WINNERS
Tommy DeVito
Heading into New York’s Week 11 matchup with the Commanders, Tommy DeVito hadn’t given the Giants much to be optimistic about at the QB position. In his two starts since Daniel Jones went down for the season, DeVito had thrown for a total of 241 yards, three touchdowns, and three interceptions. On Sunday, however, DeVito figured things out. The rookie completed 18 passes for 246 yards and three touchdowns with no turnovers against the Commanders, capturing the first win of his career. It’s always great to see a young guy get the first win under his belt. Whatever happens next in DeVito’s career, he’ll always have the fond memories of last Sunday to look back on.
Russell Wilson
It’s time to start taking Russell Wilson and the Denver Broncos seriously again. In their current four-game winning streak, they’ve taken down the Chiefs, Bills, Vikings and Packers, and Wilson has looked a lot more like his old self. He’s not throwing for a ton of yardage at this point in his career, but the offence is starting to hum around him anyways. In the last four contests, Wilson has thrown 7 touchdowns and turned the ball over just once. The offence as it is right now will never be an elite group in the NFL, but they’re finally giving a very good defence some room to breathe. The result is wins.
Jason Kelce
For the first time in their careers, the older Kelce brother got the best of the younger one. Jason’s Eagles moved to 9-1 with a Monday night win against Travis and the Chiefs, and although it won’t take the pain of last year’s Super Bowl away, the primetime win had to feel good. Jason may have the bragging rights for now, but there’s a chance Travis could get the last laugh if the teams meet again with Lombardi on the line. With the win, the Birds remain at the top of the NFC and the league. The Chiefs, on the other hand, fell to second in the AFC with a record of 7-3.
LOSERS
Matt Canada
If you’re a Pittsburgh fan, you’ve probably been waiting for this news for months. After another terrible offensive outing against Cleveland, the Steelers have relieved offensive coordinator Matt Canada of his duties. Despite their 6-4 record, the Steelers have been outgained in every game this season, and they have not been a fun team to watch. Kenny Pickett probably isn’t the answer at quarterback, but fans and analysts have been questioning Canada’s calls for a long time now. Mike Tomlin is known as a loyal guy, but after the Week 11 game, it certainly was time for a change. The offence may not get any better with someone else calling plays, but it can’t get worse.
L.A. Chargers (minus Justin Herbert)
Once again, the Los Angeles Chargers found a way to lose in Week 11. Despite Justin Herbert balling out all afternoon, the team mustered just 20 points at Lambeau, losing by three to Jordan Love and the Pack. Herbert’s receivers let him down multiple times in the game with dropped passes, none bigger than Quentin Johnston’s miscue down the sideline on the team’s final drive. It’s been a tough year for the rookie, and with a play like that, the scrutiny will only grow. Veteran Austin Ekeler also cost the team with a red zone fumble in the fourth quarter. It wasn’t just offence, though, as Brandon Staley’s defence looked out of sync yet again as well. Staley certainly seems to be on the hot seat right now, and I think at this point, most Chargers fans would welcome a change at the head coach position.
Kansas City Receivers
Last year’s Super Bowl Champs have one major problem right now, and it has probably cost them two wins already this season. In Week 1 against Detroit, it was Kadarius Toney and Skyy Moore not being able to secure the ball in big moments. In Week 11, it was Marques-Valdez Scantling and Justin Watson with massive drops on Kansas City’s last drive. No group of receivers drops more passes than Kansas City’s, and at this point, Patrick Mahomes probably doesn’t know who to turn to. Travis Kelce will always be the first option, but if he’s taken away, this offence needs someone to be a reliable number two. So far this season, no one has stepped up. Of course, there’s still time for the Chiefs to figure this out, but it’s becoming a large concern at this point in the year.
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