NFL Week 12 overreactions: Patriots no longer AFC favorites?

The New England Patriots are no longer favorites in the AFC

Let’s take a step back and breathe for a little. It’s just one loss.

Certainly, the Patriots would love to have Sunday night’s game back. But considering that the defeat came on the road against a very talented Denver Broncos (9-2) team while the Patriots dealt with another tough injury, New England should be just fine.

But the Patriots need to stay healthy. Tight end Rob Gronkowski, who was carted off Sunday night with a knee injury, is essential. As a source told USA TODAY Sports’ Tom Pelissero, initial tests were promising and indicated that Gronkowski may have escaped a serious injury.

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Receiver Danny Amendola (ankle) is expected to return within the next couple of weeks and Julian Edelman (foot), arguably the best slot wideout in the NFL, could return for a postseason run.

As long as the Patriots get a clean bill of health and handle the rest of their schedule (Philadelphia Eagles, Houston Texans, Tennessee Titans, New York Jets, Miami Dolphins) they will hold home-field advantage throughout the playoffs.

As seen in last year’s postseason – just ask the Baltimore Ravens, who blew two separate 14-point leads in their divisional loss against New England – Foxborough, Mass. is a place where opponents don’t fare well. In the last two years, counting the playoffs, the Patriots are 15-1 at Gillette Stadium.

The Washington Redskins are the best team in the NFC East

They are in a tie for first place in their division after beating the New York Giants 20-14 Sunday, but the Redskins still have a lot to prove.

Quarterback Kirk Cousins has been drastically better in avoiding turnovers. In his last five games, he has just two interceptions. The Redskins have won three of those, the two losses coming against the Patriots (10-1) and Carolina Panthers (11-0).

There’s a lot of progress that has Washington looking like a team trending in the right direction. But there’s one weakness that will doom the Redskins this season if they don’t get it fixed.

Washington has lost all five games it has played on the road. Cousins’ QB rating at home is a pristine mark of 113.0. On the road, by comparison, it’s a dismal 69.8.

Until Washington proves that it can go on the road and play effectively, it will continue to be at a disadvantage in the NFC East. And, with three remaining road games in its final five – including back-to-back games against the division-rival Eagles and Cowboys to close the season – the Redskins will need to figure it out quickly.

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The St. Louis Rams are just in a slump

There are some serious problems in St. Louis in what already looked like a transitional year.

The franchise is stuck in the middle of a potential move to Los Angeles, and a four-game losing streak has the Rams sitting at 4-7 and in danger of having their season spiral out of control. Head coach Jeff Fisher told reporters after Sunday’s drubbing against the Bengals that critics of his team’s effort could “kiss my ass.”

But at some point soon, fans may be questioning Fisher’s status. He has now gone 24-34-1 in his four years in St. Louis. His roster is full of talent on defense and has dynamic playmakers on offense. But when offensive coordinator Frank Cignetti calls just nine rushing plays for rookie running back Todd Gurley, who is already one of the best players in the NFL at his position, something is not working.

Quarterback Nick Foles has been abysmal and Case Keenum likely isn’t the long-term answer, either.

The remaining schedule features games against the Arizona Cardinals (9-2) and Seattle Seahawks (6-5).

If Stan Kroenke is able to move his team to L.A., he will want to take a winner to the city. That might mean starting over with a new coaching staff in tow.

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The Kansas City Chiefs are just on a hot streak

The Chiefs – winners of five in a row – are one of the hottest teams in the NFL right now, and they look every bit the part of a legitimate playoff contender.

After taking down the Buffalo Bills 30-22 on Sunday, the Chiefs now stand at 6-5 and have a hold on one of the two AFC wild-card spots. The best news for Kansas City is that it holds the tiebreaker over the other four teams in the conference with the same record.

Kansas City has the recipe for a playoff run: a clock-eating running game, efficiency from the QB position and a stout defense that is allowing the league’s seventh-best total of 20 points per game.

Even with some pretty big injuries at running back, Kansas City found a gem in second-year pro Spencer Ware, who has rushed for 210 yards and three touchdowns on just 30 carries in his last two games.

Quarterback Alex Smith is playing clean and efficient football and is a big part of the Chiefs' resurgence. Consider this: He has not thrown an interception in his last 283 consecutive pass attempts dating back to Week 3, which is the fourth-longest streak in NFL history.

The cherry on top might be Kansas City’s remaining schedule that includes games against the San Diego Chargers (3-8), Baltimore Ravens (3-7), Cleveland Browns (2-8), and two games against the Oakland Raiders (5-6).

January football looks like a very real possibility.

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The Colts are better with Matt Hasselbeck under center than Andrew Luck

It's hard to argue against Hasselbeck based on what he has done while filling in for Luck

The 40-year-old backup has led the Colts to four of their six victories and has a 7:2 touchdown-to-interception ratio in the four games he has been forced to start with Luck sidelined because of various injuries. That stands out next to Luck’s record of 2-5 as a starter.

And while Hasselbeck has done exactly what you want out of your backup quarterback, his games have come against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Houston Texans, Atlanta Falcons and Tampa Bay Buccaneers – who rank 29th (27.2), tied for 13th (21.3), tied for 13th (21.3) and 24th (25.4) in points allowed, respectively. That’s not exactly murderer’s row.

There’s no question Luck (55.3% completion rate, 1,881 yards, 15 touchdowns, 12 interceptions) has struggled significantly this season. But a lot of that was due to a plodding, unimaginative offense that was led by former coordinator Pep Hamilton.

After Hamilton was fired and replaced by Rob Chudzinski, Indianapolis’ outfit is built better for success. The Colts tight ends are more involved. The ball is out quicker.

Indianapolis' primary focus should be getting Luck back healthy. After that, the Colts will need to protect him from getting hit. Because when Luck is in a system that highlights his abilities, he’s still one of the top young quarterbacks in the NFL.

Follow Lorenzo Reyes on Twitter @LorenzoGReyes.

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