Week 11 chat with Bucky Brooks
7:00 PM - 8:00 PM ETBucky Brooks
21 comments
NFL.com analyst Bucky Brooks has taken in all the action of Week 11, and is ready to chat live with you at 7 p.m. ET.
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Bucky Brooks, NFL.com
What's up, NFL Nation?! What an exciting slate of games today. I can't wait to discuss today's happenings with you.. Let's get started... -
Brandon, Fort Worth, Texas
7:11 PM ET
hey Bucky, after Dallas squeaking by with a win today over Washington, do you think they will be able to bounce back from their offensive woes and be a competitior with their tough schedule coming up after thanksgiving?
Bucky Brooks, NFL.com
Brandon, I believe the Cowboys were very fortunate to win today considering their offensive performance. They struggled moving the ball consistently for most of the day, and their receivers were non-existent for the majority of the game. Although Miles Austin showed up in the fourth quarter, I think that their overall lack of production should be a major concern. However, I believe good teams find a way to win games that they shouldn't win and the Cowboys deserve a ton of credit for keeping the game close enough for the to steal it in the end. With another probable win on Thursday (Raiders), the Cowboys appear to be in good shape heading down the stretch. If I had to chose a division winner at this time, I think the Cowboys would be the obvious choice right now. -
Alex, Toronto
7:16 PM ET
You could see Chan Ochocinco talking to Caldwell on the sideline after he fumbled the kickoff with under 30 seconds left. As a former reciever yourself, what do you think he was saying to Caldwell in that situation?
Bucky Brooks, NFL.com
Alex, I'm sure Ochocinco was telling Andre Caldwell to keep his head up and to learn from the situation. All great players have experienced failure or disappointment at some point, so this will undoubtedly serve as motivation in the future. No one like to see players suffer disappointments like this, but I believe Caldwell will bounce back in a major way. -
Victor, Bronx,NY
7:18 PM ET
Hey Bucky, after the Jaguars beat the Bills in a close game, I'm wondering if the Jaguars can make a run to the playoffs?
Bucky Brooks, NFL.com
Victor, I think this win positions the Jaguars to make a nice playoff run down the stretch. At 6-4, they are in the middle of the pack and I believe they can pull out 9 or 10 wins based on their schedule. They will have to play better than they did today, but I think that Jaguars have enough talent to compete with some of the better teams in the league. -
Matt Juliano, Glens Falls,NY
7:20 PM ET
Saints are now 10-0. I want to hear you insight on how you think the rest of the season will play out.
Bucky Brooks, NFL.com
Matt, I think the Saints are legit. They have a great offense and a better than advertised defense that is showing up every week. Additionally, they are finding ways to win when their team isn't clicking on all cylinders. I think the Vikings will provide a stern challenge for the Saints in the NFC, but it's hard to pick against them at this point. -
Hemin, Toronto
7:22 PM ET
Hey Bucky do you think the Patriots can beat the undefeated Saints next week? If so what strategies will they have to enforce to come out on top?
Bucky Brooks, NFL.com
Hemin, The Patriots have the talent to beat the Saints, but they will have to play well to make it happen. I believe the key to defeating the Saints is using a ball control attack that will limit their possessions. Teams have had success running ball against them, and I would expect the Patriots to attempt to establish their ground game early. If they can force the Saints to play honest initially, they will have plenty of opportunities to attack down the field to Randy Moss and Wes Welker later in the game. Defensively, the Patriots must eliminate the deep ball and force Drew Brees to drive the length of the field by completing short throws. This tactic doesn't guarantee success, but it will keep the Patriots from getting involved in a shoot out with the Saints. -
Jarrod, New Zealand
7:25 PM ET
How bout my Colts Bucky, they weren't lucky this week! Will they start gettng the credit they deserve?
Bucky Brooks, NFL.com
Jarred, They deserve credit for finding ways to win close games. They have won six games this season that have been decided by seven points or less, and that ability to come up with key plays in the clutch will serve them well in the playoffs. I still believe the Colts need to shore up their running game to help them defeat the top teams, but they prove each week that they can win with a one-dimensional offensive attack. -
Steve Murphy, Columbus, OH
7:28 PM ET
Hi Bucky, I was wondering if you think Buffalo will land a big name coach and if so, what changes do you think will have to take place in order for the Bills to be considered a contender again? Thanks
Bucky Brooks, NFL.com
Steve, Buffalo's ability to attract a big-name coach will come down to the other opportunities available around the league, and how much money the team is willing to cough up. If they are willing to commit $6-$7 million a season for a coach, they will have their fair share of suitors. Also, the team has to decide how it will restructure their front office. Some of the big names available are used to have total control of the personnel decision, so that would require the re-assigning of some of their executives to make that possible. Mr. Wilson has stated that he is committed to remaking the franchise, but it may include major restructuring on all level to make it happen. -
Jon K., Auburn,Maine
7:31 PM ET
Hey, why do you think the Steelers lost to the Chiefs? Just because the Steelers don't have Troy Polamalu?
Bucky Brooks, NFL.com
Jon, The Chiefs won because they scored on a special teams' play and tallied a handful of takeaways. Those negative plays typically determine the outcome of games, and it was played out again in the Steelers' loss. -
Ray, Poughkeepsie, New York
7:33 PM ET
Mr.Brooks do you think the Giants can turn their season around and go to the playoffs after tonights performence?
Bucky Brooks, NFL.com
Ray, The Giants' win was a big victory for them. It keeps them within striking distance of the Cowboys and also puts them in the thick of the playoff race. With another game against the Cowboys on the schedule, a hot streak from the Giants could help them overtake the division lead by season's end. -
Charlie, Ohio
7:35 PM ET
Hey Bucky! Do you see the Bengals bouncing back or now falling of? I mean we played okay for the first half and our running game was great so I can't really work out what happened. Thanks.
Bucky Brooks, NFL.com
Charlie, The Bengals will bounce back. They are a good team and they have overcome similar bumps in the road earlier in the season. They simply need to score points when they get in the red zone, and that will be enough to keep them in the mix. Additionally, they need their defense to continue to step down the stretch. Their defense has played like one of the best units in football, and they must continue to ascend up the charts for the Bengals to have a chance at doing significant damage in the playoffs. -
rob, chicago
7:39 PM ET
With a win the packers are now 6-4 do you think they could make the playoffs. Also I heard Al Harris will miss the rest of the season with a torn ACL. Will the packers secondary significantly suffer. Thanks!
Bucky Brooks, NFL.com
Rob, The loss of Al Harris will hurt, but the Packers are deep in the back and will find a way to mix up the combinations to get their best players in the right positions in the back end. Charles Woodson's versatility will be a critical asset to the unit, and he may float between safety and corner. -
JOE, Upstate NY
7:42 PM ET
Hey Bucky, You played for both Buffalo & Jacksonville. So who were you rooting for today? Also what did you like to play more wide receiver or defense back?
Bucky Brooks, NFL.com
Joe, Great observation. Today's game was tough for me because I have friends on both coaching staffs and had ties to both organizations from my playing days. However, I can honestly say that I was rooting for Perry Fewelll to win his head coaching debut. He is an outstanding coach and I believe that he has the characteristics needed to be a solid head coaching in the league. If he can get the team to play well down the stretch, I'm sure that it will raise his profile as a potential head coaching candidate down the road. -
Roy, Torreon, Mexico
7:46 PM ET
Hey Bucky! remember me?? you told me the Raiders offense wouldn't improve with Gradkowski, i told you we had a good defense, how bout that upset of the Bungles??
Bucky Brooks, NFL.com
Roy, Thanks for reminding me of the comment. You were right about the team performing better with Gradkowski. He didn't light up the scoreboard, but he avoided the big turnover and kept the team close enough to win the game in the 4Qtr. I don't know if he is a long-term solution for the team, but he definitely gave them a jolt of positive energy today. -
Josiah, Ne
7:49 PM ET
HEY Bucky any chance after this season Jim Zorn won't be with the the Redskins?
Bucky Brooks, NFL.com
Josiah, There is always a chance that the Redskins will dump Jim Zorn after the season, but I think the team is really close to turning things around. Their defense is playing really well and they are showing signs of moving the ball better in recent weeks. The injuries to Clinton Portis and Ladell Betts will hurt, but Rock Cartwright may give the team a spark at the position. If they continue to play tough, competitive games like this, it may lead ownership to keep Zorn for another year. -
Justin Davis, Schoolcraft,MI
7:51 PM ET
Hey Bucky, how bout Matt Stafford and his NFL record 5TDs by a rookie in one game? Not even Troy Aikman or Peyton Manning has done that! What do you think about Stafford after that win?
Bucky Brooks, NFL.com
Justin, Matthew Stafford took a major step forward today. It should be a tremendous boost to his confidence and give him the ear of the locker room. His teammates will love his toughness and courage under pressure, and that will help the Lions come together as a team in the near future. Overall, I think this will be the day that serves as a defining moment for Stafford. -
Tom, Phoenix
7:54 PM ET
Hey Bucky thanks for answering our questions? Who do you think are the better of the unbeaten teams, Saints or Colts?
Bucky Brooks, NFL.com
Tom, It's so hard to choose between the Saints and Colts for the league's best team. Both have found ways to win games when they have faced huge deficits and their respective offenses are super explosive. Additionally, their defense have consistently played well throughout the season. If I had to pick one, I would choose the Colts, but I wouldn't be surprised to see the Saints defeat them in a potential Super Bowl match up. -
Anthony, Lancaster, Ca
7:57 PM ET
hey Mr. Brooks do you believe chris johnson has surpassed A.P. as the best runningback in the league and vikes or saints
Bucky Brooks, NFL.com
Anthony, Chris Johnson is outstanding, but I still rank AP as the best running back in the game. He is an outstanding talent with the rare ability to run inside or outside. Additionally, he has exceptional speed and power, and is rarely held to low numbers despite facing eight- and nine-man fronts. While Johnson is a threat to take it the distance, I like AP's toughness a little bit more and that is the deciding factor in my book. -
Noah, MA
7:59 PM ET
Bucky first of all you rock second who is going to win mvp
Bucky Brooks, NFL.com
Noah, The Brett Favre is playing it would be hard for me to vote for someone else for MVP. He has been sensational with the Vikings and no one can dispute how much he has added to their offense. I would rank Drew Brees and Peyton Manning as the runner ups. -
James Watson, Adelaide, South Australia
8:01 PM ET
Hey Bucky! What's your take on the Chargers after they rolled over the Broncos? With LT seeming to start to fire up and Rivers finding those receiving options, do you think they can make a decent run into the postseason, or is winning the AFC West the best they can do?
Bucky Brooks, NFL.com
James, The Chargers' fate rests with their defense. As long as they are playing well on that side of the ball, they will have a chance to do significant damage in the playoffs. Shawne Merriman and Shaun Phillips are as tough as any pass rushing tandem in the league, and their ability to create havoc off the edge creates turnover opportunities for the rest of the squad. If they continue to play at a high level, I can see them make a run at the AFC Conference title. -
Bucky Brooks, NFL.com
NFL Nation, I'm out of time... Sorry if I didn't get to your questions today. Please save them and ask them on my weekly chat. Also, be sure to check "Sunday Drive" tomorrow on the NFL.com. We will break down one of the Vikings' touchdown drives and discuss their dynamic offense. Have a great night!
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