There have been two large showdowns in Week 11 of the NFL season, and neither of them dissatisfied. The Pittsburgh Steelers held off the Baltimore Ravens within the closing seconds whereas the Buffalo Payments knocked the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs from the ranks of the unbeaten.
Whereas the Chiefs and Payments showdown wasn’t a one-score sport, there have been loads in Week 11. 9 video games had been inside one rating (eight factors) within the fourth quarter and 6 video games had been determined by eight or fewer factors this week, making for an thrilling day of soccer.
There have been 78 video games determined by six-or-fewer factors this season, essentially the most such video games by means of Week 11 in NFL historical past. The shut video games created a variety of overreactions for the Sunday afternoon slate, ones that have an impact because the playoff dialog grows by the week.
Which of them are overreactions and that are actuality?
Bills will beat Chiefs within the playoffs in the event that they meet this time
Overreaction or actuality: Overreaction
One other spectacular victory for the Payments over the Chiefs within the common season. The Payments handed the Chiefs their first loss and have become the primary crew to attain 28+ factors off the Kansas Metropolis protection in a daily season sport since 2022. Josh Allen is the primary participant to earn 4 wins towards Patrick Mahomes, proving as soon as once more the Payments can beat the Chiefs.
Within the common season that’s. Allen and the Payments have nonetheless did not beat the Chiefs within the playoffs. The final two instances the Payments have crushed the Chiefs within the common season, they misplaced within the postseason. Will this season be completely different?
The Payments definitely have the personnel — and quarterback — to beat Kansas Metropolis in January. Till Buffalo truly does it, let’s reserve judgment. This season stands out as the Payments’ finest probability to beat the Chiefs in January.
Chiefs are nonetheless getting home-field benefit in AFC
Overreaction or actuality: Overreaction
The Chiefs could have some work to do with a view to lock up home-field benefit within the AFC after Sunday’s loss to the Payments. Buffalo is the No. 2 seed within the AFC and has the tiebreaker over Kansas Metropolis, in order that makes the street to the playoffs going by means of Arrowhead Stadium tougher.
The Chiefs even have robust video games towards the Chargers (house), Texans (house), Steelers (street), and Broncos (street) to shut out the season. That Steelers sport could possibly be the deciding contest as as to whether Kansas Metropolis will get home-field benefit or not within the AFC.
Kansas Metropolis remains to be the crew to beat within the AFC, however the street to incomes home-field benefit would have been considerably simpler with a win on Sunday.
Steelers are a Super Bowl contender within the AFC
Overreaction or actuality: Actuality
Not solely did the Steelers defeat the Ravens and take management of the AFC North in Sunday’s win, in addition they despatched a warning signal to the Chiefs and Payments they’re a contender to symbolize the convention within the Super Bowl. The Steelers did not rating a landing on Sunday, their second win this seaosn with out scoring a landing (the remainder of the NFL is 2-18 when not scoring a landing).
So why are the Steelers on the Chiefs and Payments degree? Their offense has been a top-10 unit since Russell Wilson turned a beginning quarterback. Pittsburgh is fifth in offensive factors per sport (25.5) and third in time of possession (33:30) since Wilson has taken over, controlling the soccer and discovering methods to attain factors.
The highest-10 offense has helped the Steelers enhance to 5-0 towards groups at present with profitable information. Beating the nice groups are why the Steelers are amongst the AFC contenders, and needs to be within the dialog with the Payments and Chiefs to achieve the Tremendous Bowl out of the AFC.
Lamar Jackson has misplaced stranglehold on the league MVP award
Overreaction or actuality: Actuality
Jackson has had an unimaginable season up to now, but his efficiency Sunday towards the Steelers pulled him nearer to the sector. He accomplished simply 16 of 33 passes for 207 yards with a landing and interception (66.1 score) whereas solely dashing for 46 yards (on 4 carries). Jackson did lead the Ravens to the landing that arrange the two-point conversion that will have tied the sport and compelled additional time, however he could not convert the two-point try.
Jackson nonetheless has 25 touchdowns to only three interceptions with a 117.3 score (which leads the NFL) and has 584 dashing yards, but his crew is simply 7-4 with losses to the Chiefs and Steelers. Add in what Jared Goff, Josh Allen, and Saquon Barkley achieved this week and the MVP race as definitely tightened up.
The award is probably not a runaway for Jackson anymore, however he nonetheless needs to be the entrance runner for MVP. Jackson will want a giant efficiency towards the Chargers and Eagles defenses over the following two weeks to stake his declare to the league’s high particular person honor.
Jets must stop the Aaron Rodgers experiment
Overreaction or actuality: Overreaction
The playoff likelihood is basically sunk for the Jets, who fell to 3-8 after a house loss to the Colts Sunday. In a sport the Jets needed to have heading into the bye week, after all the offense put up a season excessive in factors (27) because the protection allowed 28 — the fourth sport they allowed 28+ factors this season.
There’s a lot accountable Rodgers for on this failure of a season. The Jets did have 9 yards within the first quarter and 27 on the primary 5 possessions, however Rodgers did make them scoring drives on 5 of their subsequent six possessions earlier than faltering on the potential game-winning drive.
The Jets are caught with Rodgers — and his cap hit — for 2025. One of the best they will do with Rodgers is hope to make one of the best out of a foul scenario, even when his completion proportion is simply 63.4% and yards per try is at solely 6.4. A change at offensive coordinator and never having Rodgers accountable for personnel stands out as the solely strategy to repair this.
Rodgers remains to be a greater choice than the rest the Jets could have over the following two seasons, as unlucky as that sounds.
The Bears will hearth Matt Eberflus earlier than the top of the season
Overreaction or actuality: Actuality
What else is there for the Bears to perform with Eberflus in 2024? Could also be clever for Chicago to chop bait with Eberflus earlier than the top of the season as an alternative of attempting to see if Thomas Brown because the play caller will work. Eberflus is 14-30 in his three seasons in Chicago, clearly exhibiting he isn’t lower out to be a head coach within the league.
The blocked subject purpose that will have gained the sport is one other failure by the Bears teaching employees beneath Eberflus. That is additionally on the gamers for failing to execute, however Eberflus cannot get this crew out of their very own method. Chicago has misplaced 4 straight since its bye week with some of the grueling schedules remaining within the league.
Eberflus will not make it till Week 18, not how this crew has been dropping video games.
Dolphins are going to be one of many AFC groups to make the playoffs
Overreaction or actuality: Overreaction
The Dolphins have performed their method into the AFC playoff image with two wins in six days, opening the door for a possible playoff push with Tua Tagovailoa and the offense lastly wholesome. The Broncos did not assist issues by destroying the Falcons on Sunday, however the Dolphins do have a positive schedule over the following few weeks.
Miami performs New England and the New York Jets at house in two of the following three weeks, and shut the season with video games at Cincinnati and the New York Jets. So there are some winnable video games right here.
The Dolphins nonetheless have street video games towards the Packers and Texans, together with a house sport towards the 49ers. Can Miami beat not less than one among these groups? Miami is within the playoff race, however the Dolphins want the Broncos to falter over the following few weeks to have a shot — together with taking good care of enterprise towards the dangerous groups.
Too early to consider within the Dolphins as a playoff crew, even when Miami has performed its method into consideration. Helps the AFC is mediocre as a complete this 12 months.
49ers will not make playoffs as a wild card crew
Overreaction or actuality: Actuality
The 49ers blew a big alternative to place strain on the Cardinals within the NFC West Sunday, falling to the Seahawks within the closing minute and to final place within the division. The easiest way for the 49ers to make the playoffs is to win the division (as they’re just one sport again at 5-5).
Whereas San Francisco is just one sport again of Washington within the loss column for the No. 7 seed, the Commanders have a very simple schedule the remainder of the best way. The Rams and Seahawks are additionally forward of the 49ers within the convention (and division) standings — as San Francisco has a loss to all of them (did beat Seattle on the street earlier this 12 months).
The Vikings are 8-2 and the Packers are 7-3, making the trail to the playoffs as a wild card crew much more troublesome for San Francisco. If the 49ers are going to make the playoffs as a wild card crew, they must beat the Packers and Payments over the following two weeks (each street video games).
One of the best path to the playoffs is profitable the division, however San Francisco is 1-3 within the NFC West. The 49ers could also be in hassle.
