Scully's NFL Notebook: Hurts flies high in Philly
Nothing beats a thrilling conclusion, and Week 11 featured quite the finish between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday night.
Down by 27-13 and 34-20 margins in the fourth quarter, the Steelers rallied to take a 37-34 lead, but they could not withstand the Chargers.
Justin Hebert needed only three plays to connect on a 53-yard touchdown pass to Mike Williams to reclaim the advantage, and Los Angeles, which had lost three of its previous four games, notched an important victory to remain in the AFC West race at 6-4.
Let’s examine more storylines in this week’s NFL Notebook.
Kansas City’s defense humbles Dallas
Defense was the difference for Kansas City, which held Dallas to a season-low point total (nine) on Sunday.
The Chiefs won comfortably, despite scoring only 19 points.
After losing 27-3 at Tennessee in Week 7, Kansas City acquired defensive end Melvin Ingram via trade and embarked on a four-game win streak, allowing only 47 combined points (11.75 points per game) behind a stingy defensive front.
Chiefs big mid-season addition of Melvin Ingram has paid off early and often.
— Matt Lane (@Matty_KCSN) November 23, 2021
Ingram's speed up the arc is difficult enough for OTs let alone when he starts working in the euro-steps and hands. Add on the leverage he plays with and OTs really struggle to make good contact on him pic.twitter.com/OfdsncLoR7
Kansas City enters the bye week at 7-4, leading the AFC West by a half-game, and the team's confidence is way up.
Indy runs roughshod over Buffalo
Jonathan Taylor notched a franchise-record five touchdowns and powered his way to 185 rushing yards, as Indianapolis dominated Buffalo in Week 11.
Buffalo has lost three of the last five, with its two wins coming against Miami and the New York Jets.
The Bills have been pushed around at times, especially on the offensive line. The inability to run effectively puts too much pressure upon Josh Allen.
Indianapolis looked like a playoff team, winning its third straight to improve to 6-5.
Another Titan puzzler
Since dropping the opener, Tennessee has compiled eight wins from 10 games, including victories over Buffalo, Indianapolis (twice), Kansas City, and the Los Angeles Rams.
Losses to arguably the two worst teams in the league, Houston and the Jets, defy common sense. The Titans laid an egg as a 10-point home favorite on Sunday, trailing 12-0 at halftime before losing 22-13. Ryan Tannehill threw four interceptions.
A wild NFL early window...
— The Athletic (@TheAthletic) November 21, 2021
▫️ AFC South-leading Titans lose to Texans
▫️ AFC East-leading Bills lose to Colts
▫️ NFC North-leading Packers lose to Vikings
▫️ NFC Wild Card Saints lose to Eagles
▫️ NFC Wild Card Panthers lose to Washington
Buckle up. pic.twitter.com/geXpVySHBf
Fly, Eagles Fly!
Philadelphia won its second straight, logging 242 rushing yards on New Orleans’ top-ranked run defense, and the 5-6 Eagles are a team on the rise.
After opening 2-5, Philadelphia has averaged 34.5 points per game over the last four weeks, winning thrice to advance to 5-6.
Jalen Hurts is getting it done, leading the league over the last five weeks with a 75.0 QBR, and Philadelphia can make some noise down the stretch with a favorable schedule remaining.
Game of the Week
A terrific slate of games is on tap in Week 12, and let’s highlight the Los Angeles Rams at Green Bay.
Leading contenders for the NFC's top spot, the Rams and Packers both need a win.
The 7-3 Rams return from the bye with a two-game losing streak, and the 8-3 Packers have dropped two of the last three.
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