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NFL 2021: Grades, aftermath for teams coming off Week 11 bye

By Russell S. Baxter

INGLEWOOD, CA - NOVEMBER 07: Head coach Sean McVay talks with quarterback Matthew Stafford #9 of the Los Angeles Rams before the game against the Tennessee Titans at SoFi Stadium on November 7, 2021 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)
INGLEWOOD, CA - NOVEMBER 07: Head coach Sean McVay talks with quarterback Matthew Stafford #9 of the Los Angeles Rams before the game against the Tennessee Titans at SoFi Stadium on November 7, 2021 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images) /
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December NFL football is just around the corner. Meanwhile, the Denver Broncos and Los Angeles Rams had a week off to regroup.

Time flies when you’re trying to win a Super Bowl title. Now every team in the NFL has played at least 10 games. The AFC has 10 clubs with winning records while the NFC only has half as many (5). And it’s starting to get interesting as the upsets continue around the league. There were only two teams off in Week 11 – the 5-5 Denver Broncos and the 7-3 Los Angeles Rams.

It is Thanksgiving week and the league has three games on tap on Turkey Day – including the traditional clashes at Detroit and at Dallas. Meanwhile, both well-rested teams have big challenges ahead this Sunday. The Broncos host the 6-4 Los Angeles Chargers while the Rams head to Lambeau Field for a playoff rematch with the 8-3 Green Bay Packers.

As the Broncos and Rams return to action, what kind of grades have Vic Fangio’s and Sean McVay’s squads earned so far?

Denver Broncos (5-5) Grade coming off Week 11 Bye

Vic Fangio’s club got off to a 3-0 start but the last time they took the field they were overwhelmed at home by the Eagles. The previous week, the Men from Mile High came up with their best performance of the season by pushing around the Cowboys at Arlington.

Quarterback Teddy Bridgewater has had his moments but too many times the offense has stalled. The defense has also been very inconsistent, hence the streaky nature of this talented club.

Grade: C+

Los Angeles Rams (7-3) Grade coming off Week 11 Bye

After a strong start, it’s been a rough two-game stretch for Sean McVay’s team. The Rams opened 7-1 –their only setback was to NFC West-leading Arizona. But in their last two outings, losses to the Titans and 49ers, Matthew Stafford and the offense settled for a single touchdown in each contest.

The Los Angeles defense, even with Aaron Donald on the field, has been overpowered too many times. Wide receiver Cooper Kupp is having a monster year.

Grade: B

NFL Week 11 Bye Aftermath

The 5-5 Broncos now find themselves alone behind the Las Vegas Raiders with seven weeks to play in the 2021 NFL season. The Silver and Black dropped their third consecutive game, falling to the Bengals, 32-13, but beat the Cowboys on Thanksgiving.

Meanwhile, both the Kansas City Chiefs and Los Angeles Chargers notched Week 11 wins. Andy Reid’s club came up with a 19-9 victory over the visiting Dallas Cowboys. And the Bolts outlasted the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday night, 41-37.

The Rams didn’t get any help last week while they were catching up on their beauty sleep. The Cardinals went to Seattle and left 23-13 winners. And the 49ers made the long cross-country trip to Jacksonville and pushed around the Jaguars, 30-10.

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