Breaking down the NFL standings coming out of Week 11

The Thanksgiving football slate is on the horizon, but there is a full week of games to get through before that. There were four teams on bye in Week 11, which is notable as every team will be in action in Week 12.

The week began with major injury news as Deshaun Watson, Joe Burrow and Mark Andrews were all ruled out for the remainder of the season with injuries. The AFC North felt wide open, and the Cleveland Browns and Pittsburgh Steelers played a defensive slugfest that came down to the wire.

Below are the eight divisional standings, along with some quick thoughts about each division after eleven weeks of football. We’ll update with remaining records as the league moves toward Week 12.

AFC East

The Patriots were on bye and are mulling a quarterback change before next week. Miami survived against the Las Vegas Raiders, but the game came down to the wire. The Bills had no trouble getting their revenge on the Jets. New York benched quarterback Zach Wilson late in the third quarter of the blowout loss.

1. Miami Dolphins, 7-3
2. Buffalo Bills, 6-5
3. New York Jets, 4-6
4. New England Patriots, 2-8 (Bye in Week 11)

AFC North

The Ravens beat the Bengals on Thursday to open Week 11. The Browns and Steelers both displayed why their respective defenses are among the top in the league. Their game came down to the wire with Cleveland winning 13-10 as time expired.

1. Baltimore Ravens, 8-3
2. Cleveland Browns, 7-3
3. Pittsburgh Steelers, 6-4
4. Cincinnati Bengals, 5-5

AFC South

The Jaguars picked up the most convincing win of the early slate, taking down the Tennessee Titans 34-14. Trevor Lawrence and Calvin Ridley connected for two touchdowns as the Jags remain on top of the division. CJ Stroud looked human against the Arizona Cardinals, but the Houston Texans escaped with a five point win.

1. Jacksonville Jaguars, 7-3
2. Houston Texans, 6-4
3. Indianapolis Colts, 5-5 (Bye in Week 11)
4. Tennessee Titans, 3-7

AFC West

The Kansas City Chiefs and the Denver Broncos will play on Monday night and Sunday night, respectively. The Las Vegas Raiders’ momentum ran out as they fell on the road in a close game to the Miami Dolphins. The Los Angeles Chargers came up short against the Green Bay Packers, 23-20.

1. Kansas City Chiefs, 7-2
2. Denver Broncos, 5-5
3. Las Vegas Raiders, 5-6
4. Los Angeles Chargers, 4-6

NFC East

The Philadelphia Eagles will face the Kansas City Chiefs on Monday night. The Dallas Cowboys went on the road and rolled over the Carolina Panthers. The New York Giants have three wins this season, and two have come over the Washington Commanders.

1. Philadelphia Eagles, 8-1
2. Dallas Cowboys, 7-3
3. Washington Commanders, 4-7
4. New York Giants, 3-8

NFC North

The Detroit Lions picked up their 8th win of the season after the Chicago Bears blew a fourth-quarter lead. Minnesota will take on the Broncos for Sunday Night Football, and the Green Bay Packers are coming off a big win over the Chargers.

1. Detroit Lions, 8-2
2. Minnesota Vikings, 6-5
3. Green Bay Packers, 4-6
4. Chicago Bears, 3-8

NFC South

Half the division was on bye this week. Carolina wishes they had an off week as they lost by 23 to the Dallas Cowboys after Bryce Young threw yet another pick-six. The Buccaneers lost to the 49ers, despite Mike Evans and Rachaad White finding the endzone.

1. New Orleans Saints, 5-5 (Bye in Week 11)
2. Atlanta Falcons, 4-6 (Bye in Week 11)
3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 4-6
4. Carolina Panthers, 1-9

NFC West

The Cardinals were the only team to play in the early window, but took a loss. The 49ers handled business against the Buccaneers in a game in which QB Brock Purdy finished with a perfect 158.3 passer rating. Any injury to Geno Smith de-railed Seattle’s momentum, and he wasn’t able to pop back in and lead a game-winning drive. Los Angeles picked up the win as Seattle’s kicker missed the go-ahead kick with three seconds left.

1. San Francisco 49ers, 7-3
2. Seattle Seahawks, 6-4
3. Los Angeles Rams, 4-6
4. Arizona Cardinals, 2-9