In a highly entertaining game with a little bit of everything, the Panthers came back to beat the Falcons in overtime today in Atlanta.
The Panthers' 30-27 win was set up by their promising young quarterback-receiver combination of Bryce Young and Tetairoa McMillan, connecting on one of their biggest plays yet, a 12-yard touchdown pass with 1:08 remaining in the fourth quarter.
But it was far from over on that touchdown. On the ensuing kickoff the Falcons got into field goal range and ended up tying the game 27-27, and it wasn't until the Falcons' offense failed to move the ball in overtime that the Panthers marched into field goal range for the game-winning score.
Overtime started with a referee’s mistake, the second week in a row that a referee screwed up and gave the Falcons' opponent a choice in overtime that they didn't deserve. Neither mistake changed who won the game, but it's alarming that NFL refs don't seem to understand the new 2025 NFL overtime rules.
The Falcons lost Michael Penix, who exited the game with a knee injury after completing 13 of 16 passes for 175 yards. Kirk Cousins came in and didn't do much, completing just six of 14 passes for 48 yards.
Young finished with fantastic numbers, completing 31 of 45 passes for 448 yards, with three touchdowns and no interceptions. He looks like he might be capable of guiding the 6-5 Panthers into playoff contention down the stretch.
The Falcons fell to 3-7 and don't look like they're going anywhere. In a year full of disappointing losses, today they had another one.
NFL 2025 Week 11 early inactives: Keon Coleman is out for the Bills
The Bills have an unexpected inclusion on their inactive list for Sunday's game against the Buccaneers.
Wide receiver Keon Coleman will not play for Buffalo. The 2024 second-round pick was not on the injury report this week, which makes him a healthy scratch for a game the Bills need to try to push their way back up the AFC East standings.
According to multiple reports, Coleman missed a team meeting on Friday and that led to the decision to sit him on Sunday. Coleman was also benched for portions of two games as a rookie for disciplinary purposes.
The Bills signed Mecole Hardman to the 53-man roster on Saturday and they also elevated Gabe Davis from the practice squad. They will join Khalil Shakir, Josh Palmer, Curtis Samuel, and Tyrell Shavers at receiver for the Bills.
5 things to watch as Giants face Packers in Week 11 of 2025 NFL season
The Giants dropped to 2-8 last Sunday with a 24-20 loss to the Chicago Bears and are now in the process of reprioritizing for the year ahead.
They still have a chance to play spoiler, though, and will be looking to put a dent in the playoff aspirations of the 5-3-1 Green Bay Packers.
Here are the biggest stories to watch as the Giants look to snap a four-game losing streak...
How will the Giants respond to the coaching change?
Mike Kafka has taken over as interim head coach after Brian Daboll was fired on Monday, so New York will enter Sunday’s game with a new head coach and offensive coordinator.
You can never be quite sure how players will respond to an in-season coaching change, but if Kafka can get the Giants to play hard for him over the remainder of the season, it will boost his chances of being hired as the permanent head coach.
However, if effort levels drop and players are unfocused, the wheels could come off. If this happens, the challenge ahead for the next head coach in terms of rebuilding the roster and culture will look even more difficult.
Jameis Winston takes the helm
The main thing Giants fans have to look forward to over the remaining games will be quarterback Jaxson Dart’s attempts to continue to develop.
However, in all likelihood won’t be available for Sunday’s game as he remains in concussion protocol.
Rather than go back to Russell Wilson, who was the starter at the beginning of the year and replaced Dart when he was injured last week, Kafka opted to name Winstonthe starter for Sunday.
Winston isn’t afraid to take a risk and often makes as many big plays as back-breaking mistakes. So, if nothing else, his first Giants start promises to be entertaining.
Aug 16, 2025; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New York Giants linebacker Abdul Carter (51) reacts to a play against the New York Jets during the first half at MetLife Stadium. / Rich Barnes-Imagn Images
Is it finally time for Abdul Carter to break out?
Carter has been disruptive all season, but this still hasn’t fully translated to the box score in terms of impact plays as he has just one tackle for loss, 0.5 sacks, and no forced fumbles.
However, there could be signs that he’s about to break out. Against the Bears, he had 1.5 sacks negated due to penalties. Carter has been creating pressure all season long and is third on the team with eight quarterback hits. With Dart out, Giants fans would get a lift from him starting to translate this into tangible statistical production.
Can Jordan Love break out of his slump?
Lovehas had a good season, but over the past two games Green Bay’s offense has faltered, as they’ve only managed to put 20 points on the board in low-scoring losses to the Panthers and Eagles.
Love has gone two games without a touchdown pass, having previously thrown at least one in every other game. In the Eagles game, he had season-low marks for completion percentage and passing yards.
Sunday could be a "get-right game" for Love, as he faces a 23rd ranked Giants pass defense that has been banged up for the past few weeks.
How disruptive will Micah Parsons be?
Giants fans, not to mention their players and coaches, were no doubt glad when the Dallas Cowboys traded Parsons during the offseason. At least they will no longer need to face the All-Pro pass rusher twice a year.
They aren’t avoiding him altogether in 2025, though, as he comes in with the Packers for Sunday’s game. Parsons has terrorized Giants quarterbacks since he was drafted in 2021, as he has 4.5 sacks and 13 quarterback hits in eight appearances against them, all of which were Giants losses.
Parsons already has 6.5 sacks in 2025, although the Packers’ sack leader is Rashan Gary with 7.5, so New York will need to be wary of him as well.
