WEEk 11 MaTCHUPS

kaNSaS CiTY (9-1) aT L.a. raMS (9-1) In the 11th week of the NFL season, and with Thanksgiving just days away, Monday Night Football will get the main course instead of leftovers. This matchup is the first in league history this late in a season between teams that have averaged 33 points a game. It made headlines last week by being moved out of Mexico City because of poor field conditions, and it will make more if it lives up to its potential as a wild, high-scoring affair. Both teams look like Super Bowl contenders, and each boasts an MVP candidate. Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes has thrown 31 touchdown passes, leading the NFL and — with a third of the schedule to spare — breaking Len Dawson’s single-season franchise record set in 1964. Rams running back Todd Gurley paces the NFL in scoring (108 points), rushing yards (988), carries (198), yards from scrimmage (1,390) and touchdowns (17). MiNNESOTa (5-3-1) aT CHiCagO (6-3) We’re about to find out if the Chicago Bears are who we think they are — whether your assessment is contender or pretender. On top of the NFC North for now, tonight’s clash with the reigning division champions will reveal a lot, and if the Bears survive this and a short turnaround to win the early Thanksgiving Day game at Detroit, it’s time to believe. The Vikings match Chicago’s defense in stinginess and physicality. Minnesota has allowed an average of only 252.5 yards the past four games. The Bears’ 16 interceptions are tops in the NFL, and their 24 takeaways rank second. HOUSTON (6-3) aT WaSHiNgTON (6-3) Two also-rans of 2017 now leading their divisions — the Houston Texans in the AFC South, the Washington Redskins in the NFC East — collide. Houston, off last week, has won six straight games with quarterback Deshaun Watson and defensive end J.J. Watt playing at peak efficiency after injuries forced them to miss big chunks of last season. Washington’s defense has forced a turnover in 13 consecutive games, the NFL’s longest active streak. PHiLaDELPHia (4-5) aT NEW OrLEaNS (8-1) New Orleans looks like the NFL’s top team right now. The Eagles don’t resemble the squad that won the Super Bowl last season, with injuries limiting their defense at a most inopportune time. Now their banged-up secondary faces Drew Brees. The veteran Saints quarterback has completed 77.1 percent of his passes and has thrown for 21 touchdowns with just one interception, and a versatile backfield that features Mark Ingram and Alvin Kamara makes him even more dangerous. PiTTSBUrgH (6-2-1) aT JaCkSONViLLE (3-6) The visiting Steelers would be wise to look forward and not back at their previous encounter with the Jaguars. Jacksonville beat them twice last season, including a 45-42 playoff shocker in Pittsburgh. Thinking revenge would be foolish because the Steelers are on a roll, though so are the Jags: Pittsburgh has won five straight, while Jacksonville has dropped that many in a row. CiNCiNNaTi (5-4) aT BaLTiMOrE (4-5) Cincinnati brings a historically leaky defense to Baltimore, which might be without regular quarterback Joe Flacco (hip injury). That would mean either first-round draft pick Lamar Jackson or veteran Robert Griffin III getting a chance to further expose a Bengals unit that is the first team in the Super Bowl era to give up 500 yards in three straight games and is on pace to give up an NFL-record 7,273 yards. CarOLiNa (6-3) aT DETrOiT (3-6) Both teams would like to forget last week’s poor performances. Carolina leads this infrequent series 6-2 and would remain in good position in the wild-card race with a victory. Detroit needs an immediate turnaround to get into playoff contention. If this is close, expect Cam Newton and Co. to win. Since 2013, the quarterback’s third year in the league, the Panthers are 26-14 in games decided by seven or fewer points, and they have won five straight games decided by three or fewer. DENVEr (3-6) aT L.a. CHargErS (7-2) While the Rams grab the headlines in Los Angeles, the Chargers keep grabbing victories. They could get help in the AFC West if their neighbors knock off Kansas City, too. The Chargers are a league-best 13-3 since the ninth week of last season. Their six-game winning streak marks the 11th time since the AFL-NFL merger they have had a run of that many or more victories. Philip Rivers has thrown for two or more touchdowns in nine straight games; only five quarterbacks in league history have a string of 10 or more games. TaMPa BaY (3-6) aT N.Y. giaNTS (2-7) The records aren’t great, but the Buccaneers have made a habit of piling up passing yards this season and the Giants are coming off a stirring comeback victory led by the beleagured Eli Manning. The 37-year-old quarterback, a two-time Super Bowl MVP, showed he still knows how to rally with a 75-yard touchdown drive that secured a 27-23 win against the San Francisco Giants. On the other hand, Tampa Bay has lost three in a row and six of seven, and New York’s win last Monday night ended a five-game slide. Two Bucs receivers have often feasted on the Giants’ defense: Mike Evans has 13 catches for 217 yards and a touchdown in two games against them, and DeSean Jackson has five touchdowns in the past six. OakLaND (1-8) aT ariZONa (2-7) Once again, the records aren’t great, but at least Arizona is coming off a solid performance in a 26-14 loss at Kansas City. The Raiders? They seem to have fallen into the Black Hole, outscored 54-9 in their past two games.