NFL Week 11 Grades: Chaos, Clutch Plays, and Bad football
Strap in, folks, because Week 11 was a rollercoaster of touchdowns, turnovers, and questionable coaching decisions. We had everything: epic comebacks, total blowouts, and a fake punt so disastrous it deserves its own blooper reel. Whether your team soared to glory or faceplanted into despair, this week brought the drama.
From Saquon Barkley going full beast mode on Thursday night to Bo Nix looking like a Rookie of the Year candidate on Monday, we’ve got all the action (and the laughs) covered. Let’s dive in, game by game, and see who earned the gold stars and who’s getting detention. Spoiler alert: the Cowboys might need a whole new notebook for their "mistakes" section.
Philadelphia 26-18 Washington (Thursday)
Eagles (B): Saquon Barkley went full beast mode, racking up 198 total yards and 2 TDs. The defense kept Jayden Daniels in check, and while Jake Elliott missed some kicks, this was a solid win.
Commanders (C): Daniels had his worst game of the season, and the run defense got steamrolled. Dan Quinn’s bizarre decision to skip a go-ahead field goal didn’t help. This one stings for Washington.
Pittsburgh 18-16 Baltimore
Steelers (B): If field goals were touchdowns, Chris Boswell would’ve scored a million points. Six field goals and a defense that made Lamar Jackson’s day miserable were enough to sneak by Baltimore. Payton Wilson’s wild interception sealed it, and George Pickens stayed clutch with 89 receiving yards. This is your classic Steelers: gritty, ugly, and somehow effective.
Ravens (B-): When Justin Tucker starts missing field goals, you know it’s gonna be a weird day. Add a Derrick Henry fumble on the second play, and Baltimore was playing uphill all game. They had a chance to win on a late two-point conversion, but they came up short—just like Tucker’s kicks. Ouch.
L.A. Chargers 34-27 Cincinnati
Chargers (B): This one screamed “Chargering” until Justin Herbert said, “Not today!” Despite blowing a 27-6 lead, Herbert led a late game-winning drive, capped off by J.K. Dobbins’ 29-yard TD run. The defense deserves some love, too, for their relentless pressure on Joe Burrow. Jim Harbaugh seems to be working some magic in L.A.
Bengals (B-): Another week, another heartbreaking one-score loss. Joe Burrow threw for 356 yards and 3 TDs, with Tee Higgins (148 yards, 1 TD) finally back in full swing. But missed field goals from Evan McPherson and a defense that slept through the first half? That’s how you lose games you should win.
Buffalo 30-21 Kansas City
Bills (A-): Josh Allen was on a mission. He threw for 317 yards, ran for a 26-yard TD on fourth down, and spread the ball around like Oprah handing out cars. “You get a reception! You get a reception!” The Bills’ defense also shut down Mahomes in the second half, keeping the Chiefs QB to just 98 yards. Big win for Buffalo’s AFC seeding hopes.
Chiefs (B-): Mahomes had a rough start with an interception on his first throw, and it didn’t get much better. The offense looked out of sync, and the defense couldn’t slow Allen when it mattered. Silver lining? No more undefeated season pressure. The bad news? That’s not much of a consolation.
Green Bay 20-19 Chicago
Packers (B-): Jordan Love didn’t light it up, but his 70-yard game-winning TD drive showed poise. Karl Brooks’ blocked field goal sealed the win, proving special teams can be heroes, too. The defense, however, almost let a rookie QB carve them up. Tighten up, Packers!
Bears (B-): Caleb Williams looked solid with 231 passing yards and 70 on the ground, but man, losing on a blocked kick hurts. The Bears had 391 yards of offense and still lost their 11th straight to Green Bay. At this point, Packers fans might start charging rent.
Detroit 52-6 Jacksonville
Lions (A+): The Lions turned this into a practice game by halftime. Jared Goff threw for 412 yards and 4 TDs, and the defense decided the Jaguars didn’t need to score any touchdowns. This is what a great team looks like when they smell blood in the water. Absolute dominance.
Jaguars (F): I’d call this a dumpster fire, but that’d be an insult to dumpster fires. Zero offensive touchdowns, blown coverages all over the field, and no fight. If Shad Khan had doubts about Doug Pederson, this game won’t ease his mind.
Minnesota 23-13 Tennessee
Vikings (B): Sam Darnold went from “uh-oh” to “oh yeah” this week, bouncing back with 3 total TDs and no picks. The defense camped out in Tennessee’s backfield with 5 sacks, making life miserable for Will Levis. Minnesota is suddenly alive in the playoff hunt.
Titans (C-): Will Levis hit a home run with his 98-yard TD pass, but that was about it. No run game, an offensive line that might as well have been on vacation, and a defense that couldn’t get off the field. Not great, Bob.
Miami 34-19 Las Vegas
Dolphins (B+): Tua Tagovailoa played lights-out, tossing 3 TDs and nearly hitting 300 yards. Jonnu Smith decided to have a career day with 101 receiving yards and 2 TDs. Miami’s defense wasn’t perfect, but Jalen Ramsey’s late pick iced the game. This offense is heating up at just the right time.
Raiders (C-): Getting inside the 10-yard line twice and walking away with field goals? That’s a recipe for disaster. The defense couldn’t stop Miami on third or fourth down, and now at 2-8, the Raiders are officially playing for pride.
L.A. Rams 28-22 New England
Rams (B): Stafford, Kupp, and Nacua put on a show. Stafford’s 4 TD passes made up for a defensive lapse in the second half. Kamren Kinchens’ late INT saved the day in a game the Rams absolutely couldn’t afford to lose.
Patriots (B-): Rookie QB Drake Maye continues to grow, throwing for 282 yards and 2 TDs, but his late interception ended any chance of a comeback. This loss stings, but Pats fans should feel optimistic about their future under center.
New Orleans 35-14 Cleveland
Saints (A): Taysom Hill was a one-man wrecking crew, with 188 total yards and 3 rushing TDs. Darren Rizzi might be 2-0 as interim coach, but he might also want to send Hill a fruit basket for carrying the team.
Browns (D): Everything went wrong. Two missed chip-shot field goals, a fourth-quarter defensive collapse, and a disappearing act from the offense. At this rate, Cleveland is auditioning for “2024’s Biggest Disappointment.”
Indianapolis 28-27 N.Y. Jets
Colts (B): Anthony Richardson finally looked like the future, with 272 passing yards, 2 rushing TDs, and a game-winning drive. Colts fans, enjoy the ride. This kid is electric.
Jets (C): Another sluggish performance from Aaron Rodgers, who seems to be sleepwalking through the season. The defense couldn’t hold up in the fourth, and now the Jets’ season feels more hype than substance.
Denver 38-6 Atlanta
Broncos (A+): Rookie QB Bo Nix turned into a human highlight reel, throwing 4 TDs and completing 75% of his passes. The defense? Absolute bullies. This team suddenly looks scary down the stretch.
Falcons (F): This was over early, and the Falcons spent the rest of the game thinking about their bye week. Kirk Cousins looked helpless, and the defense didn’t even try to stop the Broncos. Burn the tape and move on.
Seattle 20-17 San Francisco
Seahawks (B+): Geno Smith saved his best for last, leading a game-winning TD drive. The defense looked rejuvenated, holding the 49ers to 17 points. This win throws the NFC West race wide open.
49ers (B-): Christian McCaffrey’s return wasn’t enough to spark the offense, and Nick Bosa’s injury left the defense vulnerable. San Fran might still be good, but they’re not invincible.
Houston 34-10 Dallas
Texans (B+): Houston took one look at the Cowboys' run defense and said, “Let’s make this simple.” Joe Mixon ran wild for 153 total yards and 3 TDs, including two in the first quarter that set the tone. The Texans' defense had Cooper Rush on the run all night with 5 sacks, and Derek Barnett’s fumble return TD in the fourth quarter was the cherry on top. Sure, they let the Cowboys linger longer than they should’ve, but hey, they closed it out, and that’s what counts.
Cowboys (D): Yikes. Dallas brought their "B-Team energy" in this one. Cooper Rush threw for 354 yards but also served up a fumble and an interception like they were appetizers. Even the usually reliable Brandon Aubrey missed a 40-yarder, and Mike McCarthy calling a fake punt from his own 33-yard line? Comedy gold… unless you’re a Cowboys fan.
Philadelphia 26-18 Washington (Thursday)
Eagles (B): Saquon Barkley went full beast mode, racking up 198 total yards and 2 TDs. The defense kept Jayden Daniels in check, and while Jake Elliott missed some kicks, this was a solid win.
Commanders (C): Daniels had his worst game of the season, and the run defense got steamrolled. Dan Quinn’s bizarre decision to skip a go-ahead field goal didn’t help. This one stings for Washington.
Pittsburgh 18-16 Baltimore
Steelers (B): If field goals were touchdowns, Chris Boswell would’ve scored a million points. Six field goals and a defense that made Lamar Jackson’s day miserable were enough to sneak by Baltimore. Payton Wilson’s wild interception sealed it, and George Pickens stayed clutch with 89 receiving yards. This is your classic Steelers: gritty, ugly, and somehow effective.
Ravens (B-): When Justin Tucker starts missing field goals, you know it’s gonna be a weird day. Add a Derrick Henry fumble on the second play, and Baltimore was playing uphill all game. They had a chance to win on a late two-point conversion, but they came up short—just like Tucker’s kicks. Ouch.
L.A. Chargers 34-27 Cincinnati
Chargers (B): This one screamed “Chargering” until Justin Herbert said, “Not today!” Despite blowing a 27-6 lead, Herbert led a late game-winning drive, capped off by J.K. Dobbins’ 29-yard TD run. The defense deserves some love, too, for their relentless pressure on Joe Burrow. Jim Harbaugh seems to be working some magic in L.A.
Bengals (B-): Another week, another heartbreaking one-score loss. Joe Burrow threw for 356 yards and 3 TDs, with Tee Higgins (148 yards, 1 TD) finally back in full swing. But missed field goals from Evan McPherson and a defense that slept through the first half? That’s how you lose games you should win.
Buffalo 30-21 Kansas City
Bills (A-): Josh Allen was on a mission. He threw for 317 yards, ran for a 26-yard TD on fourth down, and spread the ball around like Oprah handing out cars. “You get a reception! You get a reception!” The Bills’ defense also shut down Mahomes in the second half, keeping the Chiefs QB to just 98 yards. Big win for Buffalo’s AFC seeding hopes.
Chiefs (B-): Mahomes had a rough start with an interception on his first throw, and it didn’t get much better. The offense looked out of sync, and the defense couldn’t slow Allen when it mattered. Silver lining? No more undefeated season pressure. The bad news? That’s not much of a consolation.
Green Bay 20-19 Chicago
Packers (B-): Jordan Love didn’t light it up, but his 70-yard game-winning TD drive showed poise. Karl Brooks’ blocked field goal sealed the win, proving special teams can be heroes, too. The defense, however, almost let a rookie QB carve them up. Tighten up, Packers!
Bears (B-): Caleb Williams looked solid with 231 passing yards and 70 on the ground, but man, losing on a blocked kick hurts. The Bears had 391 yards of offense and still lost their 11th straight to Green Bay. At this point, Packers fans might start charging rent.
Detroit 52-6 Jacksonville
Lions (A+): The Lions turned this into a practice game by halftime. Jared Goff threw for 412 yards and 4 TDs, and the defense decided the Jaguars didn’t need to score any touchdowns. This is what a great team looks like when they smell blood in the water. Absolute dominance.
Jaguars (F): I’d call this a dumpster fire, but that’d be an insult to dumpster fires. Zero offensive touchdowns, blown coverages all over the field, and no fight. If Shad Khan had doubts about Doug Pederson, this game won’t ease his mind.
Minnesota 23-13 Tennessee
Vikings (B): Sam Darnold went from “uh-oh” to “oh yeah” this week, bouncing back with 3 total TDs and no picks. The defense camped out in Tennessee’s backfield with 5 sacks, making life miserable for Will Levis. Minnesota is suddenly alive in the playoff hunt.
Titans (C-): Will Levis hit a home run with his 98-yard TD pass, but that was about it. No run game, an offensive line that might as well have been on vacation, and a defense that couldn’t get off the field. Not great, Bob.
Miami 34-19 Las Vegas
Dolphins (B+): Tua Tagovailoa played lights-out, tossing 3 TDs and nearly hitting 300 yards. Jonnu Smith decided to have a career day with 101 receiving yards and 2 TDs. Miami’s defense wasn’t perfect, but Jalen Ramsey’s late pick iced the game. This offense is heating up at just the right time.
Raiders (C-): Getting inside the 10-yard line twice and walking away with field goals? That’s a recipe for disaster. The defense couldn’t stop Miami on third or fourth down, and now at 2-8, the Raiders are officially playing for pride.
L.A. Rams 28-22 New England
Rams (B): Stafford, Kupp, and Nacua put on a show. Stafford’s 4 TD passes made up for a defensive lapse in the second half. Kamren Kinchens’ late INT saved the day in a game the Rams absolutely couldn’t afford to lose.
Patriots (B-): Rookie QB Drake Maye continues to grow, throwing for 282 yards and 2 TDs, but his late interception ended any chance of a comeback. This loss stings, but Pats fans should feel optimistic about their future under center.
New Orleans 35-14 Cleveland
Saints (A): Taysom Hill was a one-man wrecking crew, with 188 total yards and 3 rushing TDs. Darren Rizzi might be 2-0 as interim coach, but he might also want to send Hill a fruit basket for carrying the team.
Browns (D): Everything went wrong. Two missed chip-shot field goals, a fourth-quarter defensive collapse, and a disappearing act from the offense. At this rate, Cleveland is auditioning for “2024’s Biggest Disappointment.”
Indianapolis 28-27 N.Y. Jets
Colts (B): Anthony Richardson finally looked like the future, with 272 passing yards, 2 rushing TDs, and a game-winning drive. Colts fans, enjoy the ride. This kid is electric.
Jets (C): Another sluggish performance from Aaron Rodgers, who seems to be sleepwalking through the season. The defense couldn’t hold up in the fourth, and now the Jets’ season feels more hype than substance.
Denver 38-6 Atlanta
Broncos (A+): Rookie QB Bo Nix turned into a human highlight reel, throwing 4 TDs and completing 75% of his passes. The defense? Absolute bullies. This team suddenly looks scary down the stretch.
Falcons (F): This was over early, and the Falcons spent the rest of the game thinking about their bye week. Kirk Cousins looked helpless, and the defense didn’t even try to stop the Broncos. Burn the tape and move on.
Seattle 20-17 San Francisco
Seahawks (B+): Geno Smith saved his best for last, leading a game-winning TD drive. The defense looked rejuvenated, holding the 49ers to 17 points. This win throws the NFC West race wide open.
49ers (B-): Christian McCaffrey’s return wasn’t enough to spark the offense, and Nick Bosa’s injury left the defense vulnerable. San Fran might still be good, but they’re not invincible.
Houston 34-10 Dallas
Texans (B+): Houston took one look at the Cowboys' run defense and said, “Let’s make this simple.” Joe Mixon ran wild for 153 total yards and 3 TDs, including two in the first quarter that set the tone. The Texans' defense had Cooper Rush on the run all night with 5 sacks, and Derek Barnett’s fumble return TD in the fourth quarter was the cherry on top. Sure, they let the Cowboys linger longer than they should’ve, but hey, they closed it out, and that’s what counts.
Cowboys (D): Yikes. Dallas brought their "B-Team energy" in this one. Cooper Rush threw for 354 yards but also served up a fumble and an interception like they were appetizers. Even the usually reliable Brandon Aubrey missed a 40-yarder, and Mike McCarthy calling a fake punt from his own 33-yard line? Comedy gold… unless you’re a Cowboys fan.
Week 11 gave us everything we love about football: incredible plays, jaw-dropping blunders, and more twists than a Shyamalan movie. Whether your team is riding high into Week 12 or licking their wounds, one thing’s for sure—this NFL season isn’t slowing down.
So here’s to another week of chaos, clutch moments, and coaches making decisions that have us yelling at our TVs. Let’s hope next week delivers just as much drama (and fewer fake punts, Cowboys). Until then, keep your fantasy lineups fresh, your snacks stocked, and your expectations for some teams realistic. See you in Week 12, football fans!
