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 workforce within the NFL, however they could even have triggered some large personnel modifications 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 residence win on Sunday. The 2-time Professional Bowler completed 27-of-40 passing for 262 yards, one landing and an interception whereas dashing for 55 yards, 26 of which got here on a game-sealing 4th-and-2 TD run.
Whereas this was a press release win for Buffalo, it may not utterly change perceptions surrounding its Tremendous Bowl outlook for the reason that workforce hasn’t crushed Kansas Metropolis within the playoffs but. Nonetheless, 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 report, Allen ranks fourth amongst quarterbacks in whole yards (2,859) and touchdowns (23) whereas main the third-ranked scoring offense. Baltimore’s Lamar Jackson might 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 could possibly be a priority, however the Steelers present they’re Tremendous Bowl contenders
Pittsburgh received its fifth consecutive recreation on Sunday, incomes an 18-16 residence 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 cross 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 tip zone as soon as via the competition’s first 58 minutes and had an uncharacteristic three turnovers. Jackson’s MVP candidacy additionally took a major hit, with the three-time Professional Bowler finishing simply 16 of his 33 passes for 207 yards, one landing and an interception.
There is no debate that the Steelers offense should 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 needs to be thought of a reliable 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 tip of the Doug Pederson period in Jacksonville
On Saturday, Ian Rapoport of NFL Media reported that the Jaguars might reduce 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 street thrashing by the hands of Detroit, it appears inevitable that proprietor Shahid Khan will make large personnel modifications throughout the workforce’s Week 12 bye.
General, Pederson has led the Jaguars to a 20-25 report and a playoff berth in underneath three seasons, and alter is critical with the workforce now having misplaced 14 of the final 17 games. Even so, it is crucial that the workforce elements methods with Baalke, who’s 23-39 in 4 seasons as Jacksonville’s basic supervisor and has made a number of poor draft picks. As soon as Pederson and Baalke are out of the image, all eyes can be on QB Trevor Lawrence to see whether or not he lastly makes a leap or if Jacksonville must bear 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 residence 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 keeping with DNVR Sports activities’ Zac Stevens, Nix has tied the NFL rookie report for video games with at the very least 70% completion, two passing touchdowns and no interceptions (4).
By means of 11 video games, Nix ranks eleventh amongst quarterbacks in whole 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 method 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 street loss to Pittsburgh however in all probability would’ve walked away with a victory if Tucker linked 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, every other kicker who has carried out this poorly for a workforce with a practical probability of successful a Tremendous Bowl would possible have been reduce by now. Given his resume, the Ravens will possible stick to 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 residence loss to Seattle, throughout which QB Geno Smith scored the game-winning landing with 12 seconds remaining in regulation. With solely a 31% probability of reaching the playoffs, in accordance with NFL.com’s projection, the 49ers’ season is in jeopardy as they method their most difficult stretch of video games.
The percentages are undoubtedly stacked in opposition to San Francisco, a lot in order that it could be extra possible that the workforce 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 no doubt that accidents have contributed to San Francisco’s disappointing season, but when it finishes in final place, the workforce might need to re-evaluate its future underneath HC Kyle Shanahan.
Firing OC Shane Waldron was the precise determination by Bears, although extra modifications are wanted following gut-wrenching loss to Packers
After chopping ties with Waldron final week, the Bears offense lastly confirmed indicators of life throughout Sunday’s crushing 20-19 residence loss to Inexperienced Bay. The unit racked up 391 whole yards whereas QB Caleb Williams threw for 231 yards and added a career-high 70 yards on the bottom. Williams additionally linked 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 workforce 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, might’ve run one other play to offer 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 consequence.
As identified by The Athletic’s Kevin Fishbain, Chicago is 101-24-2 since 1940 when it would not flip the ball over on offense and creates a takeaway on protection. Three of these losses have come within the workforce’s final three video games. Eberflus’ destiny is all however sealed, and whereas the Bears might need been in opposition to an in-season teaching change, the entrance workplace ought to contemplate such a transfer to assist the workforce’s morale.
