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Grading Every Major NFL Week 11 Game: Big Wins and Surprising Losses
It was an action-packed Week 11 in the NFL, and we got to witness some seriously stunning performances around the league. Whether it was the Buffalo Bills taking down the Kansas City Chiefs in a heavyweight showdown or the Pittsburgh Steelers outlasting the Baltimore Ravens, Week 11 kept fans on the edge of their seats. The grades are in for every Sunday matchup, and some of these marks may surprise you!
Buffalo Bills 38-24 over Kansas City Chiefs
If we learned one thing from this matchup, it’s that the Bills are here to make some serious noise in the AFC. Not only did Buffalo hand the Chiefs another home loss, but Josh Allen showed up in a way that cements his MVP-caliber brilliance for the season.
Game Highlights
Josh Allen was nothing short of electrifying. He passed for 306 yards and added 3 touchdowns to his stat sheet, making Kansas City look disoriented and unprepared to stop him. The Bills’ defense also deserves some major props, especially after holding Patrick Mahomes in check for most of the game. Mahomes, for his part, struggled to find his typical rhythm, even with two touchdowns and 270 passing yards. While not a terrible performance, it was clear that Kansas City’s offense wasn’t clicking in the ways people are used to seeing.
- Buffalo Bills Grade: A+ — A near-perfect performance on both sides of the ball! The Bills look poised to seriously challenge for the AFC title.
- Kansas City Chiefs Grade: C- — Kansas City will need to shore up both their offense and defense if they want to return to Super Bowl form.
At the end of the day, this was a statement win for the Bills. There’s no denying it: Buffalo’s high-flying performance could be the one to define their season.
Pittsburgh Steelers 20-17 over Baltimore Ravens
In a classic AFC North grudge match, the Steelers managed to edge past their familiar rivals, the Ravens, in a nail-biting 20-17 win. Pittsburgh’s defense stepped up in a major way, coming up with key stops and ultimately preserving a 3-point victory.
While this wasn’t a flashy game, it had all the grit you’d expect between these two bruising rivals.
Game Highlights
The Steelers’ defense was complemented by a steady offensive effort, with Najee Harris running for 89 yards and a touchdown. Meanwhile, quarterback Kenny Pickett wasn’t dominant, but he made throws when they counted — including a clutch third-down conversion to ice the game.
- Pittsburgh Steelers Grade: B — The Steelers’ defense was stellar, but they’ll need to see more consistency from their offense moving forward.
- Baltimore Ravens Grade: C+ — The Ravens let a winnable game slip. Their offense didn’t show up when needed, and it cost them big time.
This game had the Raven’s mark of missed opportunities written all over it. Pittsburgh showed resilience, and it could pay off as the race for the AFC playoffs heats up.
New England Patriots 25-15 over Cleveland Browns
Let’s talk about a surprising performance! Led by Mac Jones, the New England Patriots rolled over the Cleveland Browns 25-15, and this game highlighted how good the Patriots’ defense can be when they’re firing on all cylinders.
Key Factors
The story of the day was turnovers. The Patriots forced three turnovers, two of which came from Baker Mayfield, who tossed a couple of costly interceptions. While Mayfield’s struggles were front and center, it can’t overshadow how good the Patriots look right now, especially on defense.
- New England Patriots Grade: A — Dominant defensively and steady offensively, the Pats took care of business.
- Cleveland Browns Grade: D+ — Mayfield’s struggles aren’t the only problem. Cleveland seems lost on both sides of the ball.
New England could be a sneaky good team down the stretch, especially as they get into the heart of their AFC rivalries. Don’t sleep on the Pats just yet.
Other NFL Week 11 Scores and Grades
- Indianapolis Colts 41-15 over Buffalo Bills: Colts get an A+ for annihilating the Bills on their own turf.
- Washington Football Team 29-19 over Carolina Panthers: Washington records a major win and an A, while Carolina gets a B- in Cam Newton’s return.
- Tennessee Titans 23-21 over New Orleans Saints: A gutsy effort from Tennessee earns them a B+ victory.
- Dallas Cowboys 43-3 over Atlanta Falcons: Cowboys soar with an A+. The Falcons? An F performance, pure and simple.
What We Learned in Week 11
There’s no more room for error as we start looking toward the playoffs in both conferences. Teams like the Bills and Patriots are on the upswing, showing serious promise. Meanwhile, squads like the Chiefs and Ravens are still searching for consistency. Here’s what we can’t ignore:
- The Bills are the real deal. Beating the Kansas City Chiefs in the manner they did showcases their prowess on both sides of the field.
- Defense is still king. Pittsburgh and New England demonstrated that when it comes to the playoffs, great defense wins games. Offenses can struggle, but smart defense seals victories.
- Inconsistency is costly. Teams like the Ravens, Chiefs, and Browns are finding out the hard way that when you’re sloppy with execution, it’ll cost you crucial games late in the season.
As we dive into the final stretch of the season, expect even more chaos, drama, and memorable performances. Week 12 can’t come soon enough!
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Originally Written by: John Breech
