Our NFL Nation reporters reacted to all the action, answering lingering questions that arose from each game and detailing everything you need to know for each team. Let’s get to it.
Jump to:
BAL-CIN | NYG-CAR
panthers
Is Bryce Young finally proving himself worthy of the No. 1 pick in 2023? Wait. They have only beaten the beleaguered Saints and Giants in consecutive weeks. He didn’t shine on Sunday (15 of 25 for 126 yards). But he showed enough promise and poise to keep the starting job after the break against the Chiefs. And he’s shown glimpses that suggest he can still be a franchise quarterback, which is why Carolina didn’t consider trade offers despite calls before the deadline.
Surprising Statistic: Three days after earning a four-year, $33 million extension, running back Chuba Hubbard had a career-high 103 rushing yards after first contact on his way to a career-high 153 yards and a touchdown. . He validated the toughness he has shown to justify the new agreement.
Most surprising performance: The defense. He had his first shutout in any half since Week 15 of 2023. He had his first interception since Week 4. Then another. He finally created pressure with the debut of OLB DJ Wonnum. And he managed to recover a fumble in overtime to set up the victory. The run defense was suspect, but the rest overcame it. –David Newton
Next match: vs. Chiefs (November 24, 1 p.m. ET)
Giants
What kind of changes will the Giants make during the bye week? Something has to happen. They are 2-8 for the second straight season with five straight losses. A quarterback change is the obvious option, especially after coach Brian Daboll benched Daniel Jones four weeks ago. Jones has an injury guarantee in his contract that should be a factor down the stretch and he is not playing well. He missed a wide-open Malik Nabers on the first drive and threw two costly interceptions deep in Carolina territory in the contest. He appears to be done after six years as a starter.
Describe the game in two words: Total disaster. I used this same phrase for the Week 1 loss to the Vikings, but it still applies. More now. The Giants were shut out in the first half by the league’s 32nd-ranked defense while the entire nation was eating breakfast. They couldn’t stop the race either…again. One of the worst run defenses in the league allowed Chubba Hubbard to accumulate 153 yards on the ground. Bad.
Surprising Statistic: Three runs of 10-plus yards for Tyrone Tracy Jr. This is now the fourth time in six starts that the rookie running back had at least three runs of 10 or more yards. He has really added explosiveness in the run game to the Giants offense, starting ahead of Devin Singletary. Tracy finished with 103 rushing yards on 18 carries, the finale being the costly fumble that cost the Giants the game. For the most part, he’s still been a bright spot this season. –Jordan Raanan
Next match: vs. Buccaneers (November 24, 1 pm ET)
crows
Is Lamar Jackson playing his best football ever? Absolutely, and this is demonstrated by the statistics and the way he plays. In his last two games, Jackson has produced a perfect 158.3 passer rating in a win over the Broncos and a perfect passer rating in the fourth quarter of a comeback win over the Bengals. He is showing more poise in the passing game, throwing 24 touchdowns and two interceptions. Jackson, a two-time NFL MVP, is on pace to pass for a career-high 4,500 yards and rush for 900 yards.
Surprising Statistic: Wide receiver Tylan Wallace picked an opportune moment to record the first touchdown catch of his career. With Baltimore trailing 21-14 in the fourth quarter, he took a short pass from Jackson and turned it into an 84-yard touchdown. He gained 78 yards after the catch over expected, which is YACOE’s second-most on a catch since 2018, according to NFL Next Gen Stats.
Biggest hole in the game plan: Failing to defend Bengals wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase. With Tee Higgins inactive, the Ravens knew Joe Burrow would target Chase even more and still couldn’t stop him. Chase scored on touchdown receptions of 67 and 70 yards. For the season, Baltimore has allowed a league-high 28 completions of 25 or more yards, which explains why the Ravens have the 32nd-ranked pass defense. – Jamison Hensley
Next match: at Chargers (Sunday, 8:20 p.m. ET)
bengali
What does this loss mean for the Bengals? It would have been great for the Bengals’ playoff chances to win this game on the road. However, Cincinnati was a big underdog entering Thursday night. And the way the rest of the schedule is shaping up, the matchups against the Chargers and the two matchups against the Pittsburgh Steelers were always going to be critical to their playoff chances, no matter what happens on Thursday. Still, this will be a tough loss to stomach after the Bengals blew a 14-point lead.
Describe the game in two words: Crushing collapse. The Bengals were in control and led by 14 points midway through the third quarter, but they made enough mistakes that allowed the Ravens to rally and sweep Cincinnati for the season.
Biggest hole in the game plan: Do the little things well. A Chase Brown fumble in the third quarter and missed tackles that led to a long Tylan Wallace touchdown were crucial. A botched interception by Cam Taylor-Britt and a crucial missed fourth down by Joe Burrow were among many mistakes. – Ben baby
Next match: at Steelers (Sunday, 1 p.m. ET)
