15 key questions for NFL Week 11
Week 11 should excite football fans everywhere as it features some huge games, including a hotly-anticipated matchup between the Los Angeles Rams and Kansas City Chiefs, plus an NFC North battle between the Minnesota Vikings and Chicago Bears. There are numerous other games with playoff implications worth watching as well.
What should we be looking for in these contests? Here are 15 key questions to keep in mind as Week 11 kicks into gear.
1. Which defense can step up in the Chiefs-Rams tilt?
We’re well aware that Kansas City and Los Angeles boast two of the game’s best offenses. As was the case in the Rams’ recent matchup with the New Orleans Saints, the game may come down to whichever defense can force turnovers and get timely stops. While neither defense is elite, the Rams have been slightly better in terms of yardage allowed, and they also have a negligible advantage in points allowed per game. The best defense probably wins this game.
2. Will Dallas’ first road win prove a sign of things to come?
The Cowboys had been truly awful all year on the road before rather surprisingly digging in for their first victory away from home against the Philadelphia Eagles. If the Cowboys wish to remain in the playoff race, that momentum has to carry over. The Cowboys will face the Atlanta Falcons on the road this week, a team hit by injury and inconsistency, but capable of putting up lots of points. This is another dangerous game for Dallas, but a win could show some real evidence of a turnaround.
3. Will the reshuffled Bengals’ coaching staff help against Baltimore?
The Bengals, who have been a mess defensively lately, made some major changes this week ahead of a big game against the Baltimore Ravens. Marvin Lewis has taken over defensive duties, with a surprising name coming in to help him in general. Will this matter? There are a lot of factors at play here, especially with Baltimore’s quarterback situation up in the air, but this is a must-win game for Cincinnati. With a loss here, a lot of eyes will fall on Lewis.
4. Who will seize control of the NFC North?
Sunday night’s matchup between the Minnesota Vikings and Chicago Bears may have a big say in deciding the NFC North winner. The Green Bay Packers and Detroit Lions are both fading from view, leaving these two teams as the real contenders in the division. This is the long-awaited first meeting of these teams, matching up the surprising Bears with the built-to-win Vikings. The winner will be in first place, and maybe to stay.
5. Will the Panthers right the ship after a huge letdown in Pittsburgh?
In what was a big test of their playoff credentials, the Carolina Panthers fell completely flat in a blowout loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers a week ago. A visit to the Detroit Lions provides a much more straightforward challenge, but one that the Panthers can’t afford to lose. Carolina remains well-poised for an NFC playoff spot, but it’s dependent on beating the teams they should beat, and the Lions are one of those. This is a big rebound game for Carolina.
6. Can the Eagles even hang with the Saints?
This was very nearly the NFC Championship last season, but the layout of this game looks much different now. The Saints are rolling, well on their way to a division title and a potentially deep run into the NFC playoffs. The Eagles are 4-5, fresh off handing the Dallas Cowboys their first road win as a season, and face an uphill battle to even get back to the playoff. It’s up to the Philadelphia defense to step up here. The Philadelphia offense just isn’t as good, so that once-vaunted defense is going to have to find something to stop the Saints and keep it close.
7. Will the home crowd show up for Washington?
One of the strangest undercurrents of the season is the fact that the Washington Redskins have repeatedly voiced their disappointment with their home fans. The environment has been underwhelming and sometimes hostile, with Josh Norman explicitly calling it out. He then put his money where his mouth is by handing out free tickets. The Redskins face a good Houston Texans team, so one would expect the stakes to be high and the fans to be boisterous. The team will be counting on it.
8. Can the Steelers effectively end Jacksonville’s playoff hopes?
The Jacksonville Jaguars are 3-6, and their playoff hopes may already be done for the year. Another defeat would almost certainly do it, and the Pittsburgh Steelers are not the team they want to be playing right now, even at home. Jacksonville has lost five straight, and the talented Steelers seem likely to make it six, but the Jaguars are playing for their season here. We’ll see if they can raise their game at all against a leading AFC contender.
9. Will the methodical Chargers find any resistance against Denver?
The Chargers have flown under the radar all season, especially with their city rivals, the Rams, taking up many of the headlines. They don’t seem to mind. Even without a key player in Joey Bosa, the Chargers are 7-2, and will be favored to win again against a rudderless Denver Broncos team. It’s up to Denver and Case Keenum to try to slow that down and find something, but that won’t be easy on the road against a superior opponent. Perhaps their extra week of preparation from the bye will help keep things close.
10. Can the streaky Titans shut down Andrew Luck?
The Titans lost their first game, won three straight, lost three straight, and have now won two in a row again. They’re actually firmly in the playoff hunt, but Andrew Luck and the Indianapolis Colts present a challenge. The Colts aren’t an elite team, but they’ve won three in a row and Luck is playing good ball. The fact that it’s a road game for Tennessee doesn’t make this any easier. A win would be pretty big.
11. Is Dirk Koetter coaching for his job?
The matchup between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and New York Giants is a battle between two rather listless teams in the middle of losing seasons. There is plenty of speculation about potential changes for both, but the Buccaneers may be more pertinent right now. While there’s no indication that changes are imminent, this is another poor season for Dirk Koetter, and he may need a strong finish to his season if he wants to save his job. A win over a vulnerable team like the Giants would be a fine start.
12. Can the Raiders take what may be their best chance at a road win?
The Raiders and Cardinals have three combined wins, and Oakland is 0-4 on the road and in serious danger of going winless away from home. Their remaining away games after this one aren’t very promising, with trips to Baltimore, Cincinnati, and Kansas City ahead. Thus, the Cardinals probably represent the Raiders’ best shot to get what may be their lone road win of 2018. The Raiders have looked awful lately, so this may not be enough, but they at least have a chance.
13. Can the Ravens show any fight to save John Harbaugh’s job?
Speculation about John Harbaugh’s future has really ramped up over the past couple weeks, and it may already be too late for him to save his job. All he can do is try at this point, with the Ravens riding a three-game losing streak heading into a big matchup with the Cincinnati Bengals. The Ravens really need a win for their playoff hopes, and Harbaugh may need one for his future with the franchise. The stakes are high.
14. How will Mitchell Trubisky cope with the best rival defense in his division?
Bears quarterback Mitchell Trubisky has shown a lot of ability this season and looks to be quickly maturing into a pretty good NFL quarterback. The talented Minnesota Vikings defense will provide him with a real test as these two teams meet for the first time. Only three teams have allowed fewer yards than Minnesota has, leaving Trubisky with a real uphill task. If he wants to take the Bears to the playoffs, though, he’s going to have to win games like this.
15. How much will the Rams miss Cooper Kupp?
The Rams have a whole lot of weapons, so the loss of Kupp for the season isn’t quite the end of the world. It is, however, an undeniable blow. Kupp is only tied for third on the team in total receptions and third in total yardage, but his six touchdowns lead the team. Jared Goff and the Rams will have to find a way to make up for that. Expect to see Brandin Cooks and Robert Woods filling even larger roles going forward.