The Philadelphia Eagles already kicked off Week 11 filled with excessive stakes, outlasting the Washington Commanders on Thursday night time to grab management of the NFC East.
Now comes yet one more date between the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs and Buffalo Payments, a pair that might be thought of division rivals if we didn’t know any higher. They’re about to play for the eighth time since 2020, with three of these video games within the postseason. Maybe a fourth of their futures.
The Baltimore Ravens and Pittsburgh Steelers shouldn’t take a backseat to any NFL rivalry this week or ever. As soon as once more, the sport means one thing with first place within the AFC North at stake and a pesky three-game Steelers win streak Lamar Jackson and firm would love to finish.
Three of our NFL writers, Jeff Howe, Zak Keefer and Mike Sando, focus on what’s forward.
As soon as once more, the Steelers and Ravens are assembly in a high-stakes sport. What’s been most spectacular about Russell Wilson since assuming the beginning function in Pittsburgh? Is the MVP award Lamar Jackson’s to lose at this level or is anybody else significantly difficult him?
Howe: The Steelers have been good to intensify Wilson’s strengths, they usually’re persevering with to lean on the bottom sport. Wilson has gotten into bother lately when his offenses have been too pass-happy, so credit score Arthur Smith for staying disciplined together with his method. Jackson has a sizeable lead within the MVP race, and I don’t see him relinquishing it so long as the Ravens maintain successful. In any other case, Josh Allen and Jared Goff may get again into the dialogue.
Keefer: Credit score Mike Tomlin, who pulled a successful quarterback off the sphere in Justin Fields — the Steelers had been 4-2 with him beginning — and made his workforce higher by changing him with Wilson. This Steelers workforce jogs my memory a little bit of the previous Seattle Seahawks squads: glorious protection, sound run sport, good quarterback who can sometimes take the highest of the protection. Since Week 7, Wilson ranks fifth in EPA per dropback and seventh in passer ranking. Nearly as good as the remainder of this roster is, that’s greater than sufficient. At this level, Jackson is main the MVP dialog, however a lot might be determined as division titles and playoff seeds shake out. Nonetheless, it’s onerous to argue together with his constant excellence: in 2024, Jackson has the best passer ranking via 10 weeks (123.2) of the previous 25 years.
Sando: I’ve appreciated how Wilson has match into the Steelers with none of the fanfare that went together with the Russell Wilson Present late in his Seattle tenure and into his time with the Denver Broncos. We aren’t listening to something about his mansions or superstar interactions or every other trappings of stardom.
Jackson is the runaway MVP favourite not only for his league-leading manufacturing but in addition for the context of that manufacturing. He’s overcoming particularly poor play from the Ravens protection/particular groups to win 70 % of his begins. As detailed in my column Thursday, he’s 3-1 in video games when different common starters have a 5-45 file this season (these when the protection/particular groups end with minus-10 mixed EPA or worse). It’s outstanding.
Josh Allen and Patrick Mahomes meet as soon as once more as effectively. Payments-Chiefs all the time offers us a thriller. What or who makes the distinction this time round?
Howe: If Allen isn’t the distinction maker, I’m undecided we must always anticipate something to alter a few months from now within the playoffs. The Chiefs protection has accomplished greater than its share to select up the offense, however that is the place Allen wants to say himself. He must be probably the most dominant participant within the sport. However even with that kind of efficiency, Allen has gained three consecutive regular-season matchups with the Chiefs, however he’s 0-3 in opposition to them within the playoffs. There’s nonetheless work to be accomplished whatever the consequence this weekend.
Keefer: The Payments are hurting at broad receiver, however the run sport — plus Josh Allen’s brilliance — has carried them to 8-2, the second-best file within the convention, behind you-know-who. Buffalo is third in scoring regardless of Amari Cooper and Keon Coleman lacking time, and tight finish Dalton Kincaid is out Sunday. However I really like how coordinator Joe Brady has leaned on the run sport this season. James Prepare dinner has been glorious, and Ray Davis has been a set off the bench. A win for Buffalo on Sunday may pay it again down the road: The Payments’ greatest probability at (lastly) getting previous the Chiefs within the playoffs has to return in Orchard Park. And I don’t consider Kansas Metropolis, even at 9-0, has the highest seed — and home-field benefit — locked up simply but. This workforce may simply lose a pair down the stretch.
Sando: I’m choosing a 23-21 Payments victory on a late area aim, on the considering that the percentages will catch as much as Kansas Metropolis in some unspecified time in the future after so many shut video games. The Payments have gained the final three regular-season video games between the groups. They’ve by no means misplaced the turnover battle to the Chiefs in seven conferences between the groups when Allen was within the lineup. If that pattern continues, I’ll take Buffalo in a detailed sport.
The Cincinnati Bengals and Los Angeles Chargers tackle Sunday night time. The place is Jim Harbaugh in your Coach of the 12 months race? Why do the Bengals maintain ending up on the incorrect aspect of shut video games this 12 months?
Howe: Dan Campbell needs to be within the lead as a result of the Detroit Lions have been one of the best workforce and proceed to play of their coach’s likeness. Mike Tomlin may not be far behind. But when the voters defer to the coach who most exceeded expectations, Dan Quinn and Jonathan Gannon will get a number of recognition. Harbaugh has predictably left his imprint on the Chargers, doing a pleasant job with their physicality, self-discipline and quarterback. They aren’t going to be a welcome sight in the event that they make the playoffs.
Keefer: Harbaugh has quietly accomplished a terrific job, particularly after the Chargers rehauled their ability place expertise exterior of quarterback Justin Herbert within the spring. However I’m with Jeff — nobody’s accomplished a greater job this season than Dan Campbell, who’s teaching probably the most full workforce in soccer. Quinn, Tomlin and Gannon additionally deserve consideration — as does Kevin O’Connell in Minnesota. For the Bengals, this franchise must re-evaluate what they’re making an attempt to do on protection. As a result of that unit has considerably regressed from the workforce’s run to the Tremendous Bowl after the 2021 season. If Cincinnati desires to assist Joe Burrow, begin there. Oh, and signal Ja’Marr Chase, too.
What if each one-possession NFL sport had the alternative end result? pic.twitter.com/wpj5Yk3bNR
— Kelley Ford (@KFordRatings) November 13, 2024
Sando: I’m not sure of this, however analysis leads me to consider the Bengals have misplaced so many shut video games as a result of, along with being poor on protection, they overly prioritize passing the ball, optimizing offensive play calling and saving time for his or her offense, on the expense of controlling video games/clock within the late going. That gave the impression to be the case in opposition to Baltimore. It’s one thing I investigated when how Burrow has carried out within the clutch.
The Chicago Bears (vs. Inexperienced Bay Packers) and Las Vegas Raiders (at Miami Dolphins) have made modifications to their offensive staffs. Anticipate any actual distinction or is the issue deeper with these groups?
Howe: The Raiders nonetheless don’t have a quarterback, so I don’t anticipate any substantial turnaround there. The Bears simply have to get Caleb Williams to play throughout the offense and never get slowed down by making too many selections, which has led to slower play, an excessive amount of time within the pocket and a league excessive in sacks. A brand new play caller would possibly present the increase Williams wants, however the Bears’ points lengthen past their rookie QB.
Keefer: I’m most curious to see what Thomas Brown does main the Bears offense. Williams is undeniably gifted, they usually have weapons, however Chicago’s scheme has been so clunky this season, it feels just like the rookie hasn’t had an opportunity to settle in. For Brown, that’s Job No. 1 — discover some simple completions for Williams — very similar to Kliff Kingsbury does for Jayden Daniels in Washington — and let him faucet into his abilities when he must. The playoffs are an afterthought: The remainder of this season in Chicago needs to be about giving Williams one of the best probability to enhance heading into 12 months 2. As for the Raiders, they’re in quarterback purgatory. It’s time to take a swing excessive within the draft and discover the following one. In any other case, the cycle will simply maintain repeating.
Sando: The issues run a lot deeper than the coordinators, however the modifications may assist. The Raiders’ mixture of Scott Turner together with his father, Norv, offers a transparent improve in expertise and pedigree. In Chicago, it’s clear Shane Waldron wasn’t getting via to gamers. Maybe gamers reply favorably to Brown’s taking management. I don’t know whether or not the trajectory might be upward past an preliminary bump, nevertheless.
Who has been extra disappointing this season? The Houston Texans or the Dallas Cowboys?
Howe: I wouldn’t name the Texans a disappointment. They’re coping with accidents at receiver, and the offensive line is getting uncovered. There’s additionally obtained to be an adjustment interval when a younger workforce is anticipated to have success, somewhat than sneaking up on everybody just like the Texans did final 12 months. Their opponents are gearing up for the Texans as a measuring stick, and there’s a studying curve that comes with that. The Cowboys, although a regression was predictable, are nearer to acquiring the No. 1 decide than the ultimate wild-card spot. They’re up there with the New York Jets among the many greatest disappointments within the league.
Keefer: The Texans are such an fascinating workforce this season. Three quarters into Sunday night time’s sport, they had been 7-3 and a signature win over one of the best workforce in soccer, the Lions. Then Detroit staged its comeback. One thing in Houston’s not proper: the offensive line has been wildly inconsistent, and the passing sport is feeling the results of not having Nico Collins for the final month, plus Stefon Diggs is now out for the 12 months. The excellent news for Houston: It’s in one of many worst divisions in soccer, and the AFC South continues to be eminently winnable, even with a mediocre file. The reply, although, is Dallas: How a 12-win workforce every of the previous three seasons has fallen this far, this quick, is beautiful.
Sando: The Cowboys are way more disappointing, besides to the tens of millions {of professional} Cowboys haters on the market. Dallas has faltered at nearly each flip and is seeded thirteenth within the NFC and on tempo to win 5 to 6 video games, far in need of the Cowboys’ preseason Vegas win complete (10), with no hope for making a playoff push now that Dak Prescott is injured. The Texans are main their division and, at 6-4, are on tempo to exceed their 9.5 preseason win complete.
(Photograph of Lamar Jackson and Cole Holcomb: Justin Okay. Aller / Getty Photos)
