WASHINGTON — Defenses are dominant, promises are broken, and benchings backfire in the NFL Week 11 Recap.
Seahawks 31 On a day highlighted by an intentional Atlanta collapse, it was Russell Wilson’s perfect 6-0 record and 125.9 QB rating on Monday Night Football that took a tumble. So did Seattle’s playoff hopes after a second straight home conference loss; with the Eagles and a rematch with the Rams still on the remaining docket, the Seahawks’ margin for error just got surprisingly thin. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
AP Photo/Ted S. Warren
Cowboys 9 Even without Chaz Green to (literally) push around, Philly got to Dak Prescott like few before them have, sacking him four times and intercepting him thrice. The Eagles’ 30-0 second half makes them a mortal lock to win the NFC East (up four games with only six left to play) and keeps them on track to get home field advantage in the playoffs. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images
Raiders 8 If that’s the Raiders’ home field advantage, I’d hate to see them in a true neutral site game against New England … (Photo by Buda Mendes/Getty Images)
Photo by Buda Mendes/Getty Images
Broncos 17 Dear Denver, Losing at home to a mediocre Bengals squad that had lost 10 straight games in your building does nothing to reverse your boss’ perception that you’re soft. You’d better stop the bleeding against the Raiders next week or your season is over. Sincerely, The Football Gods (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
AP Photo/David Zalubowski
Chargers 54 This game was remarkable. Sean McDermott simultaneously took himself out of the running for Coach of the Year and essentially his team out of playoff contention by inexplicably swapping out a pretty productive Tyrod Taylor for 5th-round rookie Nathan Peterman, whose first start as a pro included five interceptions in the first half — the first such game by anyone since the NFL/AFL merger. Equally mind-boggling, the hard luck Chargers scored 31 points off those gift turnovers, more than enough to win the game outright and more than they had in their first nine games of the season combined. L.A.’s remaining schedule is pretty favorable so let’s not rule out a playoff push just yet. (Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images)
Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images
Saints 34 (OT) New Orleans pulled off their largest 4th quarter comeback in franchise history, while the Redskins lost their most explosive player and their 4th game in their last five outings. The ‘Skins can’t lose again this season — and without Chris Thompson and Jordan Reed in the lineup they almost certainly will. Repeatedly. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
AP Photo/Butch Dill
Giants 12 (OT) Before Sunday, Andy Reid’s teams were 16-2 coming off a bye, including 5-0 against sub-. 500 teams. Now Kansas City has lost four of five games since their 5-0 start, and struggled to score in three of those losses. Would anyone be surprised if Ben McAdoo’s dreams come true and the Giants actually better than KC down the stretch? (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)
Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images
Texans 31 Well, Bruce Arians was right. Blaine Gabbert has only played on bad teams. Considering Arizona was outscored 14-0 and committed what amounts to three turnovers in the 4th quarter against a Texans team with no defense and no quarterback, that now has to include the Cardinals. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
AP Photo/David J. Phillip
Vikings 24 This battle of surprise QBs saw Case Keenum get the better of his former team while Jared Goff’s sexy audibles got him just one touchdown and his worst performance of the season. Minnesota’s defense is legit, the Vikings playoff prospects look good no matter who’s under center. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn)
AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn
Dolphins 20 In this game between teams displaced by a hurricane in Week 1, Jay Cutler was the only guy who really looked like he missed having a bye week. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)
AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee
Packers 0 While Baltimore is begging its offense to be more aggressive, few defenses are as aggressive as the Ravens’; they’re the 5th team in the last 30 years to pitch three shutouts in a season — and three of the other four went on to win the Super Bowl. The 2000 Ravens are one of those teams, and as crazy as it sounds Joe Flacco is playing at about the same level Trent Dilfter did that year. Just sayin’. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images
Browns 7 Though Dede Westbrook’s prediction fell as woefully short as Tashaun Gipson’s, Jacksonville still dealt Cleveland their 35th loss in their last 37 games. Though the Browns are an easy mark, it’s hard not to be impressed by a Jaguars defense holding opponents to just 7.8 points per game during their first 4-game win streak in a decade. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images
Bears 24 Matt Prater kicked the game-winning field goal to beat the coach that cut him in Denver. It seems like everyone’s getting their shots in on John Fox these days. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh
Steelers 40 It was a Pittsburgh performance worthy of Dick LeBeau’s “weird” return to the Steel City: The Steelers had their first 5-sack, 4-interception game in 33 years and the four picks were their most in a game since 1997. If this defense gets Steel Curtain good, this might be a championship level team after all. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)
Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images
