With Week 11 in the books, here are 11 takeaways from the most recent set of football games.
1. It’s official: they’re gone
With their loss to the Raiders, the 0-10 Cincinnati Bengals are officially eliminated from the playoffs. At least they have a two-game lead in the race for the first pick in the draft.
2. Close, but no cigar (again)
The Cardinals, for the second time this season, played the 49ers to the limit. But, like that first attempt, they came up short again. If nothing else this season, Kyler Murray has proven he belongs in the NFL.
3. That win will cost ya
The Browns got a much-needed win against the Steelers to remain in the playoff hunt. But the indefinite suspension of Myles Garrett may ultimately cost them in the end. This may be a loss they won’t be able to overcome.
4. Birds of a feather
The Falcons, who look like a new team the last two weeks, defeated the Panthers handily while Lamar Jackson and Mark Ingram led the Ravens to a blowout victory against Deshaun Watson and the Texans.
5. Don’t always flock together
The Eagles and Cardinals didn’t have the same outcome. They were tasked with defeating the top two teams in football, the Patriots and 49ers. Both had a chance to steal the victory late in the game but failed.
6. Down by 20, no problem
The Vikings trailed the Broncos 20-0 at halftime. They would win the game 27-23 in the wake of Kirk Cousins’s trio of touchdown passes.
7. If only they were in that division
The Jets won their third game of the season on Sunday. All three of their have come against the NFC East as they’ve beaten the Cowboys, Giants, and Redskins. They didn’t fare the same against the Eagles. They have more wins against this division than two of the teams in it have total wins.
8. Four is not always a good number
Jameis Winston threw four interceptions in the Buccaneers’ loss New Orleans while Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers threw four of his own against the Chiefs. Both teams came out on the losing end.
9. Crunch time
With six weeks to go in the season, almost every team still has a chance to make the playoffs. While some are slim to none, others are close to a lock.
10. Any given Sunday
The upper tier of teams like the Patriots, Ravens, Packers and 49ers have all proven they can win close games. They have also been pushed to the limits by three-win teams. This is gearing up to be an awesome final month and a half. Many spots could come down to Week 17.
11. Moving ahead
Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson added to his case for MVP with a four-touchdown passing game. He also added 86 yards rushing while leading his team to their sixth straight victory.
