Hello readers! Another week of National Football League action is coming upon us yet again. The season has been one of the most wild seasons for picks for me and Cardinal Viking. Will it be this week that things get back to normal? I'm keeping an eye on the Patriots-Falcons, Packers-Vikings, and Cowboys-Chiefs matchups this week. In this post I'll be doing a preview of the week, my picks for the games and the Early & Late Game TV Pairings. Let's get to work!
Week 11 Preview
The 11th week of the National Football League's regular season will start in Atlanta, Georgia and finish up in Tampa, Florida. The week features a 15-game slate that will have 30 teams play. The Denver Broncos and Los Angeles Rams are on a bye this week. Week 11 features a Thursday night game, nine early games, three late games, a Sunday night game and a Monday night game. CBS will have the single, regional game and FOX will have the doubleheader this week. Let's get to the picks!
Week 11 Picks
Note: TW is me and CV is Cardinal Viking, my former roommate. All game times are in US Eastern.
New England (6-4) @ Atlanta (4-5) (FOX/Amazon Prime/NFL Network; 8:20 pm): TW: Patriots; CV: Patriots
Last week the Patriots beat the Browns and the Falcons lost to the Cowboys. The week starts off with an okay matchup that pits the red hot Patriots and the cooling Falcons. Bill Belichick might end up winning out in the long run against Tom Brady assuming the Patriots win a Super Bowl with Mac Jones. I don't think the Patriots are that legit of a contender for the championship yet. Atlanta has some good pieces but I personally don't think they'll win this game as they have a rush offense that averages 82.9 yards/game Its not going to be enough for them to get it done. The Patriots seem to be the safe bet as they haven't lost since playing against Dallas. I think Mac Jones could slow down a bit but I think it'll be a good day for the Pats rush offense.
Detroit (0-8-1) @ Cleveland (5-5) (FOX; 1:00 pm): TW: Browns; CV: Browns
Last week the Lions tied the Steelers and the Browns lost to the Patriots. The winless Lions got a half-win last week against Pittsburgh. The tie might've come at a rough time as they face off against a Browns squad that is resilient. Detroit plays hard and come close in games. Heck they probably should've won against the Steelers last week. I think the matchup to keep an eye on is the the Browns defensive line vs Dandre Swift. If they can keep him under 100 yards they have a shot to win. I personally like the Browns in the matchup as their defense can shut down opponents when their own offense doesn't turn the ball over. Maybe momentum will go Detroit's way but I'll take the Brownies.
Baltimore (6-3) @ Chicago (3-6) (CBS; 1:00 pm): TW: Ravens; CV: Ravens
Last week the Ravens lost to the Dolphins and the Bears had a bye week. Baltimore fell to earth as their motto of having slow starts caught up to them. Chicago played a solid game against the Steelers in Week 9 despite some calls going against them. If the Baltimore plays a slow game then the Bears will make them pay for it as Justin Fields is a younger version of Lamar Jackson as he can both be dangerous with his legs and arm. I don't really see it happening personally as I think John Harbaugh will get them back to earth and get back to the better football that we usually expect from them.
Green Bay (8-2) @ Minnesota (4-5) (FOX; 1:00 pm): TW: Packers; CV: Vikings
Both teams won last week as the Packers beat the Seahawks and the Vikings beat the Chargers. The game intrigues me. You have a Packers squad that had its struggles on offense against the Seahawks. Green Bay's defense picked up the slack. Minnesota's offense played well and their defense really limited what the Chargers could do on offense. Honestly, the game could be a toss-up but I think the Packers and Vikings will end up splitting the series this season and the Pack will take the first game.
Houston (1-8) @ Tennessee (8-2) (CBS; 1:00 pm): TW: Titans; CV: Titans
The Texans had a bye and the Titans beat the Saints last week. Houston really is the epitome of terrible. Their Week 1 win against the Jaguars seems like eons ago and they are surely looking forward to getting the #1 pick in next years draft. Tennessee won't have Derrick Henry in the game again. They're really a different team without him and having Ryan Tannehill anchor your offense hasn't blown up in flames yet. I don't trust Houston to do anything significant in this game so I'll go the obvious route and take the Titans.
Indianapolis (5-5) @ Buffalo (6-3) (CBS; 1:00 pm): TW: Bills; CV: Bills
The Colts beat the Jaguars and the Bills beat the Jets last week. Its a solid game not going to lie. Both teams are pretty similar on paper. Indy's rush offense I would give the nod to over Buffalo. On the quarterback and defensive front I would give it to Buffalo. This I think will be the biggest factor in the game. Carson Wentz has played better since the start of the season but Buffalo's defense is legit. It could be a toss-up game but I'll take the home team.
Miami (3-7) @ NY Jets (2-7) (CBS; 1:00 pm): TW: Dolphins; CV: Dolphins
The Dolphins beat the Ravens and the Jets lost to the Bills. Both teams stink, let's be frank about that. For New York, Zach Wilson and Mike White are out. Joe Flacco will get the nod to start. New York's defensive front seem to be a good group and I tend to trust them a bit more than Miami. Miami surprised some people when they beat the Ravens last week. Joe Flacco could revert back to his old self but honestly the way this season has gone I wouldn't be too shocked by it. I'll go with the safe bet and take the Dolphins.
New Orleans (5-4) @ Philadelphia (4-6) (FOX; 1:00 pm): TW: Saints; CV: Saints
The Saints lost to the Titans and the Eagles beat the Broncos last week. Philly has a legit entertaining offense that can be fun to watch. They will be going against a New Orleans squad that is better on defense. New Orleans will have to get better production from the running game in order to win as Jalen Hurts can hurt you if he's on the field. When he's not then he won't hurt you at all. It'll be a close one.
San Francisco (4-5) @ Jacksonville (2-7) (FOX; 1:00 pm): TW: 49ers; CV: 49ers
The 49ers beat the Rams and the Jaguars lost to the Colts last week. San Francisco really played their best game of the season against the Rams. Jacksonville hasn't had a lot of luck go its way this season. Their bright spot in their running attack has been fun to watch at times. The 49ers sadly have a better running game and I think it'll be a factor in the game. I'll take the 49ers.
Washington (3-6) @ Carolina (5-5) (FOX; 1:00 pm): TW: Panthers; CV: Panthers
The Football Team and the Panthers won last week against the Buccaneers and the Cardinals respectively. The Ron Rivera Bowl! Carolina seemed to find its spark in the return of Cam Newton. Newton seems to be the guy that will get the start. I'm not quite ready to hop on the Panthers bandwagon just yet but if they win against a fairly below average Washington team I might be convinced a bit more that Carolina is legit.
Cincinnati (5-4) @ Las Vegas (5-4) (CBS; 4:05 pm): TW: Raiders; CV: Raiders
The Bengals had a bye and the Raiders lost to the Chiefs last week. Cincinnati had some talk for a good part of the season where they'd run over the division. Then the New York Jets came and ruin it. Dang Jets always ruining everything. Las Vegas has had a lot of bad luck come their way. Some of it was warranted like injuries. The Unwarranted would be the Henry Ruggs III screwing up badly. I still like the Bengals in the matchup but this game really seems like an upset game in the making. I'll take the Raiders in assuming they don't play dumb football.
Arizona (8-2) @ Seattle (3-6) (FOX; 4:25 pm): TW: Cardinals; CV: Cardinals
Both teams lost last week as the Cardinals lost to the Panthers and the Seahawks lost to the Packers. Kyler Murray and DeAndre Hopkins need to get back eventually for the playoff run. With the Rams having a bye week they have an opportunity to get back to a sizable lead in the NFC West. What stands in their way is their old bully in the Seahawks. Russell Wilson came back after missing games with a finger injury. He didn't play well and he could get back to normal in this one with more rest. A lot of this hinges on if Murray can play. If he can play they have a good shot to win.
Dallas (7-2) @ Kansas City (6-4) (FOX; 4:25 pm): TW: Cowboys; CV: Chiefs
Both teams won last week as the Cowboys beat the Falcons and the Chiefs beat the Raiders. FOX's marquee game has the Cowboys going to Arrowhead to face the Chiefs. Both teams got back to playing better offense and better defense. Dallas has been the better team so far this season. The Chiefs seemed to be back to their old selves despite a season where the pundits including myself thought that the Chiefs would win the division. I'd say pump on the brakes a bit on the Chiefs a bit. I'll take the Cowboys.
Pittsburgh (5-3-1) @ LA Chargers (5-4) (NBC; 8:20 pm): TW: Chargers; CV: Chargers
The Steelers tied the Lions and the Chargers lost to the Vikings. Old school classic AFC matchup on NBC! The Steelers could possibly get Ben Roethlisberger and Chase Claypool back. That's the good news sadly. The bad news is that the key players on defense like TJ Watt or Minkah Fitzpatrick. The Chargers have fallen off the cliff after looking like the team to beat in the AFC. If there was one thing that the Chargers could exploit is the Steelers lack of a rush defense. The rush defense allowed 130 yards to Dandre Swift. If Austin Ekeler can have a solid game by rushing 50+ yards they have a great shot to win. This game could be an interesting one to watch but I'll take the Chargers.
NY Giants (3-6) @ Tampa Bay (6-3) (ESPN; 8:15 pm): TW: Buccaneers; CV: Buccaneers
The Giants had a bye and the Buccaneers lost to the Football Team. Week 11 finishes up with Tom Brady & company face off against the down but not out Giants. New York has the well rested card up their sleeves but they're facing off against a Bucs team that plays well after a loss. This Bucs team isn't as solid as it was last year but champions aren't crowned in November. I think Tampa will get back to winning ways in this one.
Early & Late TV Pairings (courtesy of 506sports.com):
Note: Games in bold are being shown in your area, check local listings.
CBS Single
Baltimore @ Chicago
Jim Nantz, Tony Romo
Indianapolis @ Buffalo
Kevin Harlan, Trent Green
Miami @ NY Jets
Greg Gumbel, Adam Archuleta
Houston @ Tennessee
Andrew Catalon, James Lofton
Cincinnati @ Las Vegas (LATE)
Ian Eagle, Charles Davis
FOX Early
Green Bay @ Minnesota
Kevin Burkhardt, Greg Olson
New Orleans @ Philadelphia
Adam Amin, Mark Schlereth
Washington @ Carolina
Kevin Kugler, Mark Sanchez
Detroit @ Cleveland
Gus Johnson, Lavar Arrington
San Francisco @ Jacksonville
Chris Myers, Daryl Johnston
FOX Late
Dallas @ Kansas City
Joe Buck, Troy Aikman
Arizona @ Seattle
Kenny Albert, Jonathan Vilma
For more information on which game is being show in your area check out: NFL 2021: Week 11 Maps
2021 Pick'em Records:
My record:
Week 1: 7-9
Week 2: 10-6
Week 3: 10-6
Week 4: 9-7
Week 5: 12-4
Week 6: 11-3
Week 7: 10-3
Week 8: 7-8
Week 9: 7-7
Week 10: 5-8-1
Total: 88-61-1
Cardinal Viking's record:
Week 1: 6-10
Week 2: 12-4
Week 3: 13-3
Week 4: 10-6
Week 5: 10-6
Week 6: 12-2
Week 7: 10-3
Week 8: 7-8
Week 9: 8-6
Week 10: 5-8-1
Total: 93-56-1
Previous Picking Records:
2017: 167-89
2018: 156-98-2
2019: 151-104-1
2020: 163-92-1
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