NFL Week 11 Grades: Grading Every NFL Team’s Sunday Performance

The Sunday of Week 11 is in the books. Here is how each team graded out.

A consequential Sunday of Week 11 is in the books. Here are the grades for all 24 teams that played on Sunday.

These grades don’t just take into account how a team played and the final score. It factors in things like expectations, short and long-term goals of the franchise, injuries, and other factors. It’s a long season, and the grade is about more than just who won and who lost. The big picture has to be kept in mind.

Green Bay Packers: B+

20-19 (W) @ Bears

A win in a rivalry like the Packers and the Bears is always a positive, and it’s the tenth straight for the green and gold in the series. But, they were very nearly the losers, only saving the game by blocking Chicago’s game-winning field goal. Jordan Love threw yet another interception, as well. But, a win’s a win.

Chicago Bears: D

20-19 (L) Vs. Packers

The Bears had a chance to potentially save their season after a sensational drive by Caleb Williams got the team into field goal range. In typical Bears fashion, the kick was blocked. It’s just another depressing act in what has been a humiliating season for the franchise. The bright spot is that Caleb Williams looked much better under interim offensive coordinator Thomas Brown.

Detroit Lions: A+

52-6 (W) Vs. Jaguars

There’s not much analysis to do on a 52-6 drubbing. The Lions embarrassed the Jaguars in all facets. They are the best team in the National Football League.

Jacksonville Jaguars: F

52-6 (L) @ Lions

Doug Pederson is almost surely going to lose his job on Monday heading into the bye after this drubbing. Yes, Trevor Lawrence is out, but they were uncompetitive in all facets. That deserves an F.

Minnesota Vikings: B+

23-13 (W) @ Titans

The Vikings would’ve liked to run the ball better than they did, only mustering 82 yards on 33 attempts. But, the rest of the team played well, and road wins in the NFL are hard to come by. At 8-2, they continue to get it done.

Tennessee Titans: C-

23-13 (L) Vs. Vikings

The Titans continue to be competitive most weeks, despite their record. This week was no different. Will Levis showed flashes of improvement, and the defense hung in there. But, this is a franchise that wants to build a physical culture. 33 rushing yards on 19 attempts won’t cut it.

Las Vegas Raiders: D

34-19 (L) @ Dolphins

Losses are probably g ood at this point for the Raiders for better draft position. But, this team is not improving at all under Antonio Pierce. Not only do they need to find a new quarterback this offseason, but a new head coach would help, too.

Miami Dolphins: A

Don’t look now, but at 4-6, the Miami Dolphins are still alive in the AFC playoff picture with a soft schedule the rest of the way. It’s going to come down to the play of Tua Tagovailoa, and he was magnificent on Sunday. This team still has games they should be favored in with the Patriots, two with the Jets, and with the Browns left. If they can steal one of the other three games, that’s nine wins. That could be enough in the AFC.

Los Angeles Rams: A-

28-22 (W) @ Patriots

You’d like the Rams to play a bit better against a weak opponent. But, it was a must-win game, and they did, buoyed by a passing attack that needs to get in a rhythm.

New England Patriots: C+

28-22 (L) Vs. Rams

A C+ is a high grade for a loss. But, the Patriots are definitely an improved football team, and Drake Maye continues to look the part. That’s what this season is all about for the rebuilding franchise.

Cleveland Browns: D

35-14 (L) @ Saints

The Browns ultimately need the best draft position possible. But, it’s disheartening to see them so thoroughly outplayed in the fourth quarter by a Saints team who is probably less talented than them. Can Kevin Stefanski survive this?

Saints: B+

35-14 (W) Vs. Browns

A win does hurt their draft position. But. it’s great to see a team that lost seven straight before last week pick itself up off the mat. And, given the way the Falcons are playing, maybe, just maybe, there’s a path to winning the NFC South if the Saints stay hot.

Indianapolis Colts: A+.

28-27 (W) @ Jets

The Colts got a crucial win. But, that’s not why they got the coveted A+ grade. That grade is due to a very encouraging performance by Anthony Richardson. They’d like him to figure things out down the stretch. Sunday was a big step towards that.

New York Jets: F

28-27 (L) Vs. Colts

It’s another embarrassing loss for the Jets in a season that was supposed to have so much promise. Every week, they find new ways to sink lower and lower. This was not a franchise that was supposed to be worrying about draft position.

Pittsburgh Steelers: A

18-16 (W) Vs. Ravens

I can’t give an A+ to a team that couldn’t muster a touchdown. But, six Chris Boswell field goals and a sensational performance on defense has the Steelers as legit Super Bowl contenders, even if they may be a step down from the top group of teams. The Steelers are for real, folks.

Baltimore Ravens: D

18-16 (L) @ Steelers

The Ravens simply gave this game away due to lackluster play and subpar playcalling. Lamar Jackson completed less than 50% of his passes, and yet the team chose to run the ball only 19 times. It’s concerning that Justin Tucker continues to struggle, as he missed two more field goals. They now face an uphill climb to win the AFC North and get a home playoff game or two.

Atlanta Falcons: F

38-6 (L) @ Broncos

It’s one thing to go on the road across the country and lose to a solid team. It’s another thing to be completely dominated by a team with less talent than you to the tune of 38-6. They made Bo Nix look like and MVP, and a star-studded offense couldn’t muster a touchdown. This is a well-deserved F.

Denver Broncos: A+

38-6 (W) Vs. Falcons

As bad as Sunday was for the Falcons is as good as it was for the Broncos. Not only did they dominate on the scoreboard, but Bo Nix was sensational. The rookie is really making strides, and he looks to be the quarterback there for years to come. Plus, it keeps the team in the playoffs. Overall, a great day in Denver.

Seattle Seahawks: A

20-17 (W) @ 49ers

This is the signature win of the Seahawks season so far. Coming off two losses and a bye, Seattle’s season was hanging in the balance. They saved it in a big way, as Geno Smith led a sensation 80-yard drive, scrambling in with 12 seconds remaining. Now, they’re just one game back in the NFC West, and have plenty to play for.

San Francisco 49ers: D-

20-17 (L) Vs. Seahawks

The 49ers just cannot figure it out this season. Every time you think they’re going to turn the corner with this loaded roster, they have a clunker like Sunday. Somehow, this team is now last in the NFC West, though only one game back of the Cardinals. They better figure it out fast.

Kansas City Chiefs: D+

30-21 (L) @ Bills

Finally, a team figured out how to close out the Chiefs. Frankly, it wasn’t the 4th quarter that did them in. rather, it was a subpar offensive performance in the first three quarters that put them in a hole. This offense has no more excuses. They have to start playing like an offense that has Patrick Mahomes under center and Andy Reid calling plays. The defense struggled, but they’ve proven themselves. The offense has to start improving.

Buffalo Bills: A+

30-21 (W) Vs. Chiefs

It’s not as if the Bills got a monkey off their back by beating the Chiefs. They beat Kansas City in the regular season last year, only to lose in the playoffs. But, this win is only going to fuel the confidence in the Buffalo locker room that they can beat them in the playoffs. Outside of a bad interception, Josh Allen was sensational. His game-clinching touchdown run on 4th down will play in Bills highlight reels for years. He very well may be the MVP.

Bengals: D-

34-27 (L) @ Chargers

Let’s give credit to the Bengals for fighting back from a 27-6 deficit to a point where they had multiple chances to take a late lead. But, this team continually finds ways to lose. This time, it was a terrible defensive effort early, two missed kicks, and a stalled offense late. Next game it may be something else. Joe Burrow deserves better.

Los Angeles Chargers: A

34-27 (W) Vs. Bengals

After blowing a 27-6 lead in the second half, it looked like it was going to be another example of the Chargers “Chargering”, a term that is associated with the franchise snatching defeat from the jaws of victory. But, these Chargers may be different. After a dominant first half and poor second half, Justin Herbert caught fire at the right time, leading a game-winning drive capped by a JK Dobbins touchdown. For once, it was the Chargers finding a way to win. They’re now 7-3 and comfortably in the playoffs if the season ended today.