Week 11--Thrills and Chills!

It's that time of the year in the NFL when we start looking to the playoff race, and with 10 teams at 6-4/6-3, it's a parity-fueled fight to the finish ... just the way we like it.

Philadelphia Eagles (3-6) at Washington Redskins (3-6) 1pm EST on FOX

This game is only interesting, really, because we get to see what Philly rookie Nick Foles has under the hood. Anything is better than watching Michael Vick struggle week after week ... karma, anyone?? And, hello ... Foles is a dead wringer for Ryan Gosling!

1.  Vick went out of last week's game with a concussion.  

2.  Foles (Arizona) threw his first NFL touchdown pass to Jeremy Maclin (Missouri) last week in a loss against the Cowboys. Foles was 22 for 32 with 219 yds passing, 1 TD and 1 INT. He looks promising, and the defense won't know what to do with him this week except to blitz.  A lot.

3.  Redskin QB RGIII was named team captain this week.  It took them 10 weeks to figure that out?  With all the commercials he's starring in, I feel like he's running for office, and I shall call him "Proposition 10".

New York Jets (3-6) at St. Louis Rams (3-5-1) 
1pm EST on CBS

The Rams TIED the 49ers last week (which thrilled the 6-4 Seahawks to no end), an NFL first since 2008. The Ram defense is T-U-F tough, and looks to frazzle pretty boy QB Mark Sanchez who has struggled mightily. Tebow wished him luck but secretly had his fingers crossed behind his back.

1.  Rams offensive coordinator, Brian Schottenheimer (son of former Chiefs and Chargers head coach, Marty Schottenheimer) was the OC for the Jets the past six seasons and got his start in 1997 in St. Louis under Dick Vermeil. Keep up the trick plays!

2.  The Rams pass defense is an underrated 13th best in a league with some crazy good defenses this year, and the front 4 should give Sanchez fits.  Look for them to hurry the harried QB.  

3.  Jets players were "anonymously" quoted this week as saying that Tim Tebow is "terrible" and that they don't trust him or want him at QB.  Ouch.

4.  Rams QB Sammy Bradford is dating model, Karlie Kloss, a St. Louis native.  Of course he is.  *sigh*

Chicago Bears (7-2) at San Francisco 49ers (6-2-1) 
8:20pm EST Monday on ESPN

This is the game of the week and we shall call it "The Battle of the Replacements".  Both Jay Cutler (Vandy) and Alex Smith (Utah) were knocked out of last week's games with concussions.  Cutler is officially out for Monday's game, but Smith is listed as questionable and has been taking the first team snaps in practice, albeit with a black "no contact" jersey on.  If he takes a shot early, look for Colin Kaepernick to step in.  

49ers Backup QB Colin Kaepernick

 1.  Kaepernick (Nevada) looked impressive against the Rams last week.  The 6'5"er was a star pitcher in high school and was offered numerous scholarships to play baseball, but opted for the QB position at Nevada instead. Kaepernick is the only quarterback in the history of Division I FBS college football to have passed for over 10,000 yards and rushed for over 4,000 yards in a collegiate career. 

2.  The Bears will start former Raider Jason Campbell (Auburn) at QB for the concussed Cutler. Campbell is a solid, if not dazzling QB.  

3.  The Bears D is in great shape and looks to unnerve a young Kaepernick if he sees playing time, and they will NO DOUBT be gunning for Alex Smith, if he gets the start.   

4.  49ers coach Jim Harbaugh underwent a cardioversion on Thursday to address an irregular heartbeat.  He is back on the sidelines, and we wish him well.  

5.  Wide Receiver Alshon Jefferey is probable for the Bears after participating in practice on Saturday. 

Happy Pigskinning!!