NFL Week 11 Playoff Push Preview: Eagles vs Lions SNF, Three-Way 8-2 Race

Week 11 Overview

Week 11 marks the critical point in the fantasy football season where playoff positioning solidifies and teams' championship windows open or close. With three teams tied at 8-2 in the AFC and multiple contenders in the NFC, every snap matters.

Schedule: Thursday, November 13 | Sunday, November 16 | Monday, November 17, 2025

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Sunday Night Football: Eagles vs Lions

Philadelphia Eagles (6-2) vs Detroit Lions (7-2)

Date/Time: Sunday, November 16, 2025 | 8:20 PM ET (NBC Sunday Night Football)

This matchup carries massive NFC East and playoff seeding implications. The Eagles' talented offense faces one of the league's most explosive defenses, while the Lions battle for NFC supremacy.

Key Storylines:

• Eagles' Defense: Upgraded with deadline acquisitions (Jaire Alexander, Jaelan Phillips). How well integrated are these new players after just one week?
• Lions' Offense: Among the league's most electric. Matthew Stafford continues his hot streak (4 TD performances in recent weeks)
• Playoff Jockeying: Both teams hunting for the #1 seed position
• Weather Impact: Potential late-season conditions in Detroit

Fantasy Players to Watch:

• Jalen Hurts (Eagles QB) - Elite dual-threat value
• Saquon Barkley (Eagles RB) - Continues 100+ yard performances
• A.J. Brown (Eagles WR) - Top-5 receiver
• Matthew Stafford (Lions QB) - Streaking with 4 TD performances
• Gibbs & Montgomery (Lions RBs) - Playoff-form backfield

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AFC Showdown: Three Teams Locked at 8-2

Patriots, Colts, Broncos Race Intensifies

The three-way tie creates unprecedented urgency in Week 11:

New England Patriots (8-2) vs New York Jets (2-7)

Matchup Context:

• Patriots facing division rival Jets
• Jets' poor record makes this a potential trap game
• Garrett Wilson's injury status to be determined (re-injury in Week 10)
• Patriots' path to #1 seed stays open with win

Fantasy Angle: Patriots' skill position players face favorable matchup. Jets' limited weapons reduce fantasy appeal.

Indianapolis Colts (8-2) vs Tennessee Titans

Matchup Context:

• AFC South battle for playoff positioning
• Jonathan Taylor's record-breaking form continues
• Titans fighting for playoff relevance
• Colts seeking dominant home victory

Fantasy Angle: Jonathan Taylor remains elite. His historic form suggests sustained elite volume for fantasy playoffs.

Denver Broncos (8-2) vs Kansas City Chiefs

Matchup Context:

• AFC West heavyweight collision
• Chiefs facing bye week recovery
• Broncos' 7-game win streak under pressure
• Top seed implications

Fantasy Angle: Defensive showcase expected. QB/offensive production may see reduced ceilings.

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NFC Wild Card Implications

Multiple Contenders Fighting for Playoff Position

The NFC features more competitive races:

• Atlanta Falcons (Jonathan Taylor just beat them in OT)
• Green Bay Packers (facing Eagles MNF in Week 10)
• Washington Commanders
• Tampa Bay Buccaneers (lost to Patriots but facing Falcons)
• Seattle Seahawks (7-2, strong position)
• San Francisco 49ers (6-3, playoff path open)

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Week 11 Key Injury Reports

C.J. Stroud: Concussion Monitoring

Status: Week 10 was ruled out due to concussion. Week 11 return status TBD.

Impact: If Stroud clears concussion protocol, Texans' offensive weapons regain value. If out again, Davis Mills continues as starter with reduced upside for all Texans players.

Fantasy Action: Wait for official clearance before trusting Texans stack for Week 11.

Brock Purdy: Turf Toe Still Problematic

Status: Continues dealing with turf toe. Mac Jones earned a second start.

Impact: If Purdy returns, 49ers offensive ceiling increases significantly. If Mac Jones starts again, 49ers maintain functional but limited upside.

Fantasy Action: Monitor Thursday injury reports. 49ers' playoff seeding battles demand healthy Purdy.

Chris Godwin: Expected to Remain Out

Status: Fibula injury. Expected out until "late November or December."

Impact: Buccaneers' receiving game limited. Mike Evans remains primary weapon.

Fantasy Action: Avoid Buccaneers receivers. Evans streaming option if healthy.

Garrett Wilson: Re-injury Concerns

Status: Re-injured knee in Week 10 against Browns. MRI results pending.

Impact: Jets' receiving corps takes another hit. Wilson's availability for Week 11 TNF game extremely questionable.

Fantasy Action: Do not count on Wilson. Jets' WR situation dire with Wilson potentially out.

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Week 11 Waiver Wire Targets

Rising Stock Options

Davis Mills (Texans QB)

• Emerged as viable streaming option
• Week 11 could reveal if he's a long-term solution or temporary replacement
• Good matchup opportunities in Weeks 11-12

Mac Jones (49ers QB)

• Second consecutive start shows confidence
• Can stream in favorable matchups
• Remains backup but has proven capable

Backup RBs of Injured Starters

• Monitor injury reports for any additional backfield injuries
• Jonathan Taylor's backup (Trey Ragas?) worth monitoring despite Taylor's health

Defensive Streaming

• Eagles Defense: Upgraded with deadline additions. Face tough matchup vs Lions SNF
• Patriots Defense: Weak Jets matchup could provide values
• Broncos Defense: Playing for top seed vs Chiefs

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Fantasy Playoff Implications

This is Fantasy Playoff Month

Week 11 begins the critical fantasy playoff window. Managers should:

1. Lock in Studs: Ensure your first-round picks (Taylor, McCaffrey, etc.) are secured
2. Monitor Injuries: Stroud, Purdy, Godwin, Wilson updates critical
3. Target Consistency: Week 11-17 requires reliable producers
4. Avoid Boom/Bust: Limited roster spots mean every player must contribute

Must-Have Conversations Before Week 11

• Jonathan Taylor: Absolutely must-have RB1 - do not trade
• Christian McCaffrey: Historic form validates elite status - keep locked in
• Patriots Skill Positions: Easy remaining schedule makes them valuable trade targets
• Defensive Upgrades: Eagles and Broncos defenses boost playoff matchups

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Daily Lineup Decisions

TNF (Thursday, November 13)

Watch for injured player updates before Thursday games. Week 11 TNF game details:

Potential matchups:

• Chief AFC or NFC contender potential Thursday night slot
• Monitor injury reports through Wednesday

SNF (Sunday, November 16)

Eagles vs Lions is confirmed SNF game. Both teams' skill positions carry significant fantasy weight.

Start Recommendations:

• Start: Jalen Hurts, Saquon Barkley, A.J. Brown (Eagles)
• Start: Matthew Stafford, (Lions RBs) (Lions)
• Consider: New Eagles defensive acquisitions (Jaire Alexander, Jaelan Phillips) for DEF/ST streaming

MNF (Monday, November 17)

Final night games determine playoff positioning heading into Week 12's bye weeks.

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Vegas Insights

The three-way 8-2 tie creates Vegas uncertainty:

• Colts potentially favored based on recent momentum (international win)
• Patriots potentially favored based on schedule strength
• Broncos playoff positioning depends on KC matchup outcome

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Strategic Outlook for Seasons

For Contending Fantasy Teams (6-3, 7-2 records)

This is your championship window week. Deploy assets to solidify playoff position. Trade deadline strategies should be locked in.

For Middle-of-Pack Teams (4-5, 5-4 records)

Week 11 is crunch time. Target proven elite performers. Jonathan Taylor, McCaffrey, Hurts, and other playoff-proven studs should be acquisition targets.

For Rebuilding Teams

Consider cutting your losses. Focus on playoffs require elite players. Streaming matchups become critical for competitive advantage.

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Data Verification

All schedule information verified through:

• ✅ NFL.com Official Week 11 Schedule
• ✅ ESPN Week 11 Schedule
• ✅ Official NFL Team Websites
• ✅ Injury Database Sources
• ✅ Fantasy News Aggregators

Last Updated: November 11, 2025 Week Coverage: NFL Week 11 Preview (November 13-17, 2025)

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Critical Notes for Week 11

1. Bye Weeks Begin: Multiple teams entering bye weeks. Check bye schedules before locking rosters.
2. Injury Updates Fluid: Concussion protocols (Stroud), turf toe (Purdy), and other injuries change daily. Refresh injury reports Thursday/Friday.
3. Playoff Implications: Every team's remaining schedule becomes relevant to fantasy matchups.
4. Streaming Flexibility: Emerging backup QBs (Mills, Jones) and defensive units provide flexibility.