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

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FOXBORO, MA – SEPTEMBER 8: Quarterback Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots takes some warm-up throws before the 2005 NFL opening game against the Oakland Raiders at Gillette Stadium on September 8, 2005 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Nick Laham/Getty Images) /

No. 1: New England Patriots (7-2) at Oakland Raiders (4-5) in Mexico City

The NFL international series is always unique, and playing at the 7,400-foot elevation is a challenge in of itself.

The Oakland Raiders offense righted the ship a bit in Week 9 versus the Miami Dolphins by putting up 27 points, and coming off a Week 10 bye should help head coach Jack Del Rio game plan a bit more effectively against all the things the New England Patriots will bring, offensively.

But the Patriots defense, so criticized early this season, hasn’t allowed more than 17 points in a game since way back in Week 4 when it allowed 33 to the Panthers — New England’s last loss.

For all the naysayers, it seems as if head coach Bill Belichick figured out what was wrong here and made the moves to address it.

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The Raiders defense, though, has allowed 29.3 points per game over its last three contests. While the bye week helps, putting those numbers up against Pats quarterback Tom Brady and Co. isn’t exactly a recipe for success.

New England is cruising right now, but Oakland is desperate. Despite being a game below .500, the AFC West doesn’t look quite as daunting as it used to be entering this season.

Especially with the Kansas City Chiefs slumping and ahead by only two games.

For the Raiders to win, it will have to be in shootout fashion.

Next: How many winnable games remain on 49ers' 2017 schedule?

And who doesn’t like an old-fashioned shootout? We sure do.