Dolphins, Jaguars win, Buccaneers lose to Bills | NFL wrapup video
The Dolphins won the first NFL game in Spain in OT; the Jaguars dominate the Chargers at home; and the Bucs fall in a high-scoring game to the Bills.
The AFC playoff race entering Week 12 can be divided into two sections: The three two-loss teams (Denver, New England and Indianapolis) and everybody else.
The Jacksonville Jaguars are in the “everybody else” category of teams with a 6-4 record entering their game at Arizona on Sunday, Nov. 23.
Here is a look at the teams in playoff position and those in the hunt:
RecordWeek 11Week 129-2Beat Kansas City, 22-19Bye
The Broncos roll into their bye week with seven consecutive wins, including victories by four, two, one, three, three and three points. Denver, which hasn’t won a playoff game since the Super Bowl after the 2015 season, leads the NFL with 41 sacks.
RecordWeek 11Week 129-2Beat the N.Y. Jets, 27-14At Cincinnati
The Patriots, 4-13 last year like the Jaguars, have won eight consecutive games, including four by double digits. Second-year quarterback Drake Maye leads the NFL with a 113.2 passer rating and belongs in the MVP conversation.
RecordWeek 11Week 128-2ByeAt Kansas City
None of Colts’ remaining seven games are against teams with current losing records. Running back Jonathan Taylor leads the league in rushing yards with 1,139 (no other back has more than 968 yards) and 15 rushing touchdowns (no other back has more than 11).
RecordWeek 11Week 126-4Beat Cincinnati, 34-12At Chicago
Might the Steelers’ offense run better with Mason Rudolph at quarterback if Aaron Rodgers (non-throwing wrist) can’t play? Sure looks like. Rudolph was 12-of-16 passing for 127 yards in the win over Cincinnati. Pittsburgh leads the AFC North by one game over Baltimore.
RecordWeek 11Week 127-3Beat Tampa Bay, 44-32At Houston (Thu., Nov. 20)
Quarterback Josh Allen is getting revved up — he had three touchdowns rushing and passing apiece in the win over Tampa Bay. The Bills’ problem is defensively. They are dreadful stopping the run, ranking second-worst at 153 yards per game.
RecordWeek 11Week 127-4Lost to Jacksonville, 35-6Bye
The Chargers are the most likely team to fall out of playoff position because their offensive line is so banged up and help isn’t on the way. Quarterback Justin Herbert ranks second in the league with 2,691 passing yards, but has been sacked 35 times.
RecordWeek 11Week 126-4Beat L.A. Chargers, 35-6At Arizona
The next two games are at 3-7 Arizona and 2-9 Tennessee, so the Jaguars have the opportunity to not only solidify the seventh spot but pass the Chargers. The Jaguars are tied for second in takeaways (18), tied for third in turnover differential (plus-8).
In the hunt
8: Houston (5-5). The Texans have gone 2-0 with back-up quarterback Davis Mills subbing for C.J. Stroud (concussion).
9: Kansas City (5-5). The Chiefs are certainly still in it, but can’t afford many more losses in general and any more AFC losses in particular.
10: Baltimore (5-5). Here come the Ravens, who have won four consecutive games by a combined 51 points to climb to within a game of Pittsburgh in the division. The Ravens host the Jets in Week 12.