NFL Season 100!! Week 11 Predictions: Watson vs. Jackson in a potential AFC playoff match

We have reached Week 11, as the games are getting more intense and harder to pick. We have three games with a spread in double digits, but in reality even those games could have surprising outcomes. With the Falcons, Dolphins, Jets, and Titans pulling off some big upsets, it is getting tough to trust the favored teams as we carry on to the later part of the season. Some teams such as the Patriots and Ravens appear to be escaping with their divisions already with their great records. But luckily we still have some good competition in most divisions, as the 8-2 Packers remain only a game in front of the Vikings, the Raiders are staying in the picture to catch the Chiefs, while the Eagles and Cowboys have a good battle going, and of course the Seahawks have shown us they can still compete for the division title with the 49ers.

The big game this week in my opinion is the mobile QB showdown we have in the early set of games between the visiting Texans and Ravens. The Texans are coming off the bye and look to be more healthy, but Lamar Jackson and the Ravens just showed us again their offense is not one easy to contain. The numbers Jackson has put up already in his early career are crazy, as he looks to be entering his name into the MVP contest. The Steelers win streak has put some pressure on Baltimore, while the Texans still look to stay ahead of the Colts in AFC South. These division leaders should give us a great show on Sunday, as Watson and Jackson will look to out do each other in both the pass and run game to achieve the win. My record is 86-61-1 on the year, here are my Week 11 picks and how you may want to go into the sports books thinking.

Thursday NOV. 14th @ 8:20 PM ET

5-4 Pittsburgh Steelers (+2.5, +125) vs. 3-6 Cleveland Browns (-2.5, -145)

The Steelers are hot, looking like contenders again and will be getting their RB Conner back. They have the much better coach and a defense that is not very forgiving. Mayfield will need a very clean game to keep up in this one. This is my easy upset pick, as that +125 money line looks really good.
Prediction: Steelers 23-17  
Sunday NOV. 17th @ 1:00 PM ET

5-4 Dallas Cowboys (-4.5, -210) vs. 3-5-1 Detroits Lions (+4.5, +185)

Fractures in the spine can't be any fun, though he has not been ruled out his "week to week" status makes me believe Stafford won't play again this Sunday and we will see Driskel taking the snaps. He had 269 passing yards against the Bears and I don't believe he will come up with enough offense against Dallas. The Cowboys offense has seemed to have very little motivation thanks to their coaching staff, but Dak should have a good time finding Cooper and Gallup against the Lions secondary. Cowboys cover the spread and have this one in the bag by the fourth quarter.
Prediction: Cowboys 31-23

4-5 Jacksonville Jaguars (+3, +130) vs. 5-4 Indianapolis Colts (-3, -150)

Foles is coming back and word is Brissett is going to return as well from his mild injury. This has honestly been one of the toughest divisions to predict, as these teams seem to like staying right around .500 with their records. The difference in this game will be the run game, both QBs are looking to get back in the groove and will need their RBs to do a good amount of work. The Colts can stand up to the run much better than Jacksonville. So I have to take the home team in this one, especially since Foles will need a bit more time than Brissett to get the hang of things again.
Prediction: Colts 23-17  

6-3 Buffalo Bills (-5.5, -250) vs. 2-7 Miami Dolphins (+5.5, +210)

The Dolphins have a winning streak! Props to them, but they won't be able to keep it going against the Bills defense. Buffalo is annoyed after dropping the game against Cleveland, it looked like they had wrapped it up with a defensive TD, only to see that taken away by the refs. The Bills are making a push for a playoff seat and won't let the Dolphins take it away from them. With some big sacks and a turnover or two, Buffalo has this in victory formation late in the 4th quarter.
Prediction: Bills 28-20

3-6 Denver Broncos (+10.5, +425) vs. 7-3 Minnesota Vikings (-10.5, -575)

The Vikings saw the Packers add their 8th win last week and while Green Bay is on the bye, they know they need to get their 8th as well. The Vikings offense and defense have both been clicking well and though Denver is known for a good defense, I think the Vikings have a better one. I do not expect a high scoring game, but like always this year will Denver I expect a close one. That 10.5 point spread is to large, as Denver will give the Vikings a good fight but like usual will drop it by a single score late.
Prediction: Vikings 24-17

7-2 New Orleans Saints (-5.5, -250) vs. 3-6 Tampa Bay Buccaneers (+5.5, +210)

Well the Saints sure got a wake up call, and now they go from the last place team in the division to the second to last place team visiting the Buccaneers. We have two big pass offenses that like to throw the long ball down the sidelines. Brees will need to be able to do that this week, as the Bucs have one of the best run defenses. The question is if he will have the time to find his targets unlike last week. I expect a much closer game than most predict, as this one will be decided by turnovers and sacks. Whoever can get to the QB more. I trust Brees much more than Winston, but I like the Bucs plus 5.5 spread, especially with Lattimore missing from the Saints secondary. Godwin and Evans will be easy targets.
Prediction: Saints 30-28

2-7 New York Jets (+1, +100) vs. 1-8 Washington Redskins (-1, -120)

The Redskins are coming off the bye and have home field advantage so they are the favorite with the smallest spread of the week. But when they can't seem to put up more than nine points it is hard to think they will win anything. Look for Crowder to put up some good yardage and a TD, if you are in need of a fantasy WR this week. The Jets add a third win to their record, as they see their first round draft pick get a bit less valuable.
Prediction: Jets 24-13

2-7 Atlanta Falcons (+6, +220) vs. 5-4 Carolina Panthers (-6, -260)

After seeing the Saints take the fall, the Panthers have their Week 11 opponent to thank for the hope that the NFC South is not fully out of reach yet. McCaffrey just came up short against the Packers in the end up at Lambeau, he is going to look to make sure that doesn't happen again this week. The Falcons defense came to life against the Saints, sack after sack as the Falcons impressed a lot fo us. The Panthers will study that and figure out how to get quick passes off to Moore, Olsen and McCaffrey and bring home the win. I would take that -260 money line though, as the Falcons have some momentum right now.
Predictions: Panthers 27-23 

6-3 Houston Texans (+4, +180) vs. 7-2 Baltimore Ravens (-4, -210)

I can't wait to watch this one, the Redzone better focus on it for me during the big line of early games. The Ravens have the best run game in the NFL, but Houston has a really good one as well. This game will come down to which offense can come through more frequently with the third down plays and keep possession of the ball. Nothing against Watson and Hopkins, but I can't go against Lamar Jackson and his ability to out run the defense for those extra few yards. This will be a good showdown, but the Ravens will take it thanks to their consistency.
Prediction: Ravens 31-27 

Sunday, NOV. 17th @ $;05-4:25 PM ET

3-6-1 Arizona Cardinals (+11.5, +500) vs. 8-1 San Francisco 49ers (-11.5, -700)

The 49ers lost some key pieces in their game against the Seahawks. With or without them, the 49ers are not gonna drop a second game in a row. Arizona had a little comeback against them on Halloween, but the 49ers defense are not going to give Murray a shot this time. They don't like seeing that loss on their record and will bring some heavy pressure and punishment this weekend. Still 11.5 point spread is a bit much, I would take the Cardinals with those bonus points.
Prediction: 49ers 34-24

0-9 Cincinnati Bengals (+10.5, +425) vs. 5-4 Oakland Raiders (-10.5, -550)

Out of the big double digit spreads, this is the only one that I think can be covered. The Bengals can't stop any offense, Jacobs, Waller, and Carr are going to have a good time. At home, in front of the Black Hole, the Bengals will make a good amount of mistakes that will only turn into more Raiders points. The 10.5 spread is big, but the Raiders should be able to cover it with Dalton probably on the bench and that terrible Cincy rush defense.
Prediction: Raiders 38-17 

8-1 New England Patriots (-3.5, -185) vs. 5-4 Philadelphia Eagles (+3.5, +165)

Brady is going to destroy the Philly secondary. Sanu has proven to be a new target he likes and the run defense is the Eagles strength, so don't expect to many handoffs. The Eagles will need a lot of sacks if they want to be able to come away with this one. If Brady has to much time, he will find Edelman or one of his receivers for the first down. That top Patriots defense will be another challenge, as Wentz can't turn that ball over to keep up in this one. To many factors swing in New Englands favor, they should lock this one up thanks to a late turnover.
Prediction: Patriots 30-24

Sunday, NOV. 17th @ 8:20 PM ET

4-5 Chicago Bears (+6.5, +250) vs. 5-4 Los Angeles Rams (-6.5, -300)

Before the season, if you looked this far into the schedule you would probably think this would be one of the biggest games of the regular season. Well it turned out not to be so exciting, as both of these teams have shown little inspiration in recent weeks. The Bears offense finally had some life against the Lions, but now Trubisky get to face Aaron Donald. Goff has had to rely on his pass game with little help from Gurley and the run game, but that has lead to a lot more turnovers and defeats thanks to plays such a the pick-6 we saw against the Steelers. In the end, this one will be close and 6.5 money line may be to much.
Predictions: Rams 20-17 
Monday, NOV. 18th @ 8:15 PM ET

6-4 Kansas Chiefs (-3.5, -185) vs. 4-6 Los Angeles Chargers (+3.5, +165)

Are you prepared for an offensive battle? Mexico City will get one on Monday night, as Mahomes is going to find Tyreek Hill for some big plays and Rivers is going to need to show us some good numbers with passes to Allen and Williams to keep this one interesting. The Chargers have a much better rush defense but unlike Rivers, Mahomes is mobile. This game is vital to both teams, as the Chargers want to make a push for a playoff seat and the Chiefs want to stay in front of Oakland. This game comes down to a late clutch play.
Prediction: Chiefs 34-30

Bye weeks: Green Bay Packers, New York Giants, Tennessee Titans, & Seattle Seahawks

-Tom Franich