NFL Week 11 games: Notes and observations

Seven weeks. That’s all we have left in the NFL season. Seven weeks.

We’re entering the phase where contenders start eyeing the standings and sprint to the finish line. It’s the same phase where other teams begin looking at the draft and thinking about how to improve for next season.

In short, the upsets will be fewer and further between. Some teams don’t have as much fight in them, while others ramp up the intensity. Here are some thoughts as we barrel towards Sunday:

• The AFC playoff picture was so defined only a few weeks ago. The New England Patriots, Baltimore Ravens, Houston Texans and Kansas City Chiefs were going to roll to division titles. Kansas City is now falling from that distinction. The Oakland Raiders are only a half-game back with games coming up against the Cincinnati Bengals and New York Jets. Additionally, the Indianapolis Colts and Buffalo Bills have stumbled, The wild card race is now wide up for almost a half-dozen teams.

• San Francisco can’t afford to let up this week. After losing in wild fashion to the Seattle Seahawks last week, the Niners now welcome Kyler Murray and the Arizona Cardinals to town. Arizona hasn’t beaten a good team all year, but it came within three points of San Francisco a few weeks ago. If the 49ers are still thinking about their first loss of the season, the Cardinals are capable of dealing them a hideous defeat.

• The Buffalo Bills need to win. Desperately. Buffalo is 6-3 but lost last week to the Cleveland Browns. This Sunday they go to South Beach for a date with the Miami Dolphins. What once appeared to be the easiest lay-up in sports has taken on a new look, with the Dolphins winning their last two games. Additionally, Buffalo struggled at home against Miami earlier in the year. If the Bills lose here, there’s a real chance they miss the playoffs after starting the season 6-2.

• The Washington Redskins and New York Jets are playing a game nobody should watch. Nobody. That said, there is plenty on the line in terms of draft order. Should Washington lose, it would remain firmly in the second spot behind the Bengals, who are the league’s only winless team. However, a win and the Jets slot in ahead of Washington. Considering how bad both teams are, this could be the difference between getting Chase Young and settling for the consolation prize.