

If Cleveland had played assignment defense, which you must against option teams, few of the called fakes would have worked. It’s why the Ravens have crapped out in the playoffs in consecutive seasons. It’s why they will again. They don’t run an NFL level offense. Jackson obviously can. Offensive coordinator Greg Roman just isn’t calling it. Either he can’t do it or he doesn’t trust Jackson. Either way, something’s got to change.

Baltimore has won three games against teams with winning records this season and two of them were against the Browns (who should fire their defensive coordinator Joe Woods after the season because of it). The other was to the Colts and that was all because their defense. The Ravens gained just 266 total yards on offense in that game.

This game, as fun as it was, didn’t solve anything. It didn’t shut up the haters. All it did was show Cleveland they need to start seeking DC resumes. Baltimore’s problems remain.

The Ravens might not make the playoffs. They’re sure to not make the Super Bowl, because they’ve maxed out what they can do calling Pop Warner plays. There is no question that Jackson can play NFL quarterback now. Until Baltimore actually lets him, games like this will be the season highlights and they’ll watch the Super Bowl on their barcaloungers with the rest of us.

A POSTSEASON LOOK

We’re actually getting some solid drama in an NFC that looked all but set a couple of weeks ago thanks to the sudden surge from the Washington Football Team and the New York Giants. Add Jalen Hurts’ immediate impact on the Philadelphia Eagles and suddenly fourth seed doesn’t seem like such a pushover and the fifth seed Wild Card team won’t be getting a glorified bye.

In both the AFC and NFC, the top seed has changed hands thanks to the Buffalo Bills knocking off the Pittsburgh Steelers and the aforementioned Eagles upsetting the New Orleans Saints.

Here’s where we are right now;

AFC

1. Kansas City Chiefs (12-1)

2. Pittsburgh Steelers (11-2)

3. Buffalo Bills (10-3)

4. Tennessee Titans (9-4)

5. Cleveland Browns (9-4)

6. Indianapolis Colts (9-4)

7. Miami Dolphins (8-5)

Officially, the Houston Texans, Los Angeles Chargers, Cincinnati Bengals, Jacksonville Jaguars and New York Jets have all been eliminated.

Realistically, the Baltimore Ravens (8-5) and Las Vegas Raiders (7-6) are in a pitched battle for those final Wild Card spots with the Dolphins, Browns and Colts.

NFC

1. Green Bay Packers (10-3)

2. New Orleans Saints (10-3)

3. Los Angeles Rams (9-4)

4. Washington Football Team (6-7)

5. Seattle Seahawks (9-4)

6. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (8-5)

7. Arizona Cardinals (7-6)

As silly as it may seem, no NFC team has been eliminated just yet, though the Dallas Cowboys (4-9), Philadelphia Eagles (4-8-1) and New York Giants (5-8) would have to knock off Washington and win the NFC East to make it. They have no other realistic avenue.

Who does have a real shot? Probably just the Minnesota Vikings (6-7) and the Chicago Bears (6-7) and then it would be for that No. 7 seed currently held by the Cardinals.

Your key games to pay attention to this week are the Patriots at Dolphins, Seahawks at WFT, Bears at Vikings, Eagles at Cardinals, Chiefs at Saints and Browns at Giants. Every final there will alter the playoff bracket significantly or shut the door on a team for good.

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