The extremely anticipated Week 11 slate didn’t disappoint, with a number of stars and groups delivering distinctive performances.
Catching up on the motion, the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs lastly suffered their first lack of the season, falling to the Buffalo Payments in one other memorable chapter of their rivalry. In the meantime, the Detroit Lions not solely established themselves as the perfect staff within the NFL, however they might even have triggered some large personnel adjustments in Jacksonville.
Listed here are some knee-jerk reactions from Week 11 of the NFL season:
Payments QB Josh Allen is within the driver’s seat for MVP honors
Though Allen wasn’t flawless, he made performs when it mattered most to assist hand the beforehand undefeated Chiefs their first loss since Christmas 2023 throughout Buffalo’s thrilling 30-21 dwelling win on Sunday. The 2-time Professional Bowler completed 27-of-40 passing for 262 yards, one landing and an interception whereas speeding for 55 yards, 26 of which got here on a game-sealing 4th-and-2 TD run.
Whereas this was an announcement win for Buffalo, it won’t fully change perceptions surrounding its Tremendous Bowl outlook because the staff hasn’t crushed Kansas Metropolis within the playoffs but. However, on the very least, Allen’s heroic efficiency ought to put him on the high of the MVP leaderboard.
Along with main Buffalo to an AFC East-leading 9-2 file, Allen ranks fourth amongst quarterbacks in complete yards (2,859) and touchdowns (23) whereas main the third-ranked scoring offense. Baltimore’s Lamar Jackson may need barely higher stats and a head-to-head victory over Allen, however Buffalo would not be near the place it is in with out him.
The offense might be a priority, however the Steelers present they’re Tremendous Bowl contenders
Pittsburgh gained its fifth consecutive recreation on Sunday, incomes an 18-16 dwelling win over the Baltimore Ravens in a battle for first place within the AFC North. It was a lackluster displaying by the offense, which did not rating any touchdowns, whereas QB Russell Wilson completed 23-of-36 passing for 205 yards and one interception in opposition to the NFL’s worst go protection. Nevertheless, the Steelers protection’s stellar displaying in opposition to the explosive Baltimore offense was eye-opening.
The Ravens, who entered Sunday’s motion boasting the highest-scoring offense within the league, solely discovered the top zone as soon as by the competition’s first 58 minutes and had an uncharacteristic three turnovers. Jackson’s MVP candidacy additionally took a big hit, with the three-time Professional Bowler finishing simply 16 of his 33 passes for 207 yards, one landing and an interception.
There is not any debate that the Steelers offense have to be extra productive than it was in opposition to Baltimore. If the unit can carry out extra just like the one which averaged 30.3 factors throughout Wilson’s first three begins, Pittsburgh must be thought of a official Tremendous Bowl contender. In spite of everything, the Steelers have one of many NFL’s greatest minds in HC Mike Tomlin main the way in which, together with a protection that’s permitting the second-fewest factors amongst groups (16.2).
It’s protected to say we’ve lastly reached the top of the Doug Pederson period in Jacksonville
On Saturday, Ian Rapoport of NFL Media reported that the Jaguars may minimize ties with HC Doug Pederson and GM Trent Baalke “pending the outcomes of Sunday’s recreation in opposition to the Lions.” Contemplating Jacksonville suffered its most lopsided loss in franchise historical past throughout the 52-6 highway thrashing by the hands of Detroit, it appears inevitable that proprietor Shahid Khan will make large personnel adjustments throughout the staff’s Week 12 bye.
General, Pederson has led the Jaguars to a 20-25 file and a playoff berth in beneath three seasons, and alter is important with the staff now having misplaced 14 of the final 17 games. Even so, it is crucial that the staff components methods with Baalke, who’s 23-39 in 4 seasons as Jacksonville’s common supervisor and has made a number of poor draft picks. As soon as Pederson and Baalke are out of the image, all eyes will likely be on QB Trevor Lawrence to see whether or not he lastly makes a leap or if Jacksonville must endure one other full-scale rebuild.
Bo Nix is the second-best rookie quarterback and proving to be the long run in Denver
Nix, the sixth quarterback chosen within the 2024 NFL Draft, has made strides all through every begin this season and formally solidified himself because the second-best rookie signal-caller on Sunday. Throughout a 38-6 dwelling drubbing of the Atlanta Falcons, Nix accomplished 84.8% of his passes for 307 yards and 4 touchdowns, all of which have been profession highs. In line with DNVR Sports activities’ Zac Stevens, Nix has tied the NFL rookie file for video games with at the very least 70% completion, two passing touchdowns and no interceptions (4).
By way of 11 video games, Nix ranks eleventh amongst quarterbacks in complete yards (2,572) and tied for tenth in touchdowns (15). Together with his accuracy, poise and athleticism, the Oregon product has been an ideal match for HC Sean Payton’s system, and he is displaying true indicators of being a franchise quarterback. In an age the place older gamers missing otherworldly bodily traits are sometimes undervalued within the draft, maybe the 24-year-old Nix’s success will change how groups strategy the scouting course of.
Justin Tucker’s struggles are placing the Ravens in a tough place
The Ravens have been sloppy and outcoached throughout their highway loss to Pittsburgh however most likely would’ve walked away with a victory if Tucker related on all of his discipline objective makes an attempt. The 34-year-old is amidst the worst season of his profession and noticed his struggles persist on Sunday, lacking two first-quarter discipline targets, one from 47 yards out and one other from 50 yards.
Tucker has now missed extra discipline targets in 11 video games (six) than he missed your entire 2023 season (5) and is changing on simply 72.7% of his discipline objective makes an attempt, the fifth-worst mark within the NFL.
Whereas Tucker is Baltimore’s all-time chief in factors, another kicker who has carried out this poorly for a staff with a sensible likelihood of profitable a Tremendous Bowl would probably have been minimize by now. Given his resume, the Ravens will probably follow Tucker, but when he continues to overlook makeable kicks, they should not put their championship hopes in danger by persevering with to roster him.
A final-place end within the NFC West is turning into a actuality for 49ers
San Francisco fell to 5-5 on Sunday, squandering a fourth-quarter lead en path to a 20-17 dwelling loss to Seattle, throughout which QB Geno Smith scored the game-winning landing with 12 seconds remaining in regulation. With solely a 31% likelihood of reaching the playoffs, in line with NFL.com’s projection, the 49ers’ season is in jeopardy as they strategy their most difficult stretch of video games.
The percentages are undoubtedly stacked in opposition to San Francisco, a lot in order that it may be extra probably that the staff finishes in final place within the NFC West. As per Tankathon, the 49ers have the fourth-most tough remaining schedule amongst groups and can face the likes of Detroit, Buffalo and Inexperienced Bay. There is not any doubt that accidents have contributed to San Francisco’s disappointing season, but when it finishes in final place, the staff could need to re-evaluate its future beneath HC Kyle Shanahan.
Firing OC Shane Waldron was the fitting resolution by Bears, although extra adjustments are wanted following gut-wrenching loss to Packers
After slicing ties with Waldron final week, the Bears offense lastly confirmed indicators of life throughout Sunday’s crushing 20-19 dwelling loss to Inexperienced Bay. The unit racked up 391 complete yards whereas QB Caleb Williams threw for 231 yards and added a career-high 70 yards on the bottom. Williams additionally related with fellow rookie Rome Odunze on two clutch throws to assist arrange a possible game-winning discipline objective, just for Cairo Santos’ try and be blocked.
Regardless that it is clear that the staff should not panic button about Williams and the offense’s future simply but, HC Matt Eberflus’ poor decision-making is proving expensive. On Sunday, Eberflus, who had one timeout left, may’ve run one other play to provide Santos an opportunity to kick a shorter discipline objective however selected to not, which could’ve made all of the distinction within the recreation’s final result.
As identified by The Athletic’s Kevin Fishbain, Chicago is 101-24-2 since 1940 when it does not flip the ball over on offense and creates a takeaway on protection. Three of these losses have come within the staff’s final three video games. Eberflus’ destiny is all however sealed, and whereas the Bears may need been in opposition to an in-season teaching change, the entrance workplace ought to take into account such a transfer to assist the staff’s morale.
