NFL picks, predictions for Week 11: Cam-led Panthers beat WFT; Chargers sink Steelers; Seahawks upset Cardinals
The high-profile matchup between the Dallas Cowboys and Kansas City Chiefs will draw the most attention in Week 11.
Of course. It’s Patrick Mahomes and Dak Prescott and two of the NFL’s best offenses. There are three other games between teams with records of .500 or better that will influence the AFC playoff picture.
Indianapolis travels to Buffalo, and the Colts will look to continue their winning ways after a slow start. The Bengals are slim road favorites against the Raiders in a battle of two teams that need to get off two-game losing streaks. The Sunday Night Football game between the Steelers and Chargers should be fun, too. Those are the matchups to keep an eye on.
They will matter more as the season goes on.
Each week, Sporting News picks the NFL games straight up. A look at our track record so far:
With that in mind, below are our picks and predictions for Week 11:
NFL POWER RANKINGS:
Titans take over; Cowboys, Patriots shoot up; Buccaneers, Ravens drop for Week 11
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NFL picks, predictions for Week 11
Thursday, 8:20 p.m., FOX/NFL Network
The Patriots have won and covered the spread in four straight games. The Falcons have been inconsistent from week to week and have yet to win a home game. New England has 11 sacks and averages two picks per game in that streak.
Pick: Patriots 28, Falcons 20
Sunday, 1 p.m., CBS
The Colts are a different team with a healthy Carson Wentz and a ground-control attack led by Jonathan Taylor. They have one-score losses against Baltimore and Tennessee, however, and the Bills have the best statistical defense in the league.
Pick: Bills 20, Colts 17
Sunday, 1 p.m., CBS
The Bears had a bye week, and the Ravens are coming off an embarrassing road loss at Miami. The Ravens are 6-3 after a loss the last three seasons with Lamar Jackson, who will bounce back enough against at Soldier Field.
Pick: Ravens 27, Bears 21
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Sunday, 1 p.m., FOX
The Baker Mayfield critics are back out in full force, and the Browns’ margin for error for making the AFC playoffs is shrinking. Nick Chubb should be back from the COVID-19 list, however, and the Lions ranks 30th against the run. This is a good reminder of Cleveland used to be.
Pick: Browns 30, Lions 19
Sunday, 1 p.m., CBS
The Titans have managed just 67.5 rushing yards the last two weeks, but Houston allowed 136.9 yards per game on the ground. D’Onta Foreman and Adrian Peterson will liven the run game up, and the Titans just keep finding ways to win.
Pick: Titans 27, Texans 17
Sunday, 1 p.m., FOX
This is a kitchen-sink game for the Vikings, who can’t afford to fall further behind in the NFC North race. The Packers have won the last two at Minnesota, and Rodgers is 7-6 there for his career. Minnesota, which has played in eight one-score games this season, could pull this stunner. We’re trusting the Packers’ defense (that’s right) in a close one.
Pick: Packers 26, Vikings 25
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Sunday, 1 p.m., CBS
The Jets have given up 43.8 points per game in their last four games, and Mike White is coming off a four-interception performance against Buffalo. The Dolphins’ defense showed up against Baltimore, but the offense has the same struggles, too.
Pick: Jets 23, Dolphins 20
Sunday, 1 p.m., FOX
The Eagles are 0-4 at home, a trend that shows their maddening week-to-week inconsistency. Trevor Siemian continues to fill in at quarterback for the Saints, and he has yet to throw an interception. If the Saints play clean, then they can pull a road upset.
Pick: Saints 24, Eagles 21
Sunday, 1 p.m., FOX
Bank of America Stadium will be hyped for the return of Cam Newton, who will see the majority of the first-team reps this week. It’s also the return of former Carolina coach Ron Rivera, who has Washington coming off a huge upset against Tampa Bay. The Panthers start to creep closer to the playoff conversation with another victory.
Pick: Panthers 26, Washington 22
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Sunday, 1 p.m., FOX
The Niners are making a cross-country flight on a short week to face a Jacksonville team that has played in one-score games three of the last four weeks. The Jaguars absolutely can steal this game, but we’re trusting the 49ers to make just enough plays on the road.
Pick: 49ers 20, Jaguars 17
Sunday, 4:05 p.m., CBS
The Bengals are slight road favorites against the Raiders, whose season is slipping after back-to-back losses to the Giants and Chiefs. Cincinnati had a bye week to prepare for this one after back-to-back losses to the Jets and Browns. If Joe Burrow can avoid the big turnover, then the Bengals will get out with a road win that will show up in the playoff chase later.
Pick: Bengals 23, Raiders 20
Sunday, 4:25 p.m., FOX
Is Kyler Murray playing? If not, then this game becomes a lot more difficult to pick. The Seahawks were shut out in Russell Wilson’s first start back, and they have to play with a sense of desperation here. The Cardinals have won four of the last six at Seattle, a weird trend the Seahawks find a way to reverse.
Pick: Seahawks 23, Cardinals 20
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Sunday, 4:25 p.m., FOX
This should be one of the more-entertaining games of the season. The Chiefs have rediscovered their mojo after victories against the Raiders and Packers. Kansas City has a +3 turnover ratio in those games. Dallas, meanwhile, is trying to keep up for the top seed in the NFC. Mahomes and Prescott will put on a show, but we’re sticking with the home team.
Pick: Chiefs 31, Cowboys 28
Sunday, 8:20 p.m., NBC
Ben Roethlisberger could return from the COVID-19 list, and they’ll need him after last week’s ugly tie against the winless Lions. The Chargers are 2-3 at home, and that includes losses against playoff contenders in the Cowboys, Patriots and Vikings. They need to win one here.
Pick: Chargers 26, Steelers 22
Sunday, 8:15 p.m., ESPN
The Buccaneers have lost two straight games and have failed to cover three of the last four weeks. Tampa Bay beat New York 25-23 in an ugly primetime win last year, too. That said, Tom Brady set the tone for the week with a two-minute press conference after the loss to Washington. The Buccaneers have a get-right game.
Pick: Buccaneers 34, Giants 18
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