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NFL Week 11 preview
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Green Bay at Detroit
Time: 1 p.m. Line: Packers by 3.
Records: Packers 6-3 (4-5 vs. spread), Lions 4-5 (4-5 vs. spread).
Comments: The Lions, last year’s feel-good team, have returned to cellar-dweller status . . . Detroit QB Matthew Stafford, who threw 41 TD passes in 2011, has just 11 this season . . . Green Bay QB Aaron Rodgers is first NFLer with 25 TD passes through nine games in two different seasons . . . Packers coach Mike McCarthy is 11-1 vs. Lions . . . In last game vs. Green Bay, Detroit’s Calvin Johnson collected 11 catches for 244 yards . . . Player to watch: Packers CB Tramon Williams is tied for NFL high with 15 interceptions since the start of 2010.
Key injuries: PACKERS: OUT: WR Greg Jennings (groin, abdomen), LB Clay Matthews (hamstring), TE Andrew Quarless (knee), S Charles Woodson (collarbone). QUESTIONABLE: LB Terrell Manning (shoulder), CB Sam Shields (ankle). LIONS: OUT: S Amari Spievey (concussion), DT Corey Williams (knee). DOUBTFUL: S Louis Delmas (knee). QUESTIONABLE: CB Chris Houston (ankle), WR Calvin Johnson (knee).
San Diego at Denver
Time: 4:25 p.m. Line: Broncos by 8.
Records: Chargers 4-5 (4-5 vs. spread), Broncos 6-3 (6-3 vs. spread).
Comments: Who’s hotter than the Broncos? . . . Denver has won four straight, including a 35-24 decision at San Diego Oct. 15 . . . Peyton Manning has thrown for 1,226 yards, 10 TDs, and zero INTs in four home games . . . Chargers QB Philip Rivers is 5-1 with 9 TDs and a 102.5 passer rating at Denver . . . Broncos CB Chris Harris had two picks in Oct. 15 game . . . San Diego’s Malcom Floyd has five catches for 157 in last two games at Mile High . . . Player to watch: Denver’s Demaryius Thomas has 100-plus yards receiving in three of four home games.
Key injuries: CHARGERS: OUT: DT Aubrayo Franklin (knee). DOUBTFUL: T Jared Gaither (groin). QUESTIONABLE: RB Ryan Mathews (neck), TE Dante Rosario (hamstring). BRONCOS: OUT: CB Tracy Porter (illness). DOUBTFUL: G Chris Kuper (ankle). QUESTIONABLE: DE Elvis Dumervil (shoulder).
Baltimore at Pittsburgh
Time: 8:20 p.m., NBC Line: Ravens by 3½.
Records: Ravens 7-2 (4-5 vs. spread), Steelers 6-3 (4-5 vs. spread).
Comments: Byron Leftwich gets the start at QB for the Steelers after edging out Mike Tomczak and Bubby Brister . . . Leftwich hasn’t started a game since 2009 . . . Steelers lead the all-time series, 18-14, and have won 11 of last 13 against AFC North foes, but Ravens have won four of last six vs. Pittsburgh and 11 straight vs. AFC North . . . Mouthy Ravens LB Terrell Suggs has 13½ sacks vs. Steelers . . . Not-so-mouthy Steelers LB LaMarr Woodley has 9½ sacks vs. Ravens . . . Player to watch: Ravens QB Joe Flacco has thrown for 1,501 yards and 9 TDs in last six vs. Pitt.
Key injuries: RAVENS: OUT: CB Jimmy Smith (abdomen). DOUBTFUL: DE Pernell McPhee (thigh). QUESTIONABLE: NT Terrence Cody (arm), S Christian Thompson (thigh). STEELERS: OUT: WR Antonio Brown (ankle), T Marcus Gilbert (ankle), S Troy Polamalu (calf), QB Ben Roethlisberger (right shoulder). QUESTIONABLE: LB Stevenson Sylvester (hamstring).
Chicago at San Francisco
Time: Monday, 8:30 p.m., ESPN Line: 49ers by 6.
Records: Bears 7-2 (5-4 vs. spread), 49ers 6-2-1 (5-4 vs. spread).
Comments: This could be a really good game or it could be Jason Campbell vs. Colin Kaepernick . . . Da Bears lead the series, 29-28-1 . . . 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh was Bears QB from 1987-93 . . . San Fran’s Frank Gore has rushed for at least 100 yards in three straight vs. Chicago . . . Bears CB Charles Tillman has forced NFL-high seven fumbles . . . 49ers’ Randy Moss has 86 career catches vs. Chicago . . . Player to watch: Bears’ Brandon Marshall has 51 catches for 690 yards and six TDs in his last six games.
Key injuries: BEARS: OUT: QB Jay Cutler (concussion), DE Shea McClellin (concussion). DNP: DT Matt Toeaina (calf), LB Brian Urlacher (not injury related). FULL: WR Alshon Jeffery (hand), DT Henry Melton (back). 49ERS: No information reported.
Arizona at Atlanta
Time: 1 p.m., Fox Line: Falcons by 10.
Records: Cardinals 4-5 (3-5-1 vs. spread), Falcons 8-1 (6-3 vs. spread).
Comments: Atlanta’s ageless wonder, John Abraham, has 11½ sacks in his last dozen games . . . Arizona’s Daryl Washington has nine sacks in his last 10 games . . . Arizona RB LaRod Stephens-Howling (sounds like a mystery writer) has 2 TDs in last three games . . . Player to watch: Falcons’ Rowdy Roddy White has 60 catches for 932 yards and 7 TDs in last eight home games.
Key injuries: CARDINALS: OUT: QB Kevin Kolb (ribs). QUESTIONABLE: DE Calais Campbell (calf), CB Jamell Fleming (back), TE Todd Heap (knee), CB Greg Toler (hamstring). FALCONS: OUT: WR Kevin Cone (groin), S Charles Mitchell (calf). QUESTIONABLE: DE John Abraham (back), WR Julio Jones (ankle), RB Michael Turner (groin), DT Vance Walker (ribs), LB Sean Weatherspoon (ankle). Continued...




