The 6-4 Pittsburgh Steelers are on their much-needed bye this week and they’ll return to action next week to play the Seattle Seahawks on the road. With the steelers off, we can all do quite a bit of scoreboard watching this weekend and here is your fan rooting interest guide for Week 11 as it relates to the AFC playoff race.
Oakland Raiders (4-5) at Detroit Lions (2-7) 1:00 PM ET
The Raiders are now losers of two straight since landing in Pittsburgh a few weeks ago and while it would take a lot for them to challenge the Steelers at this point thanks to them losing the head-to-head game, another loss should about seal the deal. Here’s to the Raiders dropping one more on Sunday in Detroit. The Raiders defense has had problems all season, so this game could be high-scoring.
New York Jets (5-4) at Houston Texans (4-5) 1:00 PM ET
The Jets had every chance to knock off the Bills in Week 10 but couldn’t execute late in the game. This week they get a Texans team fresh off of an upset over the Bengals. The Texans could be in sole possession of first place in the AFC South by the end of the day and that has a nice ring to it for Steelers fans. Here’s to hoping they hand the Jets their fourth loss in five games. Get ready for Ryan Fitzpatrick versus T.J. Yates in this one. Woot!
Dallas Cowboys (2-7) at Miami Dolphins (4-5) 1:00 PM ET
The Dolphins are hanging around the AFC like a hair in a biscuit and the Cowboys can do the Steelers a big favor today as quarterback Tony Romo returns to the field for the first time since Week 2.
Kansas City Chiefs (4-5) at San Diego Chargers (2-7) 4:05 PM ET
The Chiefs are perhaps the biggest threat to the Steelers playoff chances thanks to them winning the head-to-head matchup several weeks ago. The Chiefs haven’t loss since and they’ve now even managed to get themselves back into the AFC West. The Chargers lack offensive firepower due to injuries, but I’d still take Philip Rivers over Alex Smith any day of the week. Go Chargers, go.
Cincinnati Bengals (8-1) at Arizona Cardinals (7-2) 8:30 PM ET
So you’re saying there’s a chance? If the Cardinals can beat the Bengals Sunday night, the Steelers might have a glimmer of hope of winning the AFC North return. The Steelers would probably still have to win out in order for that to happen and the Bengals would need to lose a few more outside of their Week 14 game against the Steelers. I look forward to Bruce Arians destroying the Bengals on national television.
Buffalo Bills (5-4) at New England Patriots (9-0) 8:30 PM ET
The Bills are fresh off their win over the Jets but they’ll have a tough task Monday night in the undefeated Patriots. Here’s to Rex Ryan getting their fifth loss of the season which could set up a very interesting game next week against the Chiefs. Hopefully both teams are coming off losses headed into that game.
