Steelers edge Ravens in classic, Lions continue best start in 90 years, Chargers hold on late: NFL Week 11 Sunday review

Week 11 of the 2024 NFL season delivered thrilling finishes, surprise upsets, and a few statement victories that further shaped the playoff race. Notably, the AFC saw the Buffalo Bills hand the previously undefeated Kansas City Chiefs their first loss of the season. Here’s a rundown of the major storylines from Sunday’s action:

Steelers Defeat Ravens in AFC North Classic

In a game with significant playoff implications, the Pittsburgh Steelers edged the Baltimore Ravens 18-16 in a hard-fought AFC North clash at Acrisure Stadium. Both teams entered the contest with seven wins, making the stakes high as they vied for the top spot in the division.

The Ravens entered with the league’s top-scoring offense, but Pittsburgh’s defense — the NFL’s second-best — proved to be the difference. Despite a sputtering offense that was unable to convert touchdowns, the Steelers capitalized on six Chris Boswell field goals for their 18 points. Pittsburgh’s defense held Lamar Jackson and the Ravens to just two touchdowns and a season-low 329 total yards, forcing three turnovers in the process.

One of the key performances came from Pittsburgh linebacker Patrick Queen, who spent his previous years with the Ravens before being traded to the Steelers. Queen led the defense in tackles, forced and recovered a fumble, and made a crucial impact that helped set up a Boswell field goal to give Pittsburgh a 9-7 halftime lead.

While Pittsburgh’s victory was sweet, it marked a frustrating outing for Baltimore. Jackson struggled against the Steelers’ defense, NFL rushing leader Derrick Henry fumbled on the first possession, and the normally reliable kicker Justin Tucker missed two field goals. Head coach John Harbaugh pointed to penalties (12 total) and turnovers as significant factors in the loss, with Jackson adding that the team struggled to start drives effectively.

The win moved Pittsburgh into sole possession of first place in the AFC North, while the Ravens dropped to 7-4.

Lions Dominate Jaguars, Continue Best Start in 90 Years

The Detroit Lions put on an absolute clinic in their 52-6 blowout win over the Jacksonville Jaguars, improving to 9-1 for the first time since 1934. Detroit’s offense was firing on all cylinders, totaling a franchise-record 645 yards, including 412 passing yards from quarterback Jared Goff. Goff threw four touchdowns, bouncing back in impressive fashion after a five-interception performance in Week 10.

Wide receivers Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams were instrumental in the win. St. Brown hauled in 11 receptions for 161 yards and two touchdowns, while Williams added 124 yards and a touchdown. The Lions’ running game was also dominant, with Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery combining for 196 rushing yards. Montgomery ran for two touchdowns, while Gibbs added another, extending Detroit’s NFL-record streak of consecutive games with a rushing touchdown to 24.

The performance was so dominant that Goff was pulled midway through the fourth quarter to prevent injury. The win not only solidified the Lions’ place as one of the NFL’s best teams but also saw them join elite company. Detroit became just the third team in the Super Bowl era to record three victories of 35+ points in their first 10 games, alongside the 1969 Minnesota Vikings and the 1973 Atlanta Falcons.

Head coach Dan Campbell was full of praise for his team’s balanced attack, saying that the Lions have the potential to be one of the best in NFL history. The Lions’ 9-1 record is their best start in 90 years, and they look poised for a deep playoff run.

Chargers Hold On to Beat Bengals in Thriller

The Los Angeles Chargers survived a late-game surge by the Cincinnati Bengals, holding on for a 34-27 win after squandering a 21-point third-quarter lead. The Bengals, down 27-6, mounted a dramatic comeback as quarterback Joe Burrow connected with Ja’Marr Chase for two touchdowns and Tee Higgins for another to tie the game 27-27 early in the fourth quarter.

However, Cincinnati couldn’t capitalize on the momentum, as kicker Chase McLaughlin missed two crucial field goal attempts from 48 and 51 yards. The Chargers took advantage of these missed opportunities, with quarterback Justin Herbert leading a four-play, 84-yard drive that culminated in a 29-yard touchdown run by JK Dobbins, securing the win with just 18 seconds left.

Herbert finished the game with 297 passing yards, two touchdowns, and 65 rushing yards. Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh praised his team’s resilience, saying they didn’t “flinch” despite the Bengals’ rally. For Cincinnati, the loss dropped them to 4-7 and made their path to the playoffs much more difficult, especially after Burrow’s Hail Mary attempt to Higgins was intercepted by Chargers safety Derwin James Jr.

Full Week 11 Sunday Scores:

• Green Bay Packers 20-19 Chicago Bears
• Jacksonville Jaguars 6-52 Detroit Lions
• Las Vegas Raiders 19-34 Miami Dolphins
• Los Angeles Rams 28-22 New England Patriots
• Cleveland Browns 14-35 New Orleans Saints
• Baltimore Ravens 16-18 Pittsburgh Steelers
• Minnesota Vikings 23-13 Tennessee Titans
• Indianapolis Colts 28-27 New York Jets
• Atlanta Falcons 6-38 Denver Broncos
• Seattle Seahawks 20-17 San Francisco 49ers
• Kansas City Chiefs 21-30 Buffalo Bills
• Cincinnati Bengals 27-34 Los Angeles Chargers

As Week 11 concluded, the playoff picture in both conferences started to take shape, with several teams making significant strides toward their postseason goals. The Lions continued their historic run, the Steelers solidified their lead in the AFC North, and the Chargers held on for a crucial win, keeping their playoff hopes alive.