Our latest game recaps and picks this week include a sweeping view of Week 11 in the N.F.L. with a mix of one-game previews and a look at the coming days and weeks.
Reasons to be optimistic…
1. The Atlanta Falcons remain in a great position, and they didn’t miss anything significant in Week 11. – Steve Corkran, The Mercury News
2. Carolina’s offense still can put points on the board, as has been the case all season. – Dan Quinn, a.k.a. the X-factor at the Falcons’ offensive coordinator
3. Baltimore can stay in the AFC North race simply by maintaining its point differential. – Matt Vensel, The Baltimore Sun
4. Before they had won four in a row, the Browns were 0-4. – Jesse Washington, Cleveland.com
Reasons to be concerned…
1. The St. Louis Rams’ home advantage this season has been nothing to celebrate. – Mark Maske, Washington Post
2. This year, the defending champion Ravens are a 28-point favorite at home. – Chris Provenzano, The Baltimore Sun
3. The Packers were expected to regress this season after such a successful 2011. They instead went from near the bottom of the pack to atop the NFC North. – Bucky Brooks, NFL.com
4. The Dallas Cowboys at the Philadelphia Eagles, which was supposed to be a battle for NFC East supremacy in Week 11, ended up being a glorified bye week for the defending champion Redskins. – Mark Maske, Washington Post
NFC East
1. Every NFC East team is undefeated at home this season, and despite losing DeSean Jackson, the Eagles are now the NFC East favorites. – Daniel Jeremiah, NFL.com
2. The Redskins are certainly an interesting story. Playing without three of their top four offensive skill players, they picked up their offense without Kirk Cousins but with a revamped offensive line and a running game that has been as good as ever. – Andrew Brandt, NFL.com
3. The defending Super Bowl champion Giants are 4-4 in the tough NFC East. So although they are playing good football, the pressure is on New York to get back to the playoffs and win a division championship. – Bucky Brooks, NFL.com
4. The defending Super Bowl champion Giants are 4-4 in the tough NFC East. So although they are playing good football, the pressure is on New York to get back to the playoffs and win a division championship. – Andrew Brandt, NFL.com
NFC North
1. The Chicago Bears’ offense still struggles to put points on the board, even when they have the No. 3 defense in the league. – Marc Sessler, NFL.com
2. Last season, the Detroit Lions were considered an epic disappointment. This season, they are considered a huge surprise after a big turnaround. But in a division as thin as the NFC North, the Lions have work to do. – Peter King, Sports Illustrated
3. Matt Stafford went from 25 touchdowns and 12 interceptions last season to 25 touchdowns and seven interceptions this season. Perhaps a potent run game will help balance the offense. – Marc Sessler, NFL.com
4. Detroit’s defense is 13th in the league, but their offensive and special teams units have been unproductive. – Chris Burke, Sports Illustrated
NFC South
1. The Carolina Panthers’ defense is still strong, and their offensive line continues to perform well. – Gary Davenport, The Charlotte Observer
2. As good as quarterback Cam Newton has looked this season, he didn’t see much opposing pressure Sunday against the Falcons. – Steve Corkran, The Mercury News
3. The Saints gave up a lot of big plays and really came unglued in the second half against the Lions. – Doug Farrar, Sports Illustrated
4. The Falcons’ offense remains formidable, even with the absence of Michael Turner and Roddy White. – Jeff Schultz, Atlanta Journal-Constitution
AFC East
1. In a division with less depth than the NFC North, the New England Patriots look like the best bet to go to the playoffs. – Andrew Brandt, NFL.com
2. The New York Jets are 2-5 and have already seen their lead in the division vanish. Now, a fourth consecutive loss could spell doom for the Jets. – Dan Orlovsky, Newsday
3. The Miami Dolphins had a lot of talent at the tackle positions, so it was easy to think that they could contend. – Dave Hyde, Sun Sentinel
4. Who thought the Patriots would struggle in 2012? – Mike