Division Leaders Showing What A Difference A Year Makes

Jay Cutler QB, Chicago Bears

NFL 2010 Week 11 Features Five Games Between Winning Teams

As the NFL season enters Week 11, there are 18 teams with a winning record -- tied for the second-most at this point in NFL history. This weekend, there are five games featuring two teams with winning marks

"Anything can happen in this league," says Indianapolis Colts head coach JIM CALDWELL. "Everybody's got a shot. Whoever can get hot and get on a roll can get control."

And what a difference a year makes. Seven of the eight divisions feature a new team with at least a share of first place. The 13 2010 division leaders are a combined 78-39 (.667) through Week 10, 17 wins better than their records from a year ago at this time (61-56, .521).

"We're in first place in our division and that's our goal," says head coach LOVIE SMITH of the 6-3 Chicago Bears. "It's November and this is when the teams that are really going to compete step up and play their best football. Hopefully that will be us."

For the first time since realignment in 2002, every division leader has no more than a one-game lead and five divisions have two teams tied for first place. Some of the key games in Week 11:

CHICAGO BEARS (6-3) at MIAMI DOLPHINS (5-4)

Week 11 gets underway on Thursday night when the Dolphins host the Bears.

"We've got a short week and we're going up against a good team," says Chicago tight end KELLEN DAVIS, who caught a 19-yard touchdown last week. "It's a win that we need to get so we just have to stay focused and be prepared."

The Bears defeated the Minnesota Vikings 27-13 in Week 10 as quarterback JAY CUTLER passed for three touchdowns and DEVIN HESTER had 185 total yards (100 kick return, 47 punt return and 38 receiving) and one touchdown.

"It was a big game for us as a team," says Cutler. "We talked about beating the Vikings and how they've been the defending division champs."

The Dolphins beat the Tennessee Titans 29-17 last week to improve to 5-4.

"It's huge getting this win," says Miami head coach TONY SPARANO. "This is November. If you don't win in November, you've got no chance."

INDIANAPOLIS COLTS (6-3) at NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (7-2)

Two of the NFL's best teams will meet at Gillette Stadium when the Patriots host the Colts. The teams are meeting for the eighth season in a row (2003-2010), the longest streak among non-division opponents since realignment in 2002.

"The Patriots are a very good team," says Indianapolis head coach JIM CALDWELL. "They're arguably playing as well as anybody. It's a tough place to play. It's always been a huge rivalry because both teams have been playing well whenever we've met, so there's a lot at stake."

The Colts knocked off the Bengals 23-17 last week as Indianapolis scored 17 points off five Cincinnati turnovers.

"That's the way it has been with this team over the years," says Colts defensive end DWIGHT FREENEY. "We find ways to win games."

New England won in primetime in Week 10 by defeating the Pittsburgh Steelers 39-26 at Heinz Field.

"We made big plays when we needed to make them," says Patriots quarterback TOM BRADY, who passed for 350 yards and three touchdowns. "We're pretty good when we execute the right way."

"I'm excited for this game," says Patriots safety BRANDON MERIWEATHER about the upcoming matchup with the Colts. "Any time you get to play against PEYTON MANNING, you're excited to play. I can't wait until Sunday."

NEW YORK GIANTS (6-3) at PHILADELPHIA EAGLES (6-3)

First place in the NFC East is on the line when the Eagles host the Giants on Sunday night.

It will mark the second consecutive primetime contest for Philadelphia. The Eagles set numerous team records, including 592 yards of total offense, en route to a 59-28 victory on Monday night over the Washington Redskins.

"It's a beautiful win, but it doesn't go any further than tonight," said Eagles head coach ANDY REID after the victory. "You can't add the points on to next week. Now we've got to get ready for a good Giants football team."

Philadelphia quarterback MICHAEL VICK, who leads the NFL with a 115.1 passer rating, became the first player in NFL history with 300+ passing yards (333), 50+ rushing yards (80), four passing touchdowns and two rushing touchdowns in a single game. He accounted for 413 yards of total offense and six touchdowns.

"The guy is awesome," says Eagles cornerback ASANTE SAMUEL about Vick. "He is amazing. I just love to watch him play. I don't think there's anything you can do to stop him. He's so hard to deal with for a defense."

The Giants will look to bounce back from a 33-20 loss to the Dallas Cowboys in Week 10. New York has won five of its past six games. Giants quarterback ELI MANNING is tied for the NFL lead with 19 touchdown passes and wide receiver HAKEEM NICKS has nine receiving touchdowns, tied for the most in the league.

"When you play the Eagles, you have to play perfect," says Manning. "Everybody has to be on the same page and see things the same way. You can't afford to make mistakes."

DENVER BRONCOS (3-6) at SAN DIEGO CHARGERS (4-5)

Two games separate all four teams in the competitive AFC West. The Oakland Raiders and Kansas City Chiefs are tied for first place at 5-4, with the San Diego Chargers (4-5) and Denver Broncos (3-6) right behind them. The Broncos and Chargers will meet on Monday night.

Denver is coming off a 49-29 victory over the Chiefs. In that game, quarterback KYLE ORTON threw four touchdown passes and rookie quarterback TIM TEBOW added a rushing and passing touchdown.

"We started fast, which is something we've talked about a lot," says Broncos head coach JOSH MC DANIELS. "That was a really good thing for our football team. We were able to play from ahead and just build on a lead as the game went on. It gives us something to build on as we head into this week against the Chargers."

San Diego had a bye in Week 10. The Chargers have won two games in a row and are led by quarterback PHILIP RIVERS, who has a league-best 2,944 passing yards.

"I can't say enough about the way he's playing," says San Diego head coach NORV TURNER about his quarterback. "He has kept us in games. He's made the plays to give us a chance to win and allowed us to win games. He makes a lot of guys look like real good players."