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 in opposition to 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 development, Pittsburgh neutering Jackson’s in any other case MVP-level magic, however Sunday’s win was particularly vital 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 an entire group.
Loser: Doug Pederson
He is principally match on this class all yr, however Sunday marked a brand new low for each his roster and workers, which appear to be simply taking part in 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 new seat as this dismal 2024 marketing campaign winds down.
Restored to a beginning function simply two weeks after what appeared like a long-term demotion, the 2023 first-round draft choose appeared the half because the Indianapolis Colts’ quarterback, outdueling Aaron Rodgers (a low bar to clear) whereas controlling the ball (the next bar) and showcasing his trademark athleticism to beat the New York Jets. Credit score additionally to teach Shane Steichen for making the short swap again.
Loser: The Jets, once more
Just like the Jaguars, this group has typically been a humiliation for a lot of the season. Nonetheless, you’ll be able to’t assist however count on extra from a group deploying a repeat MVP beneath middle. Aaron Rodgers and Davante Adams as soon as once more failed to avoid wasting New York, and the Jets’ regressing protection was even worse in opposition to 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.