NFL Week 11 overreactions and reality checks

Just picked out the two of most interest to the Den:

Justin Fields is not a clutch quarterback

Overreaction or reality: Reality

As impressive as Fields has been, his numbers in the fourth quarter aren’t worth bragging about. In the fourth quarter and overtime, Fields has completed 57.4% of his passes for 291 yards with three touchdowns and four interceptions. His 60.0 passer rating is 33rd out of 34 qualified quarterbacks this season.

Fields threw another fourth quarter interception in Sunday’s loss to the Falcons, this with the Bears trailing 27-24 with 1:13 left. In a loss to the Lions the week before, Fields threw an interception that was returned for a touchdown that allowed Detroit to come back.

Fields does have 236 rushing yards and a rushing touchdown in the fourth quarter and overtime (6.74 yards per carry), but his passing game limits the impact he can make with his legs. The Bears quarterback is still learning, but the numbers show he’s a bit short of reaching the next tier at his position.

The Rams are the worst defending Super Bowl champion ever

Overreaction or reality: Reality

Los Angeles fell to 3-7 on the year after an embarrassing loss to New Orleans on Sunday, a game Matthew Stafford left as he was being evaluated for a concussion. This is the worst start for a defending champion after 10 games, tying the 1999 Broncos and 1987 Giants.

John Elway retired after the 1998 season and Phil Simms got injured in Week 2 of the 1987 season and was out several weeks, leading to poor starts by those teams. What’s the Rams’ excuse?

Stafford missed a game, but he’s been subpar all year. The Rams can’t commit to a running back (not like they have a good one to commit to) and the offensive line is in shambles. The defense isn’t good enough to make up for the offensive woes either.

Not only will this team miss the playoffs, they’ll finish last in the division.

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There weren’t any Lions references in that particular article.