Every few years you get one NFL Sunday schedule that clearly stands out as the best of the regular season. I may not have circled Week 11 back in May when the schedule came out, but it has played out that way with the Seahawks and Rams looking like the best teams in the NFC (maybe NFL) right now as they meet for the first time. And if they’re actually frauds, then the Lions and Eagles are going at it Sunday night as the other two best teams in the NFC.
We also get an important Bills vs. Bucs game as those teams try to stay within reach of a division title after some struggles and a loss last week. The Steelers vs. Bengals rematch is bigger than usual as the Steelers need all the wins they can get to hold off Baltimore, which is heavily favored to win the AFC North again.
Then we have a game in Denver that is quite arguably the biggest regular-season game for the Broncos in 10 years, and the biggest of Patrick Mahomes’ career (again, regular season only) if we’re talking about the Chiefs staying on top of the AFC West. They can’t drop to 5-5 while the Broncos get to 9-2.
It’s big, it will shake up the Super Bowl odds, and while some of these games will no doubt turn into duds, at least one should be great and a contender for game of the year.
And no, I won’t be getting up early for Dolphins-Commanders in Spain. Hard to believe Dan Quinn’s job may be in bigger trouble than Mike McDaniel’s, but as always, it’s a good reminder that success is fleeting in the NFL for most.
This Week’s Articles
I previewed the Rams vs. Seahawks game by pointing out the double standard for Matthew Stafford getting MVP love for a season that the likes of Daniel Jones, Sam Darnold, Jared Goff, Brock Purdy, etc. would never get MVP credit for if they were in the same situation. I also had picks for parlays for Lions-Eagles, Rams-Seahawks, and a more detailed pick for Chiefs vs. Broncos.
NFL Week 11 Predictions
I had the Patriots winning 24-10 on Thursday night over the Jets, so 24-10, 27-14, close enough.
WAS-MIA: I think the Dolphins pull it out against a bad defense and Mariota.
CHI-MIN: Vikings came back in Week 1 to get them but I think Ben Johnson’s team is playing better now and they force McCarthy into enough mistakes to pull out the road upset win.
GB-NYG: New QB (Jameis) and an interim coach situation for a team that is 0-5 ATS when the spread is this big this season. Tricky game to bet but I like the idea of a Jameis pick and GB win.
CAR-ATL: It was 30-0 last time, so who the hell knows with these teams? Atlanta needs a win badly.
LAC-JAX: I am supporting Harbaugh to take it to a flawed Jacksonville team.
CIN-PIT: Steelers usually struggle at home with the Bengals but I think Rodgers makes up for last week with a great game and they get the home win. Flacco won’t be as good as Week 7.
TB-BUF: Too many weapons out for the Bucs again and I think the Bills lean on Josh Allen, turnovers be damned, and get a 7+ point win.
TEN-HOU: It was 26-0 last time but something tells me not to go all in on Davis Mills covering a 5.5-point spread against a team coming off a bye. But the Texans should win against the worst team in the NFL.
SEA-LAR: It’s a hedge for me. I think the Rams win by 1-3 points on a Stafford GWD. But I also think Seattle has a fair shot to win outright. I just weigh Darnold getting crushed by that pass rush last year a lot right now. Need to see this matchup on a new team.
SF-ARI: Purdy is back, I think. Could be a good one but I’m going 49ers.
KC-DEN: If Josh Simmons and Jawaan Taylor were out, I’d say go Denver ML cause of that pass rush against backup tackles. But it sounds like Mahomes will have his tackles coming off a bye and the Chiefs desperately need to win this one. They also need to step up and make Bo Nix look bad as many defenses have done this year. They didn’t do it last year, and he feasted on backups in Week 18 but also should have won the game in Arrowhead if not for the blocked FG. Steve Spagnuolo, do your job in this one. Make it hard on him.
BAL-CLE: Ravens feasted on short fields in the last meeting but the Browns just can’t keep up with this offense.
DET-PHI: Sam LaPorta is a big loss but I still believe the Lions have the weapons and balance to score on Philly and will hold up against the offense for a big road win.
DAL-LV: Play hard, play together, and win one for Marshawn Kneeland. Simple as that for Dallas.
Captain Comeback: NFL Analysis by Scott Kacsmar 