Post Thanksgiving NFL thoughts Part 2

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I recently put together some post Thanksgiving thoughts on the NFL. I thought it needed a second volume. I writing this after the Eagles dismantled the Bears to the tune of 31-3. Yes, the Eagles look to be the cream of the NFC crop, but the Bears are a train wreck. 

So why is John Fox still here?

The assumption of most Bears fans after the Bears lost to the Packers coming off a bye week was John Fox would be deep-sixed after the season was over. The Bears might want to accelerate that to immediately. The Bears look like a team dangerously close to quitting. Yesterday was Marc Trestman territory. Plus, Fox does nothing to aid in the development of Mitch Trubisky.

If the Bears entertain any thought of Vic Fangio being their next head coach, they need to can Fox and make Fangio their interim coach to see how he does and how the team responds. One thing you can be sure of, John Fox wouldn't throw in the towel. He might run it in though.

Bears have trouble moving through the air

After the Eagles game, the Bears plane was delayed fore hours due to mechanical issues. That's about right. The Bears have had trouble moving through the air all season.

Nathan Peterman, the Urban Sombrero of quarterbacks 

After the Bills defeated the Kansas City Chiefs with Tyrod Taylor at quarterback, their decision to start Nathan Peterman at QB the previous week against the Chargers looks even more bizarre. 

Rivers flowing towards the playoffs

Speaking of the Chargers, they are on a roll and Phillip Rivers looks great. They currently sit at 5-6, but are a definite playoff threat.

The curious Case of Keenum

The Minnesota Vikings have had surprisingly good play from quarterback, Case Keenum. Case's performance was pretty much out of the blue. It reminds me of Joe Kapp of the 1969 Vikings. The Vikes are well coached and have a number of under the radar excellent players. As a Bears fan, I wonder what it's like to root for a well coached team. It must be nice.

In Detroit, all roads lead to mediocrity

The Lions started fast, but seem to be reverting to their old, losing ways. I thought Matthew Stafford was becoming at least an upper tier, if not an elite quarterback. Of course, it would be nice if he had a ground game.

So, how about that Ryan Fitzpatrick?

The Tampa Bay Bucs have some serious issues to confront going forward. Jameis Winston is being investigated for alleged off field sexual misconduct. Winston has been down this road before when he was in college. The fact that this allegation has surfaced is troubling in itself. Public opinion on this sort of thing also seems to be becoming more favorable for the accuser, which could mean real trouble for Winston.

Where did these guys come from?

The Jacksonville Jaguars have quietly put together a 7-4 record behind one of the best defenses in the NFL. Blake Bortles hasn't been particularly good at quarterback, but Leonard Fournette has proven to be a nice addition to the run game. Perhaps the most telling stat in the Jaguars success is sacks recorded and sacks allowed. They've recorded 41 sacks while allowing only 19. That is probably why the Jaguars have 14 interceptions while throwing only 8.

Upon further review, NFL officiating stinks

The NFL has numerous problems they are wrestling with. To me, the biggest problem they have is poor officiating. I don't know if officials call more phantom penalties or miss more flagrant fouls. Plus, the video reviews on occasion are just plain farcical.