If you had "Bo Nix outdueling Patrick Mahomes" on your bingo card for this November, honestly, you should probably be in Vegas right now. NFL Week 11 was one of those weekends where the script got tossed into a shredder by halftime. Between the international chaos in Madrid and a divisional shakeup in the AFC West, the NFL scoreboard Week 11 told a story that most experts simply didn't see coming.
It wasn't just about the wins; it was the way these teams won. We saw massive blowouts, narrow escapes, and special teams plays that will be on highlight reels for the rest of the decade. Let’s get into what actually happened on the grass.
The Denver Shocker and the AFC West Power Shift
The biggest headline from the NFL scoreboard Week 11 was undoubtedly the Denver Broncos' 22-19 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs. Coming into this, Denver had lost 17 of their last 19 against KC. That’s a stat that usually defines a rivalry as "not really a rivalry." But Bo Nix didn't care about history.
Nix finished with 295 passing yards and stayed cool when it mattered most. On a late 10-play drive, he marched Denver down the field to set up a 35-yard field goal by Wil Lutz. For Lutz, it was a moment of pure redemption. Just a year ago, the Chiefs blocked his last-second attempt to win a game in KC. This time? He nailed it.
The Chiefs aren't exactly falling apart, but they’ve tumbled to 5-5. Patrick Mahomes threw for 125 yards in the first half and finished with a touchdown to Travis Kelce—who, by the way, broke the Chiefs' all-time touchdown record with his 84th score—but it wasn't enough. Denver’s defense is legit. Even without star corner Patrick Surtain II (out with a pec injury), they limited Rashee Rice and Xavier Worthy to a combined 63 yards. Denver now sits at 9-2 and basically owns the AFC West right now.
Chaos Across the Rest of the League
While Denver was celebrating, things were getting weird in Jacksonville. The Jaguars, who most people had written off after a late-season collapse last year, absolutely dismantled the Los Angeles Chargers 35-6. It was a bloodbath. Trevor Lawrence and rookie Bhaysul Tuten both found the end zone on the ground, and the Jags' defense held Justin Herbert to just 135 total yards.
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"We just didn't have it today," Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh might have thought, though the scoreboard said it much louder.
Over in the NFC, the Chicago Bears are suddenly the team nobody wants to play. Their 19-17 win over the Minnesota Vikings moved them to 7-3, keeping them at the top of the NFC North. Caleb Williams managed the game well, throwing for 193 yards, but it was D’Andre Swift’s 90 rushing yards that really kept the chains moving. It’s wild to think the Bears have already surpassed their win total from all of last season.
Madrid Makes History
The league also took its show to Spain this week. The Miami Dolphins edged out the Washington Commanders 16-13 in Madrid. It wasn't exactly a high-flying offensive clinic. Marcus Mariota, starting for the injured Jayden Daniels, threw for 213 yards, but Devon Achane’s 120 rushing yards were the real difference-maker for Miami.
Monday Night and the Playoff Picture
The Week 11 finale saw the Dallas Cowboys handle the Las Vegas Raiders 33-16. Dak Prescott looked like his old self, throwing for 268 yards and four touchdowns. George Pickens was his favorite target, racking up 144 yards and a score.
However, the win felt secondary to the heavy hearts in Dallas. The team played with decals on their helmets to honor defensive end Marshawn Kneeland, who tragically passed away at age 24 just a week prior.
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Updated Playoff Seeding After Week 11:
The AFC is currently a two-horse race at the top between Denver and New England, both sitting at 9-2. The Patriots won their eighth straight by beating the Jets 27-14 on Thursday night. Drake Maye is playing like a guy who wants the MVP trophy, and honestly, it’s hard to argue against him right now.
In the NFC, the Philadelphia Eagles are back in the driver's seat. Their 16-9 win over the Lions on Sunday night was ugly, but effective. Saquon Barkley ground out 83 yards, and the defense did the rest. They currently hold the tiebreaker over the Rams for the #1 seed.
Notable Scores from the Week 11 Slate
- San Francisco 49ers 41, Arizona Cardinals 22 (Brissett threw for 452 yards in a blowout)
- Buffalo Bills 44, Tampa Bay Buccaneers 32 (Josh Allen accounted for six total touchdowns)
- Baltimore Ravens 23, Cleveland Browns 16 (Mark Andrews scored on a 35-yard trick play run)
- Green Bay Packers 27, New York Giants 20 (Jordan Love returned from injury to save the day)
- Carolina Panthers 30, Atlanta Falcons 27 (OT win for Bryce Young and the Panthers)
Reality Check: The Injury Bug is Biting Hard
You can't talk about the NFL scoreboard Week 11 without mentioning who wasn't on the field. The injury report this week was basically a novel.
The Titans lost Calvin Ridley for the season to a broken fibula. That’s a massive blow for an offense that was already struggling. The Bengals are still reeling without Joe Burrow, who is out until 2026 with a toe injury. In Pittsburgh, Aaron Rodgers left the game against the Bengals with a wrist injury and didn't return.
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Even the winners felt the pain. The Packers lost Josh Jacobs to a knee injury in the second quarter, and the Eagles saw Lane Johnson go down with a foot issue. At this point in the season, the team that wins the Super Bowl might just be the one that has enough healthy bodies left to field a roster.
Key Insights for the Final Stretch
The landscape of the league has shifted. If you're looking at the standings, here is what you need to keep an eye on:
- The AFC West isn't a lock: The Broncos have a two-game lead over the Chargers and three over the Chiefs. With the way Bo Nix is playing, that lead feels sustainable.
- The NFC North is a Gauntlet: Between the Bears, Packers, Vikings, and Lions, three of these teams could easily make the playoffs. One slip-up changes everything.
- The MVP Race is Maye vs. The Field: Drake Maye has New England at 9-2. If he keeps this up, the rookie might actually do the unthinkable.
As we head into Week 12, the margin for error has basically vanished. Teams like the Falcons, who are sitting at 3-7 after a loss to the Panthers, are officially in "start looking at mock drafts" territory. Meanwhile, the Jaguars are proving that a mid-season surge can change your entire outlook.
Check the injury reports mid-week before making any bets. The status of guys like Josh Jacobs and Aaron Rodgers will dictate the lines for Week 12 more than any "momentum" from this weekend.