Week 11 of the NFL has concluded, and with seven weeks left, there couldn’t be more storylines to discuss. Teams who were favorites early in the year have struggled – and some have dropped out of the current playoff bracket. Others came into the season ranked low and have surprised just about everybody. Regardless – this week featured some big games. So, let’s start our recap.
New England Patriots vs. New York Jets
The Patriots continue to prove they are a talented team, securing a 27-14 win over their AFC East Rival Jets. New England was powered by three touchdowns from rookie RB Treveyon Henderson. The Patriots rise to 9-2, tied for the best record in football, while the Jets continue to “Endure the suffering” at 2-8.
Miami Dolphins vs. Washington Commanders
The Dolphins have had some good wins this season and some bad losses, but this victory in London keeps them in contention for a playoff spot – for now. They kicked a field goal to win 16-13 in overtime. This win makes Miami 4-7 and the Commanders 3-8; a team who has been one of the biggest disappointments this season without QB Jayden Daniels.
Green Bay Packers vs. New York Giants
The Giants record would suggest that they are one of the worst teams in the league, and you could say they are. But they have been plagued by the inability to win a close game. This game was their fifth loss by ten points or less. The Packers’ comeback victory 27-20 brings them to 6-3-1, and New York to 2-9.
Carolina Panthers vs. Atlanta Falcons
Last season, the Falcons were the ones fighting for playoff contention – and the Panthers would have a top 10 draft pick. This year, it’s swapped. This game was a close one, with Carolina edging out a 30-27 win in overtime. Bryce Young seems to have found himself, throwing for 448 yards and three TDs, two of those to rookie receiver Tetairoa McMillan. Atlanta dips to 3-7, and the Panthers improve to 6-5.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Buffalo Bills
The Buffalo Bills got back on track and secured a big win over the Bucs by a score of 44-32 (Scorigami!). Josh Allen had a legendary game for a quarterback: three rushing touchdowns and three passing touchdowns. The only other player to do that? Himself. The Bills signal caller carried them to a big victory to make them 7-3 and make Tampa Bay 6-4.
Houston Texans vs. Tennessee Titans
The Texans received a nice surprise with Davis Mills leading them to a win as the starter with CJ Stroud out. They would win 16-13 on a game-ending field goal from interim kicker Matthew Wright. Nico Collins had a great receiving game for Houston with 92 yards on nine receptions, and a touchdown. The Texans move up to 5-5, and the struggling Titans sink to 1-9.
Chicago Bears vs. Minnesota Vikings
The Vikings and Bears have also seemed to swap roles from last season, with the Bears now one of the better teams in the NFC, while the Vikings have struggled to succeed with their new QB. Minnesota scored a touchdown with 50 seconds left to make it 17-16. But Chicago’s Devin Duvernay returned the kickoff for 56 yards. This set up a Cairo Santos field goal that would win the Bears the game, 19-17. Da Bears rise to 7-3, and the Vikings fall to 4-6.
Cincinnati Bengals vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
The Steelers took care of business against the Bengals, despite losing Aaron Rodgers to injury, and Jalen Ramsey, who was ejected. Pittsburgh, led by a strong offensive game and their defense neutralizing the Bengals, would win 34-12. Cincinnati becomes 3-7, while the Steelers are now 6-4. Bengals WR Ja’Marr Chase was suspended for Week 12 against New England for spitting on Ramsey.
Los Angeles Chargers vs. Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jaguars have been a controversial team in some ways this year since they are winning games, but you wouldn’t expect it out of a team from Duval County. They simply play winning football, getting an interception and three sacks in their 35-6 victory over a strong Chargers team. This win makes Jacksonville 6-4, and Los Angeles 7-4.
Seattle Seahawks vs. Los Angeles Rams
In a big matchup between the two NFC West Powerhouses, the Rams came out on top, 21-19. They intercepted Seattle QB Sam Darnold four times in their victory. The Seahawks almost won, but they missed a last second Jason Myers field goal. This Rams victory brings them to 8-2, and the Seahawks 7-3.
San Francisco 49ers vs. Arizona Cardinals
The 49ers took down the Cardinals, 41-22, in Brock Purdy’s return. Christian McCaffrey has been no stranger to big games this year, and his three touchdowns and 121 yards were no exception. San Francisco moves up to 7-4, and the Cardinals descend to 3-7.
Baltimore Ravens vs. Cleveland Browns
The Ravens have won another game to finally get up to .500, this time beating the Browns, 23-16. Baltimore used a trick play that saw Mark Andrews run for 35 yards all the way to the endzone. This would give all they needed to win the game. The Ravens, despite some three turnovers – improve to 5-5, while the Browns fall to 2-8.
Denver Broncos vs. Kansas City Chiefs
This was a defining game for the Broncos this season; a big matchup to prove just how legit this Denver squad is. The game was tied 19-19 as Denver kicked a last second field goal for the win with Wil Lutz, something that certainly brought memories back from their loss to Kansas City last year. But the Broncos are a different team, and the Chiefs are definitely a different team this year. The Broncos made the field goal and would win the game, 22-19. This win brings Denver to 9-2 on the year and the Chiefs to an even 5-5, something nobody would’ve expected.
Detroit Lions vs. Philadelphia Eagles
In a matchup between two NFC Powerhouses, the Eagles took down the Lions in a defensive matchup that ended with a score of 16-9. The Philadelphia defense continues to play like it’s Playoff football, making one of the best offenses work for a mere nine points. The victory for the Eagles moves them up to 8-2, as Detroit drops to 6-4.
Dallas Cowboys vs. Las Vegas Raiders
With the tragedy of Marshawn Kneeland headlining this game, the Cowboys secured a much-needed victory to keep them in decent contention for a playoff spot. Dallas was led by Dak Prescott, who passed for 268 yards and four touchdowns in their 33-16 victory. The Cowboys improve to 4-5-1 – the Raiders sink to 2-8.
This NFL Season only has seven weeks left until the Playoffs, and the bracket is beginning to form. In the AFC, the Broncos, Patriots, Colts, Steelers, and Bills all look like very strong locks for the Playoffs. The Chargers and Jaguars currently hold the other two spots, while the Texans, Chiefs, and Ravens are only one game back. In the NFC, the Eagles, Rams, Bears, and Seahawks look like strong candidates to make the playoffs. The Bucs and Panthers will fight over the NFC South, and the Packers, 49ers, and Lions are all vying for playoff spots as well.
Next week features some big games. We will see the Steelers vs. Bears, Colts vs. Chiefs, Buccaneers vs. Rams, and Panthers vs. 49ers. The four teams on Bye are the Broncos, Dolphins, Chargers, and the Commanders.
