NFL Week 11 What We Learned: From Jared Goff’s brilliant rebound, Josh Allen breaking Patrick Mahomes’ unbeaten streak to further misery for Joe Burrow and Aaron Rodgers
Football fans were treated to 14 games as part of NFL Week 11 that took place from the 14th to the 18th of November.
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Josh Allen stopping Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs unbeaten run was the highlight of NFL Week 11 (Image via The 33rd Team/X)
When NFL Week 11 rolled in, the most anticipated clash was between rival top quarterbacks Patrick Mahomes and Josh Allen. The game did not disappoint as Allen led his Buffalo Bills to break the unbeaten Kansas City Chiefs’ streak. But that was not the only highlight of the week as the likes of Jared Goff stood tall.
The week saw four teams head into their byes as the remaining 28 teams battled to win. Where some games went as expected, the pressure was on the likes of Aaron Rodgers and Joe Burrow. Both of them were tasked with saving their team’s playoff hopes.
On the other hand, there were a few more teams either trying to save their season or make something out of it as they look towards next season. Teams like the Jacksonville Jaguars, Las Vegas Raiders and the Tennessee Titans knew it was going to be tough.
But the performances of some other teams were eye-opening. As not only did they raise more questions than before but also painted a different picture for many. As NFL Week 11 came to a close, all teams are trying to understand their situation.
Jared Goff redefined ‘rebound game’
Last week Jared Goff was the poster child for interceptions in the NFL. His five picks were more than what he had in his previous nine games. In NFL Week 11, he chose to prove once again why the Detroit Lions gave him that massive contract extension.
He threw four touchdowns out of 412 yards and finished with a perfect quarterback rating. Even though it was against the middling Jacksonville Jaguars, the performance proved to everyone watching how he could rebound.
But on overall terms, New Orleans Saints star Taysom Hill had a game for the history books. Scoring three touchdowns on run plays, catching passes as a receiver and also playing the quarterback role. His all-round performances helped his team to a win.
Other quarterbacks with four touchdowns this week were Matthew Stafford and Bo Nix. The Super Bowl champion has been playing at that level for the past few games. But the real surprise was the Denver Broncos rookie, as his quick thinking helped them beat another playoff contender in the Atlanta Falcons.
Josh Allen finally broke the Chiefs deadlock
In Bo Nix’s last game, he could have been that quarterback who broke the Kansas City Chiefs’ unbeaten streak. But alas, his team’s game-winning field goal attempt was blocked. That meant this time, the onus was on Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills to do what everyone else struggled to do.
Allen’s defensive teammates intercepted Patrick Mahomes early on his first drive to give the right situation. Then, the superstar kept his team on top of the scoreboard both with his hand as well as his feet. That performance showed that the Bills could stop the Chiefs from being the first to three-peat.
Another team showing that they can possibly stop the Chiefs three-peat efforts were the Philadelphia Eagles. Against the Washington Commanders, their defense and Saquon Barkley came up big. Big at a time when the team could not throw a passing touchdown, and their special teams struggled.
The Minnesota Vikings kept up their quiet winning ways and the Houston Texans too shed back-to-back losses to win against the possibly tanking Dallas Cowboys. But the way the Pittsburgh Steelers and Los Angeles Chargers won, threw up more questions in the air.
Joe Burrow and Lamar Jackson losing for the wrong reasons
The way the Pittsburgh Steelers defense stifled Lamar Jackson, it threw up questions on his ability to lead the team against tough opponents. As all season long, he was the MVP favorite, but with this performance, his Super Bowl winning possibilities took a hit.
On the other hand, another elite quarterback, Joe Burrow, did all he could to rally his team back to tie the game against the Chargers. But missed field goals led to him sulking both on the field and along the sidelines. The season is almost done for them, as it will be a tough task to reach the Wild Card game.
Along with them, the San Francisco 49ers lost a game they should have won, pegging them in their hopes of reaching the Super Bowl again. Then there is the continuously worsening situation of the Chicago Bears. Caleb Williams threw better than before, but his lack of passing touchdowns is telling.
Aaron Rodgers and the Jets’ season is almost over
Aaron Rodgers did not have a problem throwing touchdowns. But overall, the offense struggled again as the yards they racked up were matched by opposing quarterback Anthony Richardson just from his passes.
The New York Jets defense struggled, and there was not special about their special teams. But the most telling problem has been the 40-year-old quarterback’s inability to lead the team to a win. That is despite having elite players around him and coaches he likes.
That game against the Indianapolis Colts was a must-win, as now the Jets are left with just a 1% chance of reaching the playoffs. Quite an abysmal return for all the investments owner Woody Johnson has done to build the team around Rodgers. NFL Week 11 was their seemingly last chance at retribution.
Related: Ravens PK Justin Tucker bizarrely blames Steelers stadium turf for his missed field goals on SNF
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Joseph Varghese
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