Week 11 Predictions - 2012

Arizona Cardinals (4-5) at Atlanta Falcons (8-1):

I still maintain that the Cardinals are a decent team. Unfortunately, dropping a couple of games to the Bills and Rams that they shouldn’t have has landed them in a really tough out for the remainder of the season. Having to travel to Atlanta after the Falcons suffered their first loss of the season doesn’t make things much better for them, though.

Atlanta Falcons: 27-17

 

Cleveland Browns (2-7) at Dallas Cowboys (4-5):

I liked what little I saw out of the Cowboys last week against a listless Eagles team. However, Dallas has shown it struggles to run the ball without DeMarco Murray lining up in the backfield. Against a solid Browns squad that has managed to shut teams down on occasion this year, that one-dimensional offense could be a risky prospect. Add in Cleveland’s youth getting a full extra week to prepare, and we’re looking at another upset this week.

Cleveland Browns: 17-13

 

Green Bay Packers (6-3) at Detroit Lions (4-5):

I’ve probably talked about this to the point of annoyance this week, but Megatron’s fumble last week is literally the only late-game play from Johnson that I can ever remember costing the Lions a shot at a win. That said, given how solid Detroit has been able to play, especially on defense, in the last few weeks, nothing in the NFC North is sealed yet. Unfortunately for the Lions, they get Aaron Rodgers and the Pack coming off a bye, with a now-healthy Jordy Nelson leading the receiving corps again. If the Lions want to make another playoff run this year, they’ll have to shock Green Bay first.

Green Bay Packers: 31-27

 

Cincinnati Bengals (4-5) at Kansas City Chiefs (1-8):

As impressed as I was by Kansas City’s effort in Pittsburgh last week, I don’t think it comes close to matching the pounding the Bengals put on the Giants. Granted, New York is in characteristic second-half choke mode, Cincinnati still managed to dominate New York in every facet of the game last week, and Kansas City won’t be facing Byron Leftwich for an entire half this week.

Cincinnati Bengals: 27-24

 

New York Jets (3-6) at St. Louis Rams (3-5-1):

Remember when the Jets put up 48 points on the Bills in Week 1 and everybody thought the preseason was just a gimmick? Yeah, those were the days. Not only is the offense anemic, the defense struggles to stop anyone on the ground, and with a solid ground game coming out of St. Louis right now, New York’s struggles should only worsen this week.

St. Louis Rams: 31-20

 

Philadelphia Eagles (3-6) at Washington Redskins (3-6):

Cue up the Tom Petty, because Philly’s in free fall. Of course, the Eagles’ answer is to respond with quarterback controversy, which always (read: never) works out. RGIII should have fun putting up laughable numbers against Philadelphia this week.

Washington Redskins: 34-28

 

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (5-4) at Carolina Panthers (2-7):

As ridiculous as Tampa Bay’s offense has been in the last few weeks, it worries me. Doug Martin’s explosion against the Vikings was incredible; his follow-up explosion against the Raiders has to be chalked up to poor gameplanning, though. Vincent Jackson’s breakout game against the Saints benefitted from a pathetic secondary. Tampa Bay’s offense is one of the best in the league, no doubt, but its success in recent weeks has stemmed from a single player’s performance. What happens when there’s no breakout player? Questions to ponder. As much as Carolina is struggling on both sides right now, I don’t think the Bucs should be overly concerned just yet.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 31-23

 

Jacksonville Jaguars (1-8) at Houston Texans (8-1):

It’s a good thing the Chiefs hadn’t led for a single second in any of their first eight games, or we’d all be talking about how lousy the Jaguars have been this year. Of course, now that the Chiefs have finally led in a game, I still don’t wanna talk about how bad the Jaguars are. Have fun, Arian Foster.

Houston Texans: 34-17

 

New Orleans Saints (4-5) at Oakland Raiders (3-6):

Exhilarating home win against the previously unbeaten Falcons? Check. Finding out that the defense does, in fact, have NFL talent? Check. Looks like a perfect time for a letdown game. As well as Drew Brees has been playing, Carson Palmer has been having an equally spectacular season for the Raiders. Oakland doesn’t have as much depth in playmakers as the Saints, but given a (slightly) better defense, and a quarterback putting up nearly 400 yards a game over the past few games, and Oakland has a good chance at outdueling New Orleans at home this week.

Oakland Raiders: 38-31

 

San Diego Chargers (4-5) at Denver Broncos (6-3):

I’m sure the Chargers are desperate for some revenge against Denver. After all, that second-half collapse sent the Chargers reeling and catapulted Denver to one of the AFC’s top teams. That said, San Diego has since lost a track meet to Tampa Bay at home, and lost a grueling, defensive affair at Cleveland. This isn’t a team that’s losing for lack of talent; it’s losing because it can’t close games. Meanwhile, that Denver team that only showed up in the fourth quarter at the beginning of the year? Yeah, that’s gone, replaced by an offensive juggernaut that makes it impossible for opposing offenses to keep up.

Denver Broncos: 31-23

 

Indianapolis Colts (6-3) at New England Patriots (6-3):

I don’t think anyone will argue that Andrew Luck has been much better than even his pre-draft hype suggested. The Colts are not only winning games; they’re doing it in ways that suggest a solid team with years of chemistry behind it. The best for both teams this week, though, is that this rivalry isn’t only alive, it’s still meaningful. Tom Brady has way too many weapons at his disposal, and eventually, a fourth quarter will click for the Patriots, but Luck should be able to give New England a scare this week.

New England Patriots: 24-20

 

Baltimore Ravens (7-2) at Pittsburgh Steelers (6-3):

I’m a little curious about this one. It’s arguably as intense a rivalry as there is in the NFL, and these games almost always break down into brutal slugfests. But that’s not the Ravens team we’re seeing this year. Baltimore’s defense is so bad, the offense has to put up outlandish numbers just to stave off opponents. Given the history of this rivalry, though, it’s hard to imagine this turning into a track meet, which will favor the Steelers.

Pittsburgh Steelers: 20-17

 

Chicago Bears (7-2) at San Francisco 49ers (6-2-1):

Jay Cutler is out. Alex Smith is shaky at best. This will be a game that relies almost exclusively on running backs and defensive lines, and Chicago has too many playmakers in those areas for San Francisco to keep up.

Chicago Bears: 23-17

 

Last Week: 9-4-1

Overall: 90-54-1