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NFL Week 11: Top 5 games to watch around the league this Sunday

By Peter Panacy

FOXBORO, MA - SEPTEMBER 21: Derek Carr #4 of the Oakland Raiders throws the ball during the first quarter against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium on September 21, 2014 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images)
FOXBORO, MA - SEPTEMBER 21: Derek Carr #4 of the Oakland Raiders throws the ball during the first quarter against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium on September 21, 2014 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images) /
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LANDOVER, MD – NOVEMBER 15: Quarterback Drew Brees #9 of the New Orleans Saints eludes defensive end Jason Hatcher #97 of the Washington Redskins in the fourth quarter at FedExField on November 15, 2015 in Landover, Maryland. The Washington Redskins won, 47-14. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
LANDOVER, MD – NOVEMBER 15: Quarterback Drew Brees #9 of the New Orleans Saints eludes defensive end Jason Hatcher #97 of the Washington Redskins in the fourth quarter at FedExField on November 15, 2015 in Landover, Maryland. The Washington Redskins won, 47-14. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /

No. 4: Washington Redskins (4-5) at New Orleans Saints (7-2)

A year or two ago, this game would have been all about the quarterbacks — the Washington Redskins’ Kirk Cousins and the New Orleans Saints’ Drew Brees.

That’ll still be the case here, but the narrative has changed a bit. Namely because of the Saints defense, which suddenly finds itself being good. Weird, huh?

New Orleans owns the fifth-best scoring defense in the NFL so far, which spells a tough time for Cousins and the up-and-down Redskins offense. Cousins is 1-1 against the Saints in his career but is 0-3 in dome games. Who knows how much this means, but New Orleans’ defense is enough to cause concern.

Saints rookie cornerback Marshon Lattimore has been a huge difference maker for the defense this season, leading New Orleans with eight passes defended and 31 tackles.

Cousins will have to test him, which certainly figures to be a tough challenge.

The game matters to both teams too. While the Redskins remain a game below .500, the NFC East still has enough question marks — notably with the Dallas Cowboys, which we’ll explore in a bit — and a nice little winning streak could put Washington back in the playoff hunt.

The Saints, however, can’t feel too safe with their divisional lead, as the Carolina Panthers trail by half a game (7-3 record) and get to enjoy their bye week.