NFC West Side Story! Previewing Every Week 11 Game

Summary of NFC West Side Story! Previewing Every Week 11 Game

by ESPN, Omaha Productions, Mina Kimes

1h 38m•November 13, 2025
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Overview of "NFC West Side Story! Previewing Every Week 11 Game" (ESPN — Mina Kimes & Ben Solak)

This episode is a full Week 11 NFL slate preview with Mina Kimes and guest Ben Solak. They run through every game, identify one or two “keys” for each matchup, surface injury/roster notes, discuss tactical matchups (pressure vs. protection, run-fit vs. passing lanes, personnel packages), and give picks — often split when the game is close. Themes include the importance of generating pressure, attacking weak secondaries over the top, running-game leverage vs. nickel defenses, and the coaching/ schematic chess match in a heavy week of divisional and marquee matchups.

Key takeaways (overall themes)

  • Pressure and how quarterbacks handle pressure is the defining factor in many Week 11 matchups (Jets/Patriots, Bills/Bucs, Chiefs/Broncos, Chiefs under pressure vs. Mahomes).
  • Matchups vs. base/13-personnel (multiple tight ends) matter. Offenses that can put big bodies in the box can force teams out of nickel and create run lanes (Rams vs. Seahawks, Eagles offensive line vs. Lions).
  • Run defense and stopping the run to force rookie/smaller QBs to beat you (Panthers/Bryce Young) is consistently emphasized.
  • Coaching/ride of form matters: scheme changes (Dan Quinn calling Commanders’ defense; Dan Campbell’s creative offense in Detroit; Mike McDonald’s defensive mastery in Seattle) are recurring storyline drivers.
  • There are many close games this week — a tough survivor pool — and many hosts were split on picks.

Week 11 game-by-game summary, keys, injuries and picks

(Host picks shown as Mina / Ben when different)

  • Thursday Night — Jets at Patriots

    • Key: Can the Jets generate enough pass rush/pressure to harass Mac Jones / Drake Maye and turn the game ugly?
    • Injury/notes: Patriots will be missing key offensive contributors (Patriots ruled out Rhamondre Stevenson; another WR listed as out in the transcript), making their offense more fragile despite an 8–2 record.
    • Tactical point: Patriots’ strength is run defense; if Jets can’t run they lose leverage. Patriots’ DBs can be beaten in isolation occasionally.
    • Picks: Split decision context — Mina sees Patriots as fragile without key pieces; the focus is on New York’s ability to pressure.

  • Commanders at Dolphins (in Madrid)

    • Key: Dolphins must use speed/space to attack a porous Commanders secondary and force missed tackles — fast passes, short throws and moving QB work.
    • News: Game played in Madrid; Dan Quinn has taken defensive play-calling duties for Washington (Solak skeptical it will change much).
    • Pick: Mina/Ben both lean Miami (Miami favored), because the Commanders rank bottom in several defensive metrics (EPA/play, explosive pass rate, YAC issues).

  • Panthers at Falcons

    • Key: Stop the run to force Bryce Young into uncomfortable downfield/pressured throws — Young struggles when you “muddy the middle” and create pressure.
    • Tactical: Panthers have a big O-line and can control clock/run off tackle; Falcons’ run defense concerns vs. physical fronts.
    • Picks: Split — Mina favors Panthers (control the line, run game), Mina/Bob split the conversation; Ben ultimately picks Falcons (style matchup / stop run plan for Atlanta).

  • Buccaneers at Bills

    • Key: Bucs want to get Buffalo into third-and-long (blitz packages and pressure) to limit Josh Allen’s quick game; Bills need to keep Allen clean and efficient.
    • Injuries/notes: Bucky Irving back at practice (big for the Bucs); Bills' offense is under scrutiny schematically; Allen is under more sacks/pressure on 3rd-and-long than last year.
    • Tactical: Bucs can attack linebackers and use motion/run schemes to exploit Buffalo front.
    • Picks: Split — Mina leans Buffalo (home edge, Allen ceiling), Ben likes Tampa to at least cover / be competitive.

  • Texans at Titans

    • Key: Titans’ interior defensive line (Jeffrey Simmons) returning would swing trench battle; stop/slow Davis Mills with pressure and get third-and-longs.
    • Notes: Texans showed heavy success running vs Jacksonville; fully healthy Titans D-line (Simmons/Sweat) matters.
    • Pick: Ben favors Houston (Texans’ pass rush is a major swing factor).

  • Packers at Giants

    • Key: Packers can lean on running game/short-yardage play to neutralize Giants pass rush; Packers need a plan for 11-personnel/tight-end usage (a “Kraft solution”) to diversify looks for postseason.
    • Notes: Giants starting QB news — Jameson Williams / James Winston update (Winston starting is mentioned).
    • Pick: Packers (game is a get-right spot; run game fits this Giants defense).

  • Bengals at Steelers

    • Key (Steelers): “Try again” — develop better coverage/pressure plan specifically to take away Ja’Marr Chase (doubles, bracket, different press/coverage looks).
    • Tactical: Bengals’ offense thrives if left in comfortable routes — Steelers must challenge matchups and force turnovers.
    • Pick: Ben leans Steelers (home, pressure potential).

  • Bears at Vikings

    • Key: Both defenses give up explosive plays downfield — this can become a shootout or a low-scoring slog; Vikings must stop the run and prevent long passes; Bears will try deep shots off play-action.
    • Note: Caleb Williams has shown explosiveness; Chicago leads the league in explosive play rate (ground + pass).
    • Picks: Split — Mina picks Bears (likes Caleb’s play), Ben likes Vikings (coaching, need-from-JJ McCarthy improvement).

  • Chargers at Jaguars

    • Key: Jaguars must protect Trevor Lawrence and also bring pressure on Herbert; trench play on both sides will determine control.
    • Notes: LA Chargers o-line has been poor, but Chargers defense and Khalil Mack’s presence matters; Jaguars need interior push.
    • Picks: Split — Mina sides with Chargers (defensive heat for LA); Ben leans Jags if Jacksonville can stabilize protection/rush.

  • Rams at Seahawks (big marquee NFC West matchup)

    • Key (Rams): Leaning into 13-personnel (multiple TEs) to move Seattle’s nickel and create run lanes and play-action shots; edge-setting and bigger personnel matter.
    • Key (Seahawks): Nickel defense has been extremely stout vs. the run — Seattle wants to force the Rams into light sets and exploit matchups. Play-action and boots for Geno Smith (or Sam?) are important.
    • Tactical: Clash of coaching/philosophy — McVay’s offensive creativity vs. Mike McDonald’s defensive mastery; the line play and limits on boundary runs will decide it.
    • Verdict: Both hosts favored Seattle (Seahawks) by episode’s end — Seattle’s defense and scheme excellence at nickel is the decisive edge.

  • 49ers at Cardinals

    • Key: Cardinals must grind through Trey McBride (and TE usage) and find creative ways with limited receiver room (Marvin Harrison Jr. out with appendicitis; Zay Jones on IR).
    • Notes: Brock Purdy possibly returning for SF; San Francisco’s defense has been up and down but is a matchup problem for Arizona.
    • Picks: Split — Ben likes Cardinals (uses McBride, creative usage); Mina favors 49ers (defense + Brock’s likely return).

  • Ravens at Browns

    • Key: Ravens should blitz and attack the Browns’ problematic offensive line; Browns O-line has been a headache for their offense.
    • Notes: Lamar Jackson didn’t practice Wednesday but expected back; Browns’ QB (Deshone? or D. Gabbert? Transcript mentions “Gabriel” struggling vs. blitz) is susceptible to DB pressure and QBR drops when DBs blitz.
    • Pick: Ravens — both hosts lean Baltimore (Ravens’ defense and blitzing advantage).

  • Chiefs at Broncos

    • Key (Chiefs): Reduce extreme exposure to pressure and find a happy medium — Mahomes had very poor numbers under pressure in recent sample; Chiefs must manufacture quicker throws and schematic answers.
    • Key (Broncos): Defensive matchup favors Denver — front seven and ability to turn Mahomes’ game into a frustration game (plus run opportunities for Broncos).
    • Notes: Justin Simmons availability (for Chiefs offense?) and safety/DB matchups were discussed; QB/slot usage for KC important.
    • Picks: Split — Mina favors Kansas City, Ben likes Denver (Broncos’ defense matchup).

  • Eagles at Lions (Sunday Night Football)

    • Key: Eagles offense personnel choices and play-action vs. Detroit — if Detroit’s Kelvin Sheppard varies coverages and uses bespoke looks, it can complicate Philly; Eagles defense (rush/line) is a deciding factor.
    • Notes: Detroit’s Dan Campbell has been creative and will game-plan unique solutions; Lions may use run-heavy/11-personnel and motion-heavy looks.
    • Verdict: Both hosts leaned Eagles (Philly’s D-line and overall roster depth edge), but game expected to be chess-like with major schematic decisions.

  • Cowboys at Raiders (Monday Night Football)

    • Key: Cowboys get pressure and need to pin down the pass rush; Raiders depend on pressuring Cowboys to disrupt Dak/Geno (Raiders’ QB is Geno? — transcript spelled out QB concerns) and exploit poor DBs.
    • Notes: Dallas is 32nd in defensive success rate but 10th in team pressure rate; if Dallas can get to the QB it decides the game.
    • Pick: Cowboys (hosts agree).

Notable insights, quotes and coaching highlights

  • Mike McDonald (Seahawks DC/head coach by defensive influence) gets high praise — both hosts call his work elite, especially his ability to produce defensive depth and scheme answers repeatedly despite injuries.
  • Mike McDaniel (Dolphins) praised for offensive creativity and design — but Miami’s season treads a fine line; several winnable games remain.
  • Emphasis on QB performance under pressure: Josh Allen’s increased sack/pressure conversion rate change vs. prior years is a major explanation for perceived regression. Similarly, Mahomes’ performance under pressure is a central Chiefs/Denver key.
  • Rookie and developing QBs (Bryce Young, Drake Maye) are highly matchup-dependent — stopping the run + pressuring them and removing middle-of-field lanes is a common recipe to limit them.
  • Commanders defensive slump called out — top metrics show them near bottom in EPA/play and explosive pass defense; speed/space offense (Miami) is highlighted as an ideal matchup.

Actionable takeaways for bettors / fantasy managers (concise)

  • Watch injury reports close to kickoff — key absences (e.g., Rhamondre Stevenson for Patriots, Marvin Harrison Jr. for Cardinals, receiver returns, offensive lineman statuses) materially affect spreads.
  • Monitor pass rush availability (Titans’ Simmons, Chargers/Jags tackle health, Raiders/Chiefs pressure packages) — these dictates are core to game outcomes.
  • Games to expect volatility/high variance: Bills–Bucs, Rams–Seahawks, Bears–Vikings, Chiefs–Broncos — these are where picks split and quick swing plays (explosives, turnovers) will decide winners.
  • For DFS: prioritize pass-rush matchups and players who create pressure or play-action seams (tight ends, boundary RBs) in the matchups highlighted (Rams/Seahawks, Eagles/Lions, Bills/Bucs).

Bottom line / final vibe

Week 11 is a tightly contested slate with many close, high-leverage divisional games. Coaching and schematic matchups (pressure, run-fit vs. personnel packages) will determine many outcomes more than raw records. Mina and Ben split many picks — expect several close finishes and a challenging survivor pool.

(Hosts: Mina Kimes with guest Ben Solak — full episode contains deeper film-room detail per game and additional color on player processing, specific play-call tendencies, and situational analytics.)