The NFL season has now reached Week 11, bringing with it critical matchups that will challenge the top teams in our power rankings.
This week, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers will go head-to-head with the Buffalo Bills at 1 PM ET on Sunday, followed by the Seattle Seahawks taking on the Los Angeles Rams and the Kansas City Chiefs facing the Denver Broncos later in the afternoon. The Sunday night game features the Detroit Lions clashing with the defending Super Bowl champions, the Philadelphia Eagles.
Before diving into the action, let”s examine a breakout player from each of the 32 teams.
Top Teams and Breakout Players
1. Philadelphia Eagles (7-2) – Last week: 1, Monday: Beat Packers 10-7. Breakout player: Cooper DeJean. In his second year, the defensive back has already surpassed last year”s tackle total, now at 57. Though not a standout performance on Monday night, his consistent presence has been vital for a secondary that has needed stability. Holding the Packers to just seven points is a commendable defensive effort. Next up: vs. Lions, Sunday, 8:20 PM ET.
2. Los Angeles Rams (7-2) – Last week: 2, Sunday: Beat 49ers 42-26. Breakout player: Nate Landman. Acquired this offseason on a one-year deal, Landman leads the team with 83 tackles and is tied for second in the league with three forced fumbles, contributing 11 tackles and a forced fumble last Sunday. Next up: vs. Seahawks, Sunday, 4:05 PM ET.
3. Seattle Seahawks (7-2) – Last week: 6, Sunday: Beat Cardinals 44-22. Breakout player: Jaxon Smith-Njigba. The third-year wide receiver has amassed 1,041 receiving yards, just 89 shy of his career high, and has recorded at least 75 receiving yards in every game this season. He is among a select few in NFL history to achieve this feat in the first nine games of a season. Next up: at Rams, Sunday, 4:05 PM ET.
4. Indianapolis Colts (8-2) – Last week: 5, Sunday: Beat Falcons 31-25. Breakout player: Daniel Jones. Once facing a disappointing career, Jones now boasts the highest passer rating of his career, ranking ninth in EPA per dropback. He averages 265.9 passing yards per game, which is also a career best. Next up: Bye week.
5. Detroit Lions (6-3) – Last week: 7, Sunday: Beat Commanders 44-22. Breakout player: Jack Campbell. The linebacker has emerged as a tackling leader, recording 76 stops overall. His performance against the pass has improved significantly, with four sacks and four quarterback hits this season. Next up: at Eagles, Sunday, 8:20 PM ET.
6. New England Patriots (8-2) – Last week: 9, Sunday: Beat Buccaneers 28-23. Breakout player: Kayshon Boutte. Returning from injury, Boutte has made a significant impact with 431 receiving yards in his first nine games, averaging 18.7 yards per catch. Next up: vs. Jets, Thursday, 8:15 PM ET.
7. Denver Broncos (8-2) – Last week: 8, Thursday: Beat Raiders 10-7. Breakout player: Talanoa Hufanga. The safety has made a strong impression since joining Denver, leading the team with nine tackles on Thursday and bringing his sack total to two this season. Next up: vs. Chiefs, Sunday, 4:25 PM ET.
8. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6-3) – Last week: 4, Sunday: Lost to Patriots 28-23. Breakout player: Tykee Smith. Smith leads the team in tackles and passes defended while also contributing with two sacks this season. He recorded his first interception last Sunday. Next up: at Bills, Sunday, 1 PM ET.
Challenges Ahead for Other Teams
9. Los Angeles Chargers (7-3) – Last week: 14, Sunday: Beat Steelers 25-10. Breakout player: Tuli Tuipulotu. With a total of eight sacks this season, Tuipulotu continues to impress. Next up: at Jaguars, Sunday, 1 PM ET.
10. Green Bay Packers (5-3-1) – Last week: 11, Monday: Lost to Eagles 10-7. Breakout player: Colby Wooden. The noseguard has increased his visibility with a career-high 28 tackles. Next up: at Giants, Sunday, 1 PM ET.
11. Buffalo Bills (6-3) – Last week: 3, Sunday: Lost to Dolphins 30-13. Breakout player: Dalton Kincaid. The third-year tight end is showing signs of returning to form, leading the team in receiving touchdowns. Next up: vs. Buccaneers, Sunday, 1 PM ET.
12. Kansas City Chiefs (5-4) – Last week: 10, Sunday: Bye. Breakout player: Kareem Hunt. The running back leads the team in touchdowns and is averaging 4.0 yards per carry, showcasing a solid season. Next up: at Broncos, Sunday, 4:25 PM ET.
As we look forward to an exciting slate of games this week, the performances of these breakout players will be crucial for their teams as they strive for playoff positioning.
