Sunday's games provided fans and analysts with a deep dive into the AFC. In the early match, the 8-2 Pittsburgh Steelers faced off against the 7-4 Baltimore Ravens. Later, the Kansas City Chiefs took on the Buffalo Bills.
Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson has been stellar against most teams, but the Steelers have consistently stifled him. In six previous encounters, Jackson completed 78 of 132 passes for 870 yards, four touchdowns, seven interceptions, and a passer rating of 66.8—his lowest against any opponent. Against Pittsburgh on Sunday, Jackson managed just 16 of 33 passes for 207 yards, one touchdown, one interception, and a passer rating of 66.1. The Steelers' strategy of keeping Jackson in the pocket, applying pressure, and tight coverage on his receivers has been effective.
The Ravens faced early setbacks, including a fumble by running back Derrick Henry, his first in 538 touches. Kicker Justin Tucker also missed two consecutive field goals in the first half, adding to the Ravens' woes. The game ended 18-16 in favor of the Steelers, marking the seventh consecutive Steelers-Ravens game with both teams scoring under 20 points. Steelers kicker Chris Boswell's six field goals proved decisive.
The 9-0 Chiefs, who have faced criticism for not playing up to their record, struggled against the Bills. Patrick Mahomes threw an early interception, and the Bills responded with their own turnover. The Bills led 16-14 at halftime, but the Chiefs' record of nine straight wins when trailing in the second half seemed ominous. However, the Bills managed to pull away, sealing the game with a touchdown run by Josh Allen. The final score was 30-21, ending the Chiefs' hopes of an undefeated season and giving the 9-2 Bills a significant victory.
The 10-1 Detroit Lions, with a potent rushing attack led by David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs, continued their dominance. Montgomery and Gibbs combined for 144 yards and three touchdowns in a 52-6 thrashing of the Jaguars. The Lions' defense has also improved, making them a formidable force.
The Titans' Will Levis faced a tough Minnesota Vikings defense, but managed a 98-yard touchdown pass. Jared Goff of the Lions also had a remarkable game, throwing for 419 yards and four touchdowns against the Jaguars.
The Chicago Bears, after firing offensive coordinator Shane Waldron, showed improvement under new OC Thomas Brown. Rookie quarterback Caleb Williams looked more like his USC self, completing 23 of 31 passes for 231 yards. However, the Bears lost to the Packers due to a blocked field goal.
The Jaguars, plagued by issues on both sides of the ball, face potential coaching changes. The Denver Broncos, after numerous quarterback changes, may have found their answer in 2024 12th overall pick Bo Nix, who had a standout performance against the Falcons.
Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels, once the frontrunner for Offensive Rookie of the Year, now faces competition from Nix, who has shown significant improvement.
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