Every week, Yardbarker highlights a very powerful individuals main into the week’s NFL video games.
From gamers to coaches and past, listed here are the ten most essential individuals to control in Week 11.
TE Travis Kelce | Kansas Metropolis Chiefs
Throughout a Wednesday episode of his podcast, “New Heights,” Kelce mentioned he’ll be “locked in” for Sunday’s matchup with the Buffalo Payments (8-2).
The Chiefs are 9-0, but it surely would not be surprising in the event that they lose in Buffalo. The Payments are tied for third within the league in factors scored (29 PPG) and have received their final three regular-season games in opposition to Okay.C., per Professional Soccer Reference.
After a gradual begin, Kelce has been on a tear over his previous three video games. He has 32 receptions for 254 yards and two landing catches throughout this stretch. Maybe he’ll preserve his sizzling hand in opposition to Buffalo’s 18th-ranked passing protection (212.9 YPG).
LB Micah Parsons | Dallas Cowboys
Following a 34-6 Week 10 loss to the Eagles, Parsons mentioned Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy “can go wherever he wants.” After all, McCarthy is within the final 12 months of his contract and could also be on the recent seat after a 3-6 begin.
On a Tuesday episode of his podcast, “The Edge,” “Parsons mentioned he wasn’t throwing his HC underneath the bus, they usually’ve made amends. Regardless, it wasn’t a great search for the pass-rusher, who’s underperforming. He solely has three sacks in 5 video games.
Parsons may face extra criticism if he struggles in Monday’s dwelling recreation in opposition to the Houston Texans (6-4), who’re permitting the league’s highest strain fee (29.8%), per Professional Soccer Reference.
QB Anthony Richardson | Indianapolis Colts
After shedding two consecutive video games with QB Joe Flacco beginning, Colts head coach Shane Steichen announced they might flip again to Richardson on Wednesday. The second-year QB mentioned being benched for 2 video games benefitted him.
“I believe these two weeks have positively opened my eyes and allowed me to take a deeper dive and look into myself and see what I am made from,” Richardson told the media Wednesday. “So, I am grateful for these previous two weeks and low-key grateful that it occurred.”
Richardson should show he deserved a second probability in Sunday’s highway recreation in opposition to the New York Jets (3-7). He accomplished a league-low 44.4% of his passes for 4 TDs and 7 interceptions by way of his first six video games. He additionally subbed himself out in a Week 8 loss to the Texans as a result of he was “drained,” which upset Steichen and Colts heart Ryan Kelly.
If Richardson has realized his classes, that ought to assist the Colts (4-6) bounce again into the playoff hunt.
QB Caleb Williams | Chicago Bears
On Tuesday, the Bears fired offensive coordinator Shane Waldron, changing him with passing recreation coordinator Thomas Brown. Williams mentioned Waldron’s firing wasn’t his selection however admitted Chicago’s offense may enhance underneath Brown.
“I believe we’ll do a great job of marrying the whole lot up collectively,” the rookie QB told the media Wednesday. “Making the whole lot look the identical, after which from there, you may get just a few simpler passes, just a few additional layups.”
The teaching change higher begin working for the Bears (4-5) in Sunday’s dwelling recreation in opposition to the Packers (6-3), or Williams may preserve regressing.
The 2024 No. 1 total choose has accomplished 50.5% of his passes for 468 yards and has been sacked 18 instances over his past three games.
QB Justin Herbert | Los Angeles Chargers
Might Herbert vault into the MVP dialog if the Chargers (6-3) beat the Cincinnati Bengals (4-6) of their dwelling recreation on “Sunday Evening Soccer?”
Herbert may be part of elite firm if he data a 90-plus passer score for his tenth consecutive recreation Sunday. Peyton Manning, Tom Brady, Aaron Rodgers and Philip Rivers are the one gamers because the 1970 merger to hit this mark in nine-plus begins (via NFL.com’s Kevin Patra).
Herbert has averaged a career-low 209.9 passing yards per recreation, however anticipate head coach Jim Harbaugh to let him air out extra in opposition to Cincinnati’s Twenty third-ranked passing protection (220.2 YPG).
WR Diontae Johnson | Baltimore Ravens
Johnson — who performed for the Steelers from 2019-23 — returns to Pittsburgh on Sunday.
On Tuesday, Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin mentioned he hasn’t contemplated Johnson’s return, and the Ravens have “extra important items” who’ve his consideration.
Since being traded from the Carolina Panthers, Johnson has one reception for six yards in two video games with Baltimore. Nevertheless, Ravens head coach John Harbaugh signaled they’re ramping up his workload throughout his Monday news conference.
On Tuesday, Johnson mentioned he cannot wait to return to Acrisure Stadium. Preserve monitor of whether or not he erupts in his previous stomping grounds.
HC Sean Payton | Denver Broncos
Will Payton and the Broncos regroup after a devastating Week 10 loss to Kansas Metropolis? With 0:01 remaining and the Broncos trailing 16-14, Chiefs linebacker Leo Chenal blocked kicker Wil Lutz’s 35-yard field-goal try.
“The sky is just not falling,” Payton mentioned Monday, per Arnie Melendrez Stapleton of the Related Press. “There’s rather a lot forward, clearly. We’ve [seven] video games left. I believe this group has been resilient. The sky is not falling relative to our season and the schedule. We’re sitting right here at 5-5. Clearly, we might have cherished to been 6-4 with a win … however the focus is on the following recreation.”
Payton should make sure the loss would not have an effect on the group’s psyche earlier than Sunday’s dwelling matchup vs. the Atlanta Falcons (6-4). It may affect its postseason aspirations.
Per NFL.com, the Broncos playoff odds will enhance from 51% to 61% in the event that they win. They will lower to 39% in the event that they lose.
CB Deommodore Lenoir | San Francisco 49ers
Lenoir — who has allowed zero TD catches in 9 video games, per Pro Football Focus — signed a five-year, $92M contract extension Tuesday. San Francisco head coach Kyle Shanahan appears thrilled with the transfer.
“He is precisely what we would like as Niner,” Shanahan told the media Wednesday. “His fashion of play, how good he is grow to be, and actually simply how a lot he loves soccer.”
Lenoir may present why the Niners (5-4) made a wise transfer once they host the Seattle Seahawks (4-5) Sunday. Seattle QB Geno Smith is tied for the league lead in interceptions (10 in 9 video games).
QB Sam Darnold | Minnesota Vikings
Over his past three games, Darnold has had the identical variety of TD passes and interceptions (5). Regardless of the current slide, Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell continues to be backing the QB.
After Darnold threw a season-high three picks in a 12-7 Week 10 win over the Jaguars, O’Connell said he by no means thought-about benching him for backup QB Nick Mullens.
Will Darnold reward O’Connell for his confidence in Sunday’s highway recreation in opposition to the Tennessee Titans (2-7)? Tennessee’s first-ranked passing protection (156.7) may current a tough matchup for the turnover-prone passer.
HC Antonio Pierce | Las Vegas Raiders
CBS Sports activities’ Jonathan Jones not too long ago reported the Raiders held an “uncomfortable” assembly throughout their bye week. That could be a nasty omen for Pierce.
Days earlier than Vegas proprietor Mark Davis fired Josh McDaniels final season, he held an open assembly with gamers.
The Athletic’s Vic Tafur and Tashan Reed not too long ago famous “hypothesis about Pierce’s job safety has intensified” after a 2-7 begin. Sunday’s highway matchup in opposition to the Miami Dolphins (3-6) could possibly be a must-win for the rookie HC.
