NFL Week 11 Preview
Many playoff races got a lot tighter in week 10. Four division leaders, the Chiefs, Saints, Cowboys, and 49ers, all took surprising hits last week. In addition to that, the Colts, Rams, and Bills also suffered unexpected losses that have put their playoff hopes in jeopardy. The Bears, Titans, and Steelers also received much needed wins to stay in the mix. This all makes these next few weeks very interesting, as one or two more unexpected outcomes can really shake up the playoff picture. This week has no shortage of big games, including important division matchups, rematches of some recent memorable games, and a duel between two of the leagues brightest young stars, which is where will kickoff this week's picks.
Texans vs Ravens
There are few players more dynamic and entertaining in this league than Lamar Jackson and Deshaun Watson. That means we are in for a real treat when they share the field this coming Sunday. Both are sure to impress both with their arm and their legs, just as they have all year long. And while both are in 1st place in their respective divisions, both of them really need this win with some tough games ahead and rivals on their tail. Both sides have had quite an ordinary defensive performance this season, so it's on both of these young QB's to lead their teams to victory this week, as well as the rest of the year.
There is no denying how good both of these players have been, but Lamar Jackson just appears to be on another level. While Watson has been a bit better through the air so far, Jackson's running ability is outrageous. We haven't seen a QB like this since Michael Vick, and Lamar might be even better than he was. It takes a special talent for a young QB to humiliate a Bill Belichick defense like Jackson did a couple weeks ago. Unless Houston has some special secret to stopping this guy, Baltimore should continue to light up the scoreboard and put up W's.
Ravens win, 40-34
Patriots vs Eagles
Less than 2 years after it was played, a Super Bowl LII rematch is coming to Philly this Sunday. With so little time passing and thus many of the key players still on the rosters, one may have expected back then that this rematch would be highly intriguing. However, with New England continuing to seemingly grow even more dominant every year, the declining Eagles are big underdogs in this one, just like everyone seems to be when they face New England. Philly needs to find a little bit of the magic that they had a couple seasons ago if they want to make the playoffs again. Maybe playing a familiar opponent could achieve that. Or maybe it will just make them realize how far they have fallen.
Like most of the country, I'm anticipating the latter. It isn't that the Eagles aren't a good football team, but they simply do not stack up against a team like New England. And to add insult to injury, the Patriots are coming off a bye. In games following their bye week, the Patriots are 14-4 since 2001. Historically, including Super Bowls, Brady is 4-2 against Philly with 15 TD's, 2 INT's, 341.5 yards per game, and a passer rating of 101.4. The Eagles just don't seem to have anything going in their favor. This game will simply demonstrate the continued, relentless dominance of the New England Patriots.
Patriots win, 34-20
Bears vs Rams
If you like dominant defense, the game these two played a year ago on Sunday night in Chicago might have been your game of the year, especially if you're a Bear fan. Now the Rams are ready for their rematch on their home turf. This time around, the stakes are much different. After each team pretty much coasted to a division title last year, many are surprised to see them both in 3rd place and out of the current playoff picture. Instead of aiming towards a 1st-round bye, these teams are now trying to scratch and claw their way to any spot they can get. Every game is critical moving forward. Neither team can afford this loss with the schedule they have in front of them.
This one could turn out very similar to last year's bout. Both defenses have absolutely dominated the ground game, which means these questionable QB's are going to have to step up their game. That isn't something I'm confident that either of them can do. Goff and Trubisky have put up passer ratings of 82.7 and 85.2 respectively. Goff has shown the ability to make some big plays and put up a lot of yards, but he also is prone to his share of big mistakes. Trubisky, on the other, is more neutral. He's not often going to lose the game with major mistakes, but he's not going to win it by making the big play either. Now the question becomes, which of these styles is more likely to bring a win? Usually I would lean towards the guy with fewer mistakes. That's what worked last time they met. However, this Bears' offense in 2019 has struggled so much that it's hard for me to expect any amount of production against a real defense. In this game, it might only take a couple big plays from Goff to win it. Even if he makes as many mistakes as last time, I'm not sure Chicago can capitalize.
Rams win, 16-10
Chiefs vs Chargers
With the Chiefs continuing to lose games, their rivals still have hope that they can take the division from under them. At the start of the year, you probably wouldn't have thought the Chargers would still have a shot to pass up the Chiefs if they posted a 4-6 record through the first 10 games. But due to some shoddy play by KC recently, they still very much have a chance. But if they are going to do it, they need win this week and step up their game moving forward.
This Monday does bring a chance for the Chargers to gain some offensive momentum. The Chiefs have brought little to the table in terms of defensive prowess, particularly in stopping the run. L.A. should recognize that and take advantage and might finally get their talented running backs rolling. Kansas City does hold their own against opposing QB's through a stout pass rush, but a veteran like Rivers should be able to work his way around it. The real problem comes on the other side of the ball. While the Chargers have not allowed high point totals this season, it is a bit of a mystery to me how they have done so. Their pass rush is not as good as it was in years past. They don't take away the ball a lot. Opposing passers have put up an average rating over 100. They've also been just as bad against the run as KC. I have no idea how the have maintained top 10 defensive status. They won't be able to stop Reid and Mahomes' offense with how they've played.
Chiefs win, 34-30
