The San Francisco 49ers clicked into gear in Week 11 of the NFL season. For Zach Wilson, on the other hand, questions remain over if he ever will look comfortable at the quarterback position. 

The Zach Wilson Problem

There is no ignoring it anymore.

You could look past Zach Wilson’s play as the New York Jets picked up regular wins to start the NFL season. But as the results dry up and this playoff-quality defence looks more and more likely to miss out on the postseason (FiveThirtyEight has them at 46% to make the playoffs), Wilson’s poor play is coming under the microscope. Although, not from the man himself it seems.

Having dropped back 15 times in the second half, connecting on 4 of 11 throws for -21 net yards, Wilson was asked whether he not he felt as though he was letting the team down.

“No.”

A remarkable response when you rewatch the tape of his throws. One of his most accurate was directed at a New England Patriot.

This 10-3 loss to the Patriots pushes the Jets to 6-4 for the season. It’s still a rather impressive achievement given the preseason expectations and the play of their quarterback. However, this team has their sights set further, far beyond where most think Wilson can take them. There are already rumblings of discontent. Wilson’s lack of accountability, whether he’d have believed it or not, won’t help his cause.

It remains to be seen whether or not Wilson is tasked with getting the Jets past the Chicago Bears as $1.42 and -5.5 favourites in Week 12.

Eagles Still On Top

The Philadelphia Eagles are still in possession of the best record in the NFL at 9-1 following a nail-biting 17-16 win over the Indianapolis Colts.

It took until the final minute of the game for Philly to take the lead. Jalen Hurts added another touchdown to his count for the season with 1:20 left on the clock. It capped of a decent day for Hurts who finished with 276 total yards and a pair of touchdowns.

While the win wasn’t a pretty one overall, Hurts showing an ability to put the team on his back and produce the big plays when needed is encouraging. It’s the latest sign of his rise to superstardom and Philadelphia’s rise to Super Bowl LVII contention. They’re on the third line of betting – behind the Bills and Chiefs – at $6.50.

Wentz Waiting

Carson Wentz is nearing a return from injury, but it’s increasingly likely that he will make that return as a backup to Taylor Heinicke.

Washington Commanders coach Ron Rivera avoided the usual coachspeak and made his intentions clear:

“We’re going to go with Taylor and we’ll work Carson back in and see where Carson is in terms of if he’s ready to be the backup, then we’ll go from there.”

“Winning” is the major reason for Rivera’s persistence with Heinicke. While Washington’s latest came in the form of a 23-10 victory over an awful Houston Texans side (1-8-1), Heinicke is now 4-1 as the starting quarterback over the last five games.

For comparison:

Heinicke (5 games): 840 yards in the air, five touchdowns, four interceptions, four wins
Wentz (6 games): 1,489 yards, 10 touchdowns, six interceptions, two wins

Another, quite incredible comparison:

Being outplayed by a backup is an unwanted reputation that Wentz has built, but it’s happening again. So long as Heinicke and the Commanders keep winning, he will be out there from the start.

Bad Broncos

Another Melvin Gordon fumble in Week 11 made it five in ten games for the running back.

Another loss in Week 11 made it seven this season for the Denver Broncos.

The Gordon signing was a strange one in the first place. However, with Javonte Williams out for the season and Chase Edmonds expected to miss time, Gordon’s release is more strange still.

But the Broncos felt they needed to do something following their 22-16 overtime loss to the Las Vegas Raiders.

Patrick Mahomes For MVP

“I went in the huddle, and everybody was just like: ‘Let’s just do it.”

Needing to go 75 yards to find the end zone with 1:46 to play, everybody knew what was about to happen.

Ignore the win probability models in these situations. This is Patrick Mahomes we’re talking about here.

Working his way up the field, Mahomes eventually linked up with Travis Kelce on a 17-yard touchdown to all but secure the Kansas City Chiefs 30-27 win over the LA Chargers.

It didn’t matter that Mahomes went without two of his best receivers. He still finished up with 329 passing yards and three touchdowns and another superb performance. Just give the Most Valuable Player award to him already.

Now into $1.62 (he was out at $2.20 in the NFL Power Rankings last week), Mahomes is the unbackable favourite for MVP ahead of Josh Allen ($5.50), Jalen Hurts ($7) and Tua Tagovailoa ($7.50).

Remarkably, he remains undefeated against AFC West teams on the road throughout his NFL career at 14-0 and has won 25 straight games in November and December.

NFL Super Bowl LVII Odds

We’re checking in on the changes in the Super Bowl LVII Odds from Week 10 to 11.

The Buffalo Bills remain as Super Bowl LVII favourites but the Kansas City Chiefs are coming for them at $5.50. Far from impressive in their win over the Colts, the Eagles have drifted out from their $6 in Week 10 to $6.50 after Week 11.

It’s the San Francisco 49ers that are demanding attention, though.

They played through a few dodgy weeks but always kept their place inside the Top 10. Now, as this incredible offence catches up to what has always been a Super Bowl quality defence, they’re into the fourth line of betting at $8.

Overall, the Top 10 teams remain unchanged after Week 11.

Top 10 Odds

TEAMWEEK 10 PRICE
WEEK 11 PRICE
Buffalo Bills$4.50$4.50
Kansas City Chiefs$6.50$5.50
Philadelphia Eagles$6$6.50
San Francisco 49ers$9.50$8
Dallas Cowboys$15$9
Baltimore Ravens$14$13
Minnesota Vikings$14$17
Tampa Bay Buccaneers$18$18
Miami Dolphins$18$18
Cincinnati Bengals$26$23

 

BET ON NFL FUTURES HERE: