Hello readers! Another week of National Football League action is coming soon! Week 11 has some interesting games to keep an eye on. Such games like: the Cardinals-Seahawks rematch in the Emerald City, Tom Brady facing against the Rams for the first time since Super Bowl LIII, and the 2nd Chiefs-Raiders matchup. We'll get to those games and the rest of the week's slate coming up. Let's get to work!
Week 11 Picks
The Eleventh week of the National Football League's regular season starts at Seattle, Washington and ends in Tampa, Florida. The week features a 14-game slate. It includes a Thursday night game, seven early games, four late games, a Sunday night game and a Monday night game. FOX will have the double-header while CBS will show a single, regional game. Buffalo, Chicago, NY Giants, and San Francisco are on a bye. Let's get to the picks.
Arizona (6-3) @ Seattle (6-3) (FOX/NFL Network): TW: Cardinals; CV: Cardinals
The Cardinals beat the Bills and the Seahawks lost to the Rams last week. If this game was anything like the first game a few weeks ago, this one will be a classic. Arizona has good vibes their way and who can blame them. They beat Buffalo on a hail mary pass with a few seconds left in the game. The play could be a bit sloppy since both teams will be on short rest. I feel good going with Arizona in this one.
New England (4-5) @ Houston (2-7) (CBS): TW: Patriots; CV: Patriots
The Patriots beat the Ravens and the Texans lost to the Browns last week. New England seemed to find a way to win with a little help from mother nature last week against Baltimore. Safe to say I don't think the elements will help the Pats in this one. Cam Newton will need to play better and not turn the ball over if the Patriots hope to win in this game. Houston's receiving corp will need to step up and help Wil Fuller out in passing offense. I'll take the Patriots.
Detroit (4-5) @ Carolina (3-7) (FOX): TW: Panthers; CV: Lions
The Lions beat the Football Team and the Panthers lost to the Buccaneers. Both teams aren't particularly great on either side of the ball. Detroit did well for me picking them last week but I'm not so sure about this week. The Lions typically do better on the road than being at home. Mike Davis is a stable option at running back for Carolina but I just don't know if he can produce the same numbers that Christian McCaffrey produces on a normal basis when he's not injured. It came down to an eeny-miney-moe and Carolina was there so I guess I'll go Panthers in this one.
Philadelphia (3-5-1) @ Cleveland (6-3) (FOX): TW: Browns; CV: Browns
The Eagles lost to the Giants and the Browns beat the Texans last week. Cleveland played well enough to get the dub last week by scoring more points than the opposition. Baker Mayfield did alright in not turning the ball over but he could've done more I feel last week in terms of passing yards. Philadelphia's rush defense is pretty suspect and the Browns have used their running backs well. Should be an entertaining game nonetheless.
Pittsburgh (9-0) @ Jacksonville (1-8) (CBS): TW: Steelers; CV: Steelers
The Steelers beat the Bengals and the Jaguars lost to the Packers last week. Jacksonville raised some heads last week in almost beating Green Bay on Sunday. Unfortunately they're facing off arguably the best team in the NFL right now in the Steelers. At some point Pittsburgh is going to lose but I don't see how they can possibly lose to a one-win Jaguars team.
Tennessee (6-3) @ Baltimore (6-3) (CBS): TW: Ravens; CV: Titans
Both teams lost last week as the Titans lost to the Colts and the Ravens lost to the Patriots. One would hope that the Titans figure out their punting issues before this game happens. Baltimore got exposed and made Lamar Jackson look like a mortal and a running back. New England's pass rush made it inhospitable to him. Still I like the Ravens in the matchup as they do have an upgraded defense. They'll need all the help they can get in containing Derrick Henry.
Cincinnati (2-6-1) @ Washington (2-7) (CBS): TW: Football Team; CV: Football Team
Both teams lost last week as the Bengals lost to the Steelers and the Football Team lost to the Lions. The rookie vs the veteran in terms of quarterbacks. Both teams aren't really that great in terms of record and overall talent. I do like the promise of Joe Burrow despite many obstacles along the way. I do like the Football Team in the matchup as they do have a formidable running attack and some decent wide outs for Alex Smith to throw to. Joe Mixon for the Bengals could still be out for this one and I can't trust him to make the start at running back for Cincy. Tough luck Bungles.
Atlanta (3-6) @ New Orleans (7-2) (FOX): TW: Saints; CV: Falcons
The Falcons were on a bye and the Saints beat the 49ers last week. New Orleans beat the 49ers handily last week but it came at a cost. Drew Brees will be out for this game and who knows will be in for the Saints. One would assume it would be Jameis Winston since he saw some action in place of Brees last week. Or it could be Taysom Hill who could get the nod. Nonethless, I feel the game will be close but Alvin Kamara will have to be the one to step up on offense.
NY Jets (0-9) @ LA Chargers (2-7) (CBS): TW: Chargers; CV: Chargers
The Jets were on a bye and the Chargers lost to the Dolphins. New York will return after a copious amount of rest. Sam Darnold seems to be an incomplete in terms of grade as he just hasn't been given the kind of help that the team would give him. Fortunately for Justin Herbert, he does have some options at running back and Keenan Allen. New York might have a shot to make it a close one but I feel their loss total will hit double digits by game's end.
Miami (6-3) @ Denver (3-6) (CBS): TW: Dolphins; CV: Dolphins
The Dolphins beat the Chargers and the Broncos lost to the Raiders last week. I had my doubts that Tua Tagovailoa would get starts in 2020 but so far he has been playing well in his young career. It helps when the Dolphins play like a team and help each other out when needed. They're not a sexy team by any stretch but they play for each other. Drew Lock of the Broncos could possibly not play in this game which means that Brett Rypien could get more first team reps. Denver's running game will be badly needed in this one. Should be an intriguing game to watch.
Dallas (2-7) @ Minnesota (4-5) (FOX): TW: Vikings; CV: Vikings
The Cowboys were on a bye and the Vikings beat the Bears last week. Dallas without Dak Prescott is pathetic to watch. Their record speaks the truth of that. At one point Minnesota was hoping to be in the Trevor Lawrence sweepstakes but if they keep winning like they do, I don't see him falling into their laps. I'll watch the Ezekiel Elliot vs Dalvin Cook matchup in this one. I'll take Cook and the Vikings. Dallas's defense is trash.
Green Bay (7-2) @ Indianapolis (6-3) (FOX): TW: Packers; CV: Colts
Both teams won last week as the Packers beat the Jaguars and the Colts beat the Titans. Green Bay's defense maybe suspect at times but when it comes to crunch time they do find a way to get it done. They'll need to play better because Philip Rivers can still do Philip Rivers things and Jonathan Taylor can still put up numbers. The Packers offense will have their hands full taking on the Colts defense which is 3rd in rush defense and 1st in pass defense and 1st in overall defense. I think Aaron Rodgers will find a way to get it done.
Kansas City (8-1) @ Las Vegas (6-3) (NBC): TW: Chiefs; CV: Chiefs
The Chiefs were on a bye and the Raiders beat the Broncos last week. Classic AFC matchup on NBC. The Raiders had the last laugh in beating the Chiefs earlier in the season. Rivalry games are hard to pick as both teams will play their hardest to best the other. No love lost between these two rivals. I'll take the Chiefs in that they want to beat their rival at their place.
LA Rams (6-3) @ Tampa Bay (7-3) (ESPN): TW: Buccaneers; CV: Rams
Both teams won last week as the Rams beat the Seahawks and the Buccaneers beat the Panthers. Week 11 wraps up with a tantalizing matchup. Last time Tom Brady faced off against the Rams was in Super Bowl LIII. I think it'll be a close game but I think Brady will win the game with Ronald Jones and their defense behind him.
Local TV Schedule (courtesy of 506sports.com):
CBS Single
Tennessee @ Baltimore
Jim Nantz, Tony Romo
FOX Early
Philadelphia @ Cleveland
Adam Amin, Mark Schlereth
FOX Late
Dallas @ Minnesota
Kenny Albert, Jonathan Vilma
For more information on which game is being shown in your area check out: NFL Maps: Week 11
2020 Week by Week Record:
TW's record:
Week 1: 8-8
Week 2: 15-1
Week 3: 9-6-1
Week 4: 11-4
Week 5: 9-5
Week 6: 7-7
Week 7: 12-2
Week 8: 7-7
Week 9: 10-4
Week 10: 10-4
Total: 98-48-1
Cardinal Viking's record:
Week 1: 10-6
Week 2: 11-5
Week 3: 8-7-1
Week 4: 7-8
Week 5: 8-6
Week 6: 9-5
Week 7: 11-3
Week 8: 7-7
Week 9: 9-5
Week 10: 11-3
Total: 91-55-1
Previous Picking Records:
2017: 167-89
2018: 156-98-2
2019: 151-104-1
