It doesn't get easier for Smith
USA TODAY Sports' Jarrett Bell breaks down all the key elements for Week 13 in the NFL, from Alex Smith to the Tennessee Titans to the Eagles' rushing attack.
Pressure’s on
Alex Smith. What a tale of two seasons for the Chiefs quarterback, mired with his team in the funk of five losses in six games. Smith’s interception in crunch time sealed last weekend’s loss to Buffalo, and it won’t get any easier at the Meadowlands against a Jets D that is playing with passion. This isn’t just about Smith. The holes have closed for rookie runner Kareem Hunt, the YAC has largely dissipated for Tyreek Hill and the gadget plays that stamped a creative offense are not working. It wasn’t too long ago when Smith was the frontrunner for MVP plaudits and the Chiefs were the NFL’s only undefeated team ( 5- 0). Lose on Sunday and they are no better than a .500 team.
Who’s hot
Case Keenum. Maybe the bestcase scenario when Keenum came off the bench in Week 2 as the Vikings’ emergency quarterback called for the classic game manager: Avoid turnovers, produce a few points and rely on Mike Zimmer’s top- shelf defense to carry the day. Well, the fifth- year journeyman has done much better than that. Sure, the Minnesota defense, with playmakers on every level, has been true to form and Keenum hasn’t been anybody’s turnover machine. No, he’s not the second coming of Dan Marino. Keenum has thrown for just 14 TDs and has only two 300yard games. But he’s also exceeded expectations during Minnesota’s seven- game winning streak by demonstrating that he, too, can be a playmaker. Keenum’s ability to buy time in the pocket or extend plays when bolting from the pocket has been remarkable, undoubtedly increasing confidence – for himself and his team. Simply put, the dude is a baller. That doesn’t mean he necessarily has to top reigning NFL MVP Matt Ryan in a shootout on Sunday at Atlanta, but if he can play as efficiently as he has lately – Keenum is carrying a streak of three consecutive games with a pass efficiency rating of better than 100 for the first time in his career – the Vikings will have a solid chance to snag a big W.
Key matchup
Alvin Kamara vs. Luke Kuechly & Co. Carolina heads into the NFC South showdown at the Superdome having yet to allow a 100- yard rusher against a third- ranked run defense keyed by Kuechly and fellow linebackers Thomas Davis and Shaq Thompson. But this is part of a bigger picture. The Saints gashed the Panthers for 149 rushing yards in a Week 3 blowout, and the refashioned offense around Drew Brees ( No. 3 rushing offense) pairs Kamara as part of a 1- 2 punch with Mark Ingram. Then there’s Kam- ara in the passing game. The rookie, coming off his first 100- yad receiving game, has produced more receiving yards on his 54 catches ( 548) than rushing yards ( 546). So there’s a lot of ground to cover. And since Week 3, with Adrian Peterson departed, Kamara’s role and impact have expanded.
Next man up
Geno Smith. Overshadowed amid the weirdness of the Giants’ benching of Eli Manning after 210 consecutive starts is the opportunity for Smith, a former second- round pick who once lost his starting job with the Jets after suffering a broken jaw when sucker punched in the locker room by a teammate.
If the playoffs were today…
The Titans ( 7- 4) would be division champs and the AFC’s No. 3 seed. With a strong running game and solid in the trenches, Tennessee is seemingly built for late- season football. But two blowouts losses this season – 40- 17 at Pittsburgh and 57- 14 at Houston – makes you wonder about how they’d measure up against the best competition in January. Good thing they’ll host a different Texans team, sans Deshaun Watson, on Sunday.
Did you notice?
While the impressive Carson Wentz generates MVP buzz as quarterback of the hottest team in the NFL, the Eagles ( 10- 1), with the league’s No. 2- ranked rushing attack, have run for at least 175 yards in three consecutive games – and without a single 100yard rusher during that span.