WEEK 11: ELITE TEAM PICKS OF THE WEEK

We are through ten weeks in the NFL season, and I personally think this season has been quite the rollercoaster. Teams we expected to be amazing, such as the Green Bay Packers, Arizona Cardinals, and Carolina Panthers, have severely underperformed. We have also been able to witness some surprisingly good starts for teams like the Oakland Raiders and Dallas Cowboys. Enjoy Week 11, NFL fans!

New Orleans Saints (4-5) at Carolina Panthers (3-6)

This division rivalry game between these two struggling teams could bode some significant fireworks if their defenses continue their play. Brees and Newton can sling it with the best of them. The Saints loss in a tight one last week against Denver, while Carolina went down at the hands of the Chiefs. This one will likely come down to defensive play.

Carolina Panthers 27 New Orleans Saints 24

Pittsburgh Steelers (4-5) at Cleveland Browns (0-10)

The Steelers held their own against the league’s best Cowboys last week in a 5 point home loss. Roethlisberger exposed the ‘Boys poor secondary with 408 yards through the air. The Browns have yet to get their first win this year, and I think that will continue this week in a blowout home loss.

Pittsburgh Steelers 34 Cleveland Browns 9

Baltimore Ravens (5-4) at Dallas Cowboys (8-1)

The Cowboys escaped the Steel City with a tight win, thanks mostly to the 114 rushing yards and 3 TD’s from rookie Ezekiel Elliot, who continues to impress each week. This week, they face a Ravens team that got a solid offensive performance last week against Cleveland, and will go in hungry for an upset. If this game was in Baltimore, I would consider a trap game possibly, but Dallas should pull out at home.

Dallas Cowboys 20 Baltimore Ravens 16

Jacksonville Jaguars (2-7) at Detroit Lions (5-4)

This is a game that won’t draw a ton of headlines, but Detroit finds themselves at the top of the NFC North, heading into Week 11. While they may be looking ahead to some big games in the future, they should not overlook a Jags team that kept their game against the Texans close last week.

Detroit Lions 21 Jacksonville Jaguars 20 (OT)

Tennessee Titans (5-5) at Indianapolis Colts (4-5)

The Titans shocked everyone last week with a healthy win over the Green Bay Packers. Marcus Mariota impressed greatly, and even DeMarco Murray was able to record a passing touchdown! The Colts are coming off of a bye, however, and I think a well-rested Andrew Luck will run it up at home.

Indianapolis Colts 33 Tennessee Titans 24

Buffalo Bills (4-5) at Cincinnati Bengals (3-5-1)

The Bills will be heading to the Queen City rested after taking the week off, as the Bengals will trudge into the week after suffering a brutally close loss at MetLife last week. I foresee the Bengals offense inflicting some serious damage on Buffalo this week at home.

Cincinnati Bengals 30 Buffalo Bills 25

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-5) at Kansas City Chiefs (7-2)

The Bucs finally got going last week at home against the Bears as Jameis Winston was able to get going early. The Chiefs continue to play extremely well, taking a hard-fought game against the Panthers this week. I just can’t see the Bucs taking out a dominant opponent such as Kansas City at this juncture of the season.

Kansas City Chiefs 17 Tampa Bay Buccaneers 10

Chicago Bears (2-7) at New York Giants (6-3)

The Bears fell again last week in Tampa, as only Jordan Howard seems to be able to get going for their offense. And their defense, well… let’s not go there! The Giants were able to squeeze by Cincy last week in an impressive 4^th quarter. I think the G-Men will be able to pull off a win once again this week.

New York Giants 27 Chicago Bears 19

Arizona Cardinals (4-4-1) at Minnesota Vikings (5-4)

The Cardinals were able to pull off a close 3 point win against the 49ers behind a monster output from Carson Palmer. David Johnson didn’t really get going, which may not be good as the Cards face a Vikings team that relies on their defense. This game will be close, but Arizona pulls out in OT.

Arizona Cardinals 29 Minnesota Vikings 20

Miami Dolphins (5-4) at Los Angeles Rams (4-5)

Miami looked impressive last week as their defense and special teams play led them to a 7 point W. The Rams offense looked conversely stagnant in a 9-6 win over the Jets. I think the Dolphins offense looks more settled than Los Angeles, who will start Jared Goff for the first time this week.

Miami Dolphins 23 Los Angeles Rams 20

New England Patriots (7-2) at San Francisco 49ers (1-8)

Tom Brady goes down. The Pats lost for the first time with #12 under center this season, as Wilson out dueled the legendary signal caller. The 49ers held their own against the Cardinals but will not be able to hold down this Patriots team. Pats roll.

New England Patriots 26 San Francisco 49ers 13

Philadelphia Eagles (5-4) at Seattle Seahawks (6-2-1)

The Seahawks got a very uplifting win last week at Gillette Stadium, as their defense was able to hold Brady to no touchdowns and picking him off once. A similarly dominant performance this week should be able to secure a win against the Eagles.

Seattle Seahawks 20 Philadelphia Eagles 15

Green Bay Packers (4-5) at Washington Redskins (5-3-1)

The Packers have officially hit rock bottom. They have lost three in a row and four of the last five games as Rodgers and the offense have struggled to get going. They signed Christine Michael this week which could lead to a boost in their running game. The question will be, can they keep up with the ‘Skins, who beat the Vikings last week?

Washington Redskins 24 Green Bay Packers 23

Houston Texans (6-3) at Oakland Raiders (7-2)

The Monday Night Football game this week will feature two divisional leaders in the AFC hoping to jump a notch in the playoff seeding. The Raiders sat out last week while the Texans won in a tight one over the limping Jaguars. I think the Raiders are one of the best teams in the league right now, and they will unload on Houston this week at home.

Oakland Raiders 37 Houston Texans 21