Through 11 weeks of the 2021 NFL season, I can say with confidence that this season has the most parity that I have ever witnessed in an NFL season. Every week, we as viewers are presented with more questions rather than answers about teams, especially those at the top of each conference. As we approach the Thanksgiving games, there is still so much football left to be played, so let’s examine the state of the league as we get closer to the endgame.
New England Patriots (7-4) @ Atlanta Falcons (4-6) (TNF)
Final: Patriots-25 Falcons-0
Player of the Game: New England Patriots Defense
Don’t look now, but after Week 11 of the 2021 NFL season, the New England Patriots are the current leader in the AFC East. Despite so many counting out Belichick and his patriots, the “evil empire” of the NFL is slowly starting to demand respect from others around the league. They are playing Belichick-style football, having a good running game and playing stout defense. The Patriots defense picked off a variety of Falcons QB’s, including Matt Ryan, Josh Rosen, and Feleipe Franks a total of 4 times. The New England Patriots will look to keep stacking wins next week when they host the Tennessee Titans.
The Atlanta Falcons wildcard push was temporarily halted on Thursday night when they ran into the juggernaut New England defense. The Falcons offense had no answer for what the Patriots were throwing at them, especially when their star TE Kyle Pitts was shut down for most of the night. The rotation of the Falcons’ QBs all threw an interception, which certainly did not help their chances of winning either. The Atlanta Falcons will look to get back in the win column next week when they travel to Jacksonville to take on the Jaguars.
Game Highlights (All footage courtesy of the NFL): Patriots vs. Falcons Week 11 Highlights | NFL 2021
Baltimore Ravens (7-3) @ Chicago Bears (3-7)
Final: Ravens-16 Bears-13
Player of the Game: Tyler Huntley
The Baltimore Ravens picked up a win against the Chicago Bears on Sunday, even with the adversity they faced late in the week. QB Lamar Jackson was ruled out with an illness only hours before 1:00pm, leaving backup Tyler Huntley with the role of QB1. Huntley earns player of the game honors for stepping in as the starter last minute, but still making enough plays to win his team the game, including a clutch throw to Sammy Watkins in crunch time. The Baltimore Ravens will look to maintain their division lead next week when they host the Cleveland Browns on Monday Night Football.
The Chicago Bears’ struggles this season continued on Sunday against the Baltimore Ravens. Justin Fields was struggling before he was injured, throwing 4/11 and only 79 yards, and Andy Dalton actually provided a mini spark of hope for the Bears when he entered the game, throwing for 203 yards and 2 TD, but ultimately didn’t do enough to get his team a win. The Chicago Bears will look to bounce back next week when they travel to Detroit to take on the Lions on Thanksgiving Day.
Game Highlights: Ravens vs. Bears Week 11 Highlights | NFL 2021
Green Bay Packers (8-3) @ Minnesota Vikings (5-5)
Final: Vikings-34 Packers-31
Player of the Game: Justin Jefferson (Honorable Mention: Kirk Cousins)
The Minnesota Vikings FINALLY won the nail biting game that they have lost so many times in recent memory. Kirk Cousins and Justin Jefferson were exceptional, Cousins throwing for 341 yards, 3 TD, and 0 INT, and Jefferson racking up 169 yards and 2 TD on 8 receptions. Dalvin Cook had a nice game on the ground as well, running for 86 yards and 1 TD. In a back and forth game, the Vikings executed a perfect final drive, keeping the ball out of Aaron Rodgers’ hands and letting Greg Joseph bury a game winning field goal. The Minnesota Vikings will look to carry this momentum into next week when they travel to San Francisco to take on the 49ers.
The Green Bay Packers ended up on the wrong side of this 1:00 thriller on Sunday afternoon. Aaron Rodgers and Davante Adams were both exceptional as well, along with WR Marquez Valdes-Scantling, who had the game tying TD reception in the clutch. Rodgers never had a chance to win the game in the final minutes, with the Vikings maintaining possession until the clock hit 0:00. The Green Bay Packers will look to bounce back next week when they host the Los Angeles Rams.
Game Highlights: Packers vs. Vikings Week 11 Highlights | NFL 2021
Indianapolis Colts (6-5) @ Buffalo Bills (6-4)
Final: Colts-41 Bills-15
Player of the Game: Jonathan Taylor
The Indianapolis Colts put out a statement performance on Sunday against the Buffalo Bills. Jonathan Taylor did whatever he wanted to against the Buffalo defense, the Bills not having any answer to Indy’s rushing attack. Taylor totaled 204 yards and 5 TD on 35 touches. Despite totaling 41 points, QB Carson Wentz only threw for 106 yards and 1 TD, which illustrates just how dominant the Colts’ ground game was. Indianapolis’ defense played well also, intercepting Josh Allen 2 times, and limiting him to only 209 yards passing. The Indianapolis Colts, have now won 5 straight games and will look to carry their momentum next week when they host the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
The Buffalo Bills put out a flop of a performance on Sunday afternoon, adding to their hot and cold streak of games as of late. The Bills defense put the team in a deficit early, going down 14-0, and the offense struggled to get any consistency throughout the game, a trend that the Bills would like to snap out of, urgently. With a weakness on both the offensive and defensive lines, the Bills have some adjustments to make if they want the tides to turn in their favor. The Buffalo Bills will look to have a quick turnaround when they travel to New Orleans to take on the Saints, on Thanksgiving night.
Game Highlights: Colts vs. Bills Week 11 Highlights | NFL 2021
Detroit Lions (0-9-1) @ Cleveland Browns (6-5)
Final: Browns-13 Lions-10
Player of the Game: Nick Chubb
The Cleveland Browns managed to escape Sunday afternoon with a win against the Detroit Lions. Nick Chubb carried the load for the offense, totaling 144 yards on 24 touches, as well as a receiving TD. The Cleveland defense held the Lions to only 10 points, and intercepted Jared Goff once, putting their team in a position to win the game. The Browns will look to get another win next week when they travel to Baltimore to take on the Ravens for an important Monday Night divisional game.
The Detroit Lions remain the NFL’s only winless team after their game on Sunday against the Cleveland Browns. D’Andre Swift continued to be a bright spot for the Lions, totaling 136 yards and 1 TD on 17 touches. Without their starting QB Jared Goff, the Lions had backup Tim Boyle assume the role of QB1, and he struggled throwing for only 77 yards and 2 INT. The Lions will look to grab their first win of the season next week, when they host the Chicago Bears on Thanksgiving.
Game Highlights: Lions vs. Browns Week 11 Highlights | NFL 2021
Washington Football Team (4-6) @ Carolina Panthers (5-6)
Final: WFT-27 Panthers-21
Player of the Game: Taylor Heinicke (Honorable Mention: Terry McLaurin)
The Washington Football Team picked up an impressive win against a Carolina Panthers team that carried a lot of hype around themselves with the recent signing of Cam Newton. Head coach Ron Rivera picked up the win against his former QB, with the help of his QB and Wr duo of Taylor Heinicke and Terry McLaurin. Without their star DE Chase Young, the Washington defense managed to do enough to keep their team in a position to win. The Washington Football Team will look to get another win next week when they host the Seattle Seahawks on Monday Night Football.
The Carolina Panthers lost their game on Sunday in a disappointing fashion. Carolina’s offensive weapons all showed up, with Cam Newton totaling 3 TD, RB Christian McCaffrey totaling 119 yards and 1 TD, and WR D.J. Moore hauling in 50 yards and 1 TD on 5 receptions. The Panthers ultimately just didn’t do enough to secure the win, but will look to do so next week, when they travel to Miami to take on the Dolphins.
Game Highlights: Washington Football Team vs. Panthers Week 11 Highlights | NFL 2021
Houston Texans (2-8) @ Tennessee Titans (8-3)
Final: Texans-22 Titans-13
Player of the Game: Houston Texans Defense (Honorable Mention: Tyrod Taylor)
The Houston Texans pulled off the upset of the week, with an impressive performance against their division rival Tennessee Titans. Tyrod Taylor rushed for 2 TD while totaling 135 yards. The Houston Texans had an answer for almost everything Tennessee was trying to do, forcing Ryan Tannehill to throw for 4 INT. The Texans will look to grab their 3rd win of the season next week, when they host the New York Jets.
The Tennessee Titans fell short of a win that they needed to strengthen their hold of the #1 seed in the AFC. Ryan Tannehill kept Houston in the game with his 4 INT, and they took advantage of his mistakes. The Tennessee Titans, like many other top teams this year, have faced some upsets that prevent them from getting a comfortable spot at the top of the AFC. The Titans will look to bounce back next week when they travel to New England to take on the Patriots.
Game Highlights: Texans vs. Titans Week 11 Highlights | NFL 2021
San Francisco 49ers (5-5) @ Jacksonville Jaguars (2-8)
Final: 49ers-30 Jaguars-10
Player of the Game: San Francisco 49ers Offense
As the player of the game shows, there wasn’t a breakout player for the 49ers, rather, an all around team effort that was efficient against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday. Offensive Weapons Deebo Samuel, Brandon Aiyuk, and George Kittle contributed for QB Jimmy Garoppolo. The 49ers defense held the Jaguars to only 10 points, due in large part to slowing down the Jaguars’ best offensive player, RB James Robinson. The San Francisco 49ers will look to carry their momentum into next week, when they host the Minnesota Vikings.
The Jacksonville Jaguars continue to go through the growing pains of a rebuilding team, while trying to create a sense of progress every week. QB Trevor Lawrence was held to only 158 yards throwing with no TD and every offensive weapon being limited, despite James Robinson’s late TD run. The Jaguars will look forward to next week, when they host the Atlanta Falcons.
Game Highlights: 49ers vs. Jaguars Week 11 Highlights | NFL 2021
Miami Dolphins (4-7) @ New York Jets (2-8)
Final: Dolphins-24 Jets-17
Player of the Game: Myles Gaskin (Honorable Mention: Tua Tagovailoa)
The Miami Dolphins were able to pull off a win against their division rival on Sunday. The Dolphins were led by the offensive weapon RB Myles Gaskin who totaled 96 yards and 1 TD. Tua Tagovailoa threw for 273 yards and 2 TD and 1 INT as well. The Miami Dolphins will host the Carolina Panthers next week.
The New York Jets continue to push their way through the 2021 NFL season as they work on their rebuild, which has been difficult to work on with rookie QB Zach Wilson out with injury. Joe Flacco manned the Jets offense, and actually had a decent game, throwing for 291 yards and 2 TD, and the rookie WR from Ole Miss, Elijah Moore continues to emerge as the Jets’ #1 WR moving forward, as he totaled 156 yards and 1 TD. The Jets will look to next week now, where they will travel to Houston to take on the Texans.
Game Highlights: Dolphins vs. Jets Week 11 Highlights | NFL 2021
New Orleans Saints (5-5) @ Philadelphia Eagles (5-6)
Final: Eagles-40 Saints-29
Player of the Game: Jalen Hurts
The Philadelphia Eagles continue to stack some wins in hopes of making a push for a wildcard spot in the NFC. Jalen Hurts was the driving force for the Philadelphia offense the entire game, throwing for only 147 yards, but rushing for 69 yards and 3 TD. RB Miles Sanders returned to the lineup for Philadelphia, racking up 94 yards on 16 carries. The Eagles will look to get another win next week, when they travel to Metlife Stadium to take on the New York Giants.
The New Orleans Saints now find themselves with a .500 record, through 10 games of the season. Trevor Siemian was hot and cold for the game, totaling 230 yards and 4 TD, but 2 INT as well. With star RB Alvin Kamara out, and young TE Adam Trautman now injured for multiple weeks, and the Saints having a short week, they could find themselves without some of their key offensive players again on Thanksgiving night, when they host an angry Buffalo Bills team that will be determined to reestablish themselves among the AFC’s finest.
Game Highlights: Saints vs. Eagles Week 11 Highlights | NFL 2021
Cincinnati Bengals (6-4) @ Las Vegas Raiders (5-5)
Final: Bengals-32 Raiders-13
Player of the Game: Joe Mixon
The Cincinnati Bengals found themselves back in the win column after their win against the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday. Joe Mixon ran all over the Raiders, rushing for 123 yards and 2 TD on 30 carries. Joe Burrow was alright, throwing for only 148 yards and 1 TD, but 0 INT. Eli Apple snagged an INT off of Derek Carr as well, which helped seal the deal. The Cincinnati Bengals will look to get another win next week when they host the Pittsburgh Steelers in an important AFC North matchup.
After starting the year 5-2, The Las Vegas Raiders have experienced a fall from glory, now having lost their last 3 games. Derek Carr had a mediocre performance, throwing for 215 yards, 1 TD, and 1 INT. Darren Waller had himself a nice day, racking up 116 yards on 7 receptions. The Las Vegas Raiders will look to snap out of this losing streak next week, when they travel to the Lone Star state to take on the Dallas Cowboys for a Thanksgiving matchup.
Game Highlights: Bengals vs. Raiders Week 11 Highlights | NFL 2021
Dallas Cowboys (7-3) @ Kansas City Chiefs (7-4)
Final: Chiefs-19 Cowboys-9
Player of the Game: Kansas City Chiefs Defense (Honorable Mention: Tyreek Hill)
The Kansas City Chiefs, after a rough start to the season, have been stacking up wins over the past few weeks, even if some of them have been ugly. Patrick Mahomes had an uneventful outing, throwing for 260 yards, but 0 TD and 1 INT. Tyreek Hill racked up 77 yards and 1 TD on 9 receptions, and rushed for 33 yards as well. The Kansas City Chiefs will look to continue their series of wins after their BYE, next week.
The Dallas Cowboys have struggled recently, and with the Philadelphia Eagles stringing together a series of wins, they would like to get back on track soon. Dak Prescott was picked off twice, while accounting for no TD, and Ezekiel Elliot was limited on the ground and in the passing game. The Dallas Cowboys will look to get back in the win column when they host the Las Vegas Raiders on Thanksgiving afternoon.
Game Highlights: Cowboys vs. Chiefs Week 11 Highlights | NFL 2021
Arizona Cardinals (9-2) @ Seattle Seahawks (3-7)
Final: Cardinals-23 Seahawks-13
Player of the Game: Colt McCoy (Honorable Mention: Zach Ertz)
Despite the absence of stars Kyler Murray and DeAndre Hopkins, over the past few weeks, the Arizona Cardinals find themselves with the best record in the NFL at the moment. Colt McCoy had an efficient game, with Zach Ertz having a flashback performance, totaling 2 TD on the day. James Conner tallied yet another rushing TD, adding to his streak of games with one. The Arizona Cardinals will look to maintain their league best record when they come off of their BYE in two weeks.
The Seattle Seahawks have found themselves in a position that they certainly would have liked to avoid prior to the season. With the drama and rumors of Pete Carroll potentially wanting to go back to USC, and Russell Wilson potentially wanting out by season’s end, the future of the Seattle Seahawks is in jeopardy. Wilson has struggled since returning from injury, and their offense is even more impaired now with Chris Carson on IR, officially out for the year. The Seattle Seahawks will look to salvage their season next week when they travel to Washington to take on the Washington Football Team on Monday Night Football.
Game Highlights: Cardinals vs. Seahawks Week 11 Highlights | NFL 2021
Pittsburgh Steelers (5-4-1) @ Los Angeles Chargers (6-4) (SNF)
Final: Chargers-41 Steelers-37
Player of the Game: Justin Herbert (Honorable Mention: Austin Ekeler)
The Los Angeles Chargers picked up a win against a good Steelers team in a primetime thriller of a game. Herbert totaled 472 yards and 3 TD while throwing for 1 INT. The offensive weapons Austin Ekeler, Keenan Allen, and Mike Williams all had stellar performances as well, putting their team in a position to eventually win the game. The L.A. Chargers will look to carry this momentum into next week, when they travel to Denver to take on the Broncos.
The Pittsburgh Steelers lost in a heartbreaker matchup on Sunday night, in a game that just slipped out of their fingers. Big Ben threw for 273 yards and 3 TD, but it wasn’t enough to ger his team a win. With important defensive pieces such as T.J. Watt and Joe Haden out on Sunday night, the Steelers defense struggled to stop the Chargers high powered offense, which was ultimately the deciding factor in the game. The Pittsburgh Steelers will look to bounce back next week when they travel to Cincinnati to take on the Bengals.
Game Highlights: Steelers vs. Chargers Week 11 Highlights | NFL 2021
New York Giants (3-7) @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-3)
Final: Buccaneers-30 Giants-10
Player of the Game: Tampa Bay Buccaneers Offense
As the player of the game honor shows, the Tampa Bay victory tonight was due in large part to their offense, which was a dynamic and complementary effort from the group. Tom Brady threw for 307 yards, 2 TD, and 1 INT, with WR’s Chris Godwin and Mike Evans racking up 65 yards, and 1 TD on 6 receptions, and 73 yards and 1 TD on 6 receptions, respectively. The Bucs defense forced 3 turnovers on the Giants which helped them secure the victory. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers will look to get another win next week, when they travel to Indianapolis to take on the Colts.
The New York Giants’ seasons of struggles continued on Monday Night. QB Daniel Jones was constantly pressured, and given little time to make the plays he had to, even if the opportunities were limited. Jones threw 2 INT, and star RB Saquon Barkely only rushed for 25 yards, while hauling in 31 through the air. Many Giants fans have grown tired of the current regime and their plans for the franchise, a story which will be one to monitor moving forward. The New York Giants, now a team desperate for a quality win, will look to get one next week when they host their division rival, the Philadelphia Eagles.
Game Highlights: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VlC1Xb_elt4