One other Sunday, one other full slate of NFL motion almost within the books. And Week 11 was chock-full of drama, from the Jacksonville Jaguars sinking to a brand new low towards the powerhouse Detroit Lions to the Pittsburgh Steelers edging the rival Baltimore Ravens to proclaim themselves AFC North favorites.
This is a have a look at a few of Sunday’s largest winners and losers:
Winner: Steelers protection
Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry got here to city, and T.J. Watt and Co. made them look human. It is a rising pattern, Pittsburgh neutering Jackson’s in any other case MVP-level magic, however Sunday’s win was particularly necessary for Metal Metropolis, with Mike Tomlin’s squad now two video games forward of the Baltimore Ravens within the North. The Steelers actually do register as a whole group.
Loser: Doug Pederson
He is mainly match on this class all 12 months, however Sunday marked a brand new low for each his roster and employees, which appear to be simply enjoying out the string. It is no marvel the Jacksonville Jaguars coach was resigned to questions on his job safety after a dreary loss to fall to 2-9; he is aware of this present is over. And he is not prone to be the one chief on the recent seat as this dismal 2024 marketing campaign winds down.
Winner: Anthony Richardson
Restored to a beginning function simply two weeks after what appeared like a long-term demotion, the 2023 first-round draft decide regarded the half because the Indianapolis Colts’ quarterback, outdueling Aaron Rodgers (a low bar to clear) whereas controlling the ball (a better bar) and showcasing his trademark athleticism to beat the New York Jets. Credit score additionally to teach Shane Steichen for making the short change again.
Loser: The Jets, once more
Just like the Jaguars, this group has usually been a humiliation for a lot of the season. Nonetheless, you possibly can’t assist however count on extra from a group deploying a repeat MVP underneath heart. Aaron Rodgers and Davante Adams as soon as once more failed to save lots of New York, and the Jets’ regressing protection was even worse towards Indianapolis. Do Jets followers even need for the 40-year-old Rodgers to return in 2025 at this level?
Winner: The Lions’ NFC North title bid
Detroit beat up on one more group Sunday, with Jared Goff, Amon-Ra St. Brown and Co. sustaining their awe-inspiring offense. However the Lions additionally needed to be smiling at the remainder of the NFC North, with the mercurial Inexperienced Bay Packers barely sneaking previous the Chicago Bears in an unsightly divisional matchup, and the Minnesota Vikings failing to rout any of their three straight AFC South opponents.
