B/R Experts Week 12 NFL Power Rankings: Where Does Every Team Stand?

And then there were none.

By virtue of the Buffalo Bills' win over the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday, there are no more undefeated teams in the NFL. The 1972 Miami Dolphins can once again crack the champagne.

Buffalo's victory wasn't the only impactful game of Week 11. The Pittsburgh Steelers have a firm grip on the AFC North after downing the rival Baltimore Ravens in a defensive struggle. The Los Angeles Chargers made a statement at SoFi Stadium, holding off a furious comeback by the Cincinnati Bengals to move to 7-3. The Broncos waxed the first-place Atlanta Falcons in Denver. The Seattle Seahawks stunned the 49ers in San Francisco to tighten up the NFC West into a four-team brouhaha.

And the Detroit Lions staked their claim as the NFL's best team by dropping a piano on a Jacksonville Jaguars team that looks like the league's worst squad this side of Cleveland.

Week 11's action sent shockwaves across the league—and shook up the NFL's pecking order. As they do every week, Bleacher Report NFL analysts Gary Davenport, Kristopher Knox, Maurice Moton and Brent Sobleski have come together to rank the league's teams from the bottom to the top.

For the first time in 2024, there's a new king of the NFL mountain.

Last Week: 32

Week 11 Result: Lost at Detroit 52-6

Given how much of a disaster the Jaguars have been in 2024, it's hard to believe that head coach Doug Pederson once led the Philadelphia Eagles to a Super Bowl win. What's easy to believe is that Pederson and general manager Trent Baalke are going to get fired. While injuries have certainly contributed to Jacksonville's terrible season, this team has been a disaster from the start.

While speaking to reporters after the Jaguars were outgained by nearly 500 yards Sunday, Pederson said he's worried more about coaching up his players than his job security moving forward.

"I can't control that," Pederson said. "I've been around this league a long time, and if it's going to happen, it's going to happen, obviously, but at the same time I still have a job to do and that's to get ready for a good division opponent [the Houston Texans] in two weeks."

Pederson is in grave danger of an in-season firing with the Jags headed into their bye. They've lost 14 of their last 17 under Pederson, and Jaguars owner Shad Khan called this the best Jaguars team ever assembled heading into the season.

Players like linebacker Devin Lloyd expressed support for Pederson while acknowledging the writing on the wall.

"At the end of the day, it's the reality of this business," Lloyd said. "Obviously [Pederson getting fired] is not something anybody wishes for. You've got so much love for everybody in this locker room and on this team. It's not something you wish for, but it's the reality. We're not winning, and so it is what it is."

Analyst's Take

It's time to blow things up in Jacksonville. Trevor Lawrence hasn't lived up to the hype or his contract, and the Jags were non-factors even before his AC joint injury forced a pivot to Mac Jones.

The Jags need to find a coach who can get more out of Lawrence and one who can get the rest of the team to play with a little efficiency and effort—something we didn't see from Jacksonville in Week 11. -- Knox

Last Week: 31

Week 11 Result: Lost at New Orleans 35-14

There's no sugar-coating how awful the 2024 Browns are. They can move the ball but can't score points. The defense is atrocious. The kicker can't hit from 27 yards. And with a number of bad contracts on the books (including arguably the worst in NFL history), there's no light at the end of the tunnel.

Or there is—and it's a train headed straight toward them.

"The truth comes out on Sundays (and occasionally Thursdays), and when bad decisions at key positions compound, there's no running from it," Zac Jackson of The Athletic wrote. "The Browns are one of the worst and oldest teams in the league. That's not the combination anybody wants, obviously, but it's the current reality.

"There are still seven games for evaluation and for players to make impressions. There are potential jobs across the depth chart to be won in future years. But the Browns' fourth-quarter fizzle reinforced what's long been in front of all involved, specifically those who signed off on the construction of this team. The failures are everywhere."

Analyst's Take

Either the Browns are actively trying to earn the top pick in the 2025 draft—and everyone, including kicker Dustin Hopkins and defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz, is in on the tank job—or this team has simply quit on the 2024 season.

Cleveland showed some flashes in the passing game on Sunday, but its defense and special-teams units seemed shockingly ill-prepared coming out of the bye.

The Browns have a legitimate shot at the No. 1 pick whether they want it or not. The question now is whether a top draft pick will pull an Eli Manning and refuse to play for Cleveland. -- Knox

Last Week: 29

Week 11 Result: Bye Week

After an ugly loss to the Carolina Panthers in Germany in Week 10, head coach Brian Daboll said that the team was "evaluating everything."

That included a change under center.

On Monday, the Giants announced that they've benched starting quarterback Daniel Jones. Tommy "Don't Call Me Danny" DeVito will start Sunday against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, while Drew Lock will be the backup.

What could go wrong?

Analyst's Take

Giants ownership has already offered a vote of confidence for Daboll and general manager Joe Schoen, although that hardly guarantees they will be with the team in 2025. It appears certain that Jones won't be, though.

The Giants are in the thick of the hunt for the No. 1 overall pick, and they've reached the point of the season where losing makes more long-term sense than winning. This team needs a quarterback, and the higher the pick, the better its odds of finding one. -- Davenport

Last Week: 28

Week 11 Result: Lost vs. Minnesota 23-13

Tennessee Titans quarterback Will Levis has had a shaky season, to put it mildly. Despite throwing his longest touchdown pass of the year on Sunday, Levis and the Titans came up short on the scoreboard yet again against the Minnesota Vikings.

While Levis has made his share of mistakes in his second season, Jim Wyatt of the team's website wrote that the young quarterback is hardly the team's only issue offensively.

"Levis has been a punching bag for a lot of fans since he arrived in Nashville, and he's given those that never liked him plenty of ammunition along the way," Wyatt said. "He's made too many mistakes, and the Titans have lost too often with Levis at the controls. But Levis was hardly the problem on Sunday. I thought he showed guts against a tough Vikings defense, when he was running for his life on a lot of plays. Levis threw for 295 yards and a touchdown, with an interception late.

"Yes, he was guilty of holding the ball too long once again, but the guy's confidence in what's in front of him has to be shaky because he just can't get too comfortable in the pocket. Levis was sacked five times on Sunday by the Vikings, and on a few plays, he never had a chance. In many of the losses, Levis has been a part of the problem for sure. But if the Titans were better around him, Levis wouldn't catch so much flack so often."

Analyst's Take

We know that Tennessee's 2024 season is all about evaluating Levis. But the Titans need to take the final seven weeks to evaluate the rest of their offensive supporting cast.

Running back Tony Pollard has cooled off considerably over the last few weeks, the offensive line needs work, and Nick Westbrook-Ikhine might be the most dependable pass-catcher left on the roster. I'm far from sold on rookie head coach Brian Callahan, too.

I still expect Tennessee to pursue a new quarterback in the offseason, and it doesn't have a situation I'd want for any young QB. -- Knox

Last Week: 30

Week 11 Result: Lost vs. Los Angeles Rams 28-22

The final score is all that matters in the NFL, and in Week 11, the New England Patriots again came up short in that regard. But there were some positives for the team even in defeat.

Rookie quarterback Drake Maye continues to make strides, throwing for 282 yards and two scores with a passer rating over 100. After the loss, veteran tight end Hunter Henry told reporters that he sees the growth in Maye from week to week.

"I mean, obviously, he has a lot of talent, and we see that day in, day out," Henry said. "But I think just the growth in the offense, growth in seeing things, growth in just even simple things of how he views the run game. There's so many little things in an offense that go a long way, and I think each week he's continuing to grow, and it's fun to kind of continue that growth with him."

The Pats now just need to figure out a way to translate some of that on-field growth into a different result on the scoreboard.

Analyst's Take

Are the Patriots a good team? Not really. Have they become a ton of fun? Heck yes.

Maye is a joy to watch, even if he's playing with an underwhelming supporting cast. The defense has too many breakdowns, but it's scrappy. Jerod Mayo is still learning how to be a head coach, but he's doing a great job of it on the fly.

New England appears to have a bright future, and it's going to have some legitimate chances to play spoiler over the next two months. -- Knox

Last Week: 25

Week 11 Result: Lost at Miami 34-19

The losses just keep piling up for the Las Vegas Raiders. Sunday's drubbing in Miami was the Raiders' sixth straight loss. Four of those were by double digits.

The Raiders' stats were actually similar to the Dolphins', but they were just 1-of-3 in the red zone. As has been the case all season long, they couldn't make plays when they needed to.

However, quarterback Gardner Minshew told reporters there's no quit in these Raiders.

"We're down, man, but I tell you I've been on teams where you send it in," Minshew said. "But we're not doing that. We practice hard. Everybody's doing the right things. We haven't been getting the results. We've been a play short, but I feel if we continue our process and continue to try to get better it's going to break for us."

Head coach Antonio Pierce said essentially the same thing.

"We just have to keep executing and strain a little bit more," said Pierce. "We had opportunities. Brock (Bowers) had a big day. I thought Gardner got rid of the ball quickly in the passing game. Opportunities there for shots, but we didn't get them down there again."

Pierce then asked the media if they knew anyone who was hiring.

(He didn't. But maybe he should have.)

Analyst's Take

The Raiders probably won't win more than four games this season, but they have a building block for the future in Bowers, who has been arguably the most impressive rookie thus far.

Last week, Bowers broke the NFL record for most receptions (13) by a rookie tight end in a single game (h/t ESPN's Field Yates). He also leads the 2024 draft class in receptions (70).

The Raiders are one of the league's worst teams, but at least they have one of the NFL's best tight ends. -- Moton

Last Week: 26

Week 11 Result: Bye Week

Week 11 was one of the best weeks of the season for the Carolina Panthers. That's because they didn't have to play anyone.

As the Panthers head down the stretch of another lost season, they need to make a decision. Can Bryce Young, whom they traded up to select with the No. 1 overall pick in 2023, be salvaged as their starting quarterback?

After last week's win in Munich, defensive tackle A'Shawn Robinson told reporters that while it may not be readily visible, the Panthers are building something.

"It's building," Robinson said. "It's being a brotherhood, from offense to special teams to defense. This whole team is a brotherhood. It's really tight. Being a young team, we're really coming together. This is a good step for us to take in the right direction.''

Carolina comes out of the bye having won two straight games. Head coach Dave Canales decided that's enough to earn Young another start Sunday against the Chiefs.

"This is about the continued progress, Bryce looking more and more confident," Canales said Monday. "Just an aggressiveness to his play ... and of course the end result, winning. He continues to do things to put us in a position to put him back out there and continue to build on that.''

Analyst's Take

Giving up on Young after two seasons wouldn't be a great look for the Panthers, but they need to be leery of sunk-cost fallacy putting their growth that much farther behind. The cold truth is that Young hasn't shown anything to prove that he can be a franchise quarterback.

If the Panthers have a high enough pick to target one of the top quarterbacks in the 2025 draft, that's a move they have to make. – Davenport

Last Week: 24

Week 11 Result: Lost vs. Houston 34-10

Just about everyone expects that seven games from now (if not sooner), the Dallas Cowboys will part ways with head coach Mike McCarthy.

Monday night's blowout loss to the Houston Texans didn't help matters, although it's not exactly McCarthy's fault that Dak Prescott is hurt or that the Cowboys offensive line unraveled in the second half against the Texans.

There have been all sorts of names bandied about as potential replacements. Some make sense (Remember Kellen Moore?). Others not so much (Deion Sanders).

However, team owner Jerry Jones may have someone in mind no one saw coming, per 105.3 The Fan (h/t Jon Machota of The Athletic): former Cowboys great Jason Witten:

"He has something that you can't draw up. He reminds me a lot of our other tight end who is head coach up there in Detroit right now.

"Jason is very sophisticated when it comes to understanding football and all the nuances. But more important than anything, he really does understand the physical and the mentality of being physical and that part of it. Without a question, he could become [an NFL coach]. He has extraordinary work ethic. . . . He can be a top coach."

Analyst's Take

Apparently three wins in 10 games and getting blown out at home on a regular basis isn't enough punishment for Dallas fans—because now Jones is talking about a high school coach as a candidate to replace Mike "Just Fire Me Already" McCarthy. It would be a very Jerry Jones thing to do. Some fans might even like it. But it would also be a disaster.

Play out the string. Get a high pick in 2025. And hire a young offensive mind who has actual experience to guide the team.

Might as well talk 2025 because 2024 is cooked. – Davenport

Last Week: 23

Week 11 Result: Lost at Indianapolis 28-27

Remember when the arrival of Aaron Rodgers was going to reverse years of futility and propel the Jets into the playoffs? Or when the trade for wide receiver Davante Adams was going to reverse the team's struggles and set it up a second-half surge?

Those were good times. But apparently it takes more than an aging quarterback and veteran receiver to get the Jets to stop being the Jets, because the losses keep piling up.

After their latest setback in Indianapolis, Rodgers told reporters that the team can't pinpoint why they keep coming up short.

"I mean, it's disappointing," Rodgers said. "I know I've said that three times now, but we've been working really hard trying to figure out what the issues are. It's not just one person. Sometimes it's me, sometimes it's somebody else."

For his part, wide receiver Garrett Wilson just wants it to stop.

"It's been tough," Wilson said. "I ain't going to fake it."

At least the Jets don't have to worry about taking another loss in Week 12 since they're on bye. (The bye is a four-point favorite.)

Analyst's Take

Restart the clock on the Jets looking for another starting quarterback.

Yes, Rodgers has one year remaining on his current deal. But the Jets are 3-8 with the future Hall of Famer leading the way. He turns 41 in two weeks. It's time to start thinking about the future since the Jets sit firmly in the top 10 for the 2025 NFL draft.

A new coach married to his quarterback of choice would be the right move for the flailing franchise. -- Sobleski

Last Week: 27

Week 11 Result: Won vs. Cleveland 35-14

The New Orleans Saints must enjoy roller-coasters. Their 2024 season has certainly been one.

The Saints started the season with a pair of blowout wins. They followed that up with a seven-game skid that got head coach Dennis Allen fired. Since then, they've gone 2-0, including a blowout win over the Browns on Sunday.

Taysom Hill had a roller-coaster of his own against Cleveland. He turned the ball over twice in the first half, but he responded with the best game of his career. In addition to catching a career-high eight passes for 50 yards, Hill carried the ball seven times for 138 yards and three touchdowns.

After the game, Hill told reporters it was simply a matter of shaking off the giveaways and getting down to work.

"It was one of those things where I had to take a step back and say, there's nothing that I can do about it now," said Hill. "So, let's go do what I can do to help us win this game, and fortunately I continued to get some opportunities."

Interim head coach Dennis Rizzi had nothing but good things to say about Hill after the win.

"He sure didn't look 34. He looked more like a 24 year old today," Rizzi said. "He's kind of an ageless guy. He keeps himself in phenomenal physical shape."

Analyst's Take

It's probably too late for the Saints to push their way back into the NFC South mix, but they can make things interesting down the stretch. Their defense is still a liability, but Rizzi at least has this team showing some fight.

Rizzi and offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak have also figured out how to fully unlock Hill. With Marquez Valdes-Scantling providing a spark to the receiver room, the Saints again have a functional offense. -- Knox

Last Week: 20

Week 11 Result: Lost vs. Green Bay 20-19

It's been a rough week in Chicago—one that ended in absolute heartbreak against the rival Packers on Sunday.

After firing offensive coordinator Shane Waldron earlier in the week, the Bears did look improved on that side of the ball against the Packers. That improved offense and a decent defensive effort had the Bears in position to kick a game-winning 46-yard field goal.

But it's the Bears and Packers, so Cairo Santos' kick was blocked.

Despite the devastating loss, head coach Matt Eberflus told reporters he was proud of his team's effort in Week 11.

"There were a lot of positives to build from," Eberflus said. "That's what you have to do. The last three weeks the offense hadn't played well. We hadn't played good complementary ball on defense. We hadn't done a lot of things together the last three weeks but today, today we played complementary football."

Still, the NFL is a results-driven business. And after the fourth loss in a row and with a brutal schedule the rest of the way, Eberflus' seat is getting toastier by the day.

Analyst's Take

The Bears lost a nail-biter to the Packers on a blocked field-goal attempt, but in defeat, they may have found an offensive identity under interim play-caller Thomas Brown. Caleb Wiliams contributed to the team's re-energized ground attack, rushing for 70 of the team's 179 rushing yards.

Chicago lost its fourth consecutive outing, but it may be better off offensively with a shift toward the run game. -- Moton

Last Week: 22

Week 11 Result: Won vs. New York Jets 28-27

Now this is the Anthony Richardson that the Colts hoped for when they drafted the former Florida star with the No. 4 overall pick in 2023.

After being benched for Joe Flacco and then re-inserted into the starting lineup two weeks later, Richardson had easily his best game of the season. He went 20-of-30 for 272 yards, one touchdown and a passer rating north of 100. Richardson also ran for a pair of scores, including the game-winner.

While speaking to the media afterward, Richardson said his performance was simply a matter of relaxing and doing his job.

"I won't say I was the most prepared or most confident," Richardson said. "It was the most relaxed I've been. There really wasn't any pressure on me. I was just out there taking it one play at a time. I just focused on my assignment. I wasn't trying to press or do anything too much."

The question is whether Richardson can string a few performances like this together. Because if he can, the Colts could be on to something.

Analyst's Take

Richardson seems to have gotten the message sent by head coach Shane Steichen.

A few weeks ago, Steichen claimed that Flacco gave the Colts their best chance to win. Maybe that was a way to make Richardson realize the demands of being a starting quarterback in the NFL.

Richardson responded with the best game of his career against the Jets. -- Sobleski

Last Week: 21

Week 11 Result: Won vs. Las Vegas 34-19

The Miami Dolphins aren't dead yet. After a 2-6 start marred by injuries and offensive struggles, the Dolphins have peeled off consecutive wins for the first time this season.

Sunday's win over the Raiders was Miami's best offensive performance of the season, and the star was someone you might not expect.

Tight end Jonnu Smith had a huge outing against the Raiders, finishing with six catches for 101 yards and a pair of scores. After the win, head coach Mike McDaniel talked up what Smith has brought to the team.

"I knew it was a great add by [general manager] Chris [Grier] and the [personnel] department just because of his skills with the ball in his hands, and then I knew secondhand from a couple of coaches that have been on staffs before the type of person we were getting," McDaniel said. "But I think the collective of his play and who he is has really added something very important to our offense. Ultimately, he's making defenses pay for the over attention that Tyreek [Hill] and [Jaylen] Waddle get."

The Dolphins have momentum, but they also have precious little margin for error. With two games over the next three weeks against AFC East tomato cans, there's a decent chance that Miami will hit the stretch run with a .500 record, putting it back in the wild-card hunt.

Analyst's Take

Despite a 2-6 start to the season, the Dolphins are in the thick of the AFC playoff race. Following back-to-back wins, Miami is gaining momentum and scoring in flurries like last year.

Smith will be key to the Dolphins' offensive attack as wideout Tyreek Hill plays through a torn ligament in his wrist. -- Moton

Last Week: 17

Week 11 Result: Lost at Los Angeles Chargers 34-27

Despite another close loss that left the Bengals three games below .500 and effectively out of the race in the AFC North, head coach Zac Taylor insisted to reporters that they can still turn their season around and make a postseason run.

"We've played some really good football teams, and we've just got to find a way to finish," Taylor said. "I keep saying that, and obviously we're a play away every time I say it. I've still got the confidence that we can get this thing done."

Quarterback Joe Burrow lamented that the Bengals weren't able to seal the deal after erasing a 27-6 deficit.

"I just think it was a tough loss. The first half didn't go our way. We fought back, had our opportunities to seal the deal, and we didn't," said Burrow.

The thing is, that has been the story of the 2024 Bengals—close but no cigar. They couldn't seal the deal against the Ravens two weeks ago. Or against that same Baltimore team in Week 5. Or against the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 2.

The Bengals give good teams all they can handle—and then lose. It's getting harder and harder to see that trend reversing after their bye.

Analyst's Take

Burrow, Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins are great. The Bengals defense? Not so much.

When this core group made a Super Bowl appearance three years ago, the defense could pin its ears back after the high-flying offense built a lead and made plays. The current defense is not making plays when it matters. Instead, it continues to break.

At 4-7 with a shoddy defense, Cincinnati's aspirations of making the playoffs are all but gone. -- Sobleski

Last Week: 15

Week 11 Result: Bye Week

For a decent chunk of the 2024 season, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers looked like the best team in the NFC South. But they've been ravaged by injuries, especially at wide receiver.

Now, after four straight losses (and five in six games), the Buccaneers come out of their bye in desperation mode. But there's hope that star wide receiver Mike Evans will be out there when the Buccaneers take on the floundering New York Giants in Week 12.

"Obviously, everybody knows the competitor that I am, and they know I want to be out there with my team and help us win ballgames," Evans told reporters. "But I can't rush it, and I'll be back when I'm back, and hopefully that'll be after the bye week, and I'll be myself."

Getting Evans back for Week 12 would be massive for the Buccaneers. Between the opponent and what happened to the NFC South-leading Falcons in Week 11, this is a game Tampa truly needs to win.

Analyst's Take

The Buccaneers have tried to weather the injury storm. Only one of their four straight losses was by over six points. But the bleeding has to stop this week.

If the Bucs can get past the hapless Giants, they will be right back in an NFC South race that seemingly no team wants to win. Tampa was swept by Atlanta, though, so its margin for error moving forward is that much smaller. -– Davenport

Last Week: 13

Week 11 Result: Lost at Denver 38-6

The Atlanta Falcons may be atop the NFC South, but they certainly didn't look like a division-leading team Sunday in Denver. They were dominated in every facet of the game.

Quarterback Kirk Cousins struggled, eventually giving way to rookie Michael Penix Jr. once the score was out of hand. The Falcons averaged 2.4 yards per game on the ground. Denver's offense did whatever it wanted whenever it wanted.

While addressing the media after the game, Falcons head coach Raheem Morris acknowledged that his team was flat-out embarrassed by the Broncos.

"You've got to give those guys a lot of credit for playing hard, playing physical," Morris said. And they absolutely went out there and beat us today with their effort and their physicality, and that was a key to the game."

The Falcons might still win the NFC South. But the team that took the field Sunday is no threat to the top squads in the NFC.

Analyst's Take

The Falcons have a glaring hole on an otherwise talented roster: They can't get to opposing quarterbacks.

As a team, Atlanta has a league-worst 10 sacks through 11 games. Some individual players around the league have nearly as many or more.

When an NFL quarterback can get comfortable in a pocket, he will pick apart a defense. It should thus come as no surprise to find the Falcons are among the league's bottom eight pass defenses. -- Sobleski

Last Week: 19

Week 11 Result: Won at San Francisco 20-17

The Seahawks came out of their bye week with their backs firmly against the wall. They started the season 3-0, only to drop five of their next six. Were the NFC West not a tangled mess of teams hovering around .500, Seattle would have been in even worse shape.

Despite Geno Smith failing to throw a touchdown pass and Seattle amassing less than 300 yards of offense, a late Smith touchdown scramble stunned the 49ers.

For Michael-Shawn Dugar of The Athletic, the gut-check win after a chaotic week in the Emerald City speaks well to the team's resilience moving forward.

"On Thursday, Smith said this game was personal," he wrote. "He had lost five straight games (playoffs included) to the 49ers prior to this matchup. With the game on the line, he played like a man with something to prove. He accounted for 83 total yards — 54 through the air, 29 on the ground — including the game-winning touchdown scramble with 12 seconds remaining.

"His final stat line of 25-for-32 for 221 yards and an interception wasn't anything spectacular, but finally beating the 49ers had to have been enough for Smith and the Seahawks to celebrate all the way back to Seattle."

Analyst's Take

Smith won't go away, which is a good thing for the Seahawks, who are battling in the competitive NFC West. Despite a rough outing, he found a way to help his team snap a six-game losing streak to San Francisco.

Smith's go-ahead rushing touchdown may fuel a Seahawks midseason surge. -- Moton

Last Week: 16

Week 11 Result: Won at New England 28-22

The Los Angeles Rams are hanging around in the NFC West.

On Sunday in New England, Matthew Stafford and the passing game led the Rams to victory. Stafford threw for 295 yards and four touchdowns, with both Cooper Kupp (six catches, 106 yards, two touchdowns) and Puka Nacua (seven receptions, 123 yards, one score) enjoying big days.

While addressing the media after the game, Rams head coach Sean McVay said that having such a formidable duo at wide receiver makes Stafford's job a lot easier.

"Cooper, obviously, he's been doing it for a long time. He's so steady; he maximizes his moments," McVay said. "That's what he's been. That's what makes him great. To be able to have two capable guys ... I think (Kupp's) influence has rubbed off on Puka. They were both great. They were instrumental in today's win."

The victory got the Rams back to .500 and one game behind the Arizona Cardinals in the NFC West. It won't be easy for them to stay there, though. Over the next month, the Rams host the red-hot Philadelphia Eagles and equally molten Buffalo Bills and travel to San Francisco to take on the 49ers.

Analyst's Take

The Rams aren't going away. The offensive line looked like a strength following some shuffling in Week 11, and L.A.'s young collection of defensive playmakers continues to impress. Meanwhile, Stafford, Nacua and Kupp just keep doing their thing.

I don't know if the Rams can fight their way into the playoffs. However, I think this team will continue to improve and could be a threat if it does reach the postseason. -- Knox

Last Week: 18

Week 11 Result: Won vs. Atlanta 38-6

On Sunday in Denver, the Broncos looked like the kind of team that no one wants to see in December or January.

The Broncos dominated every facet of the game against the NFC South-leading Atlanta Falcons. Rookie quarterback Bo Nix topped 300 passing yards in a game for the first time and threw four touchdown passes. Broncos running back Javonte Williams averaged over 6.5 yards per carry. And Denver's stout defense allowed only 226 yards, 13 first downs and a pair of field goals.

After a heartbreaking loss to the Kansas City Chiefs and a blowout loss in Baltimore, it was a badly needed bounce-back. But wide receiver Courtland Sutton told reporters that the team's confidence never faltered.

"There was no waver in the faith and confidence in this team after last week," Sutton said. "It was devastating. It was a very heart-wrenching loss that we had to go through. But, I knew this team was going to come in this week and watch the film Monday and put it to bed and come in the rest of the week ready to go. And that's exactly what guys did.

"We had a really good week of preparation leading up to this weekend, and guys knew that we couldn't dwell on it too much or it was going to beat us twice. We had really good vibes, really good feelings, really good energy coming out of the week going into this game, and it was nice to be able to see it all come together today."

Analyst's Take

Nix is everything the Broncos wanted him to be and more. Denver has full belief in its rookie quarterback, and it shows.

The offense was humming Sunday against Atlanta. His 307 passing yards and four touchdowns capped off a strong month of play. In the Broncos' last four contests, Nix completed 72.9 percent of his passes with a 17-to-2 touchdown-to-interception ratio.

This year's 12th overall pick is now firmly pushing Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels for NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year. -- Sobleski

Last Week: 12

Week 11 Result: Lost vs. Seattle 20-17

The 49ers have been besieged by injuries all season long. That's causing the defending NFC champions to buckle.

With tight end George Kittle and wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk sidelined, San Francisco was held under 300 yards of offense against Seattle. With edge-rusher Nick Bosa on the sidelines for most of the second half because of hip and oblique injuries, the 49ers' pass rush evaporated including on the game-clinching drive.

Head coach Kyle Shanahan was clearly frustrated after the game.

"We had every opportunity to run away with that and put it away," Shanahan told reporters. "[We] missed a couple opportunities to do that and ... let people hang around, that's what happens."

Linebacker Fred Warner was just flat-out ticked off.

"It's infuriating, honestly," Warner said. "It's not like us. But that's just what we've shown this year, so I guess until we stop doing that, then that's who we are."

There's still time for the 49ers to right the ship. They're only one game behind the Arizona Cardinals in the NFC West. But based on how they're playing now, it's hard to imagine them making a deep playoff run.

Analyst's Take

The 49ers aren't the same dominant team from last season when they routinely blew out opponents by double digits.

Their vital skill-position players have dealt with injuries, which has been a blow to the offensive firepower, but San Francisco must figure out how to close games. The 49ers have blown two double-digit second-half leads, and they couldn't keep a struggling Geno Smith out of the end zone last week.

San Francisco's defense needs to tighten up to help its injury-riddled offense. -- Moton

Last Week: 14

Week 11 Result: Bye Week

The Arizona Cardinals are perhaps the NFL's biggest surprise division leader this year. After peeling off four wins in a row, the Redbirds currently sit atop the NFC West.

Arizona quarterback Kyler Murray is playing as well as he has at any point in his NFL career. He credits increased familiarity with Drew Petzing's offense for his success this season.

"I told you this is the best I felt," Murray told reporters. "Obviously, the game being taken away from you and being in a system like this, the attention to detail, I say it all the time with (offensive coordinator) Drew (Petzing), the way he communicates it, there's no gray area.

"We're on the same page and Year 2 being in the system, I just feel good. The game slowed down. Obviously, it's my sixth year in the league, so I just continue try to take it one day at a time and continue to play well."

The Cardinals are going to be tested after the bye, though. They have two games in three weeks against a Seahawks team that just beat the defending NFC champions in Santa Clara, sandwiched around a trip to face the two-loss Vikings.

Analyst's Take

No one gave a lot of thought to the Cardinals as a legitimate playoff contender this year, but that has to change now. Murray is playing at an elite level. The Cardinals are playing surprisingly well in the trenches on both sides of the ball, too.

In a division where consistency has been hard to come by this season, the Cardinals are currently the most consistent team in the NFC West. -- Davenport

Last Week: 11

Week 11 Result: Won at Dallas 34-10

Week 11 brought with it the return of wide receiver Nico Collins to the Houston offense.

Ahead of Monday's game, Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud told reporters that he was delighted to have his No. 1 receiver back on the field:

"I am very excited to have my guy back. I am just happy for him to be back with the team, be a part of the locker room again. They are in solitude, when players are injured, they are on their own. So, I am glad he is just able to be around the guys again and be able to do the sport that he loves to play."

Collins wasn't the star of Monday night's blowout of an overmatched Cowboys team—Joe Mixon's 153 total yards and three touchdowns stole that show. But the 70-yard touchdown Collins scored on the first play of the game (that was nullified by penalty) demonstrated what he brings to the Houston offense.

And for one game at least, the Texans again looked like a legitimate contender in the AFC.

Analyst's Take

This game carries a fairly large caveat: The Cowboys aren't good, and once their offensive line got banged up, Dallas couldn't do anything offensively.

However, the Texans ended their losing streak in emphatic fashion, and with three straight games coming up against teams with losing records, Houston could be 10-4 when it rolls into Arrowhead for a potential playoff preview with the Chiefs in Week 15. – Davenport

Last Week: 10

Week 11 Result: Won vs. Cincinnati 34-27

During the first half Sunday night, the Chargers were blowing out the Cincinnati Bengals. The Bengals came roaring back to tie the game, though. Were it not for a pair of missed field goals, the Chargers may well have lost.

But those kicks sailed wide, running back J.K. Dobbins punched in the game-winning touchdown with less than a minute left, and the Chargers are quietly a 7-3 team in the thick of the AFC playoff hunt.

While speaking to reporters after the victory, quarterback Justin Herbert applauded his team for hanging in there after the lead evaporated.

"The defense did a great job getting stops and they got us the ball back when we needed it," Herbert said. "We knew we had to go make a play. It came down to the final drive. Ladd (McConkey) made a couple big catches and J.K. with that huge run. Props to the guys for sticking through it."

It was a big win, but there's no rest for the Chargers. After a Monday night game next week against the Baltimore Ravens, the Bolts hit the road to take on two division leaders, including their second meeting of the year with the Kansas City Chiefs.

Analyst's Take

These Chargers are different. These Chargers didn't find themselves Chargering late in the fourth quarter.

The Bengals almost pulled off the biggest second-half comeback in franchise history. But Herbert, McConkey, and Dobbins didn't let it happen thanks to a strong game-winning drive with less than a minute remaining.

Head coach Jim Harbaugh is changing the attitude in the Chargers locker room. This squad earned its 7-3 record. It'll be a difficult out for the rest of the season. -- Sobleski

Last Week: 7

Week 11 Result: Lost at Philadelphia 26-18

The Washington Commanders have been one of the NFL's biggest surprises this season. But after a 7-2 start, the Commanders have dropped consecutive games to division-leading teams. Now 1.5 games back of Philadelphia with a head-to-head loss, Washington's chances in the NFC East aren't looking great.

As Jeff Kerr of CBS Sports noted, the rib injury that Daniels has been playing through in recent weeks has clearly limited the electric rookie—and the Commanders offense.

"Washington has averaged only 253 yards in those two games on just 4.1 yards per play while converting 30.8 percent of their third downs. The biggest indicator of their struggles is the rushing yards quarterback Jayden Daniels has totaled over the last two games—only 23.

With Daniels limited running the football, that takes away the biggest strength of his game. In that two-game stretch, Daniels completed 59.1 percent of his passes for 393 yards with one touchdown to one interception and a 73.9 passer rating—and that one touchdown was in the final minute Thursday with the game already decided."

Analyst's Take

Yes, the Commanders have come back to earth these past few weeks. But that doesn't change the fact that no one expected Washington to be in in the playoff chase this season.

In a perfect world, Washington's bye would be now, offering Daniels a chance to get healthier. But the Commanders should at least benefit from a softened schedule. They don't play another team with a winning record until their rematch with the Eagles in D.C. in Week 16. -- Davenport

Last Week: 9

Week 11 Result: Won at Chicago 20-19

Style points don't matter in the NFL. That's good, because the Packers didn't tally any in Sunday's squeaker against the Chicago Bears.

Jordan Love attempted only 17 passes, and the Packers needed a blocked field goal at the end of the game to emerge victorious. But while addressing the media afterward, the young quarterback lauded his team for making just enough plays to get the win.

"We knew it was going to be a four-quarter game, four-quarter battle," Love said. "And I'm proud of the guys. Nobody batted an eye, nobody flinched. It wasn't by any means our perfect game or our best game."

Love singled out wide receiver Christian Watson, who amassed a season-high 150 yards and a score on only four catches.

"I think Christian made some big-time plays in the game, had a couple big-time catches and I'm proud of the way he balled out," Love said.

The win was Green Bay's fifth in six games. While catching the Lions in the NFC North may not be doable, the Packers are now in good position to earn a wild-card spot.

Analyst's Take

Packers fans probably feel like they're riding a roller-coaster while watching Love. He'll throw an interception or two, but his playmaking ability in clutch moments will also put you in awe.

Like many of Green Bay's games this season, Love put his best and worst on display against Chicago. He threw an interception in the red zone, but he also scored the go-ahead touchdown for the victory.

For now, the Packers must accept the good and the bad with him. -- Moton

Last Week: 8

Week 11 Result: Won at Tennessee 23-13

Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold has struggled with turnovers as of late. He threw five interceptions over his past two games entering Sunday's tilt in Tennessee. When he fumbled on Minnesota's third offensive play of the game, it looked like the Vikes could be in for another mistake-filled affair.

Instead, Darnold threw for 246 yards and two scores. While the Titans made things interesting, the Vikes rolled to their eighth win in 10 games.

After the victory, head coach Kevin O' Connell told reporters that his confidence in Darnold was never shaken.

"How he played in those moments was a huge indicator of a guy that had put the work in and was confident and just going out there and do his job ... and then also overcome some things around him to make some plays, which was critical for us," O'Connell said

It was a game where the Vikings needed Darnold's right arm. Playing against one of the NFL's stingier defenses, Aaron Jones and the ground game never got going. Minnesota rushed for only 82 yards and averaged just 2.5 yards per carry.

Analyst's Take

The Vikings feel like a team that could win 13 games and then fall flat in the Wild Card Round.

Darnold has been an above-average starter this season, but he continues to make a handful of questionable decisions every week. The secondary is turnover-dependent and a potential liability against the quarterbacks it can expect to face in the playoffs. -- Knox

Last Week: 4

Week 11 Result: Lost at Pittsburgh 18-16

The Ravens have spent much of the 2024 season moving the ball at will against opponents. They entered Week 11 with the NFL's top offense.

But the Steelers have long been a thorn in the Ravens side, and Sunday was no different.

Pittsburgh's defense held the Ravens over 100 yards below their season average. It limited them to just one touchdown. And the Steelers beat the ravens for the fourth time in five starts by Lamar Jackson against their most hated rivals.

Ravens running back Derrick Henry had only 65 yards on the ground. Kicker Justin Tucker missed two of three field-goal tries. The Ravens also turned the ball over three times.

Jackson, who completed less than half his passes against Pittsburgh, acknowledged frustration in the postgame press conference.

"We had a lot of slow starts, if anything … a lot of penalties, turnovers and stuff like that," Jackson said. "We can't have that in these types of games and this environment. It's a division game.

"... Our defense played great today. They held a great offense to 18 points, and we just scored 16 points. We've been putting up all these points this season. That's annoying."

With a pair of games before the bye against teams that are a combined 15-5 on the season, the Ravens are now in danger of falling well off the pace in the NFC North. Hitting the road as a wild card in the playoffs isn't what the Ravens had in mind a few weeks ago.

Analyst's Take

The standard for the Ravens organization is winning big games, which they've repeatedly failed to do, particularly in the postseason. But Baltimore also struggles tremendously against the Steelers. The Ravens are 7-1 against their rival during the last eight meetings.

The Ravens can't be considered one of the league's best teams when they're not even the best team in their own division. -- Sobleski

Last Week: 6

Week 11 Result: Won vs. Baltimore 18-16

Sunday's win over the rival Ravens would have made Chuck Noll proud.

It's not just that the Steelers now have firm control of the AFC North. Or that Pittsburgh beat the Ravens for the seventh time in eight meetings.

On a day where Russell Wilson and the Pittsburgh offense was held out of the end zone, the Steelers defense went old-school and put the clamps on the NFL's No. 1 offense. Quarterback Lamar Jackson completed less than half of his passes, and a Baltimore offense that had been putting up well over 400 yards per game was held to only 329 yards. The Ravens also turned the ball over three times.

Pittsburgh head coach Mike Tomlin talked up his defense in his postgame presser.

"I like the way our guys responded to the challenge, particularly our defense," Tomlin said. "A lot was written and said about that offense coming into this game, and rightfully so. They have a lot of talent. They have a lot of weapons. They have good schematics."

The Chiefs and Bills may be the AFC's two best teams. But the Steelers are in the conversation as well.

Analyst's Take

Psst, the Steelers defense is good again.

Despite featuring players like T.J. Watt, Cameron Heyward and Minkah Fitzpatrick, Pittsburgh hasn't fielded a top-10 defense since 2020. The unit finds itself in familiar territory as the league's eighth-best in total defense and second overall in scoring defense.

The group isn't just led by Watt, Heyward and Fitzpatrick, either. Linebacker Patrick Queen and cornerback Joey Porter Jr. are also playing outstanding football. -- Sobleski

Last Week: 5

Week 11 Result: Won vs. Washington 26-18

If there was any question that running back Saquon Barkley was one of the most impactful free-agent signings of 2024, that question was emphatically answered Thursday night.

Barkley effectively carried the Eagles to a win over the Washington Commanders that put Philly all alone in first place atop the NFC East. Barkley carried the ball 26 times for 146 yards and two touchdowns, and he added 52 receiving yards on a pair of catches.

Left tackle Jordan Mailata told reporters after the game that he's been blown away by what he's seen from Barkley this season.

"I knew the guy was a special player," Mailata. "The what-ifs, the possibilities of what he could do behind our offensive line, you don't really know what to expect until you see it, until he does something. But he's a special player, man."

Right tackle Lane Johnson expressed a similar sentiment.

"(Barkley) makes you look a lot better than maybe what you are," he said.

Analyst's Take

The Eagles were already loaded with offensive talent. They had a dynamic dual-threat quarterback in Jalen Hurts, one of the NFL's best one-two punches at wide receiver in DeVonta Smith and A.J. Brown, and a quality tight end in Dallas Godert. But the addition of Barkley has taken the offense to another level.

Their pass defense, which unraveled over the second half of last season, has also rebounded nicely. The Lions may be the NFC's best team, but the Eagles aren't far behind. -- Davenport

Last Week: 3

Week 11 Result: Won vs. Kansas City 30-21

It can be argued that the biggest Week 11 statement was made on a fourth down in the fourth quarter in Buffalo.

Up two points and facing 4th-and-2 inside field-goal range, the Buffalo Bills eschewed a kick. Instead, quarterback Josh Allen took off. Twenty-six yards and seven points later, the Bills handed the Chiefs their first loss and made their own statement as the team to beat in the AFC.

While talking to reporters after the victory, Allen said that he appreciated head coach Sean McDermott going with the aggressive route on the play.

"I appreciated Coach for trusting us," said Allen. "Any time you give the ball back to Pat (Mahomes), that offense, down six with the game on the line, I like their odds in that situation," Allen added. "So, wanting six or seven (points) to try to make it a two-score game."

After watching Allen roll through the Chiefs defense, wide receiver Khalil Shakir said that he's just glad Allen is on his team.

"When Josh takes off, I find myself just watching, like, 'Wow, he's different,'" Shakir said. "When he took off today, I just started yelling. I couldn't stop yelling. I was blanking in the head."

Analyst's Take

After a two-score win over the reigning champions, Buffalo is the team to beat in the AFC. Without starting tight end Dalton Kincaid and upstart rookie wideout Keon Coleman, the Bills knocked off the Chiefs, who came into Week 11 undefeated.

Though the Chiefs have had the Bills' number in January, Buffalo should feel confident about another meeting with Kansas City in the playoffs. -- Moton

Last Week: 1

Week 11 Result: Lost at Buffalo 30-21

The Kansas City Chiefs had been playing with fire for some time. The one-score wins. The fourth-quarter comebacks. The early interceptions by Patrick Mahomes.

On Sunday in Buffalo, the team was finally burned. However, Mahomes told reporters that the Chiefs plan to use this as fuel moving forward.

"The undefeated thing was cool. But that's not our ultimate goal. So, we'll keep building toward that," Mahomes said. "That's a good football team. Nothing to hang your head on losing to them. We feel like we can play better. So, we'll get back to work and try to use this as a spark so we can be a better football team in the end."

It was the same refrain from head coach Andy Reid.

"It's a great game to learn from for some of our young guys. Two good teams play each other, the margin between winning and losing is small," Reid said. "We can all learn from it and take something out of it to make us better down the road there. And we'll do that."

This is the Chiefs we're talking about, so a rebound next week in Carolina is probably a safe bet.

Analyst's Take

Kansas City's run at perfection faded as Bills quarterback Josh Allen rumbled into the end zone for a touchdown in the fourth quarter on Sunday. But the pressure of a perfect season no longer on their shoulders, the Chiefs might be more at ease for the remainder of the campaign as they eye a playoff run.

Perhaps the Chiefs will now be able to rest key players or limit workloads before going through the postseason gauntlet for a shot at a three-peat. -- Moton

Last Week: 2

Week 11 Result: Won vs. Jacksonville 52-6

If the NFL had a mercy rule, it would have been implemented Sunday in Detroit.

To say the Lions made their case as the NFL's best team is an understatement. Detroit scored touchdowns on seven consecutive drives. Quarterback Jared Goff had a perfect passer rating of 158.3. Wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown caught 11 passes, topped 150 receiving yards and scored twice.

All told, the Lions piled up a staggering 645 yards of offense while allowing only 170. Detroit had 38 first downs in the game. Jacksonville had 10.

The Lions didn't emerge from Sunday's blowout win unscathed, however. Linebacker Alex Anzalone broke his forearm and is expected to miss 6-8 weeks.

It's another prominent injury for a defense that already lost edge-rusher Aidan Hutchinson, but cornerback Amik Robertson told reporters there won't be any panic in the Motor City.

"In this scheme, all you have to do is be yourself within the scheme and do your job," Robertson said. "And we'll be fine. And always like Dan Campbell said, play with effort. If everybody's always around the ball, doing their job the defense is going—we're going to be able to get turnovers, and we know if we get the ball back to the offense, we know what's going to happen."

Analyst's Take

There wasn't much to learn about the Lions during their 52-6 laugher against the Jaguars. We already knew that Detroit was capable of making bad teams look really, really bad.

I still have some concerns about Detroit's defense, though it has shown some growth in the secondary and got a good one in pass-rusher Za'Darius Smith. With the offense rolling the way it is, any defensive questions might be irrelevant. -- Knox