Week 11 Takeaways for the 2025 NFL Season
Several things happened this week that would be odd in general but not in 2025. For instance, Chicago won yet another walk-off game to move to 7-3. QB Davis Mills led the Texans back to .500 with a second consecutive comeback. The Jaguars obliterated the Chargers after collapsing against those same Texans. As these teams all jostle for positioning, we’re seeing the true cream rise to the top. Denver, the LA Rams, and Buffalo all flexed their muscle. At the opposite end of things, Tennessee, the NY Jets and Cleveland remain mired in misery. We discuss everything that happened in my week 11 takeaways for the 2025 NFL season!
TNF: Patriots Comfortably Cruise Past Jets to Continue Their Roll
Both the Jets and Patriots entered this season attempting to rebuild, and each has a new head coach. Their journeys are very different through 11 weeks. New York’s Aaron Glenn is presiding over a struggling team that just had a trade deadline fire sale, while New England’s Mike Vrabel has completely overhauled his squad’s fortunes. Nowhere was that more apparent than in this week’s head-to-head matchup. The Jets, playing without injured WR Garrett Wilson, made a concerted effort to run QB Justin Fields (15/26, 116 yards, TD; 11/67/1 rushing) more on their first drive. It worked. Fourteen plays and 8:04 later, New York led 7-0.
Curiously, the Jets went away from that plan until near the end of the game. Fields did absolutely nothing as a passer except for a TD to WR John Metchie III (3/45/1) after a DB fell down. The running game with Fields and RB Breece Hall (14/58)was all that the team had. Still, the Jets tried to pass, and it led to a stagnant offense. Even with the score somewhat close in the 4th quarter, Fields dropped a snap at his own 11 and fumbled away possession, letting the Patriots salt the game away. It doesn’t help that this defense still can’t take the ball away. Their 1 total takeaway through 10 games is the worst mark in NFL history.
New England enjoyed far more success. With RB Rhamondre Stevenson out injured, rookie TreVeyon Henderson got the role of feature back. He’s still a bit of a boom-or-bust runner at this point (partially because his line isn’t great at run blocking), but the booms were great this night. Henderson (19/62/2; 5/31/1 receiving) scored all 3 of NE’s TDs. The first one came on the opening drive, where the Pats responded to the Jets’ march with a 13-play, 7:40 yard possession of their own. QB Drake Maye (25/34, 281 yards, TD) continued his torrid stretch of play, starting 11/11 before his 12th throw went through the hands of WR Stefon Diggs.
Diggs (9/105) made amends though with a great game, though I must admit that the Patriots didn’t bury New York when they had the chance. They let the Jets hang around, which might’ve been costly against a better team. These Jets aren’t very good though, so NE won 27-14 in comfortable fashion. That’s now 8 straight wins for New England; their 9 total wins this year surpasses their 8 total wins in 2023 and 2024. I remain a bit skeptical of the Pats because of their incredibly easy schedule, but they’re a good team. Vrabel is on track for a coach of the year award, and the future is looking very bright in Foxborough.
Madrid Game: Dolphins Top Commanders in Dreary OT Contest
For our 2025 international series finale, we went to Spain for the first time in league history. No, I won’t rant about why this was a stupid idea and even dumber than some of the other foreign destinations (even though I believe that statement). I’ll be kind and instead issue an apology for sending a new host audience two 3-7 teams that often fail to show up. For an entire half, they were indeed absent. Just two field goals apiece went on the scoreboard as neither offense could do much. Commanders HC Dan Quinn took over defensive play calling this week, and I thought he did a really good job. The unit was noticeably better than it has been.
The offense, however, did next to nothing. They only managed a halftime tie because of a bad PI call on Miami CB Jack Jones. Washington saw their drive extended by the penalty, which came on an uncatchable pass. Jones also simply had good coverage, as confirmed by officiating expert Dean Blandino. Miami can only blame themselves for such a tough fight though. They had been 13/13 in goal-to-go situations this year but got stuffed twice on 4th and goal in this game. One came after a muffed punt by Mike Sainristil set them up in great field position. QB Tua Tagovailoa (14/20, 171 yards) was good, but he barely got to throw.
With the game tied 13-13 late in the 4th quarter, OC Kliff Kingsbury got too conservative. After working their way down the field, the Commanders turtled and settled for a 56-yard FG attempt. K Matt Gay, who had already missed from 51 yards earlier, predictably missed the kick. Miami got a chance for their own walk-off FG, but WR Jaylen Waddle (3/52) dropped his second key pass and sent us to OT. I don’t recall a time when two consecutive international games went to OT. Washington got the ball first, but QB Marcus Mariota (20/30, 213 yards, TD, INT) threw a horrid INT to Jones, who got his revenge, on the very first play.
Miami’s rushing attack took over from there. RBs De’Von Achane (21/120; 5/45 receiving) and Ollie Gordon II (9/45/1) overpowered the Commanders’ defensive line. They really missed suspended DT Daron Payne. By the time K Riley Patterson kicked the game-winning FG, it was only a 29-yard proposition. Washington is completely cooked, regardless of whether Jayden Daniels returns. At 4-7, the Dolphins still have a slight pulse, but I don’t trust them. Their talent level still lags behind other potential playoff hopefuls. On the plus side, HC Mike McDaniel shouldn’t have to worry about being fired in a foreign country.
QBs Cycling In and Out of Lineups Led to Various Results
Due to the constant stream of injuries ravaging the league, many teams were forced to start backup QBs or insert them mid-game this week. One lucky squad got their QB1 back after a lengthy absence. The results of these new passers were all over the place. San Francisco’s Brock Purdy (19/26, 200 yards, 3 TDs) finally returned from a toe injury and was excellent. He instantly rekindled his connection with TE George Kittle (6/67/2). This team may be back. Interestingly, counterpart Jacoby Brissett (47/57, 452 yards, 2 TDs, 2 INTs), a backup himself, set the NFL single-game record for completions in the Cardinals’ 41-22 loss.
In the GB-NYG game, the Giants started Jameis Winston in place of a concussed Jaxson Dart. That was interesting because it wasn’t Russell Wilson, but Jameis was always going to be more fun. He did the usual: some really good throws mixed with terrible decisions. Winston (19/29, 201 yards, INT, FUM) wasn’t the reason his team lost, but he also isn’t someone who can win without a good supporting cast, which the Giants certainly don’t have. Over on the Packers’ side, Jordan Love briefly left with in an injury, so we got a Malik Willis (2/2, 6 yards, TD) cameo. Willis threw GB’s first TD, doing a good job in his short appearance.
The most costly long-term injury was suffered by Pittsburgh’s Aaron Rodgers (9/15, 116 yards, TD). He was leading the Steelers to an easy win against the Bengals, but he landed on his wrist and may have broken it. Backup Mason Rudolph (12/16, 127 yards, TD) came in and did really well, and this team has won with him in the past. Long-term though, they need Rodgers. We wouldn’t have witnessed a painfully obvious romance between Rodgers and the Steelers if they thought Rudolph was a sufficient option. Luckily, the injury is to his non-throwing hand, so there’s reason to believe that his absence won’t be a lengthy one.
Atlanta’s Michael Penix Jr (13/16, 175 yards) left early against Carolina with a knee injury and may be done for the year. It was a shame because the young QB was in the midst of one of his best pro games. Kirk Cousins (6/14, 48 yards) came in and had less success. This offense still isn’t tailed to his skills at all, and HC Raheem Morris doesn’t adapt. The overmatched coach watched the Panthers’ Bryce Young (31/45, 448 yards, 3 TDs) have his best ever game. It didn’t help that he put a pass-rushing LB on WR Tetairoa McMillan (8/130/2) at times. The 30-27 OT loss probably closes the book on Atlanta’s contention window for 2025.
Finally, Browns fans got exactly what they wanted against the Ravens: Shedeur Sanders. Starter Dillon Gabriel (7/10, 68 yards) wasn’t excelling before he exited with a concussion, but he didn’t implode. He allowed his defense to terrorize Baltimore QB Lamar Jackson (14/25, 193 yards, 2 INTs) and build a 16-10 lead. When Sanders entered the game, the crowd roared. Alas, he bombed. Badly. Sanders (4/16, 47 yards, INT) buckled under pressure, taking two long sacks and posting 0 points. He allowed Baltimore to steal a 23-16 win, wasting 4 Myles Garrett sacks. The fans learned the truth: Sanders is nowhere close to ready.
In Battles for NFC Supremacy, Rams and Eagles Come Out on Top
We had two excellent showdowns featuring NFC teams with 6 or more wins. First, the Seahawks took on the Rams in LA with first place in the NFC West on the line. Los Angeles pummeled Seattle early, with two Matthew Stafford TD tosses in the first quarter. The offense went silent from there though, with a Kyren Williams (12/91/1) TD run being the only other points LA scored all game. Stafford (15/28, 130 yards, 2 TDs) found little success against the vaunted Seattle defense in the final three quarters. Though WR Puka Nacua (7/75) had a good game, the Seahawks shut down Davante Adams, who had just one 1-yard TD catch on 8 targets.
Part of the problem for LA was that Seattle hoarded the ball. They won the time of possession battle by 15 minutes. However, they did little with that ball control because the Rams’ defense was even better. Sam Darnold (29/44, 279 yards, 4 INTs) had his worst game as a Seahawk, seemingly flustered by the pressure sent his way. Unless he was throwing to Jaxon Smith-Njigba (9/105), nothing went right. Seattle had 4 FGs and 4 INTs before finally scoring a TD late. Down 21-19, they still had a 61-yard FG attempt to win the game, but they missed. LA shouldn’t have been in a close game here, but they seized the division lead nonetheless.
In the Sunday night game, Detroit faced Philadelphia in what many think could be a playoff preview. Both defenses took center stage. The Eagles wrecked the Lions’ high-flying offense unless the ball carrier was RB Jahmyr Gibbs (12/39; 5/107 receiving). While they only sacked QB Jared Goff (14/37, 255 yards, TD, INT) twice, they very much affected him, and he was off-target all night. Fourth-down recklessness killed Detroit again: they went 0/5 on their favorite down. A fake punt failure in their own territory and a misfired pass on 4th and goal were the two biggest blunders. Detroit really misses injured TE Sam LaPorta.
Even when the Lions did something right, they messed up. When WR Jameson Williams (4/88/1) scored the team’s lone TD, he incurred a celebration penalty that pushed back the PAT. On a very windy night, the kick from Jake Bates sailed wide right. The Lions did a lot wrong, but you have to credit the Eagles for getting into their heads. DT Jordan Davis probably made Goff crazy by batting three of his passes at the line, and new edge rusher Jaelan Phillips earned his first sack as an Eagle to go along with a team-high 6 pressures. It was a good thing that Philly’s defense was so spectacular because their offense is still clunky.
QB Jalen Hurts (14/28, 135 yards; 10/31/1 rushing) finally got WR AJ Brown (7/49) involved, but they couldn’t muster more than 16 points. RB Saquon Barkley (26/83) still can’t get going either for some reason. The Eagles had an odd amount of trouble with the tush push, as Detroit stopped several. One came on 4th down at their own 29 with 3 minutes left. It allowed the Lions to cut the lead to 1 score, but only with a field goal as the defense stood tall. Philly iced the game with a DPI on Rock Ya-Sin, who did nothing wrong. The play left commentator Cris Collinsworth incredulous and for good reason. It was a sour way to end the night.
From these two games, we learned a few things. First, Darnold will continue to face scrutiny whenever he plays a big game. Until he can prove his ability to play well and win those games, it won’t matter if he’s MVP-caliber the rest of the time. Next, LA still has work to do, but they’re 8-2 and in fantastic shape. Detroit has similar work ahead, but they’re 6-4 and third in the AFC North. Time is running out to get this talented offense right. The Eagles have plenty of offensive issues, but that defense is a Super Bowl-caliber unit. I think it can carry the team until the offense finds its way, which is a wonderful luxury to have.
Broncos’ Win Inches the AFC West Closer to Rare New Champion
Most analysts circled this game between the Chiefs and Broncos at Mile High on their calendars. With Denver sitting at 8-2 and the Chiefs at a lowly (by their standards) 5-4, the Broncos had a chance to really put a stranglehold on the division. For the first half, neither offense seemed to want it, as we had field goal and punting fests. We’re used to Denver’s offense sleep-walking through the bulk of the game at this point, so I can’t give too much credit to the Chiefs’ defense. The opposite is true for KC’s offense: even playing without shutdown CB Pat Surtain, these Broncos are an elite stop unit that few can match.
They did what so many opponents fail to do against Patrick Mahomes (29/45, 276 yards, TD, INT): keep him from scrambling. Mahomes had just one 3-yard run and suffered 3 sacks, two of which came on blitzes by backup CB Ja’Quan McMillian. He also threw a red-zone INT to the same man, who easily had the best game of his young career. Denver took the momentum from the pick and put together their finest drive of the day, an 11-play, 89-yard march to pay dirt. QB Bo Nix (24/37, 295 yards) didn’t have a dynamic game, but he took care of the ball on an afternoon where his running game ran for just 2.8 yards per carry.
Naturally, the Chiefs didn’t buckle, responding with a TD drive of their own. RB Kareem Hunt (13/59/1) ran it in, and he was curiously the only RB with a carry for KC. The offenses kept flowing from there, with Denver tacking on a field goal and Kansas City answering with a Travis Kelce (9/91/1) TD. Kelce looked more spry than he had all season long, which was a welcome development. Broncos backup OT Frank Crum blocked the subsequent PAT, keeping the lead 19-16. That enabled Denver to tie the game on their subsequent field goal, and the defense forced a dominating 3-and-out to get the offense one more chance.
Facing 3rd and 15, Denver knew that Mahomes couldn’t touch the ball in regulation. Nix fired his best throw of the game: a 20-yard strike to WR Courtland Sutton (4/59) that moved the chains. The Broncos moved down the field from there and walked off with a 35-yard FG from Wil Lutz, his 5th of the game. With the Chargers looking abysmal in Jacksonville, the AFC West is really Denver’s to lose now. I consider them the best team in the AFC even before their offense becomes more potent. The defense is that good. KC, sitting in unfamiliar territory at 5-5, is still good. They need to put everything together though in short order.