PMS 2.0 1453 - FIRST 15: NFL Week 11 Recap

Summary of PMS 2.0 1453 - FIRST 15: NFL Week 11 Recap

by Pat McAfee, ESPN

30m•November 17, 2025
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Overview of PMS 2.0 1453 - FIRST 15: NFL Week 11 Recap

Pat McAfee and crew run a tight, unscripted "First 15" segment to highlight the five biggest takeaways from the Week 11 Sunday slate. The episode covers surprising division races, individual historic performances, an on-field misconduct controversy, worry about a perennial powerhouse, and the week's wild finishers. Senior NFL insider Adam Schefter joins to provide league perspective near the end.

Top 5 Headlines (Week 11)

5) Chicago Bears — “Kings of the North”

  • Caleb Williams and offensive coordinator Ben Johnson are clicking; Chicago sits atop the NFC North (7‑something record referenced).
  • Defense (Dennis Allen) leading in takeaways; several players high in interception stats.
  • Special teams have been decisive: a late kickoff return set up Cairo Santos’ clutch game-winner vs. Minnesota.
  • Historic stat: fifth win when trailing in the final two minutes — tied with the 2016 Lions and 2011 Broncos since the 1970 merger.
  • Bottom line: The Bears look legitimate in close games, but questions remain about sustaining this (tough upcoming schedule noted).

4) Josh Allen — “Alien” performance for Buffalo

  • Josh Allen produced an extraordinary game: three rushing TDs and three passing TDs (an extremely rare feat, compared to Otto Graham historically).
  • Allen again carried the Bills in a back‑and‑forth game (two interceptions were mentioned but he still dominated late).
  • Concerns for Buffalo: run defense and front‑seven personnel remain a possible Achilles’ heel despite Allen’s MVP‑level play.
  • Takeaway: Allen is elite and keeps Buffalo in contention; overall team balance (especially on defense) will determine Super Bowl viability.

3) “Spitgate” — JaMarr Chase / Jalen Ramsey incident

  • In the Bengals–Steelers game, Ramsey claimed JaMarr Chase spat on him; Chase denied it publicly.
  • League precedent (Jalen Carter earlier in season) suggests a suspension is likely if evidence shows contact.
  • Themes: spitting is viewed as one of the most disrespectful acts in sport; player reactions to being spat on are expected and will be judged by teams and the league.
  • Outcome to watch: whether the NFL levies suspension/fine and how that shapes precedent.

2) Are the Kansas City Chiefs “the Chiefs” anymore? (Question mark)

  • Chiefs are 5–5 (per the discussion) and 0–5 in one-score games this season vs. 12–0 last year — a startling flip.
  • Loss to Denver (Bo Nix playing well) raised real concerns: Denver’s defense, plus a clutch kicker and Bo Nix’s poise, were highlighted.
  • Analysts debated regression-to-the-mean vs. a genuine decline; Pat and guests lean toward the latter as unusual for a team of KC’s standard.
  • Schefter’s view: long-term KC dominance noted (nine straight division titles), but this season looks like a play‑for‑the‑playoffs situation rather than another easy run.

1) Week 11 finishers & league chaos (final-play drama)

  • Week featured a historic number of late winners and comebacks: multiple game‑winning kicks and several teams rallying late.
  • Examples called out: late game winners by kickers (Cairo Santos highlighted for Bears, Will Lutz for Denver, and others) and rookies delivering winning plays (a Panthers rookie kicker referenced).
  • NFL benefits from the close, exciting finishes: TV and engagement up.

Notable Quotes & Insights

  • “They’re the Kings of the North” — on Chicago’s sudden legitimacy under Williams/Ben Johnson.
  • “Josh Allen is an alien” — used to underline Allen’s rare combination of running and passing scoring in one game.
  • “Spitting is the biggest sign of disrespect” — common consensus: league must act, and player retaliation is often expected.
  • “The Chiefs ain’t the Chiefs?” — encapsulates the surprising narrative shift around Kansas City this season.

Guest Takeaway — Adam Schefter

  • Schefter emphasizes the gravity of Kansas City’s slide: nine straight division titles gives context, but current standing puts them in a difficult spot to win the AFC West.
  • Main concern for KC: divisional losses and tiebreaker situations — focus shifts to making the playoffs and then hoping to play well in January.

Action Items / Watchlist (what to monitor next)

  • Bears: Can Chicago sustain one-score resilience across a tougher remaining schedule? Watch QB development, Dennis Allen’s takeaway pace, and special teams consistency.
  • Josh Allen/Bills: Monitor Bills’ run defense upgrades or schematic adjustments ahead of critical late-season opponents.
  • JaMarr Chase disciplinary outcome: NFL decision on whether to suspend — precedent matters.
  • Chiefs: Watch upcoming matchups (bye week opponents, division games) to see if Mahomes/Co. can flip the one‑score trend.
  • League trends: frequency of last‑second finishes and one-score swings — impacts playoff races and narrative momentum.

Quick Summary

  • Week 11 produced headline-making performances (Caleb Williams/Bears surge; Josh Allen historic outing), a controversial on-field incident likely to prompt discipline, and growing scrutiny of the Chiefs’ season. The NFL’s narrative is shifting rapidly — parity and late-game drama are driving the storylines heading into the back half of the season. Adam Schefter underscored that while past dominance matters, this Chiefs team has to prove it can still be that team in 2025.