Bell's Week 14 awards: Eagles in need of another gear
There's nothing like Dallas Week to ring the alarm for the Philadelphia Eagles.
With a victory against the dreaded Cowboys on Sunday night at The Linc, it's clear sailing to another NFC East crown for the Eagles.
But then what?
Including Sunday's drubbing with the Legion of Boom fingerprints, the Eagles were manhandled in their two losses within the past month against two of the NFC's better teams – the defending champion Seahawks and the could-be champion Packers.
This does not bode well for January.
Sure, Mark Sanchez isn't the first quarterback to struggle against Seattle defense. And Philadelphia's secondary isn't the only unit to get scorched by Aaron Rodgers at Lambeau Field.
Yet if the Eagles are to emerge as a legitimate championship contender, it will take an offense triggered by Sanchez – and ultimately Nick Foles, when he returns from his broken collarbone – to kick into its highest gear yet at a time of year when the games generally get tighter.
That's how Chip Kelly's team is built. When the offense is rolling, it can dictate the situations that Philadelphia's improving defense to pin its ears back and unleash a formidable pass rush.
Ask Dallas. The Cowboys defense couldn't keep up with Kelly's offense on Thanksgiving.
The three-and-outs on Sunday – Philadelphia consumed 25, 67, 62 and 87 seconds on four-such possessions – threw the whole formula out of whack and stretched the Eagles defense accordingly.
Running back LeSean McCoy, who averaged 2.9 yards on Sunday, is a huge part of the equation.
Yet nothing moves an offense like balance – which every contender needs in January.
But first things first.
Dallas is coming to town.
Now on to the awards and other observations from Week 14…
Stud of the week: Le'Veon Bell. Anytime your performance puts you in a category with Sweetness, you must be pretty hot. The Steelers' versatile running back rushed for 185 yards and caught six passes for 50 yards in the romp at Cincinnati, which marked his third consecutive game with at least 200 yards from scrimmage. Until now, Walter Payton was the only player in NFL history to accomplish that.
Defensive player of the week:Elvis Dumervil. Look who's at the top of the NFL leader board for sacks? The Ravens' linebacker collected 3 ½ sacks at Miami to raise his season total to 16, which ties him with Kansas City's Justin Houston for the NFL lead.
Special teamer of the week:Sebastian Janikowski. After the Raiders intercepted Colin Kaepernick on the first snap of the game on Sunday, Janikowski made sure they would not squander the opportunity. He booted his longest field goal of the season – 57 yards – to provide the momentum that jump-started the upset effort against the 49ers. For a team that has now won all of two games, that was so huge.
Rookie of the week:Teddy Bridgewater. The Vikings quarterback passed for 309 yards against the Jets – and 87 came on the game-winner in overtime to Jarius Wright. It wasn't a case where Bridegwater used a monster throw to doom the Jets. Instead, he won with his mind. After sensing an all-out blitz, Bridgewater out-foxed the Jets and checked off to a bubble screen that was the perfect call against zero coverage.
Comeback player of the week:Cam Newton. The much-maligned quarterback led the way to Carolina's huge upset at New Orleans, passing for 226 yards and 3 TDs, rushing 83 yards and a score, and committing zero turnovers. It was a long time coming, as the Panthers a six-game losing streak. And given the woes of the NFC South, Carolina (4-8-1) is suddenly right back in the thick of the race for the division title – offering Newton and his mates plenty to play for.
Underdog of the week:Kerwynn Williams. The Cardinals, desperate for backfield help in the wake of Andre Ellington's season-ending hip injury, activated the second-year pro from their practice squad on Friday. And on Sunday, Williams supplied Bruce Arians' offense with its first 100-yard rushing game of the season with his 19 carries.
This week's genius:Gregg Williams. The Rams defense has turned in back-to-back shutouts. So what if they came against Oakland and Washington? It's the NFL, and it's something the franchise hasn't achieved since 1945. Williams, reunited this year with coach Jeff Fisher and remembered for his role in the Saints bounty scandal, has seen his unit steadily improve as the season has progressed. Sunday's effort included seven sacks and a heavy dose of the blitzes that Williams is known for.
Big-time blunders: Count me in the number of those scratching their heads over the two controversial calls that went against the Chiefs during their loss at Arizona. Maybe it was something about tight ends and 19 yards. First, Kansas City was stung in the third quarter by an offensive pass interference call against tight end Anthony Fasano – it looked like crafty Cardinals linebacker Larry Foote flopped, NBA-style -- that wiped out an apparent 19-yard TD. In the fourth quarter, an apparent 19-yard reception by tight end Travis Kelce was reversed by an instant replay challenge and ruled a fumble that was recovered by Justin Bethel. Referee Craig Wrolstad's crew aren't alone in the scrutiny. The replay reviews and decisions come from the NFL command center in New York. So the heat rises to the top of the officiating ladder on this one. The Chiefs didn't lose the game on the call – Arizona missed a field goal after the Kelce "fumble" – but it was a tough way to lose a third consecutive games.
Did you notice? Peyton Manning's streak of consecutive games with a touchdown pass was snapped at 51 games – four games shy of breaking Drew Brees' NFL record of 54 games. The last time Manning didn't throw for six? Go back to Nov. 14, 2010. And like Sunday, when the Broncos used three rushing TDs from C.J. Anderson to put away the Bills, Manning also won the last time he threw scoreless when the Colts defeated the Bengals.
Stat's the fact: In the past 29 drives with Brian Hoyer at quarterback, the Browns offense has produced one touchdown. Hello, Johnny Football.
Follow Jarrett Bell on Twitter @JarrettBell.