Michael McQuaid of Pro Football Ireland looks at some of the key storylines ahead of the 11th week of the 2025 NFL season, which got under way last night when the New England Patriots defeated the New York Jets 27-14 in Foxborough, Massachusetts.
Miami in Madrid
The iconic Santiago Bernabeu will host the first ever NFL game in Spain this Sunday, as the Miami Dolphins face the Washington Commanders at the home of Real Madrid.
While it is not the game we expected at the start of the year, with Washington's star quarterback Jayden Daniels not even travelling due to injury, there is still a fever pitch atmosphere in the Spanish capital, with tens of thousands of fans expected to descend on Madrid.
Marcus Mariota will start for a Commanders outfit which gave up 44 points to the Detroit Lions last weekend. While Mariota played a clean game, it is taking the team time to adapt to the difference under centre with Daniels laid up.
Talk about timing, the Miami Dolphins looked dead and buried for the season before they defeated the Buffalo Bills last weekend.
They appeared a different team after the firing of general manager Chris Grier days earlier.
Sure, they sit 3-7 and a play-off run looks unlikely, but if they could pick up a victory in Madrid, they face both the New Orleans Saints and New York Jets after what is a late bye week.
Stranger things have happened.
This is the final international game of the year, which saw Dublin host its first NFL fixture.
There is no development on a potential game in Dublin next year, but that doesn’t mean it won’t happen.
It is clear that from a logistical point that it worked for the league, its teams, the city and the government.
The blueprint that was tested for the first time with the Minnesota Vikings playing in both Dublin and London could be replicated as early as next year.
The NFL will head to Rio and Melbourne in 2026, with whispers that Paris could be in the mix in the future.
Would the French capital or another European city hinder Dublin’s chances in the short term?
Prayers in Pittsburgh
If anyone needs a win this weekend, it’s the Pittsburgh Steelers, who welcome the Cincinnati Bengals to town in a crucial AFC North clash on Sunday.
From flying high in Dublin, the Steelers have lost three out of their last four games and now have only a one game advantage over the Baltimore Ravens (who have been decimated with injuries) in their division.
The opportunity was there for Pittsburgh to pull away, but they have not taken advantage. Aaron Rodgers had a poor game last weekend in the loss to the Los Angeles Chargers, throwing two interceptions and also dropping back and giving up a safety in the process.
Rodgers and this Steelers side have been critical of their own performances and they know that this game is a must-win against a Bengals team who expect Joe Burrow back after Thanksgiving.
The last time they played each other, Joe Flacco turned back the clock and put up 33 points on a stout Pittsburgh defence.
There are a lot of potential divisional repercussions this weekend, with the Baltimore Ravens facing the Cleveland Browns on Sunday also.
Mile High Magic
They may not say it, but this is the biggest game for the Denver Broncos since Super Bowl 50.
Maybe, just maybe, they are about to flip the script in the AFC West.
For the first time since the victorious 2015 season, Denver have a legitimate chance to take a commanding lead in the division. They enter this game against rivals Kansas City 8-2 knowing that to stop Mahomes and company, they must take it up a gear.
Second-year quarterback Bo Nix (above) is statistically outperforming his legendary predecessor, John Elway. While Nix has set multiple records within his first two seasons, the team need to be more consistent down the stretch if they are going to make a legitimate push.
The offence is not playing at the same production level as a year ago. Last week, the Broncos punted seven times, with Nix throwing two interceptions.
In three of their last five games, they have scored 18 points or fewer.
With the Chiefs coming to town, it is time for the Broncos offence to take a step up and allow the defence to breathe a little.
If they can do that and win this game on Sunday, the expectation shifts up a gear in the Mile High City.
An NFC Blockbuster
If the Broncos-Chiefs game is box office, is this a fair sequel?
The Detroit Lions will head to Philadelphia to take on the Eagles this weekend. Both teams are legitimate contenders, with the Eagles sitting at 7-2 and the Lions 6-3 entering Week 11.
The Lions offensively looked lethal last weekend against the Washington Commanders, with Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery combining for over 200 rushing yards alone.
One can only wonder how Saquon Barkley feels about that?
It was always going to be a difficult game in Green Bay last week, but Barkley was limited to only 60 yards rushing, with an average of 2.7 yards per carry.
This Eagles attack is not performing at the level that we would expect from a reigning Super Bowl champion.
Yes, there have been moments throughout the first ten weeks of the season that have made Philadelphia look elite, but they are not consistent, with Jalen Hurts struggling to find a way to maximise a mix of targets both when running and throwing the ball.
Many will argue however that the Eagles have seven wins in nine games - and the only thing that matters is the record.
That is correct, but they will need to take it up a gear when Dan Campbell comes to town. He is calling the offensive plays after effectively demoting his offensive coordinator, and they scored on every possession last week.
This will be fun.
Mayfield - Allen
There can be no doubt that fans are spoiled this week.
The prospect of Baker Mayfield going up against Josh Allen is tantalising, with both teams sitting at 6-3 entering this weekend.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have done so much with so little this season. Bucky Irving, Chris Godwin, Luke Goedeke, Mike Evans and Cody Mauch have had time on the sidelines and one wonders when this team will play at full strength again.
Their attack is an issue. Yes, the injuries are causing problems, but play calling at times from first year offensive co-ordinator Josh Grizzard has been puzzling, almost lacking a plan at the crucial moments - something we saw last weekend when Tampa Bay lost to the New England Patriots.
Like a lot of contenders, consistency and small improvements is needed for Todd Bowles and his team.
Josh Allen is picked off in the end zone. Dolphins take over up 16-0 in the 3rd.
— NFL (@NFL) November 9, 2025
BUFvsMIA on CBS/Paramount+https://t.co/HkKw7uXVnt pic.twitter.com/5dfv4ZW16s
It’s simple for the Bills. As the weeks close in around what is expected to be their final year in Highmark Stadium, they cannot have a repeat of last week's performance in Miami.
AJ Epenesa, Taron Johnson and Christian Benford did not play in Florida, but it needs to be a next man up mentality.
With the Patriots winning on Thursday night - and MVP calls for Drake Maye in the crowd - Josh Allen needs to have a game this week. He had one interception in Miami and the team struggled to run the ball generally.
One of these teams will have four losses after Sunday. The narrative will change for whoever that is.
