WEEK 11 GAME PREVIEWS
❚ Lions (5-4) at Bears (3-6)
TV: Sunday, 1, Fox (Thom Brennaman, Chris Spielman, Peter Schrager)
The matchup: The Lions’ 38-24 win over the Browns matched their season high, and QB Matthew Stafford, after an early interception, tossed three touchdowns. It was their second win in a row, proving they can survive without DE Ezekiel Ansah (back) and despite losing the line of scrimmage. After an ill-prepared loss to the Packers, the Bears’ focus narrows from potentially getting back in contention to the development of top pick QB Mitchell Trubisky. He threw for a career-high 297 yards in the loss but also took five sacks and guided an offense that continues to struggle. The Bears converted less than 30% on third downs.
❚ Jaguars (6-3) at Browns (0-9)
TV: Sunday, 1, CBS (Andrew Catalon, James Lofton) The matchup: The Jaguars continue to thrive off a big-play defense as they enter with a three-game winning streak. But S Tashaun Gipson, a former Brown, provided bulletin-board material for the game in a radio interview by ripping Cleveland’s front office, predicting the Jaguars would score 40 points and record a shutout and forecasting a winless season for the Browns. The Jaguars are the NFL’s best scoring defense and best total defense against the pass. About the only positive for the Browns is that they’re playing a true home game for the first time in almost a month. The players haven’t quit on coach Hue Jackson, but they are the league’s youngest team and have major talent deficiencies. The Browns are better offensively when they’re able to establish a run game.
❚ Ravens (4-5) at Packers (5-4)
TV: Sunday, 1, CBS (Kevin Harlan, Rich Gannon, Jenny Dell)
The matchup: The Ravens had another poor offensive showing in a 23-20 loss — Baltimore’s fifth in seven games — before entering the bye. Help is on the way for a unit that is 29th in total offense and 31st in passing as versatile RB Danny Woodhead is set to return from injured reserve. The Packers stayed in a secondplace tie in the NFC North after a 23-17 road win against the Bears — their first in four games with QB Brett Hundley. His fourth quarter in Chicago was his best to date, and he did it with a sore hamstring. The Packers run defense is hot but faces Alex Collins (5.6 yards per carry) and a fresh change-up in Woodhead.
❚ Cardinals (4-5) at Texans (3-6)
TV: Sunday, 1, Fox (Kenny Albert, Ronde Barber, Kristina Pink)
The matchup: Arizona suffered a devastating 22-16 loss at home to NFC West rival Seattle last week. The Cardinals also lost three players to season-ending injuries and could be without QB Drew Stanton (sprained knee) in Week 11. If Stanton is unable to go, the Cardinals will start Blaine Gabbert. After a 33-7 loss to the Rams, the Texans are officially in tailspin mode. Since losing rookie sensation QB Deshaun Watson to a season-ending knee injury following their Week 8 loss in Seattle, the Texans have struggled to get anything going with QB Tom Savage.
❚ Buccaneers (3-6) at Dolphins (4-5)
TV: Sunday, 1, Fox (Dick Stockton, Mark Schlereth, Shannon Spake) The matchup: Without QB Jameis Winston (right shoulder) and WR Mike Evans (suspended), Tampa Bay ended a five-game skid with a gritty 15-10 win vs. the Jets at home. The defense stepped up with a season-high six sacks, forced two turnovers and allowed the Jets to convert only 3 of 15 third downs. Look for backup QB Ryan Fitzpatrick to target Evans, back after a one-game suspension. After getting thoroughly outplayed by Carolina on Monday, the Dolphins have a short week to prepare for the Bucs. Coach Adam Gase likes where his offense is headed with RBs Kenyan Drake and Damien Williams, who were in supporting roles before Jay Ajayi was traded away.
❚ Rams (7-2) at Vikings (7-2)
TV: Sunday, 1, Fox (Kevin Burkhardt, Charles Davis, Greg Olsen, Pam Oliver)
The matchup: Rams QB Jared Goff has gone from likely draft bust to legitimate MVP candidate almost overnight, helping to make the Rams the NFL’s best feelgood story. Coming off a 355-yard, three-TD performance, Goff will get another big challenge against Minnesota’s vaunted defense. The Rams bring a 4-0 road record into the Twin Cities, and the offense is riding a three-game string of 30-plus-point performances. Minnesota QB Case Keenum is facing a team that he made nine starts for last year and held on to the job in Minnesota after throwing for a career-high four TDs last week. The Vikings have a five-game winning streak, but the Rams represent a fresh challenge, and Minnesota has reason for concern after a subpar defensive game vs. Washington. If Rams DT Aaron Donald can pressure Keenum, it could lead to some Vikings turnovers.
❚ Chiefs (6-3) at Giants (1-8)
TV: Sunday, 1, CBS (Ian Eagle, Dan Fouts, Evan Washburn)
The matchup: The Chiefs need to fix a defense that hasn’t been the same without S Eric Berry (torn Achilles in Week 1). Entering Week 10, the Chiefs had allowed the most first downs in the NFL and second-most (32) red-zone trips. The Chiefs hope OLB Tamba Hali, who played 23 snaps (34%) in his season debut against Dallas, will help and that OLB Dee Ford (back) can stay healthy. The Giants last week became the first team to lose to the 49ers this season. That followed a week of stories from anonymous players saying head coach Ben McAdoo had lost the team, though owners said this week that his job is safe. The Giants have only 13 sacks and four interceptions and have al-- lowed 20 TD passes, a 62% completion rate and 7.93 yards per pass attempt. The Chiefs hope the bye rejuvenates rookie RB Kareem Hunt. He has 1,131 yards from scrimmage but only 356 and no TDs in the last four games.
❚ Redskins (4-5) at Saints (7-2)
TV: Sunday, 1, Fox (Joe Buck, Troy Aikman, Erin Andrews)
The matchup: Washington failed to protect its home turf in a 38-30 loss to the Vikings. How will the Redskins pass defense fare in New Orleans against the Saints and QB Drew Brees after yielding 304 yards and four TDs to Vikings QB Case Keenum? Washington also has given up 25.8 points per game, ranking it near the bottom of the NFL. And the injuries continue. RB Rob Kelley (knee) and LB Will Compton (foot) went on IR this week. New Orleans’ dynamic RB tandem of Mark Ingram (864 yards) and Alvin Kamara (790) has combined for 1,654 yards from scrimmage and 13 TDs, giving the Saints one of the NFL’s best-balanced offensive units.
❚ Bills (5-4) at Chargers (3-6)
TV: Sunday, 4:05, Fox (Chris Myers, Daryl Johnston, Laura Okmin)
The matchup: The Bills benched third-year QB Tyrod Taylor and will start rookie fifth-round pick Nathan Peterman against the Chargers, coach Sean McDermott said Wednesday. The Bills scored one TD in their pasting at the hands of the Saints, and that was led by Peterman. Buffalo’s eight other possessions resulted in six punts, an interception and a failed fourth-down conversion. Chargers QB Philip Rivers’ streak of 185 consecutive regular-season starts could be in jeopardy after he was placed in the concussion protocol, though he’s progressed well through the week. Kellen Clemens, with 21 starts, would replace Rivers.
❚ Bengals (3-6) at Broncos (3-6)
TV: Sunday, 4:25, CBS (Thom Brennaman, Chris Spielman, Peter Schrager)
The matchup: The Bengals limp into their third consecutive road game off a heartbreaking, last-minute loss at Tennessee. The Bengals aren’t scoring enough points and aren’t running the ball well enough to support what has been a pretty good defensive effort, and a shaky offensive line hasn’t helped QB Andy Dalton. To move the ball in Denver, the Bengals need the line to open holes for rookie RB Joe Mixon and give Dalton time to throw. The Broncos still have outstanding defensive personnel and rank near the top of most major defensive categories. The Broncos’ -14 turnover margin is the worst in the NFL and is the biggest reason they haven’t won since Oct. 1. Denver has given up 92 points in the last two games and is on first fivegame losing streak since 2010.
❚ Patriots (7-2) at Raiders (4-5)
TV: Sunday, 4:25, Fox, at Azteca Stadium in Mexico City (Jim Nantz, Tony Romo, Tracy Wolfson)
The matchup: After their 41-16 win over Denver, the Patriots stayed in Colorado Springs for practice to remain in the high altitude before heading to Mexico City, which is near the same altitude. The victory was their fifth in a row and 12th consecutive on the road. The Raiders face an uphill battle to repeat last season’s playoff appearance, knowing they probably have to win at least six of their last seven games. That’s a tall order considering they have games at Kansas City and Philadelphia in addition to a home game against Dallas. Oakland’s defense will be hard-pressed to stop what the Patriots do so well. Raiders coach Jack Del Rio is 0-5 in his career vs. New England.
❚ Eagles (8-1) at Cowboys (5-4)
TV: Sunday, 8:30, NBC (Al Michaels, Cris Collinsworth, Michele Tafoya)
The matchup: The Eagles come out of their off week rested and healthier than they’ve been in weeks. Even with key players sidelined by injuries at various times, Philadelphia has won seven in a row. The Eagles own the NFL’s No. 2 scoring offense (31.4 ppg) because they can do so many things — QB Carson Wentz spreads the ball around in the passing game, and they’ve topped 120 yards rushing in each of the last five games. Dallas, a team on a roll, suddenly rolled over in a brutal loss at Atlanta. The suspension of Cowboys RB Ezekiel Elliott and injuries to LT Tyron Smith (groin, back) and LB Sean Lee (hamstring) were devastating — without them, Dallas crumbled offensively and defensively.
❚ Falcons (5-4) at Seahawks (6-3)
TV: Monday, 8:30, ESPN (Sean McDonough, Jon Gruden, Lisa Salters)
The matchup: Falcons offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian has been in the cross hairs all season, and the spotlight will be particularly bright this week. Not only is Sarkisian returning to the city where he first served as a college football coach (at nearby Washington), but he’ll also be calling plays against a man he knows well: Seahawks coach Pete Carroll. RB Devonta Freeman’s status could be a factor as the Falcons try to keep the offense rolling. The well-rested Seahawks will be forced to go into this one without their top cover corner. Not having CB Richard Sherman in a game against a team that features WR Julio Jones could be a significant deficit. QB Russell Wilson has almost single-handedly carried the offense after some slow starts, and he probably will have to bring his A game again.