Monday Night Takeaways – Week 14 Dec 11, 2012 | More
More articles from Eric Hartvigson

Houston 14, New England 42

Texans

It’s never a good day when the backups are in the game with six minutes still remaining. In those closing minutes, second string quarterback T.J. Yates nearly outscored starter Matt Scahub. In short, it was a bad day for all Texans players.

Patriots

We had our first real Brandon Lloyd sighting since week eight. The much maligned wide receiver suddenly showed up with his fourth and fifth touchdowns of the season - although touchdown number two was a fluky fumble recovery in the end zone. I’m still not banking my championship hopes on Lloyd’s sporadic production.

Aaron Hernandez has fully returned from his ankle injury delivering two touchdowns. Just in time.

Tuesday Morning Quick Hits

•Ravens offensive coordinator Cam Cameron was fired yesterday. Expect a heavier dose of Ray Rice moving forward.

•Dwayne Bowe has been diagnosed with two broken ribs. He’s likely done for the season.

•Neither Michael Vick nor LeSean McCoy has been medically cleared to return. Early indications have both Bryce Brown and Nick Foles once again starting for the Eagles in Week 15.

•Dez Bryant is seeing a hand specialist to examine a torn tendon in his finger. If the injury requires surgery, he could be lost for the season.

•Ahmad Bradshaw is undergoing a battery of tests on his injured knee. David Wilson has sudden waiver wire appeal.

•The Bills have lost Fred Jackson for the remainder of the season with a knee injury. To the bain of head coach Chan Gailey, C.J. Spiller will finally carry the load and be given a chance to equal his RB1 hype.

•The extent of Brandon Pettigrew’s ankle injury has yet to be determined. Tony Scheffler would assume the starting role with low end TE1 potential.

•Eagles tight end Brent Celek has already been ruled out for Week 15. Jason Avant has sudden WR3 appeal for those owners hurting at the position.

•Last but not least, RG III has been diagnosed with a “mild sprain.” I’d be willing to bet my left arm he won’t play next week.

Good Luck to all next weekend. Hope to see yeah on the flip side.