Game Week 11 gave us plenty of highlights! After all, Chicago Bears' Devin Duvernay’s 56-yard kickoff return set up Cairo Santos’ 48-yard game-winner, and 49ers' Purdy added a third-quarter TD to Kittle, turning a tight game against the Cardinals into a 41–22 dominant win. And now with Gameweek 12 just a few hours away, we have five teams with seven wins. And here's our top pick...

#5 San Francisco 49ers

The San Francisco 49ers now hold a 7–4 overall record after cruising past the sloppy Cardinals with a 41-22 victory. San Francisco took a 7-0 lead just 16 seconds into the game. Well, Brock Purdy returned from a six-game absence (toe injury) with three touchdown passes while completing 19 of 26 for 200 yards. Also, Christian McCaffrey dominated with two rushing TDs and a receiving score, extending his record to 17 career games with both a rushing and receiving touchdown, with George Kittle catching two TD passes.

Now, Week 12’s matchup against the Panthers is crucial, as the San Francisco 49ers hold an even 2–2 record against them in the last 10 years. More importantly, if the Seahawks lose against the Texans, the 49ers can move up a spot in the NFC West.

#4 Los Angeles Chargers

The Los Angeles Chargers are dealing with injuries, and it's showing in their numbers. After a massive 35-6 Week 11 loss to the Jaguars, they sit at 7–4. Quarterback Justin Herbert completed 10 of 18 passes for a season-low 81 yards before being replaced by Trey Lance in the fourth quarter. To add more to the woes, the offense managed only 135 total yards and eight first downs. Following this loss, the Chargers entered their bye week. Though winning the AFC West seems unlikely, they still can reach the playoffs as a wild-card team.

#3 Chicago Bears

The Chicago Bears are 7–3, leading the NFC North, thanks to Dennis Allen’s turnover-focused defense. Chicago sits at +1.6 in turnover margin, ahead of the Rams at +1.0, and leads the league with 15 interceptions.

This approach showed up in Week 11 against Minnesota. After the Vikings scored the go-ahead touchdown in the last 50 seconds, Devin Duvernay made a 56-yard kickoff return, setting up Cairo Santos for his fourth field goal of the game, a 48-yarder, giving the Bears a 19–17 victory. The win moved Chicago to 7–3, marking their third straight victory.

#2 Buffalo Bills

The Bills entered Week 11 at 6–3, sitting second in the AFC East. Coming off a shock loss against the Dolphins, Josh Allen turned his team's fortune around. In Week 11 against Tampa Bay, Allen delivered three rushing touchdowns and two passing scores. Also, Ty Johnson’s 52-yard catch-and-run shifted the first half, while Cole Bishop’s interception set up James Cook’s sideline touchdown. Ultimately, Allen’s final push at the goal line sealed a 44–32 win, keeping Buffalo perfect at home against Tampa Bay, thus giving the Bills their seventh win.

Going up against the Texans next, the Bills will aim to keep this momentum against the best defensive side in the league. With the Patriots sitting at 9-2 at the top of the AFC East, the Bills need a few miracles to qualify at the top of their division.

#1 Seattle Seahawks

Seattle dropped to 7–3 after a 21–19 loss to the Los Angeles Rams (8–2), remaining second in the NFC West behind them. Sam Darnold’s four interceptions came with a heavy cost, as the Rams converted two of those interceptions into touchdowns after starting drives deep in Seahawks territory. And now Seattle leads the league with 20 turnovers this season, including 12 over the past four games.

Week 12 will be crucial for the Seahawks. In their last five games, they have just one loss and four wins, including a victory against the defensive giants Texans. Going up against the Titans this week again, the Seahawks might just have an easier time.

The stage is set for Gameweek 12, and these 5 teams are ready to book their place in the playoffs, but who do you think is actually going to make the cut? Let us know your pick in the comment section!

Written by

Mohd Mudabbir Ansari

Edited by

Siddharth Shirwadkar