What We Learned From Week 11 in the N.F.L.

The Colts’ Jonathan Taylor has entered the M.V.P. discussion, Kirk Cousins extended his credibility with a win over the Packers, and Cam Newton is not a cure-all for Carolina.

This season, bludgeoning running attacks have paid off.

Defenses have turned to deploying two-deep safety looks to diffuse the big-play potential of the league’s most potent quarterbacks — Patrick Mahomes, Josh Allen, Kyler Murray. N.F.L. front offices have also started drafting lighter, quicker defensive players capable of reacting to their improvisation.

So the smart offensive minds are countering with the run.