NFL Week 11 Picks – Who Ya Got?

I follow these guys who have a YouTube channel. They are cousins and huge Browns fans. They have the Madden video game and run simulated games on their YT channel each week. They always do the Browns game and do a “game of the week” for the AFC and NFC. Their NFC game this week was the WAS-CAR game. During the simulation, one of them commented that the NFL has been “very drunk” this season – meaning there has been a long string of surprising games. Packers get trampled by the Saints, then win 7 in a row, Panthers then destroy the Saints, the mighty Rams get run by the 49ers, Seahawks get shut out, Philly struggles most of the year but then clobber Denver… it is frustrating to predict. My record the past 3 weeks is certainly indicative of that struggle. We’ll see if things get better in week 11.

New England at Atlanta – The Pats are on a major roll and have not lost a game on the road. Ridley’s absence is causing major issues for the Atlanta offense. Two teams going in opposite directions. Nothing changes this week. Patriots 37, Falcons 13

Baltimore at Chicago – It’s hard to imagine Baltimore laying 2 eggs in a row, especially with 10 days to prepare for this week. Fields is going to be a good QB, but he needs help up front. Ravens 23, Bears 9

Detroit at Cleveland – Well, Detroit will not go 0-17. They might go 0-16-1 though. What they do manage to do every week is compete. Cleveland has had a lot of injuries up front, not to mention the QB playing on 1 shoulder.  Uncomfortably close, but the result you expect. Browns 20, lion cubs 13

Green Bay at Minnesota – Rich Eisen has a segment on his radio show called “Overreaction Monday” where his crew asks some questions, and Rich gives his opinion on whether this question represents an overreaction. One of the questions this week was, “who the hell are the Vikings?” Really good question. I don’t even know if they know. What is known is that since that week 1 disaster, the Pack has been probably the best team in the league, only losing once, and that because the QB had The Covid. These teams hate each other but hate (like love) can only carry you so far. Packers 27, Norwegians 23

Houston at Tennessee – It’s one of the twice-annual meetings of the Houston Team vs the Team That Used To Be the Houston Team. This year’s edition of both of them couldn’t be more opposite. This will get ugly early and stay ugly. Titans 38, Texans 16

Indianapolis at Buffalo – Quite an angry response from the Bills coming off their embarrassing loss in North Florida. Indy is a good team. The Bills are probably the second-best team in the AFC. Buffalo, NC 28, Colts 20

Miami at NY Jets – We all knew the NY rebuild would be painful, but some held out hope it would be less painful than it has been. Miami has had 10 days to get ready, and that should provide the necessary advantage. Fish 23, j-e-t-s jets jets jets jets jets jets jets jets jets jets jets 10

New Orleans at Philadelphia – Is Philly all the way back after the impressive performance in Denver? I’m having a hard time believing it. With every team in the NFC South looking vulnerable in one way or another, NO is probably laser-focused on avoiding mistakes like last week. Aints 27, Eagles 21

San Francisco at Jacksonville – Here we go again trying to figure out who SF is. We know who Jacksonville is – a rebuilding team that every once in a while will show up and play a good game. Easy pickins here. 49ers 28, Jags 13

Cincinnati at Las Vegas – We now know it was a little early to anoint the Bengals and the Raiders. Which one has the big bounce-back week? I’m going to give the edge to the home team. Raiders 30, Bengals 27

Arizona at Seattle – Both teams played “forget last week and burn the tape” games. I think Seattle’s problems run a lot deeper. Cards 27, Seahawks 14

Dallas at Kansas City – Should be the game of the day. The full season’s evidence says the Denver game was the exception for Dallas rather than the rule. KC’s offense looks to be back in shape, but I think Dallas has just a little more. Cowboys 35, Chiefs 30

Pittsburgh at LA Chargers – Another one of those games where the fans of the road team will probably occupy 80% of the seats. Should give that road team a nice boost. Steelers 20, Clippers 17

NY Giants at Tampa Bay – The home team should be very motivated to right last week’s wrongs against another NFC East squad. Bucs 33, Little People 14

Washington at Carolina – That Madden ’22 simulation I mentioned earlier? We won 37-3. No way on earth that happens in real life. If anyone in the world knows how to game-plan for Cam Newton, it’s Ron Rivera. Defenses will rule the day. Washington not having injured Chase Young will be too much to overcome. PANTHERS 20, The Team Formerly Known As Redskins 16

Last week’s record: 5-9

Season: 90-60

Bye: Denver, L.A. Rams