Week 10 was a time for playoff contenders to establish themselves upper echelon teams in this league and the Philadelphia Eagles, Detroit Lions and Green Bay Packers did just that with huge wins. However, Week 11 is a fresh slate and new teams could rise at any moment.
There are some juicy matchups this week, so be prepared for some good football. Here’s what you should watch for in Week 11.
1. Andrew Luck vs. Tom Brady
No, it’s not a Indianapolis Colts vs. New England Patriots matchup that we grew used to, but Luck and Brady are still two of the best quarterbacks in the league. These two offenses might be the most exciting in all of football.
The Patriots have won five straight games leading into Indianapolis, but Luck has the ability to keep up. Will the Colts’ 21st-ranked pass defense be able to hold up enough?
2. Mark Sanchez vs. Aaron Rodgers
Who would have thought that this would be the quarterback matchup? Sanchez has been extremely effective in his six quarters or work, but he’ll have a new test in Lambeau Field against a surprisingly strong Packers defense.
Rodgers will also be tested against a quick and eager Eagles defense, which would suggest he won’t throw six touchdowns in the first half of this game. However, he might in the entire game, given the back-and-forth dynamic that could develop.
3. Top teams in the NFC, Detroit Lions vs. Arizona Cardinals
The Lions have persevered through the injury to Calvin Johnson and sit at 7-2 on the season. However, the Cardinals have suffered a major blow to the quarterback position still lead the league with an 8-1 record.
But can Drew Stanton lead the Cardinals past the second-best pass defense in all of football. Conversely, how successful will Matthew Stafford be against the 27th-ranked pass defense that thrives on turnovers.
4. What has happened to the Chicago Bears?
Following a 55-14 drubbing from the Green Bay Packers last week, criticism was centered on Head Coach Marc Trestman and quarterback Jay Cutler. This team was supposed to flourish offensively, and now it sits 22nd in scoring offense.
Now, the Bears will travel to Minnesota with low confidence, playing a Vikings team that has nothing to lose. Can they get Matt Forte and the ground game going enough to open up the pass game. We’ll see.
5. Can the Cleveland Browns stay on top?
The Browns came into this season expecting to be a strong team, but it hasn’t been often that they’ve met expectations. This year, Brian Hoyer has his team in first place in the AFC North with the Houston Texans coming to town.
A win would go a long way in the race for that first spot and it would severely damage Arian Foster and the Texans’ chances. However, if the Browns slip up against the Texans’ defensive line, they could find themselves back on the bottom.
6. Battle of the 6-3 teams
The defending champion Seattle Seahawks need to continue to win to keep up with the Arizona Cardinals in the NFC West. However, they’ll enter Arrowhead Stadium to meet the Kansas City Chiefs, another team that desperately needs a win to keep up in the AFC Wild Card.
The Seahawks still remain a top 5 rush defense, and that could make it difficult for Jamaal Charles to do what he does best. That could put the pressure on Alex Smith to succeed.
7. A matchup that shouldn’t matter
The Carolina Panthers and Atlanta Falcons sit at 3-6, but both are just a game out of first place in the dismal NFC South. It seems hard to imagine that this game would mean anything, but here we are.
Cam Newton has been banged up and his offensive line has not helped, but if he can gets protection to run and throw, he could do well against the Falcons’ 29th-ranked defense.
8. Can the Cincinnati Bengals save their season?
The country watched as the Bengals unraveled and lost 24-3 to the Cleveland Browns last Thursday night. Andy Dalton completed 33 percent of his passes; that’s really bad.
Now, the Bengals have to beat a desperate New Orleans Saints team in the Super Dome, and it’ll be without Giovani Bernard again. Will the Bengals defense be able to stop Drew Brees and company?
9. Can the Denver Broncos continue to score at will?
The Broncos have been on a torrid pace, scoring more than 30 points in six consecutive games en route to a 7-2 record. However, they’ll face a stingy St. Louis Rams defense that has helped beat the Seattle Seahawks and San Francisco 49ers.
Peyton Manning is just 2-2 on the road this season, and the Broncos need to keep that offensive momentum going if they want the No. 1 seed in the AFC.
10. Another key road game for the San Francisco 49ers
Last week was huge for the 49ers, coming back and beating the Saints in overtime to basically save their season. With another loss, the 49ers’ chances take a major hit, so a matchup at the Meadowlands with the New York Giants is just as big.
When the 49ers score more than 20 points, they win so far this season. That will be the test against the Giants weak defense.