2019 NFL Week 11 Recap

By Rob Woodfork
November 18, 2019 | 1:31 AM

MEXICO CITY, MEXICO - NOVEMBER 18: Defensive back Daniel Sorensen #49 of the Kansas City Chiefs intercepts a pass intended for running back Austin Ekeler #30 of the Los Angeles Chargers in the fourth quarter of the game at Estadio Azteca on November 18, 2019 in Mexico City, Mexico. — <em><strong>Chiefs 24</strong></em> <em><strong>Chargers 17</strong></em> L.A. and Philip Rivers can't blame this one on the crappy turf or the Mexican altitude. Rivers is in the midst of his worst two-game stretch of his 16-year career and his <a href="https://twitter.com/ESPNStatsInfo/status/1196650943514697728?s=20" target="_blank" rel="noopener">record of futility in close games</a> is the stuff of legend. Now that the Chargers' postseason hopes are little more than a pipe dream, it's time to start considering a hard reset -- if not a full-on rebuild.

Los Angeles Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald, left, and defensive end Dante Fowler sack Chicago Bears quarterback Mitchell Trubisky (10) during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 17, 2019, in Los Angeles. — <b><i>Bears 7</i></b> <b><i>Rams 17</i></b> If <a href="https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2019/11/13/eddie-jackson-finds-his-interception-drought-stressful/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Eddie Jackson's interception drought</a> is stressful, Chicago must be having a nervous breakdown over Mitchell Trubisky. The Bears' decision to trade up for the second coming of Josh Freeman rather than Patrick Mahomes or Deshaun Watson is undermining the efforts of a great defense and will haunt Chicago for decades.

New England Patriots' Julian Edelman (11) throws a touchdown pass during the second half of an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Nov. 17, 2019, in Philadelphia. — <b><i>Patriots 17</i></b> <b><i>Eagles 10</i></b> Even on <a href="https://twitter.com/ESPNStatsInfo/status/1196227448351932416?s=20" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://twitter.com/ESPNStatsInfo/status/1196227448351932416?s%3D20&source=gmail&ust=1574133264451000&usg=AFQjCNFs6KMGT-WeZKbHzthRjd6q95Vp6g">the first day Tom Brady wasn't New England's best passer</a>, the Patriots won a tough road game to somewhat avenge their last Super Bowl loss. It just feels like New England and Baltimore are on a collision course for a rematch for the AFC Championship.

Oakland Raiders running back Josh Jacobs runs with the ball away from Cincinnati Bengals free safety Jessie Bates as Bengals cornerback William Jackson (22) looks on during the second half of an NFL football game in Oakland, Calif., Sunday, Nov. 17, 2019. — <b><i>Bengals 10</i></b> <b><i>Raiders 17</i></b> Zac Taylor is the sixth coach in the Super Bowl era to lose his first 10 games, and first since Cam Cameron's ill-fated one-and-done 2007 season in Miami. Who knew hiring a poor man's Sean McVay would yield poor results?

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders, left, catches a pass against Arizona Cardinals strong safety Jalen Thompson (34) and strong safety Budda Baker (32) during the second half of an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Nov. 17, 2019. — <b><i>Cardinals 26</i></b> <b><i>49ers 36</i></b> Kyler Murray had a fast start and <a href="https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2019/11/11/chandler-jones-has-a-chance-to-lead-league-in-sacks-and-forced-fumbles/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Chandler Jones kept up his torrid pace, </a>but Arizona's so bad <a href="https://www.espn.com/chalk/story/_/id/28104832/last-second-49ers-td-worst-case-scenario-caesars-some-cardinals-bettors" target="_blank" rel="noopener">they can't even lose right</a>. But give it up for Jimmy G. He needed to prove he can carry San Fran when necessary, and his first 400-yard, 4-TD game certainly demonstrated that.

New York Jets tight end Ryan Griffin (84) runs toward the end zone for a touchdown against the Washington Redskins during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 17, 2019, in Landover, Md. — <b><i>Jets 34</i></b> <b><i>Redskins 17</i></b> All three of the Jets' wins have come against the NFC East. If they weren't a carbon copy of the equally-dysfunctional Redskins (right down to the <a href="https://www.nydailynews.com/sports/football/jets/ny-luke-falk-injury-grievance-lawsuit-20191108-sxc5bwvelbfufkal2vzyr3hau4-story.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.nydailynews.com/sports/football/jets/ny-luke-falk-injury-grievance-lawsuit-20191108-sxc5bwvelbfufkal2vzyr3hau4-story.html&source=gmail&ust=1574133264451000&usg=AFQjCNG9mC7B2uhN0VA0DxHgyjynua3Geg">mistreatment of injured players</a>) they'd be petitioning to switch divisions. And Washington needs to petition the league for relegating the Redskins. Dwayne Haskins and Derrius Guice teaming up to snap the awful franchise-record streak of 16 straight quarters without a touchdown was nice but the scene at FedEx Field — where the road team has won every game this season — shows we're far beyond the breaking point here. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">"Sell the team! Sell the team!" <a href="https://t.co/0oM1vdHtdx">pic.twitter.com/0oM1vdHtdx</a></p> — Jim Brady (@jimbrady) <a href="https://twitter.com/jimbrady/status/1196145088612704256?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 17, 2019</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

BALTIMORE, MARYLAND — NOV. 17: Lamar Jackson #8 of the Baltimore Ravens rushes for a first down in the third quarter against the Houston Texans at M & T Bank Stadium on Nov. 17, 2019 in Baltimore, Maryland. — <b><i>Texans 7</i></b> <b><i>Ravens 41</i></b> Though the duel between Deshaun Watson and Lamar Jackson failed to live up to its billing, Jackson's MVP campaign is going strong. During Baltimore's six-game win streak, he's outplayed and beaten Watson, Russell Wilson and Tom Brady, and he's now the first Raven to notch multiple 4-TD games in a season. Sky is the limit for this 22-year-old phenom — and for <a href="https://twitter.com/SNFonNBC/status/1196192537830133761?s=20" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Mark Ingram's post-playing career as a hype man</a>.

Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Randall Cobb (18) reacts after a touchdown while defended by Detroit Lions defensive back Will Harris (25) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 17, 2019, in Detroit. — <b><i>Cowboys 35</i></b> <b><i>Lions 27</i></b> I hate to break it to you Detroit … but you have three wins and <a href="https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/28096546/sources-doctors-tell-matthew-stafford-6-week-injury-qb-return-sooner" target="_blank" rel="noopener">your QB might miss the rest of the season</a>. <a href="https://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2019/11/10/darius-slay-things-get-ugly-if-detroit-lions-dont-win-out/2558827001/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2019/11/10/darius-slay-things-get-ugly-if-detroit-lions-dont-win-out/2558827001/&source=gmail&ust=1574133264451000&usg=AFQjCNGUzNZEFP25SEk8DNTAoEBM5As8RQ">Ugly</a> is here. But it'll be far uglier if you can't win in Washington, where everyone feels at home (except the Redskins, of course).

CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA — NOV. 17: Luke Kuechly #59 of the Carolina Panthers tackles Calvin Ridley #18 of the Atlanta Falcons during their game at Bank of America Stadium on Nov. 17, 2019 in Charlotte, North Carolina. — <b><i>Falcons 29</i></b> <b><i>Panthers 3</i></b> Oh, <i>now</i> Atlanta starts playing well. Where the hell was this in September? And October? And in Super Bowl LI?

TAMPA, FLORIDA — NOV. 17: Michael Thomas #13 of the New Orleans Saints runs the ball during the third quarter of a football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium on Nov. 17, 2019 in Tampa, Florida. — <b><i>Saints 34</i></b> <b><i>Bucs 17</i></b> Michael Thomas is ridiculous. This man has surpassed 90 catches through 10 games, the first player in NFL history to do so. With or without Drew Brees, every receiving record is in danger if Thomas stays healthy.

Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins, left, runs from Denver Broncos defensive end Dre'Mont Jones, right, during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 17, 2019, in Minneapolis. — <b><i>Broncos 23</i></b> <b><i>Vikings 27</i></b> It wasn't quite the famous "<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hqCfWzMOZpA" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v%3DhqCfWzMOZpA&source=gmail&ust=1574133264451000&usg=AFQjCNEKoOaMpGwdlaHdbBWSwkRIBOmnzw">You Like That?!</a>" game but Kirk Cousins engineered the NFL's first 20-point halftime comeback in five years, helping Minnesota become the first team in 40 years to score on every second half possession and win after trailing 20 at the half. Dominating Denver would certainly be a better look, but if Captain Kirk can lead the Vikings into Seattle and win a primetime battle with Russell Wilson's Seahawks, it might be time to start taking Minnesota seriously.

Buffalo Bills free safety Jordan Poyer (21) recovers a fumble by Miami Dolphins wide receiver Allen Hurns (17), during the first half at an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 17, 2019, in Miami Gardens, Fla. — <b><i>Bills 37</i></b> <b><i>Dolphins 20</i></b> When Miami was trying to lose, they won two straight. Now that they're <a href="https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2019/11/16/brian-flores-told-dolphins-forget-the-draft-were-trying-to-win-games/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2019/11/16/brian-flores-told-dolphins-forget-the-draft-were-trying-to-win-games/&source=gmail&ust=1574133264451000&usg=AFQjCNFvFuDLIYZbtbuXVtkZm-rt1rDoqQ">trying to win</a>, they lose. The Dolphins probably wish they held on to the good, young players they gave up for draft picks now that <a href="https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/28093292/alabama-qb-tua-tagovailoa-getting-x-rays-hip-injury" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/28093292/alabama-qb-tua-tagovailoa-getting-x-rays-hip-injury&source=gmail&ust=1574133264451000&usg=AFQjCNG9xmweXIjeY1RzUTdvabpvFWqbdQ">"Tanking for Tua is off the table.</a>

CLEVELAND, OHIO — NOV. 14: Defensive end Myles Garrett #95 of the Cleveland Browns hits Quarterback Mason Rudolph #2 of the Pittsburgh Steelers over the head with his helmet during the second half in the game at FirstEnergy Stadium on Nov. 14, 2019 in Cleveland, Ohio. — <b><i>Steelers 7</i></b> <b><i>Browns 21</i></b> Only the Browns can grab a primetime, season-saving win and make it <a href="https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2019/11/15/odell-beckham-it-feels-like-we-lost/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">feel like a loss</a>. <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jev4TufepPo" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Myles Garrett's brutal act</a> felt like the NFL's version of the<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4REWM99_JSI" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> NBA's Malice in the Palace</a>, and though there were some bad actors in Steeler uniforms, <a href="https://twitter.com/JFowlerESPN/status/1195200351307210752?s=20">Cleveland's attitude</a> came off as thuggish and turned what could have been one of the best turnaround stories into another chapter of the sordid history of the <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tRBDMMVctu8">Factory of Sadness</a>.

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The NFL Week 11 Recap includes a dud of a duel, a bad beat and the NFL’s answer to Malice in the Palace.

Quarterback Alex Smith’s grueling road to recovery chronicled in ESPN program

By CNN
April 28, 2020 | 10:34 PM

NFL quarterback Alex Smith suffered a gruesome leg injury that put his career in jeopardy and had him fighting for his life, and his long and grueling road to recovery is chronicled in an upcoming one-hour program from ESPN called "Project 11." The leg injury occurred Nov. 18, 2018, in the third quarter of a game between the Washington Redskins and Houston Texans. After being sacked by the Texans' J.J. Watt and Kareem Jackson, Smith suffered a spiral and compound fracture of the right tibia and fibula.

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