Friday Five, Week 11

We’re almost at the end of bye weeks, which is reason to rejoice. After last week getting a huge slate of matchups in the late window, we’re back to a more normal distribution in Week 11 with seven games in the early window, four in the late window and 12 total coming on Sunday. Below are five games I’m watching with interest this Sunday, as well as weekly picks from me and Lindsay. Let’s dive in!

Sunday Early Games:

Atlanta Falcons (3-6) at New Orleans Saints (7-2)
The Saints are hot right now, sitting atop the NFC South and in contention for the top seed. But quarterback Drew Brees suffered broken ribs and a punctured lung last week, so he’s out for Week 11. That means Jameis Winston or Taysom Hill, or likely some combination of the two, leading the Saints. The Falcons, meanwhile, come in fresh off a bye with one of the best passing offenses in the league. This one ought to be interesting to watch.

Philadelphia Eagles (3-5-1) at Cleveland Browns (6-3)
The Eagles are coming off a devastating loss to the Giants last week, but still somehow sit atop the NFC East. The Browns, meanwhile, are in a tight race in the AFC North and the AFC in general for a Wild Card berth. Both teams need a win in this one to keep moving forward. The Eagles can ill afford another loss if they hope to get things turned around, but the Browns figure to have the advantage at home. Plus, we’ll get to see two of the best running backs in the game as Nick Chubb and Mile Sanders meet on the field.

Tennessee Titans (6-3) at Baltimore Ravens (6-3)
This one is a re-match of one of the more surprising AFC Playoff games from 2019, and it’s a tale of two AFC contenders that need a win. The Titans lost to the Colts on Thursday night in Week 10, slipping to second in the AFC South. The Ravens, meanwhile, suffered a tough loss of their own on Sunday Night Football to the Patriots, and now find themselves three games back of the Steelers in the AFC North. The Ravens need a win to get back on track before a big Thanksgiving Day battle with the Steelers, while the Titans are now playing catchup in their own division.

Sunday Late Games:

Green Bay Packers (7-2) at Indianapolis Colts (6-3)
This one features a pair of division leaders. The Packers, at 7-2, are currently sitting as the top seed in the NFC, riding the hot hand of Aaron Rodgers and the hot receiving of Davante Adams. The Colts, meanwhile, have been getting it done with a stout defense and timely offensive performances. The Colts’ win over the Titans put them in first place in the AFC South, but they need a home win over the hot Packers to stay there. This is, by far, the best and most meaningful matchup of the late game window.

Sunday Night Football:

Kansas City Chiefs (8-1) at Las Vegas Raiders (6-3)
The Chiefs come in off a bye looking to build on their AFC West lead and keep pace with the 9-0 Steelers. The Chiefs have been perfect on the season aside from a home loss to the Raiders earlier this season. The Raiders, meanwhile, have been on a roll lately, looking stout with their running game. They handed the Chiefs a surprising loss earlier this season and if they can do it again, they’ll pull within a game of the Chiefs for the lead in the AFC West. What a way to wrap up a full Sunday of NFL action.

Weekly Picks:

Lindsay was one better than me in Week 10 and has again taken the lead. But it’s still close as we head toward the final seven weeks of the NFL Season. On to the Week 11 picks!

Matt’s Week 11 Picks:
Seahawks Over Cardinals
Saints Over Falcons
Washington Over Bengals
Browns Over Eagles
Lions Over Panthers
Titans Over Ravens
Patriots Over Texans
Steelers Over Jaguars
Dolphins Over Broncos
Chargers Over Jets
Cowboys Over Vikings
Packers Over Colts
Chiefs Over Raiders
Rams Over Buccaneers

Last Week: 8-6
Season: 89-58

Lindsay’s Week 11 Picks:
Seahawks Over Cardinals
Saints Over Falcons
Bengals Over Washington
Browns Over Eagles
Lions Over Panthers
Ravens Over Titans
Patriots Over Texans
Steelers Over Jaguars
Dolphins Over Broncos
Chargers Over Jets
Vikings Over Cowboys
Packers Over Colts
Chiefs Over Raiders
Buccaneers Over Rams

Last Week: 9-5
Season: 90-57

Matt’s Week 11 Picks Against the Spread:
Cardinals +3.5 Over Seahawks
Saints -4.5 Over Falcons
Washington -1.5 Over Bengals
Eagles +3.5 Over Browns
Lions +1.5 Over Panthers
Titans +6.5 Over Ravens
Patriots -2.5 Over Texans
Steelers -9.5 Over Jaguars
Dolphins -3.5 Over Broncos
Jets +8.5 Over Chargers
Cowboys +7.5 Over Vikings
Packers +2.5 Over Colts
Raiders +6.5 Over Chiefs
Rams +3.5 Over Buccaneers

Last Week: 5-9
Season: 62-85

Matthew Fox is a graduate of the Radio, Television and Film program at Biola University, and a giant nerd. He spends his free time watching movies, TV, and obsessing about football. You can find him @knighthawk7734 on Twitter and as co-host of the Fantasy Football Roundtable Podcast, a proud member of the Drive-In Podcast Network.