Fresh questions for the Chiefs, Eagles, 49ers and six other NFL contenders: Sando’s Pick Six

Cover 7 | Monday

A daily NFL destination that provides deep insights into the biggest football stories. Mike Sando breaks down the six most impactful takeaways from the week every Monday.

We had questions about the NFL’s best teams over a month ago, and now after the past five weeks, we have answers. In this week’s Pick Six column for Week 11, we re-stack Super Bowl contenders with fresh evidence to see how well — or how poorly — the best teams are responding. Notably, the Cincinnati Bengals are missing from the mix due to quarterback Joe Burrow’s season-ending injury. Their championship odds now match those of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Los Angeles Rams.

Added to the mix are the 7-3 Cleveland Browns, whose Super Bowl odds remain long, but who keep winning with defense and now, interestingly, welcome 38-year-old Joe Flacco into the fold. The full Pick Six menu this week includes:

• Re-stacking Super Bowl contenders
• C.J. Stroud joins elite company
• Truth about Brandon Staley’s defense
• 2023 Flacco takes on 2015 Peyton!
• Panthers vs. every team in the NFL
• Two-minute drill: Hip-drops and more

An eventful month has passed since key questions were asked about NFL contenders, and now there are answers. Before looking at contender questions and adding a couple teams to the mix, we take a look at the latest Super Bowl odds from BetMGM. Below are the latest updates on some of the NFL’s top teams as of Week 11 of the season:

Kansas City Chiefs:

The question is whether the explosive passing game is gone for good for the Chiefs. There has been an improvement in their past three games, but the foremost concern remains.

San Francisco 49ers:

Looking into Brock Purdy’s performance and how it impacts the 49ers’ game. A lot of improvement has been noted over the past month.

Philadelphia Eagles:

Checking in on Jalen Hurts and the team’s explosive pass plays. A noticeable improvement has been seen of late, suggesting growth for the Eagles.

Baltimore Ravens:

Shifting to a more pass-oriented offense has had its ups and downs, but the team is still standing strong. They have lost tight end Mark Andrews to injury, posing a new challenge.

Miami Dolphins:

An update on Tua Tagovailoa and his durability. Surprisingly, his 10-game starting streak suggests a positive future for him in the NFL, a change from the beginning of the season.

Dallas Cowboys:

A look at whether this team is any better than previous Dallas teams and whether they are shaping up for the postseason. There’s an evident improvement, but more tests are yet to come.

Detroit Lions:

Despite three wins, has their defense really improved? Unfortunately, the Lions continue to struggle defensively, as indicated by their ranking in defensive EPA per play.

Jacksonville Jaguars:

Are they ready for prime time? After some mixed results, the upcoming games against formidable opponents will settle this question.

Buffalo Bills:

Are the defensive injuries too much to overcome? The Bills have had a rollercoaster of a month, with a recent improvement, but challenges still lay ahead.

Finally, the Houston Texans have proven themselves with a top-10 offense under rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud, putting him in a league with esteemed names such as Dak Prescott and Andrew Luck. The Texans’ recent victory affirmed their prowess, solidifying Stroud’s place among NFL’s top performers.

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