What started with the Helmet Doink Heard ‘Round the Internet and ended with a repetitive masterclass in how much higher Estadio Azteca is than Mile High, Week 11 in the NFL provided a continuous flux of double-take moments.
While the Myles Garrett-Mason Rudolph Storm was eventually downgraded to a social-media depression, the Arizona Cardinals nearly made it a two-game losing streak for the San Francisco 49ers. The Denver Broncos brought back reflections of Bills-Oilers 1993. Ezekiel Elliott introduced his best Dak Prescott-pregame impression. Tom Brady was happy with the win over the Eagles—but not, like, happy-happy. And, you guys, what exactly is pass interference?
Pass interference… on the guy who was tackled? pic.twitter.com/j1twSec1ka
— Will Brinson (@WillBrinson) November 17, 2019
Cut through the confusion, the entertainment and debacles, and there were also some top-level offensive line performances. A near “Yeah Billy Bob, we got the six” moment, with an exceptional celebration topped the list in Week 11—maybe for all Pigskin Eternity—and a few others also didn’t disappoint.
Here were the top 5 from Week 11.
5. Atlanta Falcons
What in the world has gotten into the 2019 Atlanta Falcons?! Suddenly, they are trendy. A real matchup nightmare. The Dirty Birds of Yesteryear. (Gillette is probably scrambling to re-release those Matt Ryan ads.) And yes, they are certainly this week’s Oliver Stone Award winner—Any Given Sunday.
They lined up across the ball from the Carolina Panthers in Week 11 and, for the second consecutive week, pummeled an NFC South opponent. The Falcons’ air attack was effective. Going up against a pass defense ranked in the top half of the league, Matt Ryan finishing the day 21-of-31 for 311 and one touchdown. The O-line held off a sturdy edge assault from Mario Addison and Bruce Irvin, limiting the pressure and allowing Ryan time to find his targets. Although the run game wasn’t anything monumental, the 30th-ranked rushing attack did just enough to keep things somewhat balanced.
Alex Mack, Jamon Brown, James Carpenter, Jake Matthews, and Kaleb McGary: Your performance—considering it was the first not under a roof this season—was truly “Great Outdoors.”