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Anthony Gharib, ESPN
Divisional matchups in the NFL in Week 11 led to minor posts, but a non-divisional matchup led the way.
The Los Angeles Chargers held on and defeated the Cincinnati Bengals on “Sunday Night Football.” The Chargers led 27-6, but the Bengals stormed back to tie the game with 12:21 remaining in the fourth quarter. Cincinnati then missed two field goals that would have given it the lead, and Los Angeles took advantage. JK Dobbins had a 29-yard touchdown run with 18 seconds left to earn a wild 34-27 victory.
The Chargers’ victory came with a “Home Alone” inspired troll, including actor Macaulay Culkin, who dressed as Joe Burrow for Halloween this year.
β Los Angeles Chargers (@chargers) November 18, 2024
Here are the best trolls of week 11.
The Indianapolis Colts came back to defeat the New York Jets 28-27 at MetLife Stadium. The Colts trailed 27-22 with 2:41 left in the game before Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson capped a six-play, 70-yard drive with a 4-yard touchdown run.
The Jets had one last chance with 46 seconds left, but they converted it on downs, handing them their second straight loss. In his first start since October 27, Richardson was responsible for 304 yards and three total touchdowns. Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers had 184 passing yards and two scores.
Indianapolis’ victory was accompanied by several New York-themed trolls, including lyrics from Frank Sinatra’s “New York, New York.”
Start spreading the news. pic.twitter.com/QAytkhrENe
β Indianapolis Colts (@Colts) November 17, 2024
Leaving now (with a copy). π pic.twitter.com/y1WGq0nITd
β Indianapolis Colts (@Colts) November 17, 2024
AFC North games rarely disappoint, and the latest installment between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Baltimore Ravens is a prime example of that.
The Steelers had an eight-point lead with 3:35 remaining, then the Ravens answered with a nine-play, 69-yard drive for a touchdown. Baltimore opted to go for two, but botched its attempt with 1:06 remaining. Pittsburgh then ran out the clock for its fifth straight victory.
If the victory on the field wasn’t enough, the Steelers made sure to throw some virtual punches, including a twist on a “SpongeBob SquarePants” scene with a sad violin.
The Minnesota Vikings took care of business on the road against the Tennessee Titans.
Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold threw for 246 yards and two touchdowns, while Titans quarterback Will Levis had 295 passing yards plus a touchdown and an interception. Star Minnesota receiver Justin Jefferson had six receptions for 81 yards, increasing his career total yards to 6,811 β the most by a player in his first five seasons in NFL history, according to ESPN Research.
Instead of trolling the Titans specifically, the Vikings chose to make fun of the entire AFC South.
Swept the AFC South π§Ή pic.twitter.com/MyuiIbjzLa
β Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) November 17, 2024
Every game is crucial in the closely contested NFC West, and the Seattle Seahawks pulled off a blowout victory against the San Francisco 49ers.
Trailing 17-13, the Seahawks went on an 11-play, 80-yard drive that ended with quarterback Geno Smith rushing for a touchdown with 12 seconds left. The 49ers fumbled the ensuing drive on a botched lateral. Smith threw for 221 yards, while San Francisco quarterback Brock Purdy threw for 162 yards with a touchdown and an interception.
Seattle had a simple troll after the game, referencing San Francisco’s “Bang Bang Niner Gang” slogan.
BANG BANG. pic.twitter.com/ce48ANVWdT
β Seattle Seahawks (@Seahawks) November 18, 2024
The Denver Broncos broke their two-game losing streak in emphatic fashion, dominating the Atlanta Falcons at home.
Broncos quarterback Bo Nix threw for a career-high 307 yards and four touchdowns. Denver’s defense held Atlanta to just 226 yards and forced one turnover – an interception of quarterback Kirk Cousins.
Like the Vikings, the Broncos controlled an entire division. They used an edited video of Brock Lesnar for a prank at the NFC South.
π§Ήπ§Ήπ§Ήπ§Ή pic.twitter.com/vzfoScaoIO
β Denver Broncos (@Broncos) November 18, 2024
An important NFC East battle resulted in a victory for the Philadelphia Eagles on Thursday evening.
The Eagles put up 20 points in the fourth quarter to come back and hand the Washington Commanders their second straight loss. Eagles running back Saquon Barkley ran for 146 yards (his sixth game eclipsed 100 yards this season) plus two touchdowns. Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts threw for 221 yards and ran for a score himself.
Philadelphia trolled Washington with a small caption and a “W” similar to its opponent’s logo.
TAKE COMMAND!@betMGM | #FlyEaglesFly pic.twitter.com/zdNzYmvRUi
β Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) November 15, 2024
Sweet dreams π΄ pic.twitter.com/rMKwsiVu4L
β Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) November 15, 2024
