Week 11: Auburn Football Players in the NFL – Performance Slowing Down

Nov 13, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Peyton Barber (43) carries the ball against the Chicago Bears in the second half at Raymond James Stadium. The Buccaneers won 36-10. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 13, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Peyton Barber (43) carries the ball against the Chicago Bears in the second half at Raymond James Stadium. The Buccaneers won 36-10. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports /
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Here we take a weekly look at the performances of Auburn football players in the NFL in week 11 of play.

Surprisingly enough, the Cleveland Browns were eliminated from the playoffs following a loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers. Now 0-11, the Browns are, despite their routine failures throughout the years, in uncharted territory.

Cleveland has won at least two games since 2000, and even made it to the playoffs back in 2002 – where they lost to the Pittsburgh Steelers 36-33. The last time they won their division and a playoff game was back in 1994, beating out the Drew Bledsoe New England Patriots. Again, they lost to the Pittsburgh Steelers in the next round, 28-9.

Sad enough, this was Bill Belichick’s last big moment as a football coach before shipping off to New England and a short stop in New York.

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Now, as the season comes to a close, the Cleveland Browns are on their way to proving to the world just how terrible they are – with the odds in the favor of a 0-16 season.

Much like the performance for the Browns this season, former Auburn football alumni fell short of glory in week 11, with potential Pro Bowl athletes having a bit of a slow week.

Here’s a look at other former Auburn players and their impact on the field in week 11 of the NFL regular season:

Nov 17, 2016; Charlotte, NC, USA; Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) runs the ball in the third quarter against the New Orleans Saints at Bank of America Stadium. The Panthers defeated the Saints 23-20. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 17, 2016; Charlotte, NC, USA; Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) runs the ball in the third quarter against the New Orleans Saints at Bank of America Stadium. The Panthers defeated the Saints 23-20. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports /

Carolina Panthers

Staying in Charlotte for a Thursday Night Football game with the New Orleans Saints breathed life into the diminishing playoff hopes for the Panthers. Cam Newton threw for 192 yards and two touchdowns, despite only completing 42.4 percent of his passes. The former MVP and crew have just the slightest chance at returning to the playoffs, but at this point it seems to be too large a task to handle. With a 23-20 win over the Saints, the Panthers are now 4-6 with great odds to have a winning season – just not enough to win back their division.

Cincinnati Bengals

It’s fair for the rest of the AFC North to have some rough feelings towards the Pittsburgh Steelers. Talented rosters like the Bengals and a potential miracle hidden within the Browns holds no ground against the perennial contenders. In a 16-12 loss to the Buffalo Bills, inside linebacker Karlos Dansby totaled nine tackles alongside Pat Sims’’ one, with C.J. Uzomah becoming just a faint memory. Now with star wide receiver A.J. Green out with a hamstring injury, it’s hard to be an NFL fan in Ohio.

Cleveland Browns

Offensive tackle Shon Coleman once again pushed his team ahead for 33 rushing yards as a team in consecutive weeks, with linebacker Corey Lemonier and wide receiver Ricardo Louis being unavailable. Despite having missed a PAT, placekicker Cody Parkey did nail a 24-yarder to get his team to nine points on the day. This all was not enough for the Pittsburgh Steelers, 24-9.

Kansas City Chiefs

Every year there is typically one or two breakout performances from an unknown offensive and defensive player, and this year it has been linebacker Dee Ford of the Kansas City Chiefs. The Chiefs had been rolling into week 11 with the best record in the AFC West – tied with the Oakland Raiders at 7-2 – and Ford has been a staple of that rise. Even at a raucous Arrowhead Stadium, the Chiefs fell to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 19-17 with Ford tallying just one tackle.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Running back Peyton Barber has accepted the rotation on offense, rushing for 22 yards on four attempts in the 19-17 win against the Kansas City Chiefs. With Doug Martin returning from injury, Barber will be there to pick up the workload while Martin recovers.

Next: Why Auburn's QB for Iron Bowl Won't Matter

Here’s to miracles and Daniel Carlson’s campaign for the Lou Groza award.

War Eagle!