NFL Week 11  featured a battle of contenders in the NFC. The Los Angeles Rams and Minnesota Vikings duked it out for three quarters like they once did in the 1960s and '70s. However, it was the Vikings that emerged with the win, setting the stage for a late-season run deep into the playoffs. Meanwhile, other teams and individuals, especially Nathan Peterman, struggled across the league.

Here is a look at this week’s highs and lows in the NFL:

Highs

3. Vikings emerge

case keenum
Rich Barnes/The Associated Press

The Minnesota Vikings and Los Angeles Rams entered their Week 11 matchup with much to prove. Both teams won the games they needed to win to get where they are, and both faced criticism for not proving themselves against stronger opponents. In the end, it was the Vikings that passed the test, and they did it with smart game-planning and strong, fundamental football.

The Vikings won the game in the trenches. Their offensive line stood tall against the talented Rams front seven, providing quarterback Case Keenum with enough time to make plays. Meanwhile, the defensive line successfully shut down Rams running back Todd Gurley and kept quarterback Jared Goff running for his life.

Minnesota’s gameplan kept their offense on the field and wore down the Rams defense. They turned an old-fashioned slugfest into a dominating 24-7 victory, proving that the Vikings are a Super Bowl contender.

As for the Rams, the loss shows they still have a ways to go. These two teams might see each other again soon enough.

2. Saints comeback

drew brees
USA TODAY Sports

I suppose this game could go down as a low for the Washington Redskins, but the New Orleans Saints deserve credit for their never-say-die 34-31 comeback victory. The Redskins had the Saints dead to rights when they took a 31-16 lead with 5:38 left in the fourth quarter. What followed was quarterback Drew Brees working his magic with a furious charge to tie the game at 31-31 with 1:05 left.

The Saints looked like a dumpster fire when they started the season 0-2, but their newfound running game and defense changed everything for them as they've won eight in a row. They will be a tough out in the playoffs.

1. Big Ben not done

Ben Roethlisberger
Philip G. Pavely/USA TODAY Sports

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger has faced criticism throughout the season. He’s even mentioned retirement as an option. However, his performance against the Tennessee Titans last Thursday showed that he still has plenty left in his gas tank.

Roethlisberger completed 30 of 45 passes for 299 yards and four touchdowns in the Steelers’ 40-17 victory over the contending Titans. He always responds to doubts by reminding everyone why he will likely be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame one day. Given the AFC’s weaknesses this year, expect Roethlisberger to lead his team on one more deep run in the playoffs.

Lows

3. The Chiefs' fade continues

Andy Reid
The Associated Press

The Kansas City Chiefs opened the season looking like a Super Bowl contender, but their fortunes have changed in recent weeks. They suffered their fourth loss in five games in a 12-9 overtime defeat at the lowly New York Giants on Sunday.

It’s hard to really breakdown what has gone wrong with the Chiefs. They remain competitive in every loss, but the Chiefs still can’t get over the hump. The Giants game was a one they should have in the win column. It would have put the Chiefs three games ahead in the suddenly awful AFC West. Now, both the Oakland Raiders and Los Angeles Chargers sit within striking distance with six games to go. At some point, the Chiefs must pull it together or risk losing the division.

There is too much talent on the roster for that to happen … right?

2. Goodnight Green Bay

Brett Hundley
Benny Sieu/USA TODAY Sports

The Green Bay Packers suffered a devastating 23-0 defeat to the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday, and much of the blame rests on the shoulders of a front office and coaching staff that was unprepared for life without quarterback Aaron Rodgers. His backup, Brett Hundley, struggled against the aggressive Ravens defense, which picked off three passes and sacked him six times.

Hundley has a future in the NFL, but it’s obvious that he wasn’t prepared to take over of the Rodgers. The Packers made a fatal mistake in not having a solid backup quarterback standing by in case Rodgers went down. Now, the Packers face an uphill ball to not only make the playoffs, but to even finish with an 8-8 record.

It also hurts that the Packers didn’t have the personnel in place on other parts of the roster to survive without their star. Changes must happen in Green Bay in the offseason. The Packers don’t need drastic changes, but it’s time they do a better job filling in the gaps.

1. Peterman’s horrid debut

Nathan Peterman
Adrian Kraus/The Associated Press

The Buffalo Bills’ search for a franchise quarterback continues. The team drafted E.J. Manuel to be their guy, but they gave up on him. Tyrod Taylor emerged as the starter, but then they let two of his best receivers go in the 2017 offseason. Then, this past week they benched Taylor in favor of rookie fifth-round draft pick Nathan Peterman.

Peterman struggled in his first start. Well, struggled isn’t the right word. It actually takes it too easy on Peterman’s performance. He completed only 6 of 14 passes for 66 yards and five interceptions in the first half at the Chargers on Sunday. That’s right – five interceptions.

The Bills benched a solid starter for the young rookie and got burned. Decisions like this are why the Bills are dropping in the playoff standings.