NFL’s 10 most important people in Week 11

Each week, Yardbarker highlights the most important people leading into the week’s NFL games.

From players to coaches and beyond, here are the 10 most important people to keep an eye on in Week 11.

TE Travis Kelce | Kansas City Chiefs 

During a Wednesday episode of his podcast, “New Heights,” Kelce said he’ll be “locked in” for Sunday’s matchup with the Buffalo Bills (8-2).  

The Chiefs are 9-0, but it wouldn’t be shocking if they lose in Buffalo. The Bills are tied for third in the league in points scored (29 PPG) and have won their last three regular-season games against K.C., per Pro Football Reference.

After a slow start, Kelce has been on a tear over his past three games. He has 32 receptions for 254 yards and two touchdown catches during this stretch. Perhaps he’ll maintain his hot hand against Buffalo’s 18th-ranked passing defense (212.9 YPG).  

LB Micah Parsons | Dallas Cowboys

Following a 34-6 Week 10 loss to the Eagles, Parsons said Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy “can go wherever he wants.” Of course, McCarthy is in the last year of his contract and may be on the hot seat after a 3-6 start.

On a Tuesday episode of his podcast, “The Edge,” “Parsons said he wasn’t throwing his HC under the bus, and they’ve made amends. Regardless, it wasn’t a good look for the pass-rusher, who’s underperforming. He only has three sacks in five games.

Parsons could face more criticism if he struggles in Monday’s home game against the Houston Texans (6-4), who are allowing the league’s highest pressure rate (29.8%), per Pro Football Reference.  

QB Anthony Richardson | Indianapolis Colts 

After losing two consecutive games with QB Joe Flacco starting, Colts head coach Shane Steichen announced they would turn back to Richardson on Wednesday. The second-year QB said being benched for two games benefitted him.

“I think these two weeks have definitely opened my eyes and allowed me to take a deeper dive and look into myself and see what I’m made of,” Richardson told the media Wednesday. “So, I’m thankful for these past two weeks and low-key thankful that it happened.”

Richardson must prove he deserved a second chance in Sunday’s road game against the New York Jets (3-7). He completed a league-low 44.4% of his passes for four TDs and seven interceptions through his first six games. He also subbed himself out in a Week 8 loss to the Texans because he was “tired,” which upset Steichen and Colts center Ryan Kelly.

If Richardson has learned his lessons, that should help the Colts (4-6) bounce back into the playoff hunt.   

QB Caleb Williams | Chicago Bears 

On Tuesday, the Bears fired offensive coordinator Shane Waldron, replacing him with passing game coordinator Thomas Brown. Williams said Waldron’s firing wasn’t his choice but admitted Chicago’s offense could improve under Brown. 

“I think we’ll do a good job of marrying everything up together,” the rookie QB told the media Wednesday. “Making everything look the same, and then from there, you’ll get a few easier passes, a few extra layups.” 

The coaching change better start working for the Bears (4-5) in Sunday’s home game against the Packers (6-3), or Williams could keep regressing.

The 2024 No. 1 overall pick has completed 50.5% of his passes for 468 yards and has been sacked 18 times over his past three games. 

QB Justin Herbert | Los Angeles Chargers 

Could Herbert vault into the MVP conversation if the Chargers (6-3) beat the  Cincinnati Bengals (4-6) in their home game on “Sunday Night Football?”

Herbert could join elite company if he records a 90-plus passer rating for his 10th consecutive game Sunday. Peyton Manning, Tom Brady, Aaron Rodgers and Philip Rivers are the only players since the 1970 merger to hit this mark in nine-plus starts (via NFL.com’s Kevin Patra).

Herbert has averaged a career-low 209.9 passing yards per game, but expect head coach Jim Harbaugh to let him air out more against Cincinnati’s 23rd-ranked passing defense (220.2 YPG). 

WR Diontae Johnson | Baltimore Ravens

Johnson — who played for the Steelers from 2019-23 — returns to Pittsburgh on Sunday. 

On Tuesday, Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin said he hasn’t contemplated Johnson’s return, and the Ravens have “more significant pieces” who have his attention. 

Since being traded from the Carolina Panthers, Johnson has one reception for six yards in two games with Baltimore. However, Ravens head coach John Harbaugh signaled they’re ramping up his workload during his Monday news conference. 

On Tuesday, Johnson said he can’t wait to return to Acrisure Stadium. Keep track of whether he erupts in his old stomping grounds.  

HC Sean Payton | Denver Broncos 

Will Payton and the Broncos regroup after a devastating Week 10 loss to Kansas City? With 0:01 remaining and the Broncos trailing 16-14, Chiefs linebacker Leo Chenal blocked kicker Wil Lutz’s 35-yard field-goal attempt. 

“The sky is not falling,” Payton said Monday, per Arnie Melendrez Stapleton of the Associated Press. “There’s a lot ahead, obviously. We have [seven] games left. I think this team has been resilient. The sky isn’t falling relative to our season and the schedule. We’re sitting here at 5-5. Obviously, we’d have loved to been 6-4 with a win … but the focus is on the next game.”

Payton must ensure the loss doesn’t affect the team’s psyche before Sunday’s home matchup vs. the Atlanta Falcons (6-4). It could impact its postseason aspirations. 

Per NFL.com, the Broncos playoff odds will increase from 51% to 61% if they win. They’ll decrease to 39% if they lose. 

CB Deommodore Lenoir | San Francisco 49ers 

Lenoir — who has allowed zero TD catches in nine games, per Pro Football Focus — signed a five-year, $92M contract extension Tuesday. San Francisco head coach Kyle Shanahan seems thrilled with the move.

“He’s exactly what we want as Niner,” Shanahan told the media Wednesday. “His style of play, how good he’s become, and really just how much he loves football.”  

Lenoir could show why the Niners (5-4) made a smart move when they host the Seattle Seahawks (4-5) Sunday. Seattle QB Geno Smith is tied for the league lead in interceptions (10 in nine games). 

QB Sam Darnold | Minnesota Vikings 

Over his past three games, Darnold has had the same number of TD passes and interceptions (five). Despite the recent slide, Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell is still backing the QB. 

After Darnold threw a season-high three picks in a 12-7 Week 10 win over the Jaguars, O’Connell said he never considered benching him for backup QB Nick Mullens. 

Will Darnold reward O’Connell for his confidence in Sunday’s road game against the Tennessee Titans (2-7)? Tennessee’s first-ranked passing defense (156.7) could present a tricky matchup for the turnover-prone passer.

HC Antonio Pierce | Las Vegas Raiders 

CBS Sports’ Jonathan Jones recently reported the Raiders held an “uncomfortable” meeting during their bye week. That may be a bad omen for Pierce. 

Days before Vegas owner Mark Davis fired Josh McDaniels last season, he held an open meeting with players.

The Athletic’s Vic Tafur and Tashan Reed recently noted “speculation about Pierce’s job security has intensified” after a 2-7 start. Sunday’s road matchup against the Miami Dolphins (3-6) could be a must-win for the rookie HC.