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Lamar Jackson is likely to get his first start Sunday. (Nick Wass / Associated Press File)
Cindy Boren
Reporter covering sports, with an emphasis on politics and national stories
NFL Week 11
Top story lines | Injury news
Fantasy football
Follow along here for frequent updates and developments from all of Sunday's NFL games. Check back after "Sunday Night Football" for a look at the biggest moments and trends to watch.
With Joe Flacco nursing a hip injury and their season teetering at 4-5, the Ravens are making a change at quarterback with their hand forced by a hip injury to Joe Flacco.
The dilemma: Which former Heisman winner / backup to start as they try to end a three-game losing streak? They're expected to go with Lamar Jackson over Robert Griffin III against the Bengals, according to multiple reports.
Griffin has only played in five games, all with the Browns, since the end of the 2014 season. Jackson was a first-round draft pick last spring, Baltimore's choice with the 32nd pick. Flacco, who is not expected to require surgery, is officially listed as doubtful.
Eagles face must-win vs. Saints: The Saints came stunningly close to advancing to the NFC championship game last January, so it's no surprise that good things were expected of them this year.
Although there was the season-opening, 48-40 stumble against Tampa Bay, the Saints have been crushing anyone and everyone in their path. They take an 8-1 record into the game against the Eagles and their offense has scored 51 and 45 points over the last two weeks for a total of 96 points that are the most over two games in the team's history.
They're also clicking on defense and had their best game of the season last week, holding the Bengals to 14 points. The defense has kept big plays to a minimum and the secondary is improving, with Eli Apple adjusting to his new team and Marshon Lattimore playing well.
And then there's Drew Brees.
Look for the Saints to wear white uniforms because Coach Sean Payton lost a golf bet to Eagles Coach Doug Pederson last summer. "We wanted to liven up the match, and we decided to bet and we chose jersey colors," Pederson said (via Golfweek). "Three holes into it, ended up beating him, and that was it."
Luck Luck: Is it the spiced raccoon cheeks? The flattened snake strips? The squirrel oil? Actually, Andrew Luck's resurgence is partly the offensive line, partly Coach Frank Reich, partly the improved running game and more than partly his own restored health. The early days of the season, when everyone worried about the Colts quarterback's surgically repaired shoulder, are gone and Luck has passed for three touchdowns in six consecutive games. That's the fourth longest streak since 1950 and according to NFL Research trails only Tom Brady (10 games), Peyton Manning (eight) and Dan Marino (seven). And Luck has not been sacked in four games, a streak that is the fifth-longest in NFL history. This week, though, Luck faces the Titans, who are second in the AFC South at 5-4 and have the NFL's top scoring defence (giving up only 16.8 points per game).
It's go or go-home time: Here, in one tweet, is why week really, really matters.
Top story lines
Condi Coach? The Cleveland Browns reportedly want to talk to Condoleezza Rice, the former secretary of state and national security adviser, about their head coaching vacancy. (Read more.)
Chubby Chiefs weigh in: The Chiefs will wear all-white uniforms Monday night against the Rams, a decision that did not sit well with everyone. "Most of the chubby guys were not voting on all white."
Cousins must be careful: Sunday night's NFC North clash between the Vikings and Bears may well hinge on Minnesota quarterback Kirk Cousins's ability to avoid costly errors against Chicago's vaunted defense. (Read more.)
These seats are getting warmer: Which coaches are the most likely to be fired? (Read more.)
Crunchtime for the Cowboys: The Cowboys may be "dysfunctional," but Troy Aikman still thinks they could win the NFC East. (Read more.)
Let's think about the draft: Who will the Raiders, Giants, 49ers and others in the top 10 pick? (Read more.)
The Bell Fallout: What Le'Veon Bell's decision to sit out the season means for him and the Steelers. (Read more.)
NFL makes a move: The Rams and Chiefs are playing in Los Angeles, not Mexico City, on Monday night. (Read more.)
A hisssstory of booing: There's a long, sad history of Redskins booing their own team. (Read more.)
Who's off: The Bills, Browns, Dolphins, Patriots, Jets and 49ers have byes this week.
Injury news
Bosa's debut: Chargers defensive end Joey Bosa reportedly will play against the Broncos, at long last making his 2018 debut. He has been recovering from a bone bruise in his foot.
Update Eric Berry: Chiefs safety Eric Berry will miss the Monday night game against the Rams, but he may be ready to resume practicing with the team when Kansas City returns from its Week 12 bye, CBS's Jason La Canfora reports. That would put him on track for a Week 13 or 14 return from complications from the Achilles' tendon injury he suffered in the first game of the 2017 season.
Watkins Healing: Chiefs wide receiver Sammy Watkins has recovered more quickly than predicted from a foot injury and he is expected to play against the Rams.
Armstead out a while: Saints left tackle Terron Armstead is likely to be out three-to-four weeks after injuring his pectoral muscle in the game against the Bengals.
Look out for Adrian Peterson: The Redskins running back says his ankle and shoulder injuries have healed and he feels "refreshed" and "amazing."
Trent Williams out: Redskins left tackle Trent Williams will not play against the Texans, but could be ready against the Cowboys on Thanksgiving Day.
Fantasy football
The waiver wire: With six teams on a bye, here are the players to add. (Read more.)
Week 11 cheat sheet: Dig in and dominate. (Read more.)
Must players: The fantasy football players you need in your lineup. (Read more.)
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