Redemtion Last Week for the NFL; Week 11 Picks
It was long overdue, but last week was an outstanding week for the NFL. There were so many close, highly competitive games and most importantly, they were exciting!
We had a blocked extra point returned for two points in New Orleans with 1:22 left for the Broncos to get the win. The Chiefs and Cardinals needed field goals as time expired to win their games. Philip Rivers threw four interceptions in the fourth quarter and the Dolphins returned one of them for a touchdown to win out in San Diego. Seattle vs. New England was almost as good as it was back when those two faced off in the Super Bowl, then there was Pittsburgh and Dallas.
Cowboys/Steelers was arguably the most entertaining game of the entire season. Cowboys score with 1:55 left to take a 29-24 lead. Steelers march right down the field on the next drive and Ben Roethlisberger fakes a spike and throws a perfect ball to Antonio Brown in the end zone for a touchdown with 42 second left.
Cowboys responded by going 75-yards in 33 seconds and scored the game-winning TD on an Ezekiel Elliott 32-yard run with nine seconds left. The game was back-and-forth throughout, but we had three touchdowns scored in the final two minutes. Thrilling to say the least for football fans.
Not that fans care, but the game Sunday afternoon in Pittsburgh was also the highest rated game of the season. The NFL has been struggling with TV ratings all season and you can bet there was a sigh of relief at the league offices in New York on Tuesday when the ratings came out. I expect with the election over, ratings will continue to improve and hopefully the games will as well.
Now, on to picks for Week 11 in the NFL.
Week 11 Picks (Home team in CAPS)
CAROLINA over New Orleans (Thursday, 8:25 p.m. ET, NBC, NFLN, Twitter): This is the toughest game to pick this week. The Saints beat the Panthers, 41-38, a few weeks and it's not like the Panthers have gotten much better since that game. These Thursday night games are tricky, you never know which team will be affected more by a short week. With the Saints going on the road and coming off that stunner last week against the Broncos, they may not be as prepared mentally as they need to be. Panthers in a close one. I expect another high scoring game too.
Pittsburgh over CLEVELAND (Sunday, 1:00 p.m. ET, CBS): I'm going back and forth on whether or not the Browns will win a game this season, but I don't think their first win will be Sunday against the Steelers. Too much firepower on the Pittsburgh offense for Cleveland to get their first win of the season.
DALLAS over Baltimore (Sunday, 1:00 p.m. ET, CBS): The Ravens might have the number one defense in the league, but I don't think they'll be able to stop RB Ezekiel Elliott and the Cowboys offense on Sunday. Dallas had a huge comeback last week in Pittsburgh to extend their winning streak to eight games and although I don't see them needing another comeback, I do see them extending the winning streak to nine with a win over the Ravens in Dallas.
DETROIT over Jacksonville (Sunday, 1:00 p.m. ET, CBS): The heading coach seat in Jacksonville is getting warmer and warmer with each loss the Jaguars suffer the rest of the season. It'll get even hotter when they lose up in Detroit on Sunday. The Lions have quietly moved into first place in the NFC North and on their bye last week they watched the Vikings, Packers and Bears all lose in the division. Next Thursday, on Thanksgiving, the Lions will play the Vikings again -- they beat them two weeks ago in Minnesota -- but this time it'll be in Detroit and for the first time in who knows how long, the Lions could be all alone in first place on Thanksgiving. That's something to be thankful for if you're a Lions fan.
Tennessee over INDIANAPOLIS (Sunday, 1:00 p.m. ET, CBS): The time is now for the Titans. I was super impressed with their performance against the Packers last week and if they continue to run the ball at 146-yards/game, they're going to be tough to beat. The running game, plus the play of QB Marcus Mariota, who is 4th in the league with 21 TD passes, will lead the Titans to a win over the Colts and the win will put them above the .500 mark.
CINCINNATI over Buffalo (Sunday, 1:00 p.m. ET, FOX): The Bengals looked awful last week against the Giants. Couldn't run the ball, once again, couldn't protect Andy Dalton when it mattered, failed to stop the run when it matter on defense, left WR Odell Beckham Jr. wide open one too many times, the list goes on. The Bengals are a desperate team, but so are the Bills, who have lost three straight. With this game being at Paul Brown Stadium, I think that gives the Bengals a slight edge. Close game with the Bengals coming out with a much needed victory.
KANSAS CITY over Tampa Bay (Sunday, 1:00 p.m. ET, FOX): Kansas City plays a very vanilla brand of football that, no disrespect intended, is uninspiring and boring. However, the Chiefs are 7-2 and currently hold the tiebreak over the Raiders for first place in the AFC West. The main reason for their success has been their turnover differential. Kansas City has thrown just three interceptions and has lost only four fumbles the entire season. Their defense has recovered nine fumbles and they lead the league in interceptions with 13 -- CB Marcus Peters is tied for the league lead with five interceptions and has recovered three fumbles as well. Bucs QB Jameis Winston has thrown 10 INT this season, which is fifth most in the league. It won't be pretty, but the Chiefs will force some turnovers and win another football game.
NY GIANTS over Chicago (Sunday, 1:00 p.m. ET, FOX): Wasn't impressed at all by watching the Giants beat a struggling Bengals team on Monday night. The Giants have zero running game, they dropped a pass on just about every possession and besides on the Bengals last drive in the fourth quarter, their defense did not get a ton of pressure on Andy Dalton. It's beyond me how the New York Giants are 6-3, but they should get another win on Sunday against the struggling Chicago Bears.
Arizona over MINNESOTA (Sunday, 1:00 p.m. ET, FOX): I want to take the Vikings here, but they've played so poorly the last four games, all losses, that I can't justify picking them. Their offense has scored an average of 14 points/game during the losing streak and they have zero running game. It's Week 11 and the Vikings leading rusher is RB Jerick McKinnon with 241-yards rushing. They are averaging a league worse 69.8 yards/game on the ground and are averaging just 2.7 yards/carry. I know the Vikings have been decimated with injuries on the offensive line and they're without RB Adrian Peterson, but you have to run the ball to win games late in the season. Until the Vikings do that, they'll continue to struggle. Cardinals win a close one.
Miami over LOS ANGELES (Sunday, 4:05 p.m. ET, FOX): It's about damn time. The Rams are finally going to start rookie Jared Goff at quarterback on Sunday. It only took till the third Sunday in November, but Goff will finally get a chance to start an NFL game. Problem for Goff is he's facing a hot Dolphins team that has won four in a row. The Rams defense will keep them in the game, but I just don't see Goff and the Rams offense being able to make enough plays to win this game.
New England over SAN FRANCISCO (Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET, CBS): I was surprised the Seahawks were able to defeat Tom Brady and the Patriots up in Foxborough last week, but Seattle is one of the best teams in the league for a reason. The 49ers on the other hand are not. Don't expect a Patriots losing streak. New England will play much better this week and get the win out on the West Coast.
SEATTLE over Philadelphia (Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET, CBS): It was impressive watching the Eagles surrender just 15 points and 303-yards of offense to the Atlanta Falcons last week and that was a very good win for them. Flying out to Seattle to play the Seahawks, a week after they beat the Patriots on the road, will be no easy task though. Seattle is just too good on defense and if they can hold Tom Brady to zero touchdown passes, they can certainly do the same to Eagles rookie QB Carson Wentz.
WASHINGTON over Green Bay (Sunday, 8:30 p.m. ET, NBC): The Packers are a mess. 47 points allowed and a complete and utter disaster last week in Tennessee. Green Bay looks like they'll be missing the playoffs for the first time since 2008, Aaron Rodgers first full season as the starting quarterback. The Packers have a lot of injuries, no running game, and their defense has given up 111 points in the last three games, an average of 37 points/game. Not exactly a recipe for success. The Redskins, especially QB Kirk Cousins, have been playing well and they'll get the win Sunday night.
OAKLAND over Houston (Monday, 8:30 p.m. ET, ESPN from Mexico City): If I were to tell you that there is a team averaging 17.9 points/game and giving up an average of 20.9 points/game, but they currently lead their division, and have managed to win six games so far this season, you'd think I was crazy. Well, I'm not crazy, the Houston Texans are that team and how they are 6-3 is mindbogglingly. Their point differential is -27 and yet they have a game and a half lead in the division. If I had to bet right now, my money would be on the Titans to overtake the Texans in the division. Houston just can't continue to play that poorly on offense to win the division. QB Brock Osweiler didn't throw for 100-yards last week and they still won! Albeit against the Jaguars, but it's still unfathomable. Call it luck or whatever you want, but this week, south of the border in Mexico City at Estadio Azteca, they'll lose to one of the best teams in football, the Oakland Raiders.
Byes: Atlanta, Denver, New York Jets, San Diego
Last Week: 7-7
Overall: 86-61 (.585)
We had a blocked extra point returned for two points in New Orleans with 1:22 left for the Broncos to get the win. The Chiefs and Cardinals needed field goals as time expired to win their games. Philip Rivers threw four interceptions in the fourth quarter and the Dolphins returned one of them for a touchdown to win out in San Diego. Seattle vs. New England was almost as good as it was back when those two faced off in the Super Bowl, then there was Pittsburgh and Dallas.
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| The Cowboys/Steelers game was so entertaining that a season high 28.9 million viewers tuned in to watch. (Don Wright/Associated Press) |
Cowboys responded by going 75-yards in 33 seconds and scored the game-winning TD on an Ezekiel Elliott 32-yard run with nine seconds left. The game was back-and-forth throughout, but we had three touchdowns scored in the final two minutes. Thrilling to say the least for football fans.
Not that fans care, but the game Sunday afternoon in Pittsburgh was also the highest rated game of the season. The NFL has been struggling with TV ratings all season and you can bet there was a sigh of relief at the league offices in New York on Tuesday when the ratings came out. I expect with the election over, ratings will continue to improve and hopefully the games will as well.
Now, on to picks for Week 11 in the NFL.
Week 11 Picks (Home team in CAPS)
CAROLINA over New Orleans (Thursday, 8:25 p.m. ET, NBC, NFLN, Twitter): This is the toughest game to pick this week. The Saints beat the Panthers, 41-38, a few weeks and it's not like the Panthers have gotten much better since that game. These Thursday night games are tricky, you never know which team will be affected more by a short week. With the Saints going on the road and coming off that stunner last week against the Broncos, they may not be as prepared mentally as they need to be. Panthers in a close one. I expect another high scoring game too.
Pittsburgh over CLEVELAND (Sunday, 1:00 p.m. ET, CBS): I'm going back and forth on whether or not the Browns will win a game this season, but I don't think their first win will be Sunday against the Steelers. Too much firepower on the Pittsburgh offense for Cleveland to get their first win of the season.
DALLAS over Baltimore (Sunday, 1:00 p.m. ET, CBS): The Ravens might have the number one defense in the league, but I don't think they'll be able to stop RB Ezekiel Elliott and the Cowboys offense on Sunday. Dallas had a huge comeback last week in Pittsburgh to extend their winning streak to eight games and although I don't see them needing another comeback, I do see them extending the winning streak to nine with a win over the Ravens in Dallas.
DETROIT over Jacksonville (Sunday, 1:00 p.m. ET, CBS): The heading coach seat in Jacksonville is getting warmer and warmer with each loss the Jaguars suffer the rest of the season. It'll get even hotter when they lose up in Detroit on Sunday. The Lions have quietly moved into first place in the NFC North and on their bye last week they watched the Vikings, Packers and Bears all lose in the division. Next Thursday, on Thanksgiving, the Lions will play the Vikings again -- they beat them two weeks ago in Minnesota -- but this time it'll be in Detroit and for the first time in who knows how long, the Lions could be all alone in first place on Thanksgiving. That's something to be thankful for if you're a Lions fan.
Tennessee over INDIANAPOLIS (Sunday, 1:00 p.m. ET, CBS): The time is now for the Titans. I was super impressed with their performance against the Packers last week and if they continue to run the ball at 146-yards/game, they're going to be tough to beat. The running game, plus the play of QB Marcus Mariota, who is 4th in the league with 21 TD passes, will lead the Titans to a win over the Colts and the win will put them above the .500 mark.
CINCINNATI over Buffalo (Sunday, 1:00 p.m. ET, FOX): The Bengals looked awful last week against the Giants. Couldn't run the ball, once again, couldn't protect Andy Dalton when it mattered, failed to stop the run when it matter on defense, left WR Odell Beckham Jr. wide open one too many times, the list goes on. The Bengals are a desperate team, but so are the Bills, who have lost three straight. With this game being at Paul Brown Stadium, I think that gives the Bengals a slight edge. Close game with the Bengals coming out with a much needed victory.
KANSAS CITY over Tampa Bay (Sunday, 1:00 p.m. ET, FOX): Kansas City plays a very vanilla brand of football that, no disrespect intended, is uninspiring and boring. However, the Chiefs are 7-2 and currently hold the tiebreak over the Raiders for first place in the AFC West. The main reason for their success has been their turnover differential. Kansas City has thrown just three interceptions and has lost only four fumbles the entire season. Their defense has recovered nine fumbles and they lead the league in interceptions with 13 -- CB Marcus Peters is tied for the league lead with five interceptions and has recovered three fumbles as well. Bucs QB Jameis Winston has thrown 10 INT this season, which is fifth most in the league. It won't be pretty, but the Chiefs will force some turnovers and win another football game.
NY GIANTS over Chicago (Sunday, 1:00 p.m. ET, FOX): Wasn't impressed at all by watching the Giants beat a struggling Bengals team on Monday night. The Giants have zero running game, they dropped a pass on just about every possession and besides on the Bengals last drive in the fourth quarter, their defense did not get a ton of pressure on Andy Dalton. It's beyond me how the New York Giants are 6-3, but they should get another win on Sunday against the struggling Chicago Bears.
Arizona over MINNESOTA (Sunday, 1:00 p.m. ET, FOX): I want to take the Vikings here, but they've played so poorly the last four games, all losses, that I can't justify picking them. Their offense has scored an average of 14 points/game during the losing streak and they have zero running game. It's Week 11 and the Vikings leading rusher is RB Jerick McKinnon with 241-yards rushing. They are averaging a league worse 69.8 yards/game on the ground and are averaging just 2.7 yards/carry. I know the Vikings have been decimated with injuries on the offensive line and they're without RB Adrian Peterson, but you have to run the ball to win games late in the season. Until the Vikings do that, they'll continue to struggle. Cardinals win a close one.
Miami over LOS ANGELES (Sunday, 4:05 p.m. ET, FOX): It's about damn time. The Rams are finally going to start rookie Jared Goff at quarterback on Sunday. It only took till the third Sunday in November, but Goff will finally get a chance to start an NFL game. Problem for Goff is he's facing a hot Dolphins team that has won four in a row. The Rams defense will keep them in the game, but I just don't see Goff and the Rams offense being able to make enough plays to win this game.
New England over SAN FRANCISCO (Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET, CBS): I was surprised the Seahawks were able to defeat Tom Brady and the Patriots up in Foxborough last week, but Seattle is one of the best teams in the league for a reason. The 49ers on the other hand are not. Don't expect a Patriots losing streak. New England will play much better this week and get the win out on the West Coast.
SEATTLE over Philadelphia (Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET, CBS): It was impressive watching the Eagles surrender just 15 points and 303-yards of offense to the Atlanta Falcons last week and that was a very good win for them. Flying out to Seattle to play the Seahawks, a week after they beat the Patriots on the road, will be no easy task though. Seattle is just too good on defense and if they can hold Tom Brady to zero touchdown passes, they can certainly do the same to Eagles rookie QB Carson Wentz.
WASHINGTON over Green Bay (Sunday, 8:30 p.m. ET, NBC): The Packers are a mess. 47 points allowed and a complete and utter disaster last week in Tennessee. Green Bay looks like they'll be missing the playoffs for the first time since 2008, Aaron Rodgers first full season as the starting quarterback. The Packers have a lot of injuries, no running game, and their defense has given up 111 points in the last three games, an average of 37 points/game. Not exactly a recipe for success. The Redskins, especially QB Kirk Cousins, have been playing well and they'll get the win Sunday night.
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| Estadio Azteca, one of the most famous soccer stadiums in the world, will host the Texans and Raiders on Monday night in Mexico City. (Photo Courtesy of Mexsport) |
Byes: Atlanta, Denver, New York Jets, San Diego
Last Week: 7-7
Overall: 86-61 (.585)
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