NFL Week 11: Biggest questions, takeaways for every game

NFL Week 11: Biggest questions, takeaways for every game

NFL Week 11: Biggest questions, takeaways for every game

Week 11 of the NFL season brought plenty of action, with the Philadelphia Eagles starting the week strong, defeating the Washington Commanders. On Sunday, the Pittsburgh Steelers secured a big win over the Baltimore Ravens, while the Detroit Lions dominated the Jacksonville Jaguars. The Miami Dolphins and New Orleans Saints also kept their momentum going, each earning their second consecutive victories.


Later, the Denver Broncos crushed the Atlanta Falcons, and Geno Smith led the Seattle Seahawks past the San Francisco 49ers. The Buffalo Bills handed the Kansas City Chiefs their first loss of the season. In the Sunday Night Football game, the Los Angeles Chargers built an early 21-point lead over the Cincinnati Bengals, but had to rally after nearly squandering that advantage to pull out a win.


Here’s a closer look at the Chargers' win and the Bengals' playoff hopes:

Should the Chargers be concerned with how they won this game?

While the Chargers escaped with a 7-3 record, Sunday’s win wasn’t as clean as it should have been. After building a 21-point lead, they allowed the Bengals to storm back, needing two missed field goals from Cincinnati and a late rushing touchdown from running back J.K. Dobbins to seal the victory. The Chargers’ second-half struggles, including a stalled offense and an uncharacteristic turnover from Justin Herbert, raised concerns. Although they held on, this type of performance isn’t sustainable for a team aiming for a deep playoff run.


Describe the game in two words:Meltdown averted.Despite a shaky second half, the Chargers managed to secure a win thanks to key defensive stops and timely offensive plays, a victory the franchise typically finds a way to lose.


Most surprising performance:Ladd McConkey, the rookie wide receiver, stepped up as Herbert's most reliable target in the fourth quarter. He caught six passes for 123 yards, providing the spark that helped the Chargers close out the game.

Next game: vs. Ravens (Monday, 8:15 p.m. ET)


Are the Bengals' playoff hopes done?

It’s looking increasingly unlikely. With a 4-7 record, the Bengals can only win a maximum of 10 games this season, which might not be enough to secure a playoff spot. They still have two tough matchups with the AFC North-leading Steelers, leaving them with little room for error. Cincinnati needs a near-perfect finish to avoid missing the postseason for the second straight year.


Biggest hole in the game plan: The pass defense, particularly in the game’s final moments. After a rough first half, the Bengals showed signs of life, but failed to stop key passing plays from Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert on the game-winning drive. Herbert completed four passes of 20+ yards, including two touchdowns, that sealed the Bengals' fate.


Describe the game in two words: Prime-time heartbreak.* What could have been an unforgettable comeback turned into another painful one-score loss, potentially signaling the end of the Bengals’ season.


Next game: vs. Steelers (Dec. 1, 1:00 p.m. ET)