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Mid-November in the NFL means two things: the byes are coming to an end, and playoff implications are starting to ramp up.
The day got off to a slow start, but things quickly picked up. The Saints were trailing by 15 points late in the fourth quarter against Washington. But they fought their way back to win it 34-31 in overtime.
The Bears were poised to take their game against the Lions to overtime. Mitchell Trubisky led the Bears on a touchdown drive to tie things up, and the Lions answered with a field goal. Trubisky got the Bears in field goal range, but Connor Barth’s kick went wide right, and the Bears lost 27-24.
The Ravens’ defense pulled off their second shutout of the season, handing the Packers a 23-0 loss in Lambeau Field. It happened exactly 11 years to the day after Green Bay’s last shutout loss at home.
The Giants took the Chiefs to overtime and pulled off the 12-9 win. And the Browns somehow made it through an entire game without a single penalty for the first time since 1962, but they still lost to the Jaguars 19-7.
In the late afternoon, we got two scores we have never seen before in the NFL: the Patriots’ 33-8 win over the Raiders, and the Chargers’ 54-24 victory against the Bills.
It was a strange day for coaching challenges, too. Here are the good, the bad, and missed opportunities.
An NFC East rivalry matchup between the Eagles and Cowboys capped off the night. Dallas held a slight lead at halftime, and then Philly lit it up in the second half for a 37-9 win.
Catch up with all the big news and best highlights from Sunday in Week 11:
News
Before the Raiders-Patriots game, the NFL announced it will play games in Mexico through the 2021 season.
Marshawn Lynch sits during the U.S. anthem, stands for Mexico anthem prior to the Raiders' game vs. Patriots.
LeBron James believes that Colin Kaepernick is being blackballed by the NFL.
Jerry Jones is threatening the Cowboys offensive line to play better or else.
The Bills have no choice but to go back to Tyrod Taylor (who should've never been benched in the first place).
Highlights
The Giants decided RB Shane Vereen should throw a pass in the red zone. He threw an interception.
Look at Giants 350-pound DT Damon Harrison gloriously rumbling after his first career interception.
Mike Zimmer's world came crashing down when he realized just how bad his challenge was.
Case Keenum pulled off a beautiful throw even after being hit in the head, twice.
The Texans celebrated Lamar Miller TD by running a 4x100m relay race in the end zone against Cardinals.
Packers players keep turning invisible thanks to CBS' down and distance marker.
Blake Bortles just threw a pass behind his own head.
Mike Wallace somehow caught this TD pass, then did the Lambeau Leap in Green Bay.
The only thing less amused than this Packers fan is the dead fox on his head.
This acrobatic play by Jags WR Dede Westbrook was somehow ruled no catch by the officials.
Terrell Suggs ended the Packers’ comeback hopes with a clutch sack, then danced it out.
It looked like Packers lineman Mike Daniels peed himself, but he denied it
Nathan Peterman threw five interceptions in his first start. No surprise that the Bills turned back to Tyrod Taylor in the second half.
Dre Kirkpatrick would have had a 100-yard pick-six if a ghost hadn’t caused him to fumble.
Stephen Gostkowski’s 62-yard field goal in Mexico City would have been good from 70.
Tony Romo knew the Raiders were going to blow it on this play against the Patriots.
Raiders WR Johnny Horton wasn’t ejected for slapping Patriots cornerback Jonathan Jones in the helmet. Here’s why.
Brock Osweiler’s “God damn it, no!” is the funniest pre-snap adjustment.
Eagles emergency kicker Kamu Grugier-Hill was pretty good at kickoffs ... for a linebacker.
Injuries
Marshon Lattimore, the Saints’ star rookie CB, injured his ankle against Washington.
Jay Cutler left to be evaluated for concussion vs. Buccaneers and did not return. Matt Moore came in to replace him.
Washington’s leading rusher, Chris Thompson, was carted off with a leg injury against the Saints. His season is over.
Texans RB D’Onta Foreman injured his Achilles on a touchdown run against the Cardinals. He could miss the rest of the season.
Eagles kicker Jake Elliott left the game against the Cowboys and was ruled out with a concussion.
Week 11 scores and schedule (all times Eastern)
Detroit Lions 27, Chicago Bears 24
Jacksonville Jaguars 19, Cleveland Browns 7
Baltimore Ravens 23, Green Bay Packers 0
Houston Texans 31, Arizona Cardinals 21
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 30, Miami Dolphins 20
Minnesota Vikings 24, Los Angeles Rams 7
New Orleans Saints 34, Washington 31 (OT)
New York Giants 12, Kansas City Chiefs 9 (OT)
Los Angeles Chargers 54, Buffalo Bills 24
Cincinnati Bengals 20, Denver Broncos 17
New England Patriots 33, Oakland Raiders 8 (Mexico City)
Philadelphia Eagles 37, Dallas Cowboys 9
Before the games
With Thanksgiving just a week away, the NFL season reaches its final stretch run. The playoff races are well underway and nearly every game from here on out is critical as teams try to punch their ticket.
The biggest game of Week 11 happens in the early time slot when the 7-2 Vikings face the 7-2 Rams. Not many people would’ve predicted in August that this would be an important matchup, but it’s been that kind of season so far. Case Keenum is getting another start, but it might only be a matter of time before we see Teddy Bridgewater back on the field. Meanwhile, the Rams are riding an explosive offense and strong defense to one of the league’s best records.
Bucs vs. Dolphins was originally scheduled for Week 1, but Hurricane Irma forced the NFL to reschedule it here. As a result, both teams are playing 16 straight weeks with no bye, and it’s starting to show. The Bucs have vastly disappointed at 3-6 while losing Jameis Winston to a shoulder injury, and the Dolphins are on a three-game losing streak.
In the late afternoon, Patriots vs. Raiders is the national game to watch for. This looked like a lot more interesting matchup a few months ago, but the 4-5 Raiders have underachieved while the Patriots’ defense improved and Tom Brady is doing his thing with a 7-2 record. While this could still be an entertaining game, the stakes are much lower with the Raiders fading out of the playoff picture.
Finally, we have an NFC East grudge match on Sunday night with the Cowboys hosting the Eagles. Philly is coming off a bye week at 8-1 and can essentially dust off the division race with a win here. Dallas badly missed Ezekiel Elliott, Tyron Smith, and Sean Lee in last week’s 27-7 loss to the Falcons. Elliott is still serving his suspension, Lee is out several weeks with a hamstring injury, and Smith is questionable to return. Things could get ugly here again.