The Athletic Football Show: A show about the NFL Week 11 Hangover: The Bears move into first, the Steelers stay on top, and the Falcons lose another season
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Nov 18, 2025 Surprising outcomes mark a thrilling Week 11 as the Bears and Steelers both clinch first place. The Bears' win over the Vikings highlights Caleb Williams' potential, while the Steelers dominate the Bengals, exposing their defensive woes. A knee injury sidelines Michael Penix, raising questions for the Falcons. Listener voicemails reveal frustration among AFC West fans, especially with the Chiefs and Chargers' challenges. Amidst the chaos, Ja'Marr Chase's suspension adds to Cincinnati's troubles.
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Falcons' Quarterback Gamble Created Deep Uncertainty
- The Falcons' dual risky bets on Kirk Cousins and Michael Penix have left the roster overcommitted and unclear.
- That combination plus trading a future first makes their rebuild timeline and options murky.
Protect Future First-Round Picks
- Avoid trading away future first-round capital for low-probability wins like aging or injured quarterbacks.
- Keep future picks to preserve flexibility and avoid mortgaging multiple windows at once.
Stat Line Masked Williams' Real Growth
- Caleb Williams' 16-of-32 stat line masked lots of high-quality throws and several drops.
- Three clear drops and multiple throwaways made his box score look worse than his on-field timing and reads did.