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NFL Week 11: Notes and observations

Matt Verderame News NFL

Going forward, this column is going to have a weekly focus on which teams must win to keep hope alive going into the following week of games.

Looking at the AFC and NFC playoff pictures entering this Sunday, it’s fair to say that the following teams are already out of the mix:

  • New York Jets
  • Cleveland Browns
  • Cincinnati Bengals
  • Indianapolis Colts
  • Houston Texans
  • Los Angeles Chargers
  • Denver Broncos
  • Washington Redskins
  • New York Giants
  • Chicago Bears
  • Tampa Bay Buccaneers
  • Arizona Cardinals
  • San Francisco 49ers

If you are doing the math, that leaves 19 teams in the mix for 12 spots. The AFC is much easier to figure out with the Kansas City Chiefs, Pittsburgh Steelers, New England Patriots, Jacksonville Jaguars and Tennessee Titans all but assured of January football.

The NFC is not so simple. The Los Angeles Rams, Minnesota Vikings and New Orleans Saints are all in great shape at 7-2, while the Philadelphia Eagles are boatracing the league at 8-1. For the final two spots, the Detroit Lions, Green Bay Packers, Dallas Cowboys, Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers and Seattle Seahawks in the fray.

So which teams have to win this week? Look no further than the contest between the Packers and Baltimore Ravens at Lambeau Field. Baltimore is 4-5 while Green Bay is 5-4 and starting quarterback Brett Hundley as Aaron Rodgers recovers from a broken collarbone. If the Packers lose, they face having to likely win five of their final six games to have a chance. That won’t be easy, with the Packers in Pittsburgh next weekend. Baltimore losing would drop it to 4-6 and while the AFC is more forgiving, it would be on the brink.

Another game to watch takes place in Dallas on Sunday night. At 5-4, the Cowboys have to beat the Eagles if they want any chance in the NFC East. A loss would put Dallas in a bind considering a tough schedule ahead including battles with the Oakland Raiders and Eagles on the road, along with a hosting of the Seahawks.

Finally, can the Raiders keep their dreams alive by somehow beating the Patriots in Mexico City? Oakland is 4-5 and a game behind the Buffalo Bills for an AFC wild card spot. The Raiders are coming off their bye week and should be well-rested, but will that be enough to take down New England and its five-game winning streak? If the Raiders do win, it’ll likely be because of a terrific effort from Derek Carr, who has been underwhelming in his fourth campaign.

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