In this series of articles, I will highlight the best NFL games of the week and the local team, the Patriots. In week 11, teams cemented their places in their divisions and the playoffs, while others fell further away from their goals. Here are the highlights.
Bills vs Chiefs
In the game of the week and possibly the season so far, the Bills spoil the Chiefs’ undefeated season, handing them their first loss.
The Bills played a complete game and were efficient in all phases. Josh Allen had 262 passing yards, 55 rushing yards, a passing touchdown, and a rushing touchdown to elevate the Bills over the Chiefs.
The rushing touchdown came in the fourth quarter when the Bills were up by two points.
The Chiefs' defense held them to fourth and two just outside the red zone. Instead of being conservative and going for the field goal, the Bills went for it. They would not risk giving the ball back to Mahomes for a game-winning drive.
The risk paid off when Allen rumbled towards the endzone on a strong, multiple tackle-breaking 26-yard touchdown run to ice the game. On the next drive, Terrel Bernard picked off Mahomes and the Bills were able to line up in victory formation.
The Bills are 9-2 for the first time since 1992 when they made it to the Super Bowl. They currently hold the two seed in the AFC and are 4.5 games ahead of the Dolphins in the AFC East.
Before this game, the Chiefs had a 15-game winning streak dating back to Christmas Day of last year. This season, they have teetered on the edge of a loss several times but have been able to come away with a win until Sunday afternoon.
This game, like all others between these teams in recent years, was very competitive. The first half ended close at 14-16. The second half started slowing for both offenses with both teams punting twice on the first two drives.
The Chiefs' defense allowed Buffalo to march down the field in a long, time-eating drive that ended in a Curtis Samuel touchdown that put them down by two scores. However, this was not unfamiliar territory for the Chiefs. They have come back in the fourth quarter many times in recent years.
They fired back with a touchdown pass to Noah Gray to chip away at the Bills lead. Once again, the Bills had another long, five-minute drive that ended in a touchdown. At this point, it would be nearly impossible for the Chiefs to come back. Mahomes threw a game-ending interception on the next drive.
The Chiefs are still first in the AFC, but the Bills now own the tiebreaker for home-field advantage if it comes to that.
These two teams have played against each other eight times with Allen and Mahomes at the helm. The Chiefs have only won once in the regular season but have beaten them all three times in the playoffs when it matters. These two teams will likely meet again down the road in the playoffs.
Chargers vs Bengals
The Chargers survive the Bengals' second-half comeback to hang onto their fourth straight win.
This game started as a blowout in the first half after the Chargers came out on fire. Justin Herbert looked unstoppable as he threw for 183 yards and two touchdowns in the first half. He also contributed with his legs, rushing for 58 yards.
The first half ended 24-6, all Chargers. The second half was a different story. It seemed like Los Angeles took their foot off the gas and were playing more conservatively with the big lead. They punted five times and lost a fumble, which allowed Cincinnati to get back in this game. The Chargers' defense let the Bengals tie up the game early in the fourth quarter.
The Chargers got the ball back, game tied, with 45 seconds left in the game. Herbert led the Chargers to a touchdown with the help of two big catches from rookie wide receiver, Ladd McConkey, and a 29-yard touchdown run from J.K. Dobbins. The Chargers acquired Dobbins in April earlier this year.
Safety Derwin James batted down Joe Burrow’s hail mary pass to Tee Higgins to end the game. No matter how the game played out, the Chargers earned a tough, resilient win against another AFC opponent. They showed that they can be a clutch team and pull out a winning drive when it matters. This win puts Los Angeles in the 5th seed in the AFC, well within the Wild Card position.
The Bengals, however, suffered yet another heartbreaking loss. Despite having Joe Burrow (league leader in passing yards and passing touchdowns), Ja’Marr Chase (league leader in receiving yards, receiving touchdowns, and receptions), and Trey Hendrickson (league leader in sacks), the Bengals are 4-7.
Cincinnati had the chance to complete their largest road comeback ever with a 21-point halftime deficit. After falling behind 27-6 in the first half, Burrow threw for three touchdowns in less than nine minutes.
After two Chargers punts, the Bengals attempted two field goals right outside the red zone and missed them both. This kept the Chargers in the game while their offense was struggling.
The Bengals had to then come from behind, once again, on the last drive. Tee Higgins nearly brought down Burrow’s hail mary, until Derwin James broke up the pass.
Rams vs Patriots
The Rams were able to hold off the Patriots' game-winning drive and take the win on Sunday.
Stafford, Nacua, and Kupp all had career games for the Ram’s offense. Stafford finished the game with 295 yards and four touchdown passes, which moved him into the top 10 for all-time passing touchdowns. He passed Eli Manning.
Cooper Kupp had two touchdowns, one being a 69-yarder to open the second half that shifted the momentum of the game. That touchdown put the Rams up 21-10 and the Patriots were never able to get back in the game.
Puka Nacua had 123 yards and a touchdown on the day, being a reliable target all game for Stafford. The Rams' defense came up big when they had to, stalling a Patriots drive with a strip sack fumble recovery, and an interception by Kamren Kinchens to seal the win. The Rams look to keep their playoff hopes alive in a matchup against the Eagles next week.
The Patriots struck first late in the first quarter with a Kendrick Bourne touchdown. In the next drive, the offense seemed to be moving the ball well, but that drive ended in a punt. The Rams were able to score quickly on the next drive due to the strip-sack fumble. The half ended 14-10.
Late in the third quarter, Maye and the offense put together a drive that ended in a trick play touchdown reception to the offensive tackle, Vederian Lowe.
However, the extra point that would’ve cut the lead to eight, was blocked. This put the Patriots in a tough position, down two scores with a little over a quarter to play. The defense responded by holding the Rams’ explosive offense to two straight punts, while the offense cut the lead to six. Drake Maye had the chance to lead the Patriots to a victory, but the drive was stopped short after an interception.
While no one wants to hear about moral victories in week 11, the Patriots are improving, and this brings excitement for the seasons to come. Sunday was the best offensive performance of the season, and they have their quarterback of the future.
Steelers vs Ravens
The Steelers outlast the Ravens in a low-scoring, defensive battle. Pittsburgh’s defense stumped Baltimore’s high-powered offense on Sunday in a divisional matchup for the top of the AFC North. They forced three turnovers and held them to 16 points, which was Baltimore’s lowest of the season.
The Steelers struck first with a field goal from Chris Boswell, his first out of six on the day. Patrick Queen stripped the ball from Isaiah Likely towards the end of the half to put the Steelers in field goal range. Boswell’s kick gave Pittsburgh a 9-7 lead going into halftime.
In the second half, the Steelers’ offense stalled but were able to get three more field goals to take an 8-point lead with three minutes left in the fourth quarter.
The Ravens marched down the field and Lamar Jackson found Zay Flowers in the endzone. However, the Pittsburgh defense came up big again and stopped what would be the game-tying two-point conversion attempt.
This Pittsburgh team now has a 1.5-game lead over the Ravens in their division. Their rematch in Week 16 will have big playoff implications.
The Ravens had the best offense coming into this game but ultimately struggled to put enough points on the board.
The game began with a Derrick Henry fumble, his first since 2022. After that, the next five drives ended in three punts and two missed field goals by Justin Tucker. They finally reached the end zone towards the end of the second quarter.
The Steelers led at the half despite not scoring a touchdown.
The second half opened with three field goals and a Ravens punt. Marlon Humphrey picked off Russell Wilson to save a touchdown and give possession back to the offense. Lamar then gave the ball right back to the Steelers with a pick.
Down eight, Baltimore scored again, but they were not able to convert to tie the game. The Ravens play the Chargers next week where the Harbaugh brothers will be facing off as coaches for the first time since 2013.
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