Tony Romo said the NFL world doesn’t rest and he is 100 percent right. While this writer was enjoying his Thanksgiving, and I hope you all did as well, the NFL did not rest and gave us another week of incredible surprises. 

Broncos Outlast Browns Historic Day

Cleveland Browns quarterback Jameis Winston threw for a franchise-record 497 passing yards and Jerry Jeudy had a career-high 235 receiving yards, so surely they beat the Denver Broncos, right? I mean, their quarterback Bo Nix only had 294 yards passing and went just 18-for-35 passing the ball. Their offense only had three touchdowns. 

Nope, the Broncos beat the Browns 41-32 on Monday after a late pick-six from Broncos cornerback Ja’Quan McMillian gave the Broncos a nine-point lead late in the fourth quarter. Despite allowing 552 total yards and 28 first downs, the Broncos defense was the X-factor on Monday coming up with three interceptions and two of them being returned for a touchdown. 

Nik Bonitto came up with a 71-yard touchdown of his own (he also is second in the NFL in sacks) as well as a crucial sack to keep the current Broncos winning streak going, extending it to three games.

Winston was the only reason the Browns were in this game, as well as being the reason they didn’t win the game. The Browns lack of rushing production was also a big reason why they didn’t win. 

Former Pro Bowl running back Nick Chubb only had nine carries for 21 yards and Cleveland’s leading rushing was Jerome Ford with just 41 yards, with 21 of them coming on just one play. 

What ended up being the crushing blow was Winston’s third and final interception, which came on the Browns final drive of the game after he already threw what should have been the final interception of the game.

After a 72-yard drive following the pick, Winston ended the Browns chances with his third and final interception of the game to linebacker Cody Barton. The question I think this game raised is if Winston’s new franchise record will be quickly forgotten because the Browns lost.

Is Russell Wilson Back?

The Pittsburgh Steelers defeated the Cincinnati Bengals, 44-38, on Sunday in large part to quarterback Russell Wilson and his second-best career passing day. He totaled 414 passing yards and three passing touchdowns. The Bengals quarterback had three touchdowns and put up more than 300 yards passing but Cincinnati ended up falling short. 

This begs the question: Is Russell Wilson back? During his first six starts as a member of the Steelers, they have won five out of six, only narrowly losing to the Browns two weeks ago. Wins are not a quarterback stat but his impact and the way he plays has a significant impact on the outcome to the Steelers overall success. Even though Pittsburgh was a solid 4-2 to start the season, offensive coordinator Arthur Smith hadn’t unlocked the Steelers offense yet.  

Justin Fields is a good player, but Wilson has shown that he still can be a great quarterback. Wilson’s arm strength combined with the Steelers pass-catchers ability to stretch the field has allowed for the offense to look the best it’s had in four years. Also, the last time the Steelers scored 40 or more points was on a Thursday night game against the Carolina Panthers. Pittsburgh put up 52 in that game.

No this is not the Wilson of old, running and gunning with the Seattle Seahawks but this version of Wilson works for the Steelers. Not every game has looked pretty, or had a patented Wilson “moon ball” but he gives the Steelers defense a break so now that winning games just are not completely on its shoulders. If the Steelers had given up 38 points last year the game would have been over by the second quarter. 

Wilson has nearly resuscitated the Steelers offense back to the days of the Killer B’s. Things are looking up for the AFC North hopefuls. 

Bowers Career Day Can’t Stop Chiefs 

The Las Vegas Raiders dropped a close game on Black Friday, narrowly losing to the Chiefs, 19-17, on a very, very, very contentious illegal shift penalty that allowed Kansas City to get the ball and win the game. In my eyes, the biggest story was Raiders rookie tight end Brock Bowers’ career day. 

The 13th overall pick in this past NFL Draft, Bowers had ten catches for a career-high 140 receiving yards and one touchdown against the stingy Chiefs defense. Bowers nearly single-handedly kept Las Vegas in this game with the next closest receiver having just four less receptions and nearly 50 less receiving yards than Bowers. 

Bowers is not a stranger to this though. The rookie has already had some very impressive performances. In Week 11, Bowers had 13 catches, 126 yards and one touchdown. In Week 5, Bowers had eight catches, 97 yards and a touchdown. In just his second professional game, Bowers caught all nine of his targets for 97 yards against the Baltimore Ravens and was a big reason why Las Vegas won that game. 

What makes his season all the more impressive is that Bowers is first in the NFL in receptions with 84. He is fourth in the NFL in receiving yards, ahead of elite talents like CeeDee Lamb and Amon-Ra St. Brown. He is also sixth in the league in YAC (yards after the catch). 

Bowers’ awe-inspiring campaign has been about the only highlight for this putrid Raiders team. But the tight end will be an irreplaceable weapon to whoever is throwing him the ball next year. 

For comments/questions about this story DM us on Instagram @TheWhitSports or email sports@thewhitonline.com