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The NFL opens up Week 11 on Thursday Night Football with a huge NFC West showdown between the Arizona Cardinals and Seattle Seahawks. Arizona, Seattle, and the Los Angeles Rams are tied atop the division at 6-3 and this race could come down to the wire.
On the other hand, we have several teams who could find themselves mathematically eliminated from division contention in Week 11. The New York Jets cannot win the AFC East, and this weekend they could be joined by the Carolina Panthers, Cincinnati Bengals, Jacksonville Jaguars, and/or Los Angeles Chargers.
The fine folks of @NFLScenarios offer a regular rundown of playoff scenarios and tiebreakers, and have posted Week 11 content over at the NFL sub-Reddit.
Carolina Panthers
The Panthers are 3-7, sitting behind the 3-6 Falcons, 7-3 Buccaneers, and 7-2 Saints. The Panthers will be eliminated from NFC South contention with a loss and either a Saints win or Bucs win. The Saints host the Falcons and the Bucs host the Rams this week.
Cincinnati Bengals
The Bengals are 2-6-1, sitting behind the 6-3 Ravens and Browns, and the 9-0 Steelers. The Bengals will be knocked out of AFC North contention with either a loss or tie, OR a Steelers win or tie. The Steelers travel to face the Jaguars this week.
Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jaguars are 1-8, sitting behind the 2-7 Texans. and the 6-3 Colts and Titans. The Jaguars will be knocked out of AFC South contention with a loss and Colts win and Titans win or tie, OR a loss, a Colts tie, and a Titans win. The Colts host the Packers and the Titans travel to face the Ravens this week.
Los Angeles Chargers
The Chargers are 2-7, sitting behind the 3-6 Broncos, 6-3 Raiders, and 8-1 Chiefs. The Chargers will be knocked out of AFC West contention with a loss and a Chiefs win or tie, OR a tie and a Chiefs win. The Chiefs travel to face the Raiders this week.