NFL WEEK 11 Preview and predictions

We are currently seven weeks out from the start of the playoffs, and the picture is starting to take form. Several teams picked up huge wins to prolong their season last week. I was a solid 9-5 last week, continuing my hot game picking streak. The frisky Commanders kept the kid from another ten win week. However, let’s keep it rolling.

Record YTD: 25-15

TNF: Tennessee titans (6-3) at green bay packers (4-6)

Coming off maybe a season saving win against the Cowboys on Sunday, the Packers are right back to work, welcoming in the leaders of the AFC South, the Tennessee Titans. The Titans are coming off a win over the pitiful Denver Broncos last Sunday. The Titans are a tough football team, but I think Rodgers and the Packers found an answer on offense: Run the Damn Ball.

Packers 24-17.

Carolina panthers (3-7) at Baltimore ravens (6-3)

The Ravens are winners of three straight, and finding their grove offensively. Lamar Jackson has looked absolutely phenomenal this season and is set up to receive a lot of money. On the other side, the Panthers picked up a win over the Falcons last Thursday night. Baker Mayfield will get the ball for the cats in this one. I don’t have much confidence in Baker to beat a tough Ravens defense on the road.

Give me the Ravens 30-17.

Chicago bears (3-7) at atlanta falcons (4-6)

Coming off another close home loss, the Bears will travel to Atlanta, hoping their new and improved offense can lead them to win #4. They will take on a run-heavy Falcons team that has been unpredictable all season. However, I think the Panthers showed a blueprint on to defend the Falcons. If you stop the run, Mariota is going to have trouble airing it out. That being said, the Bears can’t defend a pack of scarecrows.

Falcons 33-28.

Cleveland browns (3-6) at buffalo bills (6-3)

Is Josh Allen human? The Bills have lost two in a row, partly due to Josh Allen’s struggles at the QB position. Josh Allen is the ENTIRE Bills offense, and they will go as far as he can take them. The Browns are coming off a blowout loss to the Dolphins, where their defense was non-existent. I think this is the perfect get right game for the Bills, and an awful matchup for the Browns.

Bills 35-17.

Detroit lions (3-6) AT NEW YORK GIANTS (7-2)

It is remarkable that we enter Week 11, and the New York Football Giants are 7-2, only one game back of the NFC East division lead. Daniel Jones has been tremendous, and Saquan Barkley is back to his old self. The Lions are coming off a come from behind victory over the Bears on Sunday, which marked their first road win in over two seasons. Do I believe they can do it again? No.

Giants 27-20.

LOS ANGELES RAMS (3-6) AT NEW ORLEANS SAINTS (3-7)

The Super Bowl Champs will not repeat this year. They have struggled mightily offensively, due to injuries to key players. Stafford, and Kupp are currently battling injuries. However, even with those players in the lineup they have not looked good. Another team with injuries to key players is the Saints. Michael Thomas is done for the year (again) and Kamara has been in & out of the lineup. This game will most likely be the ugliest game of the weekend.

I’ll take the Rams 17-10.

NEW YORK JETS (6-3) AT NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (5-4)

To Foxborough we go, as the Jets travel to New England looking to beat the Patriots and snap a 13 game losing streak to the Pats. In Week 8, the Jets fell to the Pats at MetLife, 22-17. The Jets and the Pats are coming off a BYE weeks, so they will both be well rested for this game. The Pats have won 4 of their last 5, and I think they get it done against the Jets, again. Win streak to 14.

Pats 17-13

PHILADELPHIA EAGLES (8-1) AT INDIANAPOLIS COLTS (4-5-1)

How about Jeff Saturday? A guy with zero NFL coaching experience is 1-0 as a head coach. That’s remarkable, but the cute story is going to run into a buzz saw. The Eagles saw their undefeated season dreams go up in smoke, as the Commanders shocked the world with an upset of Philly in Philly on Monday Night Football. I think the Eagles come out with their heads on fire, and put this one away early.

Eagles 30-14.

WASHINGTON commanders (5-5) at houston texans (1-7-1)

Note to future undefeated teams: Do not face the Commanders. Taylor Heinicke led his team into Philadelphia against an undefeated Eagles team, and came out with an enormous upset victory. Their run heavy offensive approach was drawn up to perfection, as they worked to keep the Eagles offense off the field for as long as possible. Their defense also did its job, keeping Hurts in the pocket. They now travel to Houston to meet a struggling Texans team. I think Heinicke and co. take care of business again.

Commanders 24-13

LAs vegas raiders (2-7) at Denver broncos (3-6)

Two of the most disappointing teams in the NFL this season meet in a game to decide who is worse. The Broncos have lost 5 of their last 6, and the Raiders have lost 4 of their last 5. Russell Wilson has been a colossal disappointment, as their offense has not been able to support their defense. The Raiders have been horrible on both sides of the ball, allowing the 5th most PPPG in the league. This game will be ugly.I like the Broncos to win this battle of bad and worse.

Broncos 20-13

Cincinnati bengals (5-4) at pittsburgh steelers (3-6)

The Bengals & Steelers meet for the second time this season this Sunday. In Week 1, these teams met in an overtime thriller where the Bengals came out on top 23-20. Since then the Bengals have gone 4-4, and the Steelers 2-6. With TJ Watt back, the Steelers defense looked much improved in their win against the Saints last Sunday. Watt and the whole defense will need to stop Joe Mixon, as he went for five touchdowns in the Bengals Week 9 win. I like Watt, but I do not like the Steelers to win this game.

Bengals 27-17.

Dallas cowboys (6-3) at Minnesota vikings (8-1)

The Minnesota Vikings are 8-1. The Vikings pulled off a win for the ages last Sunday, as all Allen had to do to give the Vikes their second loss of the season was to kneel the ball out. He went on to fumble the ball, and the Vikes would pounce on it to give them the late lead. The Vikings would go on to win the game in OT. They are now tasked with a tough Dallas team, coming off a loss in Green Bay. Dak threw for 265 yards and 3 TDs in that loss. I think Dak has played very well, as of late minus some early turnovers. I think this game will be a physical, run-heavy type of game.

Give me the Cowboys to get a huge win on the road, 27-24.

SNF: Kansas city chiefs (7-2) at los angeles chargers (5-4)

If the first meeting was any indication, we should be in for a great game in primetime. The Chiefs defeated the Chargers 27-24 in Week 2, where the Chargers almost came all the way back to win. The Chargers have had a rough go of it since, blowing a lead in San Francisco last week, and losing key player like Joey Bosa to injury. On the Chiefs side, their offense has not missed a beat. Although, they have some injuries on their own on the offensive side of the ball, as they might be without JuJu Smith-Schuster and Mecole Hardman. Enter Kadarius Toney. The Chargers played pretty well on the road in San Francisco, but I have a hard time seeing that banged up defense stop the Chiefs offense, even with all their injuries.

Chiefs 33-21.

MNF: San Francisco 49ers (5-4) at arizona cardinals (4-6)

Hola Mexico! The 49ers and Cardinals will face off in a divisional clash that has lots of playoff implications. The 49ers are fresh off a come from behind Sunday Night Football win against the Chargers, and the Cardinals are coming off a Colt McCoy led victory over the Rams. Is this 2009? UT fans sure wish so. Colt McCoy will get the ball again for the birds, looking to keep this team in the playoff hunt. Although the 49ers did not play their best football last time out, I still think they are the far more talented team.

49ers 24-17.