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Between the reigning Super Bowl champions losing their first game of the season and former contenders continuing their disappointing seasons, Week 11 was filled with talking points.
The ‘Trump dance’ also took center stage, with many prominent players across the league mimicking the dance made popular by President-elect Donald Trump to celebrate moments in their games.
Here are the main takeaways from the past week in the National Football League.
Julia Demaree Nikhinson/AP
Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen slips past Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Nazeeh Johnson to score on a 26-yard run near the end of the game in Orchard Park, New York, on Sunday, November 17.
The Bills beat the Chiefs 30-21, ending Kansas City’s 15-game win streak. Allen finished with 262 yards, one touchdown and one interception while adding 57 yards and a score on the ground.
Matt Durisko/AP
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver George Pickens catches a pass in front of Baltimore Ravens cornerback Brandon Stephens during his team's 18-16 victory in Pittsburgh on November 17.
Sean Gardner/Getty Images
New Orleans Saints tight end Taysom Hill rushes for a fourth quarter touchdown against the Cleveland Browns in New Orleans on November 17. Hill scored three touchdowns during the Saints' 35-15 win.
Sam Greene/USA Today Sports/Reuters
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow walks off the field after his team lost to the Los Angeles Chargers 34-27 in Inglewood, California, on November 17. The Bengals are 4-7 this season with the loss.
Matt Slocum/AP
Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley scores during his team's
26-18 victory over the Washington Commanders in Philadelphia on Thursday, November 14.
Sam Lutz/Kansas City Chiefs/AP
Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Leo Chenal (54)
blocks a 35-yard field goal attempt from Denver Broncos kicker Wil Lutz in the last play of the game in Kansas City, Missouri, on Sunday, November 10. The Chiefs won 16-14 and remain undefeated this season.
Michael Reaves/Getty Images
Chicago Bears running back D'Andre Swift carries the ball past New England Patriots cornerback Marco Wilson and linebacker Anfernee Jennings at Soldier Field in Chicago on November 10. The Bears lost 19-3.
Ross D. Franklin/AP
A New York Jets fan watches the second half of the Jets' 31-6 loss to the Arizona Cardinals in Glendale, Arizona, on November 10.
Julio Cortez/AP
Philadelphia Eagles defensive tackle Milton Williams celebrates with teammates after recovering a Dallas Cowboys fumble in Arlington, Texas, on November 10. The Eagles won 34-6.
Tyler Kaufman/AP
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins celebrates after a touchdown during the Falcons' 20-17 loss to the New Orleans Saints in New Orleans on November 10.
Kevin Sabitus/Getty Images
Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase hauls in a fourth quarter touchdown, his third of the night, in the team's 35-34 loss to the AFC North rival Baltimore Ravens on Thursday, November 7.
Jay Biggerstaff/USA Today Sports/Reuters
Danny Karnik/AP
Dallas Cowboys safety Donovan Wilson, linebacker Eric Kendricks, Atlanta Falcons guard Ryan Neuzil and running back Bijan Robinson dive for a loose ball in Atlanta on Sunday, November 3. The Falcons defeated the Cowboys 27-21.
Luke Hales/Getty Images
New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones celebrates a touchdown in the fourth quarter of the Giants' 27-22 loss to the Washington Commanders in East Rutherford, New Jersey, on November 3.
Abbie Parr/AP
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Josh Downs is tackled by Minnesota Vikings cornerback Byron Murphy Jr., left, and safety Camryn Bynum during the Vikings' 21-13 victory in Minneapolis on November 3.
Luke Hales/Getty Images
Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels fakes a hand off to running back Austin Ekeler during the game against the New York Giants on November 3.
Elsa/Getty Images
Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley hurdles Jacksonville Jaguars cornerback Jarrian Jones in the second quarter of the Eagles' 28-23 victory in Philadelphia on November 3.
Greg Fiume/Getty Images
Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Zay Flowers celebrates a touchdown in Baltimore on November 3.
Tork Mason/USA Today Sports/Reuters
Detroit Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown, left, and wide receiver Tim Patrick celebrate after St. Brown caught a touchdown pass during a game against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin, on November 3. The Lions won 24-14.
Seth Wenig/AP
New York Jets wide receiver Garrett Wilson catches a pass for a touchdown as Houston Texans cornerback Kamari Lassiter defends at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, on Thursday, October 31. The Jets ended their five-game losing streak with the 21-13 win.
Joe Sargent/Getty Images
New York Giants running back Devin Singletary stiff arms Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Joey Porter Jr. during the Steelers' 26-18 win in Pittsburgh on Monday, October 28.
Peter Casey/USA Today Sports/Reuters
Washington Commanders wide receiver Noah Brown catches a Hail Mary pass that was tipped with no time left to beat the Chicago Bears 18-15 at Commanders Field in Landover, Maryland, on Sunday, October 27.
C. Morgan Engel/Getty Images
Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix scores a rushing touchdown in Denver on October 27. The Broncos beat the Carolina Panthers 28-14.
Joseph Maiorana/USA Today Sports/Reuters
Cincinnati Bengals running back Chase Brown, left, and his identical twin brother, Philadelphia Eagles safety Sydney Brown, exchange jerseys after the game between their teams in Cincinnati on October 27. The Eagles won 37-17.
Carmen Mandato/Getty Images
Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa attempts a pass in the first quarter against the Arizona Cardinals at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami on October 27. The Dolphins lost 28-27.
Mark J. Terrill/AP
Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold reacts after being
sacked for a safety in his own endzone by Los Angeles Rams linebacker Byron Young in Inglewood, California, on Thursday, October 24. TV replays showed Young had grabbed Darnold’s face mask. After the game, lead official Tra Blake said the incident went unpenalized because none of his officiating crew had a clear look at it. The Rams won 30-20.
Michael Owens/Getty Images
Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert stiff arms Arizona Cardinals linebacker Mack Wilson Sr. during the Chargers' 17-15 loss in Glendale, Arizona, on Monday, October 21.
Jed Jacobsohn/AP
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Chris Conley and Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Trent McDuffie vie for the ball on Sunday, October 20, in Santa Clara, California.
Andy Lyons/Getty Images
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Alec Pierce is tackled by Miami Dolphins linebacker Jordyn Brooks on October 20 in Indianapolis. The Colts won 16-10.
Morry Gash/AP
Green Bay Packers kicker Brandon McManus celebrates with fans after kicking the game-winning field goal against the Houston Texans in Green Bay, Wisconsin, on October 20. The Packers won 24-22.
Greg Fiume/Getty Images
Washington Commanders tight end Zach Ertz celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Carolina Panthers on October 20 in Landover, Maryland. The Commanders won 40-7.
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Jacksonville Jaguars defensive tackle DaVon Hamilton runs out of the tunnel prior to the game against the New England Patriots in London on October 20. The Jaguars won 32-16.
Ron Chenoy/USA Today Sports/Reuters
Denver Broncos cornerback Riley Moss breaks up a pass to Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Ladd McConkey in the second half of the Broncos' 23-16 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers in Denver on Sunday, October 13.
Matthew Pearce/Icon Sportswire/Getty Images
Detroit Lions safety Brian Branch, center, celebrates an interception with his teammates during a game against the Dallas Cowboys in Arlington, Texas, on October 13. The Lions trounced the Cowboys 47-9.
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Green Bay Packers wide receiver Romeo Doubs dives for a touchdown in Green Bay, Wisconsin, on October 13. The Packers beat the Arizona Cardinals 34-13.
AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post/Getty Images
Denver Broncos cornerback Pat Surtain II stands for the national anthem on October 13.
Matt Rourke/AP
Philadelphia Eagles safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson stops Cleveland Browns tight end David Njoku in Philadelphia on October 13. The Eagles won 20-16.
Grant Halverson/Getty Images
Carolina Panthers linebacker Claudin Cherelus pressures Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins in Charlotte, North Carolina, on October 13. The Panthers lost 38-20.
Zac Goodwin/PA Images/Getty Images
Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams walks down the tunnel after his team
beat the Jacksonville Jaguars 35-16 at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London on October 13. Williams completed 23 of his 29 pass attempts and throwing for 226 yards and four touchdowns.
John Froschauer/AP
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Deebo Samuel makes a catch during his team's
36-24 victory over the Seattle Seahawks in Seattle on Thursday, October 10. Samuel
became the first wide receiver in NFL history with 20 touchdown receptions and 20 touchdown runs after scoring on a 76-yard touchdown catch.
Steven Bisig/USA Today Sports/Reuters
San Francisco 49ers cornerback Isaac Yiadom and safety Ji'Ayir Brown break up a touchdown pass intended for Seattle Seahawks wide receiver DK Metcalf in Seattle on October 10.
Ed Zurga/AP
New Orleans Saints linebacker Willie Gay Jr. signs autographs for a young Kansas City Chiefs fan before the start of the game between the teams in Kansas City, Missouri, on Monday, October 7. Gay played for the Chiefs for four seasons before signing with the Saints during the offseason.
The Chiefs beat the Saints 26-13.
Steve Luciano/AP
Minnesota Vikings safety Camryn Bynum celebrates after a play during a game against the New York Jets in London on Sunday, October 6. The Vikings extended their win streak with a 23-17 victory.
Eric Gay/AP
Buffalo Bills wide receiver Keon Coleman scores on a 49-yard touchdown reception during the Bills' 23-20 loss to the Houston Texans in Houston on October 6.
David Rosenblum/Icon Sportswire/Getty Images
Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence eats a cupcake to celebrate his birthday after his team beat the Indianapolis Colts 37-34 at home in Jacksonville, Florida, on October 6. It was the Jaguars' first win of the season.
Gregory Bull/AP
Green Bay Packers punter Daniel Whelan grabs a high snap during a game against the Los Angeles Rams in Inglewood, California, on October 6. The Packers won 24-19.
Nathan Ray Seebeck/USA Today Sports/Reuters
Indianapolis Colts running back Trey Sermon runs with the ball during the second quarter against the Jacksonville Jaguars in Jacksonville, Florida, on October 6.
Eric Gay/AP
Houston Texans kicker Ka'imi Fairbairn celebrates with teammates after kicking a 59-yard field goal on the last play of his team's victory over the Buffalo Bills in Houston on October 6.
Ezra Shaw/Getty Images
San Francisco 49ers cornerback Deommodore Lenoir runs for a touchdown after a blocked field goal during a game against the Arizona Cardinals in Santa Clara, California, on October 6. The Cardinals came back to narrowly upset the 49ers 24-23.
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Denver Broncos cornerback Riley Moss celebrates after an interception in Denver on October 6. The Broncos beat the Las Vegas Raiders 34-18.
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Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels passes in the first half of the team's 42-14 win over the Arizona Cardinals in Glendale, Arizona, on Sunday, September 29.
Seth Wenig/AP
Denver Broncos cornerback Tremon Smith celebrates as a field goal attempt by New York Jets kicker Greg Zuerlein misses in the fourth quarter in East Rutherford, New Jersey, on September 29. The Broncos won 10-9.
Grant Halverson/Getty Images
Carolina Panthers tight end Ja'Tavion Sanders fights off the tackle attempt by Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Germaine Pratt in Charlotte, North Carolina, on September 29. The Bengals beat the Panthers 34-24.
Eric Gay/AP
Houston Texans safety Eric Murray celebrates after sacking Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence during the Texans' 24-20 victory in Houston on September 29.
Jed Jacobsohn/AP
San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle catches a touchdown pass in the end zone in Santa Clara, California, on September 29. The 49ers beat the New England Patriots 30-13.
Brad Penner/USA Today Sports/Reuters
New York Giants wide receiver Darius Slayton bobbles the ball as he runs against Dallas Cowboys linebacker Eric Kendricks during the Giants' 20-15 loss to the Cowboys in East Rutherford, New Jersey, on Thursday, September 26.
Bryan M. Bennett/Getty Images
Damar Hamlin of the Buffalo Bills celebrates an interception during the second quarter against the Jacksonville Jaguars in Orchard Park, New York, on Monday, September 23. This was his first career interception and latest milestone since he suffered from a cardiac arrest on the field in early 2023.
Brandon Sloter/Getty Images
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Calvin Austin III runs with the ball for a touchdown during the Steelers' 20-10 victory over the Los Angeles Chargers in Pittsburgh on Sunday, September 22.
Stephen Maturen/Getty Images
Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold throws the ball to tight end Johnny Mundt in Minneapolis on September 22. The Vikings beat the Houston Texans 34-7.
John Amis/AP
Kadeem Telfort of the Green Bay Packers takes a selfie with a fan after the Packers beat the Tennessee Titans 30-14 on the road in Nashville on September 22.
Stacy Bengs/AP
Minnesota Vikings running back Aaron Jones lands in the end zone for a touchdown in Minneapolis on September 22.
Cooper Neill/Getty Images
Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott sits on the field after a play during the team's 28-25 loss to the Baltimore Ravens in Arlington, Texas, on September 22.
Brad Penner/USA Today Sports/Reuters
New York Jets wide receiver Allen Lazard runs past New England Patriots cornerback Alex Austin for a touchdown in East Rutherford, New Jersey, on Thursday, September 19. The Jets won 24-3.
Matt Slocum/AP
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Darnell Mooney scores a touchdown during the team's 22-21 win over the Philadelphia Eagles in Philadelphia on Monday, September 16.
Jay Biggerstaff/USA Today Sports/Reuters
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes runs the ball against Cincinnati Bengals cornerback Dax Hill during the Chiefs' 26-25 victory in Kansas City, Missouri, on Sunday, September 15. The defending Super Bowl champs moved to 2-0 on the season.
Abbie Parr/AP
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Deebo Samuel Sr. catches a pass over Minnesota Vikings safety Camryn Bynum and linebacker Ivan Pace Jr. during a game in Minneapolis on September 15. The Vikings would go on to win the game 24-17.
Tim Heitman/USA Today Sports/Reuters
New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara runs the ball during the Saints' 44-19 win over the Dallas Cowboys in Arlington, Texas, on September 15. Kamara had four touchdowns in the game.
Jasen Vinlove/USA Today Sports/Reuters
Miami Dolphins players attend to quarterback Tua Tagovailoa after
he took a hit to the head in the second half of a game against the Buffalo Bills in Miami Gardens, Florida, on Thursday, September 12. Tagovailoa was later ruled out with a concussion.
Godofredo A. Vásquez/AP
New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers and teammates wait in a tunnel before a game against the San Francisco 49ers in Santa Clara, California, on Monday, September 9. This is the first game back for Rodgers since tearing his Achilles tendon last year after his first game of the season.
Caroline Brehman/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock
Los Angeles Chargers players and Las Vegas Raiders players clash after a play during the second half of their game in Inglewood, California, on Sunday, September 8.
Ken Blaze/USA Today Sports/Reuters
Nathan Ray Seebeck/USA Today Sports/Reuters
Washington Commanders running back Brian Robinson Jr. breaks a tackle from Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker K.J. Britt in Tampa, Florida, on September 8. The Buccaneers beat the Commanders 37-20.
Al Diaz/Miami Herald/Tribune News Service/Getty Images
Miami Dolphins wide receivers Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle celebrate a touchdown during a 20-17 victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars in Miami Gardens, Florida, on September 8. Hill was
detained for a short time by police after a traffic incident earlier in the day. Miami-Dade Police Department Director Stephanie V. Daniels said Sunday that an investigation has begun into the incident and one of the officers involved is being placed on administrative duties.
Danny Karnik/AP
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Justin Fields signals during the second half of a game against the Atlanta Falcons in Atlanta on September 8. The Steelers defeated the Falcons 18-10.
David Banks/USA Today Sports/Reuters
Tennessee Titans tight end Chigoziem Okonkwo, right, and Chicago Bears cornerback Tyrique Stevenson tumble in the end zone in Chicago on September 8. Okonkwo made the catch for a touchdown, but the Titans ultimately fell 24-17 to the Bears.
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Rhamondre Stevenson of the New England Patriots runs the ball against Cincinnati Bengals defenders in Cincinnati on September 8. The Patriots beat the Bengals 16-10.
Vincent Carchietta/USA Today Sports/Reuters
Minnesota Vikings linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel, center, celebrates his interception return for a touchdown during the Vikings' 28-6 victory over the New York Giants in East Rutherford, New Jersey, on September 8.
Rebecca Blackwell/AP
Miami Dolphins and Jacksonville Jaguars players pray together at the end of the game in Miami Gardens, Florida, on September 8.
Matt Slocum/AP
Buffalo Bills wide receiver Khalil Shakir, top, dives for the end zone for a touchdown as Arizona Cardinals defensive tackle Justin Jones is unable to make the tackle in Orchard Park, New York, on September 8. The Bills won 34-28.
Brooke Sutton/Getty Images
Green Bay Packers quarterback
Jordan Love walks off the field after taking a hit in the final seconds of a game against the Philadelphia Eagles in São Paulo early Saturday, September 7. The Eagles won 34-29.
Kirby Lee/USA Today Sports/Reuters
Brazilian and American flags are presented on the field at Neo Química Arena – also known as Corinthians Arena – in São Paulo ahead of the game between the Green Bay Packers and Philadelphia Eagles on Friday, September 6.
It was the first NFL game in South America.
Ed Zurga/AP
Baltimore Ravens tight end Isaiah Likely catches a pass with his toe out of bounds as time expires at the end of the game against the Kansas City Chiefs in Kansas City, Missouri, on September 5. The Chiefs won 27-20.
Jay Biggerstaff/USA Today Sports/Reuters
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes scrambles during the game against the Baltimore Ravens in Kansas City, Missouri, on September 5.
Charlie Riedel/AP
Fans enter Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri, ahead of the game between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Baltimore Ravens on September 5.
The AFC path to the Super Bowl looked like it would run through Kansas City after the Chiefs opened the season on a nine-game winning streak.
However, things might be subject to change following the Chiefs’ first loss of the season to their conference rivals, the Buffalo Bills, on Sunday.
The Bills now sit just a game behind the Chiefs who still occupy the AFC’s No. 1 overall seed, but due to the 30-21 win, hold the tiebreaker between the two teams.
Perhaps more than the result though, it should how Buffalo might be growing into the most complete team in the conference.
Spearheaded by an MVP-caliber quarterback in Josh Allen, the Bills’ offense has everything it needs to succeed, even in the often-freezing cold temperatures of upstate New York.
Between the Bills’ host of playmaking wide receivers, talented group of tight ends and running backs capable of making defenders miss, Allen can pick and choose which match-up he favors as he lines up to take the snap.
Even when those things are covered and his offensive line has been beaten by defenders, Allen’s running ability can be a great pressure-release valve as he showed on the final touchdown in the victory over Kansas City, breaking multiple tackles and rumbling into the endzone for the game-sealing score.
Allen is also helped by an ascendant defense which, under the tutelage of head coach Sean McDermott, has grown as the season has progressed, intercepting Patrick Mahomes twice and restricting the Chiefs as a whole to just 259 total yards on offense.
It was a momentous victory for Buffalo to overcome the AFC’s No. 1 seed, but as the team heads into its bye week, the squad is stressing it’s not the end of the season.
“This is not the finish line, this is the next game,” McDermott said, with left tackle Dion Dawkins calling it “just a win.”
“It feels good to win, especially against a great team. Anytime that we play the Chiefs, we already know what type of time it’s going to be and to get a win, which is beautiful, but it’s not the Super Bowl,” he told reporters.
“The respect is there, and the respect is high, but it’s a good thing going into the bye week. It puts everybody in good faith and good spirits and good smiles.”
Week 11’s results mean it is now extremely tight at the top of the AFC with seven weeks of the season remaining.
The Chiefs hold a one game lead over the Bills who themselves have a one game advantage over the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Houston Texans, Los Angeles Chargers and Baltimore Ravens all sit on seven wins.
Season over for Jets and Cowboys?
The 2024 season has been one to forget for the New York Jets and Dallas Cowboys.
The Jets lost their eighth game of the season on Sunday, falling by a point at home to the Indianapolis Colts after a late fourth-quarter touchdown drive – led by recently-reinstalled starting quarterback Anthony Richardson – gave Indy the win.
The Cowboys, meanwhile, lost their fifth game in a row and seventh of the season on Monday, being emphatically beaten 34-10 at home by the Houston Texans.
For two teams with high expectations entering 2024, their Week 11 results could signal the end of any playoff hopes they might’ve had and foreshadow a big offseason of changes in both New Jersey and Texas.
The Jets were supposed to be transformed into a Super Bowl contender with the addition of Aaron Rodgers last year, but his season-ending Achilles injury on the fourth snap of his debut ended all hopes last year.
This season hasn’t been much better though, with head coach Robert Saleh being fired and the acquisition of Rodgers’ long-time friend and Green Bay Packers teammate Davante Adams not helping a stuttering Jets offense.
What the Jets do next season at quarterback remains a question with Rodgers turning 41 in December.
Luke Hales/Getty Images
Rodgers (right) and the New York Jets are 3-8 this season.
For the Cowboys, it has been a vastly underwhelming regular season after the success of years prior.
Under head coach Mike McCarthy, Dallas had been dominant in the regular season but came up short in the playoffs.
With pressure mounting on McCarthy to bring postseason success to Arlington, it has been a disaster on all fronts for ‘America’s Team,’ with serious injuries to key players – notably quarterback Dak Prescott and star linebacker Micah Parsons – blighting the campaign.
The results have also been underwhelming too, with the Cowboys yet to win a home game all season so far, losing four of them by more than 24 points.
Like the Jets, it looks to be an offseason of upheaval in Dallas, but McCarthy says his team is still scrapping for every result.
“We got seven losses. We’ve got to go. Backs against the wall. We got to fight, scratch and claw,” he said after the defeat to the Texans. “We’ve got to do everything we can to go win the next game. That’s where my mind’s at. That’s what I’m going to coach and that’s the expectation.
“We’ve got to win. We deserve to win. You know, we deserve the opportunity to win. And that’s about putting the best people out there. So right now, we’re young. So, those guys, our young guys, they’re getting a lot of experience. We need to do whatever the hell we need to do to win.”
The sight of Justin Tucker booming through a field goal and celebrating has become commonplace over recent years.
After all, Tucker is the most accurate kicker in NFL history.
But 2024 has been somewhat of a strange season for the 34-year-old as he’s been uncharacteristically wayward with his efforts.
And that continued in the Baltimore Ravens’ Week 11 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers, during which Tucker missed two field goals from 47 and 50 yards respectively. The kicker’s struggles were highlighted by his opposite number’s success, with Pittsburgh’s Chris Boswell making all six of his field goals – he has missed just one kick all year.
For arguably the greatest kicker of all time, Sunday’s performance continued a down year in terms of his high standards as he’s now missed six field goals and one extra point so far – for reference, it is the second-most misses he’s had in a single season throughout his 13-year NFL career.
Tucker, who has a career-low 71.4 field-goal percentage through Week 11, called his performance against the Steelers “frustrating,” but he remains confident he can correct his issues.
“I’m still confident I’m going to go out there and nail every single kick,” Tucker said. “Part of the way we stay confident is by continuing to work and trust the process. I might sound like a broken record, but it’s a part of what brings us success is just trusting the process and then taking it one kick at a time.”
Matt Freed/AP
Tucker missed two field goals in the Ravens' loss to the Steelers.
But Tucker by far isn’t the only kicker to be struggling this season.
Younghoe Koo – the Atlanta Falcons’ usually reliable kicker who is a one-time Pro Bowler – has missed seven kicks, while Greg Zuerlein, who made the second-most field goals last season, has missed six.
Errant kicks have been a constant theme of this season so far in general, a surprising trend for a facet of the game which has improved so much in recent years.
Twenty years ago in the 2004 season, three starting kickers had field goal percentages of about 90%. Now, 13 kickers around the NFL have hit that mark.
They are not being helped by some inspired special teams play too, with two games in recent weeks sealed by last-second field goal blocks.
It perhaps is just a blip, but kickers missing their attempts has now become a more regular sight.
Away @ home (winners in bold)
Thursday
Washington Commanders 18-26 Philadelphia Eagles
Sunday
Green Bay Packers 20-19 Chicago Bears
Jacksonville Jaguars 6-52 Detroit Lions
Las Vegas Raiders 19-34 Miami Dolphins
Los Angeles Rams 28-22 New England Patriots
Cleveland Browns 14-35 New Orleans Saints
Baltimore Ravens 16-18 Pittsburgh Steelers
Minnesota Vikings 23-13 Tennessee Titans
Indianapolis Colts 28-27 New York Jets
Atlanta Falcons 6-38 Denver Broncos
Seattle Seahawks 20-17 San Francisco 49ers
Kansas City Chiefs 21-30 Buffalo Bills
Cincinnati Bengals 27-34 Los Angeles Chargers
Monday
Houston Texans 34-10 Dallas Cowboys