NFL 2022: Grades, aftermath for teams coming off Week 11 bye
Three NFL teams from Florida and a surprise club in 2022 were off in Week 11. Was it productive for the Jaguars, Dolphins, Seahawks, and Buccaneers?
The NFL celebrates Thanksgiving with three games on Turkey Day. And for different seasons, the four teams that got a little vacation time in Week 11 all have something to be grateful for.
The Jacksonville Jaguars, Miami Dolphins, Seattle Seahawks, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers have combined to come up with their share of surprises, both good and bad. So how have the teams fared in 2022 and what kind of grade has each club earned?
NFL 2022: Grades for teams coming off Week 11 Bye
Jacksonville Jaguars (3-7)
After a Week 1 loss at Washington, Doug Pederson’s club came up with big wins over the Colts (24-0) and Chargers (38-10. But the Jaguars have won just one game since despite playing tough on a weekly basis.
Six of the team’s seven setbacks have been by single digits. Quarterback Trevor Lawrence has to be more careful with the football while running back Travis Etienne is having a big season. And the defense could use a few more playmakers.
Grade: C+
Miami Dolphins (7-3)
Head coach Mike McDaniel won his first three games, suffered through a three-game skid, and is now riding a four-game winning streak. This is a different team with Tua Tagovailoa. He’s hit on 71.0 percent of his passes for 2,265 yards and 18 scores with only three turnovers in eight games.
Tyreek Hill has brought his A-game from Kansas City and a new-look running game is starting to gel. But Miami’s defensive unit has allowed 28 touchdowns in 10 games.
Grade: A
Seattle Seahawks (6-4)
Last season, Pete Carroll’s club suffered through its first losing campaign since 2011. And those Seahawks were the only team in the NFC West not to reach the playoffs. But journeyman quarterback Geno Smith is having a career year as the replacement for Russell Wilson.
Seattle’s defense gives up lots of yards but Carroll’s club has had quite the opportunistic touch. After forcing only 18 turnovers a year ago, the ‘Hawks have 17 takeaways in 10 outings.
Grade: A-
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (5-5)
A year ago, this was the second-highest-scoring team in the NFL. Veteran quarterback Tom Brady led the league in passing yards and touchdown tosses. But the only time the Buccaneers scored more than 22 points in a game this season was a lopsided 41-31 home setback to the Chiefs.
Todd Bowles’ club is dead last in the league in rushing and has been inconsistent in stopping teams on the ground. Can they hold on and win the NFC South once again?
Grade: C+
Aftermath
The Jaguars remain four games out of first place as the Tennessee Titans handed the Green Bay Packers a 27-17 Thursday night loss at Lambeau Field. Mike Vrabel’s club has won seven of its last eight games after a 0-2 start. Last Sunday, both the Colts and Texans came up short against the Eagles and Commanders, respectively.
The Dolphins remained atop the AFC East, a division in which every team is at least two games above .500. Miami and the Bills are tied with 7-3 records (the Dolphins own the current tie-breaker) following the latter’s 31-23 win over the Browns at Detroit. Meanwhile, the Patriots and the Jets sit with 6-4 marks after New England came up with a stunning 10-3 victory thanks to their special teams.
The Seahawks and 49ers both own 6-4 records but San Francisco is technically in first place because of an earlier win over Seattle. Lately, Kyle Shanahan’s club has been hot and a 38-10 triumph over the Cardinals in Mexico City was the team’s third straight win. On the other hand, the defending Super Bowl champion Rams dropped their fourth straight game, this time at New Orleans.
And in the NFC South, the Buccaneers remain the only club without a losing record. But both the Falcons and Saints inched closer to the top spots with victories over the Bears and Rams, respectively. Elsewhere, the Carolina offense was a no-show at Baltimore in a 13-3 loss.