Shake-up at the top of AFC? Season over for Jets and Cowboys? Struggles for kickers? NFL Week 11 takeaways

Week 11 in the NFL was full of dramatic shifts, significant losses, and individual milestones. With the reigning Super Bowl champions suffering their first defeat and former contenders facing disappointing seasons, this week left fans and analysts with plenty to talk about.

Shake-Up at the Top of the AFC

The Kansas City Chiefs’ long-standing dominance in the AFC took a significant hit this week when they lost to the Buffalo Bills, 30-21, ending their nine-game win streak. The Chiefs, still holding the No. 1 seed in the AFC, are now only a game ahead of the Bills, who now hold the tiebreaker following the win. This shift could be a sign that the Bills are emerging as the AFC’s most complete team, capable of contending for the top spot in the conference.

Buffalo’s quarterback, Josh Allen, delivered an MVP-caliber performance, completing the game with multiple big plays, including a game-sealing touchdown where he broke tackles and powered into the end zone. The Bills’ offense, with Allen at the helm, boasts a versatile attack with dynamic wide receivers, tight ends, and a reliable backfield. Allen’s dual-threat ability also adds another layer to the offense when the pocket breaks down.

However, it wasn’t just the offense that excelled. Buffalo’s defense, guided by head coach Sean McDermott, stepped up in a big way by intercepting Patrick Mahomes twice and holding the Chiefs to just 259 total yards. While the win over the Chiefs is significant, McDermott emphasized that it’s only one game. “This is not the finish line, this is the next game,” he said, signaling that there’s still much to play for as Buffalo heads into its bye week.

With the Chiefs still clinging to a narrow lead, the AFC race is wide open, with several teams, including the Bills, Pittsburgh Steelers, Houston Texans, Los Angeles Chargers, and Baltimore Ravens, all within striking distance.

Season Over for Jets and Cowboys?

The New York Jets and Dallas Cowboys had high expectations coming into the 2024 season, but both teams are now mired in disappointing seasons that could end their playoff hopes early.

The Jets, who were hoping to contend for a Super Bowl after acquiring Aaron Rodgers, have instead struggled with a 3-8 record. The injury to Rodgers last season set the tone for a tough year, and despite adding Davante Adams, the offense remains stagnant. This week, the Jets lost to the Indianapolis Colts 28-27, sealing their eighth loss of the season. With questions looming about their future at quarterback, the Jets could be headed for another rebuilding year in 2025.

The Cowboys have also fallen short of expectations, suffering a 34-10 loss to the Houston Texans. This marked their fifth straight loss, and they now sit at 3-8, with little hope for a postseason berth. Injuries to key players like quarterback Dak Prescott and linebacker Micah Parsons have derailed their season. Coach Mike McCarthy remains determined to push forward, but with the team struggling both on offense and defense, it seems increasingly likely that changes will be made in the offseason.

Struggles for Kickers

Kickers have struggled more than usual in 2024, with several notable misses that have impacted games. Justin Tucker, the most accurate kicker in NFL history, has had an unusually rough season. In Week 11, he missed two crucial field goals in the Ravens’ 18-16 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers, continuing a season that has seen him miss six field goals and one extra point. While Tucker remains confident, with a career-low 71.4% field goal percentage, his struggles have been a significant talking point this season.

Tucker is not alone in his struggles. Atlanta Falcons kicker Younghoe Koo, once a Pro Bowler, has missed seven kicks, while Greg Zuerlein, one of the league’s top kickers last season, has missed six. The struggles of kickers across the league have been more apparent than in recent years, as several games have been decided by last-minute field goals or missed attempts.

Despite the difficulties, some kickers, like Pittsburgh’s Chris Boswell, have excelled, with Boswell making all six of his field goal attempts in the Steelers’ win over the Ravens. Overall, though, missed kicks have become a recurring theme, raising questions about whether this is just a temporary issue or a sign of a larger trend.

Week 11 Scores:

• Washington Commanders 18-26 Philadelphia Eagles
• 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
• Houston Texans 34-10 Dallas Cowboys

Conclusion

NFL Week 11 delivered plenty of storylines, from a potential shake-up at the top of the AFC to disappointing seasons for the Jets and Cowboys. While some teams struggle, others are finding their rhythm, and the path to the postseason is still wide open with seven weeks remaining in the regular season. The struggles of kickers across the league are another subplot to watch as the season progresses. As we approach the final stretch, it’s clear that no team is safe from surprises.