The Houston Texans fell to 6-4 in the regular season after a heartbreaking loss at home to the Detroit Lions.
The Texans' loss is worse than some believe. Houston blew a 16-point halftime lead after CJ Stroud threw two interceptions and Jake Bates allowed two 50-plus field goals. Jared Goff, who threw five interceptions, led two scoring drives and scored 14 more points.
With Sunday's loss, Houston became the second team since 1933 losing a game in which they caught five interceptions and led by at least 15. Previously, teams were 373-1-1 when leading by at least 15 and catching five interceptions. The only time another team lost this way was in week 11 of 1970when the Chicago Bears lost to the Baltimore Colts 21-20 despite Colts quarterback Johnny Unitas throwing five interceptions.
Houston may be two games over .500, but does it feel like one of the better AFC squads? Even though they lost the direct duel, the Buffalo Bills feel more complete. The Baltimore Ravens run the football with ease despite suffering two losses early on. Even the Pittsburgh Steelers, Cincinnati Bengals and Denver Broncos could make some noise down the stretch.
Meanwhile, Kansas City remains the only undefeated squad after it needed a blocked field goal from Broncos kicker Will Lutz to win at Arrowhead. Just because the Chiefs come out unscathed doesn't mean they're the best squad in the league. A team like Baltimore or Detroit finds ways to win before the schedule tightens down the stretch.
The 2024 season is quickly splitting between the contenders, the “maybes,” “maybes not,” and the “contenders,” which begin in November. Here's a look at the Week 11 Power Rankings.
32. Las Vegas Raiders (2-7): 32 last week
Oct 20, 2024; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Rams cornerback Cobie Durant (14) knocks the ball out of the hands of Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Gardner Minshew (15) in the second quarter at SoFi Stadium. The ball was recovered by Los Angeles Rams safety Kamren Curl (3) and a running back for a touchdown. Mandatory attribution: Robert Hanashiro-Imagn Images
31. New York Giants (2-8): Last week: No. 24
Oct. 28, 2024; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; New York Giants wide receiver Malik Nabers (1) warms up before playing against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory attribution: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
30 Jacksonville Jaguars (2-8) Last week: No. 27
Oct 20, 2024; London, United Kingdom; Jacksonville Jaguars running back Tank Bigsby (4) celebrates with offensive tackle Anton Harrison (77) after scoring a 1-yard touchdown run against the New England Patriots during the first half of an NFL International Series game at Wembley Stadium . Mandatory attribution: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
29. Tennessee Titans (2-7) | Last week: No. 29
Oct 20, 2024; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Tennessee Titans quarterback Mason Rudolph (11) throws a pass while being tackled by Buffalo Bills defensive tackle DaQuan Jones (92) in the fourth quarter at Highmark Stadium. Mandatory attribution: Mark Konezny-Imagn Images
28. Cleveland Browns (2-7) | Last week: No. 27
Cleveland Browns wide receiver Cedric Tillman (19) celebrates his touchdown with quarterback Jameis Winston (5) during the second half of an NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens at Huntington Bank Field, Sunday, October 27, 2024, in Cleveland, Ohio.
27. Dallas Cowboys (3-6) | Last week: No. 25
September 15, 2024; Arlington, Texas, USA; Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott (4) throws during the first half against the New Orleans Saints at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory attribution: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images
26. New York Jets (3-7) | Last week: No. 20
Oct. 14, 2024; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New York Jets running back Breece Hall (20) runs with the ball against the Buffalo Bills during the first half at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory attribution: Ed Mulholland-Imagn Images
25. Carolina Panthers (3-7) | Last week: No. 30
Oct. 27, 2024; Denver, Colorado, USA; Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young (9) at the line of scrimmage in the first half against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High. Mandatory attribution: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images
24. Chicago Beats (4-6) | Last week: No. 22
September 15, 2024; Houston, Texas, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams (18) jogs off the field after a third quarter play against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium. Mandatory attribution: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images
23. New England Patriots (3-7)| Last week: No. 31
Oct 20, 2024; London, United Kingdom; New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye (10) in the first half during an NFL International Series game at Wembley Stadium. Mandatory attribution: Peter van den Berg-Imagn Images
22. New Orleans Saints (3-7) | Last week: No. 29
September 15, 2024; Arlington, Texas, USA; New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara (41) runs against the Dallas Cowboys during the second half at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory attribution: Tim Heitman-Imagn Images
21. Indianapolis Colts (4-5) | Last week: No. 21
November 10, 2024; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indianapolis Colts quarterback Joe Flacco (15) throws a pass during the second half against the Buffalo Bills at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory attribution: Marc Lebryk-Imagn Images
20. Miami Dolphins (3-6) | Last week: 23
September 12, 2024; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Miami Dolphins running back De'Von Achane (28) runs with the football against Buffalo Bills cornerback Christian Benford (47) in the second quarter at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory attribution: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
19. Seattle Seahawks (4-5) | Last week: No. 19
Oct. 27, 2024; Seattle, Washington, USA; Seattle Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith (7) reacts after a delay of game penalty following a timeout in the fourth quarter against the Buffalo Bills at Lumen Field. Mandatory attribution: Joe Nicholson-Imagn Images
18. Los Angeles Rams (4-5) | Last week: No. 14
Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) throws a pass against the Detroit Lions during the first half at Ford Field in Detroit on Sunday, September 8, 2024.
17. Denver Broncos (5-5) | Last week: No. 18
November 10, 2024; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix (10) throws a pass during the second half against the Kansas City Chiefs at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory attribution: Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images
16. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-6) | Last week: No. 16
Oct. 21, 2024; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) throws the ball against the Baltimore Ravens during the second half at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory attribution: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images
15.Cincinnati Bengals (4-6) | Last week: No. 17
November 7, 2024; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase (1) celebrates with running back Chase Brown (30) and tight end Mike Gesicki (88) after his touchdown catch in the fourth quarter against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory attribution: Mitch Stringer-Imagn Images
14. Houston Texans (6-4) | Last week: No. 11
November 10, 2024; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Texans linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair (0) attempts a tackle on Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs (26) during the first quarter at NRG Stadium. Mandatory attribution: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images
13. San Francisco 49ers (5-4) | Last week: No. 15
November 10, 2024; Tampa, Florida, USA; San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey (23) runs with the ball against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the second half at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory attribution: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images
12. Atlanta Falcons (6-4) | Last week: No. 10
Oct 20, 2024; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson (7) runs the ball against the Seattle Seahawks in the third quarter at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory attribution: Brett Davis-Imagn Images
11. Arizona Cardinals (6-4) | Last week: No. 13
Oct. 27, 2024; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) drops back to pass against the Miami Dolphins in the first quarter at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory attribution: Jim Rassol-Imagn Images
10. Los Angeles Chargers (6-3) | Last week: No. 12
September 15, 2024; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Los Angeles Chargers running back JK Dobbins (27) turns the corner from Carolina Panthers linebacker Josey Jewell (47) for a touchdown run in the second quarter at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory attribution: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images
9. Minnesota Vikings (7-2) | Last week: No. 8
September 22, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings running back Aaron Jones (33) celebrates his touchdown with wide receiver Justin Jefferson (18) against the Houston Texans in the first quarter at US Bank Stadium. Mandatory attribution: Brad Rempel-Imagn Images
8. Washington Commanders (7-3) | Last week #5
Oct. 27, 2024; Landover, Maryland, USA; Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels (5) runs with the ball as Chicago Bears defensive end Montez Sweat (98) chases after it during the first quarter at Commanders Field. Mandatory attribution: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images
7. Green Bay Packers (6-3) | Last week #9
Oct 20, 2024; Green Bay, Wisconsin, USA; Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love (10) reacts after being sacked by Houston Texans defensive end Danielle Hunter (55) at Lambeau Fieldd. Mandatory Source: Tork Mason/Green Bay Press-Gazette via USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin-Imagn Images
6. Pittsburgh Steelers (7-2) | Last week: No. 6
Oct. 28, 2024; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson (3) attempts a pass against the New York Giants in the first quarter at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory attribution: Barry Reeger-Imagn Images
5. Baltimore Ravens (7-3) | Last week: No. 4
Baltimore Ravens running back Derrick Henry runs through Cincinnati Bengals safety Geno Stone.
4. Philadelphia Eagles (7-2) | Last week: No. 7
Oct. 13, 2024; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (1) smiles after a win against the Cleveland Browns at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory attribution: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images
3. Buffalo Bills (8-2) | Last week: No. 3
Bills quarterback Josh Allen tries to fend off Arizona's Roy Lopez while running with the ball during the first half at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park on Sept. 8, 2024.
2. Kansas City Chiefs (9-0) | Last week: #2
September 5, 2024; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) returns to the sideline after a game against the Baltimore Ravens during the second half at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory attribution: Denny Medley-Imagn Images
1. Detroit Lions (8-1) | Last week: #1
November 10, 2024; Houston, Texas, USA; Detroit Lions placekicker Jake Bates (39) celebrates with his teammates after kicking a field goal as time expired to give the Lions a victory over the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium. Mandatory attribution: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images
