It’s week 11 and the postseason picture is beginning to come into focus. This week’s matchups offer a glimpse of the playoff match ups to come. Here are some of the key games this weekend.
Rams at Vikings, Sunday, November 19th at 1:00 PM on FOX.
What a difference a year makes. The Rams are sitting at 7-2 thanks to Jared Goff and the league’s #1 scoring offense (32.9 pts/gm). They’ll be looking for a signature win this week against the Vikings and one of the league’s youngest and most talented defenses. Look for Vikings CB Xavier Rhodes to match up against the potent Rams passing attack while Case Keenum leans on the potent duo of Adam Thielen and Steffon Diggs to move the chains. These are two young and talented teams looking to make a deep playoff run for the first time in several seasons. This should be a spirited competition.
Patriots vs. Raiders, Mexico City, Sunday, November 19th at 4:25 PM on FOX.
The Patriots and Raiders are facing off in a unique south-of-the-border match hosted at the Estadio Azteca in Mexico, D.F. After a weak start, the Patriots are looking like perennial champions again thanks to a resurgent defense and Tom Brady. The Raiders are sitting at 4-5, but are hoping to turn their season around with a statement win. This game should offer plenty of fascinating match ups: Tom Brady vs. Khalil Mack, Marshawn Lynch vs. Elandon Roberts, Amari Cooper vs. Malcolm Bulter. Before this season started, many pundits expected these two teams to be battling for first in the AFC. This match up should live up to the hype.
Eagles at Cowboys, Sunday, November 19th at 8:30 PM on NBC.
Thanks to MVP candidate Carson Wentz and a rebuilt defense, the Eagles own the best record in the NFL at 8-1. This week they face their rivals, the Dallas Cowboys, who are fighting for their own spot in the postseason. Without Ezekiel Elliott, it will face to Dak Prescott to lead the Cowboys offense over the Eagles. But, they’ll have their work cut out for them keeping up with Wentz, Zach Ertz, and the recently acquired Jay Ajayi. Expect a high-scoring affair.
Falcons at Seahawks, Monday, November 20th at 8:30 PM on ESPN.
Monday night will be a battle of the birds. Last year’s NFC Champs struggled for the first half of the season, but have pulled it around in recent weeks. They’ll look to build on that momentum by taking down the Seahawks and the Legion of Boom. To do so, they’ll need to overcome the loss of Devonta Freeman who is expected to be out with a head injury. Russell Wilson, Doug Baldwin and the Seahawks will be playing to secure their spot in the playoffs with a signature win over their NFC rivals. This game could go down as a Monday night classic.
Happy watching!