Week 11 NFL game watchability rankings

Week 11 in the NFL is here, and you might be entering the weekend with your own preferences regarding which games to focus on, and which to place on the backburner.

Most of you have your favorites and fantasy players to track. But in case you’re completely neutral or need help breaking ties with regard to what to watch, we’ve ranked all 14 games from most appealing to least enticing.

1. Packers at Vikings (Sunday, 4 p.m. ET, FOX): It’s amazing that a Minnesota win at home would give the Vikes a commanding lead on Green Bay in the NFC North. Considering the star power here as well as the trajectory both teams are on, this is a perfect clash between longtime rivals.

2. Bengals at Cardinals (Sunday night, NBC): So much pressure on Andy Dalton and the “can’t win the big ones” Bengals, especially in Arizona. This is a potential sleeper Super Bowl preview as Carson Palmer looks to send a message to his former team.

3. Broncos at Bears (Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, CBS): The Brock Osweiler era begins. And with John Fox on the opposite sideline. This’ll be interesting, and it should be a close game. Oh, and amazingly, this is all Jay Cutler’s first start against his former team.

4. Bills at Patriots (Monday night, ESPN): If Buffalo can stick around, this has the potential to be one of the best games of the year. And with New England bidding for a 10-0 start, it’s a must-watch regardless.

5. Cowboys at Dolphins (Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, FOX): It’s a desperation bowl in Miami as Tony Romo returns in an attempt to revive the Cowboys against an inconsistent Miami squad that remains in contention for a wild-card spot in a conference that lacks a middle class.

6. Colts at Falcons (Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, CBS): Two fairly explosive teams coming off the bye makes for what should be a good matchup. Plus, they’re both sliding and desperate.

7. Buccaneers at Eagles (Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, FOX): Jameis Winston is starting to feel it and the Eagles are still in contention. Plus, with Mark Sanchez starting for Philadelphia, this should remain close.

8. Titans at Jaguars (Thursday night, NFL Network): Your annual garbage Thursday nighter between two teams that are only in prime-time because they’ve been guaranteed at least one night game isn’t quite as bad as usual this year. Marcus Mariota is at least a draw and the explosive Jaguars are a contender in that abysmal division.

9. Redskins at Panthers (Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, FOX): The blowout potential exists considering how much Washington has struggled on the road, but the ‘Skins don’t have a lot to lose to don’t be surprised if Kirk Cousins and Co. put up a bit of a fight against an unbeaten Carolina team that has flirted with some losses of late.

10. Jets at Texans (Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, CBS): Well, they’re both in contention. Neither is very good or exciting, but this game does appear to matter. And it should be close, so keep an eye out.

11. Raiders at Lions (Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, CBS): Detroit’s season is over but the Lions can play spoiler by handing a fun Oakland team its third straight loss. It’ll be interesting to see how the Raiders handle this adversity.

12. Rams at Ravens (Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, FOX): The Ravens no longer do anything for the casual viewer, and the Rams are pretty much throwing in the towel by benching Nick Foles. This is only worth checking out if Todd Gurley is going off.

13. 49ers at Seahawks (Sunday, 4 p.m. ET, FOX): This’ll likely be a blowout and is only worth checking out if the 49ers are hanging around in the fourth quarter.

14. Chiefs at Chargers (Sunday, 4 p.m. ET, CBS): Neither team is going anywhere. Forget this.

About Brad Gagnon

Brad Gagnon has been passionate about both sports and mass media since he was in diapers -- a passion that won't die until he's in them again. Based in Toronto, he's worked as a national NFL blog editor at theScore.com (covering Super Bowls XLIV, XLV and XLVI), a producer and writer at theScore Television Network and a host, reporter and play-by-play voice at Rogers TV. His work has also appeared at Deadspin, FoxSports.com, The Guardian, The Hockey News and elsewhere at Bloguin, but his day gig has him covering all things NFC East for Bleacher Report.

Quantcast