The NFL Roundup 2020: Week 11

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Football this time of year, is a truly special affair. Simply because the stakes are high for teams that are trying to reach the playoffs and that desire to get their shot at the post-season, translates to their play on the field. Because every team on the bubble or close to a clench, really do give it their all and that leads to some incredible football, the kind that leaves us talking for days on end and it looks like this weekend’s slate of games is going to provide us with some epic matchups for certain. The kind that will help us understand who might go far in the playoffs and who might get sent home early and with that in mind, it’s best we take an in-depth look at Week 11 in the NFL and all of the wonderful games and storylines it is going to send our way. 
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Can the Saints win without Drew Brees?
There are few quarterbacks in this league as transformative as Drew Brees. Simply because he is one of those rare QBs that can straight up will a team to victory by way of his silent leadership skills. Because the man is simply full of fight through and through. But thanks to a freakin’ collapsed lung, Drew likely won’t be in the starting lineup come Sunday and that leaves New Orleans in the hands of one of the most inconsistent QBs in the NFL, Jameis Winston. Which begs the question… can the Saints without big Drew in the lineup? And in this instance, I say yes. Mainly because, they’re playing the Atlanta Falcons this week, at home and well, the Falcons stink, plain and simple. So, barring some kind of shocking meltdown on offense, expect the Saints to do Drew proud in this one.
 
Do the Colts stand a chance against the Packers?
On paper, the Green Bay/Indianapolis game looks like an easy dub for the Packers. But the fact of the matter is, they’ve suffered some embarrassing losses this season, to teams that they should not have lost to. Something that is easily attributed to how the Pack tends to underestimate their opponents. Which means that the Colts actually have a fighting chance in this one. Because if the Packers don’t take them seriously and offer up some aloof and entitled play, Indy can sock them in the mouth with some big plays and walk away with a huge victory. So, this game really is Green Bay’s to lose and it should be interesting to see which Packers team shows up to play, come game time. 
 
Can the Raiders play the spoiler once again?
It wasn’t all that long ago that the Las Vegas Raiders shocked the football world by handily beating the Kansas City Chiefs on their own turf, snapping an epic win streak for the defending champions, and well… since they so just so happen to host the Chiefs on Sunday, can they do it again? Honestly, yes, provided a few key things fall into place. In that, they once again need to neutralize the passing game in critical moments and they once again need to light up the scoreboard for four quarters and if they can do that… they’ll nab the sweep. But will they though? WelI that is the bigger question and that’s the tougher one to answer. For you know the Chiefs want revenge and don’t want to go 0-2 to a divisional opponent and that means they will likely win this game in the end. But don’t be shocked if the Raiders figure them out once again and snag a huge victory in the AFC West.

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The Most Interesting Games to Watch This Weekend

Thursday Night Football
Arizona Cardinals (6-3) at Seattle Seahawks (6-3)
CenturyLink Field – Seattle, Washington
8:20 p.m. EST – NFL Network / FOX / Amazon Prime

In any other year, this matchup is one that would end in a blowout victory for the Seattle Seahawks. But 2020 has been filled to the brim with surprise after surprise and for proof… look no further than the last meeting between these two teams. Because the Cardinals walked away with an epic victory over their divisional rivals and they’ve only gotten better since then. Which means this is an even matchup for certain, one that Arizona could win. Simply because they’re playing fearless football right now and they truly believe they can beat anyone and that’s bad news for the Seahawks. Because it means their mediocre defense is going to be challenged often and I think Arizona is going to sweep the Seahawks. Because not only are they coming into this game full of confidence and with momentum on their side, they're a truly talented bunch of individuals that are ready to hang with any team.

Tennessee Titans (6-3) at Baltimore Ravens (6-3)
M&T Bank Stadium – Baltimore, Maryland
Sunday, November 22, 2020 – 1:00 p.m. EST – CBS

This late in the season, 6-3 teams shouldn’t be fighting for their future but sadly, that’s where the Titans and Ravens are right now. Because teams are starting to figure out how to beat these squads and they’re desperately trying to get their seasons and their dominant style of play back on track and that is going to make this game an intense one to say the least and that’s good news for the fans. But really, what we’re all pondering upon in regard to this matchup, is who exactly is going to come out the victor and honestly, that’s tough to call. But if Tennessee can play tighter defense and force Lamar Jackson to throw instead of run and get back to playing a solid ground game, they’ve got this one. On the flip side of that, if Baltimore can stop the run and get Jackson in a throw and run rhythm, then they’re going to enjoy the win and it will be supremely interesting to see which team steps it up and brings their A game, since the future of their season depends upon a win here.

Monday Night Football
Los Angeles Rams (6-3) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-3)
Raymond James Stadium – Tampa, Florida
8:15 p.m. EST – ESPN

​Normally this time of year in the NFC, there’s one specific team that is dominating the conference and barreling toward Home Field Advantage by way of their stellar record and stellar play. But this year the race is tighter than usual, in fact, at this point anyone could easily slide into the number one overall seed with minimal fuss and this matchup features two teams that are eager to climb to the top, and a victory on Monday night will help them in their quest. But what truly makes this game so fascinating is that a decisive winner is up in the air for this one. Because both of these squads have proven themselves to be erratic when an opponent challenges them. Which means that the winner of this one is going to be determined by patience and consistency and the first team that holds to that in this matchup is going to emerge the victor and be one step closer toward that all-important, number one seed.