If you thought you had this NFL season figured out, Week 11 just laughed in your face. Honestly, the 2025 season has been a total fever dream, and this particular slate of games basically set the playoff picture on fire. We saw everything from the first-ever regular season game in Spain to a Monday night matchup that felt more like a movie script than a football game.
The drama was everywhere.
The Madrid Miracle and the International Shift
NFL week 11 matchups didn't just stay in the States. The league officially planted its flag in Spain as the Miami Dolphins and Washington Commanders squared off at the Santiago Bernabéu. It was weird seeing American football on that pitch, but the game itself? A total defensive slog. Miami managed to escape with a 16-13 overtime win, which probably saved Mike McDaniel’s job for at least another week.
Washington was missing Jayden Daniels, and it showed. They looked lost for three quarters until Dan Quinn’s defense started dialing up the heat. But even with the "dead cat bounce" from the Commanders' stop unit, Tua Tagovailoa did just enough to avoid the "danger plays" that have plagued his season. It wasn't pretty. It was gritty. It was exactly what you'd expect from two 3-7 teams fighting for relevance in a foreign country.
NFC West Civil War: Seahawks vs. Rams
If you were looking for the "Game of the Year," you found it in Los Angeles. The Rams and Seahawks came into this with identical 7-2 records, basically playing for the keys to the division. The atmosphere at SoFi was electric.
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Matthew Stafford looked like his 2021 self. He was carving up the Seattle secondary until Mike Macdonald’s defense tightened the screws in the fourth quarter. It came down to a final possession, just like the experts predicted. The Rams squeezed out a 21-19 victory, but it felt like both teams proved they are legitimate Super Bowl contenders.
- Key Stat: The Rams won despite being outgained on the ground.
- The Difference: Seattle's 10-0 road streak finally snapped.
The fallout from this one is huge. Now, the Seahawks have to worry about the 49ers, who finally got Brock Purdy back and absolutely dismantled the Arizona Cardinals 41-22. Suddenly, that NFC West race is a three-headed monster again.
The AFC West Shakeup: Broncos Stun the Chiefs
The most shocking result of the week? Easily the Denver Broncos upsetting the Kansas City Chiefs 22-19.
People have been calling the 2025 Broncos the "least convincing 8-2 team in history." Well, they certainly looked convincing when they were hitting Patrick Mahomes. Denver leads the league in sacks for a reason. They pressured Mahomes on over 50% of his dropbacks, forcing him into a pedestrian 19-of-34 performance.
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Andy Reid is usually a god after a bye week, but the Chiefs looked rusty. They couldn't run the ball, and they couldn't protect the quarterback. This win puts Denver at 9-2 and firmly in control of the AFC West, while the Chiefs are suddenly 5-5 and looking at a potential wild card scrap.
Sunday Night Supremacy: Eagles vs. Lions
When the schedule dropped, everyone circled this game. Detroit Lions at Philadelphia Eagles. The two best records in the NFC since the start of 2024.
It was a defensive masterclass.
Philadelphia’s secondary has been playing out of its mind lately, and they held Jared Goff to under 200 yards passing. The Eagles won 16-9 in a game that felt like a heavyweight boxing match where nobody wanted to throw a hook. Jalen Hurts wasn't spectacular—9 of 19 for 63 yards in some seriously windy conditions—but Saquon Barkley and the run game did just enough.
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Detroit made a change last week with Dan Campbell taking over offensive play-calling. It didn't result in a ton of points this time, but Jamyr Gibbs looked like a rocket every time he touched the ball. This feels like a preview of the NFC Championship game. It really does.
Quick Hits From Around the League
The New England Patriots are somehow 9-2. Drake Maye is officially the MVP favorite in the eyes of many, especially after they cruised past the New York Jets 27-14 on Thursday night. The Jets are a mess. They traded away Sauce Gardner and Quinnen Williams at the deadline and look like a team ready for the offseason.
In the AFC North, the Steelers beat the Bengals 34-12. Aaron Rodgers, now in Pittsburgh, looked much better than he did a week ago. He’s currently keeping the Ravens at bay, though Baltimore stayed alive with a 23-16 win over the Cleveland Browns.
- The Surprise: The Carolina Panthers beat the Atlanta Falcons 30-27 in OT. Bryce Young is fighting for his career, and he actually looked like a franchise QB for a few drives there.
- The Blowout: Jacksonville crushed the Chargers 35-6. Justin Herbert is playing behind a line that is basically a revolving door, and it finally caught up to them.
The Playoff Picture After Week 11
As it stands, the Denver Broncos and New England Patriots are sitting atop the AFC at 14-3 (projected) or currently holding the best records. In the NFC, the Seahawks, Rams, and Eagles are all within a game of each other for that #1 seed.
Actionable Insights for Week 12 and Beyond:
- Watch the Injury Reports: The Chargers' offensive line is a liability. If they don't get healthy, they are a "fade" team regardless of how well Herbert plays.
- Monitor the Broncos Defense: They aren't a fluke. Their pressure rate is sustainable, and they are going to make life miserable for every elite QB they face.
- The International Factor: Betting on teams coming back from international games is risky. Watch how Miami and Washington handle the travel fatigue in Week 12.
- Buy the 49ers: With Purdy back, they are the most dangerous team in the league again. Their Week 11 win over Arizona was a statement.
The NFL week 11 matchups provided the clarity we needed—mostly that nobody is safe. If you’re a betting person or just a fan trying to make sense of the standings, the takeaway is simple: defense is winning championships in 2025. Whether it’s Brian Flores’ blitz-heavy Vikings or the wall Denver has built in the Rockies, the "high-flying" offenses of years past are being grounded. Take note of who is winning the trenches, because that’s who will be playing in February.