Week 11 of the NFL season kicked off Thursday night with a game that won’t soon be forgotten.
Unfortunately, it wasn’t because the Steelers-Browns game — won by Cleveland, 21-7 — was compelling in a competitive sense. Instead, it was because of what transpired in the final seconds, when Browns defensive end Myles Garrett attacked Pittsburgh quarterback Mason Rudolph with a helmet.
Hopefully, the remaining 13 games on this week’s schedule will be more competitive and less barbaric. With that in mind, the USA TODAY Sports Network previews the remaining 13 games on this week’s slate — with point spreads, game times, TV info, predictions and keys to the game for each team.
(The Green Bay Packers, New York Giants, Seattle Seahawks and Tennessee Titans have a bye this week.)
Dallas Cowboys at Detroit Lions
TV: 1 p.m. ET Sunday, Fox
Records: Cowboys 5-4, Lions 3-4-1
Line: Cowboys by 3½
Cowboys’ keys: Ride RB Ezekiel Elliott to riches. The run game success also helps QB Dak Prescott get into favorable downs and distances to attack downfield.
Lions’ keys: Getting both WRs Kenny Golladay and Marvin Jones hot at the same time would be a major boost. They tend to alternate as top weapons instead of having strong games together.
Who wins? The Lions’ defense is no match for Elliott and the Cowboys’ strong offensive line. Cowboys 34, Lions 28
— Jeff Risdon
Jax@Ind / Buf@Mia / Den@Min / NO@TB / NYJ@Was / Atl@Car / Hou@Bal / Ari@SF / Cin@Oak / NE@Phi / Chi@LAR / KC@LAC
Jacksonville Jaguars at Indianapolis Colts
TV: 1 p.m. ET Sunday, CBS
Records: Jaguars 4-5, Colts 5-4
Line: Colts by 3½
Jaguars’ keys: Jacksonville’s offense is most successful when it is running through RB Leonard Fournette, averaging a career-best 4.8 yards per carry.
Colts’ keys: As RB Marlon Mack enjoys a career season, the Colts must win in the trenches to limit the Jaguars’ stout front seven. The Colts will need a big game from LB Darius Leonard to stop the Jaguars from running the ball efficiently.
Who wins? This game should be a physical battle from the start, but the Colts are the better-coached team. Colts 20, Jaguars 17
— Kevin Hickey
Dal@Det / Buf@Mia / Den@Min / NO@TB / NYJ@Was / Atl@Car / Hou@Bal / Ari@SF / Cin@Oak / NE@Phi / Chi@LAR / KC@LAC
Buffalo Bills at Miami Dolphins
TV: 1 p.m. ET Sunday, CBS
Records: Bills 6-3, Dolphins 2-7
Line: Bills by 5½
Bills’ keys: QB Josh Allen has had his struggles with turnovers in the first year and a half of his NFL career, but the Bills have lost only two games in which he has had one or zero turnovers.
Dolphins’ keys: Miami found success against Buffalo earlier this season by running the football when these teams met the first time. But the Dolphins will be without RB Mark Walton, who is serving a four-game suspension.
Who wins? The Dolphins gave Buffalo a good scare in Week 7, but their loss of key skill players in recent weeks makes this a less exciting matchup. Bills 24, Dolphins 13
— Kyle Crabbs
Dal@Det / Jax@Ind / Den@Min / NO@TB / NYJ@Was / Atl@Car / Hou@Bal / Ari@SF / Cin@Oak / NE@Phi / Chi@LAR / KC@LAC
Denver Broncos at Minnesota Vikings
TV: 1 p.m. ET Sunday, CBS
Records: Broncos 3-6, Vikings 6-3
Line: Vikings by 10½
Broncos’ keys: Coach Vic Fangio’s defense has done its part, ranking in the top 10 in both yards and points allowed. But Denver has scored more than 20 points just twice this season.
Vikings’ keys: Controlling the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball. A big question mark continues to be overall team health.
Who wins? It will be difficult for the Broncos to slow down the Vikings’ offense. Vikings 31, Broncos 13
— Kyle Ratke
Dal@Det / Jax@Ind / Buf@Mia / NO@TB / NYJ@Was / Atl@Car / Hou@Bal / Ari@SF / Cin@Oak / NE@Phi / Chi@LAR / KC@LAC
New Orleans Saints at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TV: 1 p.m. ET Sunday, Fox
Records: Saints 7-2, Buccaneers 3-6
Line: Saints by 5½
Saints’ keys: With Drew Brees back at quarterback and the Saints coming off a big loss to the Falcons, New Orleans will go after Tampa Bay’s young secondary early and often.
Buccaneers’ keys: Their offense can be great at times, but QB Jameis Winston needs to cut back on the turnovers (14 interceptions).
Who wins? A New Orleans loss to the Buccaneers would be another big blow. Saints 33, Buccaneers 17
— Colin Liotta
Dal@Det / Jax@Ind / Buf@Mia / Den@Min / NYJ@Was / Atl@Car / Hou@Bal / Ari@SF / Cin@Oak / NE@Phi / Chi@LAR / KC@LAC
New York Jets at Washington Redskins
TV: 1 p.m. ET Sunday, Fox
Records: Jets 2-7, Redskins 1-8
Line: Redskins by 1½
Jets’ keys: They will need to get a semblance of a run game going behind RB Le’Veon Bell.
Redskins’ keys: Their defense needs to get Jets QB Sam Darnold rattled and take advantage of that. He already has thrown nine interceptions.
Who wins? The Redskins likely will have more energy as QB Dwayne Haskins makes his second career start and RB Derrius Guice returns from injured reserve. Redskins 16, Jets 10
— Zac Neel
Dal@Det / Jax@Ind / Buf@Mia / Den@Min / NO@TB / Atl@Car / Hou@Bal / Ari@SF / Cin@Oak / NE@Phi / Chi@LAR / KC@LAC
Atlanta Falcons at Carolina Panthers
TV: 1 p.m. ET Sunday, Fox
Records: Falcons 2-7, Panthers 5-4
Line: Panthers by 5½
Falcons’ keys: Coach Dan Quinn surrendered defensive play-calling duties recently and it seems to be working. Whatever they had going against the Saints last week, they should try to repeat that formula. On offense, the Falcons need WR Calvin Ridley to step up with both RB Devonta Freeman and TE Austin Hooper out.
Panthers’ keys: Shut down Atlanta’s passing attack with a ferocious pass rush and make good use of RB Christian McCaffrey, who posted big numbers against the Falcons last season.
Who wins? The Falcons have won six of the past seven meetings in this division rivalry, but this isn’t the same Atlanta team. Panthers 30, Falcons 23
— Tim Weaver
Dal@Det / Jax@Ind / Buf@Mia / Den@Min / NO@TB / NYJ@Was / Hou@Bal / Ari@SF / Cin@Oak / NE@Phi / Chi@LAR / KC@LAC
Houston Texans at Baltimore Ravens
TV: 1 p.m. ET Sunday, CBS
Records: Texans 6-3, Ravens 7-2
Line: Ravens by 4½
Ravens’ keys: Baltimore has to get pressure on QB Deshaun Watson. Offensively, Baltimore has to get into a rhythm in the passing game to take advantage of a suspect secondary.
Texans’ keys: Contain QB Lamar Jackson from breaking out of the pocket and stop RB Mark Ingram on the ground. Putting Baltimore into third-and-long situations will force Jackson into obvious passing situations and open up the possibility of mistakes.
Who wins? This game comes down to how well the Texans can contain Jackson. Once the Ravens get on a roll offensively, they’re nearly impossible to stop. Ravens 34, Texans 27
— Matthew Stevens
Dal@Det / Jax@Ind / Buf@Mia / Den@Min / NO@TB / NYJ@Was / Atl@Car / Ari@SF / Cin@Oak / NE@Phi / Chi@LAR / KC@LAC
Arizona Cardinals at San Francisco 49ers
TV: 4 p.m. ET Sunday, Fox
Records: Cardinals 3-6-1, 49ers 8-1
Line: 49ers by 11½
Cardinals’ keys: Let QB Kyler Murray run no-huddle and keep the 49ers off balance with a mix of throwing and giving the ball to RB David Johnson.
49ers’ keys: San Francisco is nearly unbeatable if QB Jimmy Garoppolo is going to play like he did in the first matchup (317 yards passing, 4 TDs) between these teams on Halloween.
Who wins? The 49ers had a successfuly crack at Kliff Kingsbury’s offense, but the Cardinals should get RB David Johnson back. Expect another close game. 49ers 34, Cardinals 30
— Kyle Madson
Dal@Det / Jax@Ind / Buf@Mia / Den@Min / NO@TB / NYJ@Was / Atl@Car / Hou@Bal / Cin@Oak / NE@Phi / Chi@LAR / KC@LAC
Cincinnati Bengals at Oakland Raiders
TV: 4:25 p.m. ET Sunday, CBS
Records: Bengals 0-9, Raiders 5-4
Line: Raiders by 10½
Bengals’ keys: They are going to need surprise performances from under-the-radar players such as QB Ryan Finley, who will get his second career start.
Raiders’ keys: Their offense doesn’t make many mistakes and is constantly moving forward. The Raiders will rely on standout rookie RB Josh Jacobs.
Who wins? Despite the Raiders being banged up on defense, they are more talented and tough to beat at home. Raiders 24, Bengals 17
— Marcus Mosher
Dal@Det / Jax@Ind / Buf@Mia / Den@Min / NO@TB / NYJ@Was / Atl@Car / Hou@Bal / Ari@SF / NE@Phi / Chi@LAR / KC@LAC
New England Patriots at Philadelphia Eagles
TV: 4:25 p.m. ET Sunday, CBS
Records: Patriots 8-1, Eagles 5-4
Line: Patriots by 3½
Patriots’ keys: New England needs to get Sony Michel on track. He is averaging 3.3 yards per carry after gaining 4.5 as a rookie.
Eagles’ keys: RB Jordan Howard is on track for close to a 1,000-yard season, while RB Miles Sanders, a rookie, is excelling as a pass catcher out of the backfield.
Who wins? Needing a win, look for the Eagles to send a message to the NFC by performing well. Eagles 34, Patriots 28
— Glenn Erby
Dal@Det / Jax@Ind / Buf@Mia / Den@Min / NO@TB / NYJ@Was / Atl@Car / Hou@Bal / Ari@SF / Cin@Oak / Chi@LAR / KC@LAC
Chicago Bears at Los Angeles Rams
TV: 8:20 p.m. ET Sunday, NBC
Records: Bears 4-5, Rams 5-4
Line: Rams by 6½
Bears’ keys: Chicago’s offense has been anemic this season, largely because QB Mitchell Trubisky has struggled. Chicago would be wise to run the football with David Montgomery and come up with creative ways to get RB Tarik Cohen involved in the passing game.
Rams’ keys: QB Jared Goff has thrown too many interceptions this season, and his awareness in the pocket needs to improve.
Who wins? Both teams have struggled on offense. The Rams will win in a low-scoring game. Rams 20, Bears 17
— Cam DaSilva
Dal@Det / Jax@Ind / Buf@Mia / Den@Min / NO@TB / NYJ@Was / Atl@Car / Hou@Bal / Ari@SF / Cin@Oak / NE@Phi / KC@LAC
Kansas City Chiefs vs. Los Angeles Chargers
(at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City)
TV: 8:15 p.m. ET Monday, ESPN
Records: Chiefs 6-4, Chargers 4-6
Line: Chiefs by 4½
Chiefs’ keys: QB Patrick Mahomes will have TE Travis Kelce to carve up the middle of the field, an area the Chargers have struggled to cover, and WRs Tyreek Hill and Mecole Hardman to beat defenders over the top with their track speed.
Chargers’ keys: The Chargers might be forced to rely on RBs Melvin Gordon and Austin Ekeler to lead their offense. On defense, Los Angeles must keep Mahomes from connecting with his plethora of targets with a top-notch pass rush led by Joey Bosa and Melvin Ingram.
Who wins? The Chiefs are looking to run away with the AFC West and they have the talent on both sides of the ball to guide them. Chiefs 28, Chargers 20
— Gavino Borquez
Dal@Det / Jax@Ind / Buf@Mia / Den@Min / NO@TB / NYJ@Was / Atl@Car / Hou@Bal / Ari@SF / Cin@Oak / NE@Phi / Chi@LAR
[Lines by BetMGM.com]
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