NFL Week 11 Recap & Week 12 preview: Shifting Landscapes and Playoff Implications
Week 11 delivered a flurry of surprising results and solidified some emerging narratives across the NFL. From potential dynasty-ending upsets to quarterback controversies, the league continues to prove its unpredictable nature. Let’s break down the key takeaways from the past week and then dive into my predictions for the upcoming slate of games.
Week 11: Key Results & Analysis
Here’s a look at how the games unfolded, and how my predictions stacked up (Harv’s score is noted for comparison):
* Houston Texans 31, Tennessee Titans 15: The Texans are proving they’re a force to be reckoned with.C.J.Stroud continues to impress, and Houston is firmly in the playoff conversation. (Harv’s score: Texans 31-15)
* Chicago Bears 19, Minnesota Vikings 17: Are the Bears actually good? Their performance raises serious questions. we’ll get a better read in Week 12 against a tough Steelers team. (Harv’s score: Vikings 23-21)
* Pittsburgh Steelers 34, Cincinnati Bengals 12: The Steelers, when cornered, are a resilient bunch. Mason Rudolph stepped up admirably after Aaron Rodgers’ injury, leading a dominant defensive performance. The Bengals’ season is likely over following Joe Burrow’s injury. (harv’s score: Steelers 24-20)
* Jacksonville Jaguars 35, Los Angeles Chargers 6: A complete reversal of expectations. After the Chargers’ impressive win over Pittsburgh, they were thoroughly dismantled by Jacksonville. NFL parity is alive and well.(Harv’s score: Chargers 37-13)
* Carolina Panthers 30, Atlanta Falcons 27 (OT): Another injury for Michael Penix adds to the Falcons’ woes. The Panthers, while inconsistent, are showing flashes of potential. (Harv’s score: Falcons 31-24)
* Buffalo Bills 44, Tampa Bay Buccaneers 32: Josh Allen and the Bills offense were simply too much for Tampa Bay. A high-scoring affair showcasing the power of elite quarterback play. (Harv’s score: Bills 30-24)
* Green Bay Packers 27, New York Giants 20: The Micah Parsons hype train continues to be tempered. The Packers’ success isn’t reliant on shutting down individual stars. (Harv’s score: Packers 28-12)
* Los Angeles Rams 21, Seattle Seahawks 19: Matthew Stafford is making a strong case for MVP consideration. The Seahawks remain a dangerous opponent, even in a close loss. (Harv’s score: Rams 28-27)
* San Francisco 49ers 41, Arizona cardinals 22: Brock Purdy’s return was a success. The 49ers offense looked sharp, while the Cardinals’ season continues to spiral. (Harv’s score: cardinals 20-19)
* Denver Broncos 22,kansas City Chiefs 19: A monumental upset. The Broncos potentially derailed the Chiefs’ playoff hopes and sparked a conversation about the end of a dynasty. I remain skeptical of Denver, but you can’t deny the result. (Harv’s score: Broncos 17 Chiefs 13)
* Baltimore Ravens 23, Cleveland Browns 16: The Ravens secured a hard-fought victory. Shadeur Sanders’ debut in relief wasn’t smooth, and he’s now been named the starter.(Harv’s score: Ravens 41-6)
* Philadelphia Eagles 16, Detroit Lions 9: The Lions stumbled when faced with a true test. Questions linger about the Eagles’ offensive consistency despite the win. (Harv’s score: Lions 25 Eagles 21)
* Dallas Cowboys 33, Las Vegas Raiders 16: Picking against the Raiders remains a safe bet. Dallas boasts a potent offense and a defense capable of making a deep playoff run. (Harv’s score: Cowboys 30-24)
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