NFL 2011: Week 11 Picks

Tonight, Week 11 of the NFL football season commences at Sports Authority Field at Mile High as the Broncos host the New York Jets. This is one of 14 games this weekend, capping off with Matt Cassel's return to Foxboro on Monday night as the Kansas City Chiefs visit the New England Patriots. The 4 teams that are off this week are a combined 21-19 (21-9 if you don't count the Peyton-less Colts), and three of them (New Orleans, Houston, and Pittsburgh) lead their divisions heading into the Thanksgiving weekend.

TONIGHT'S GAME:
New York Jets (5-4) at Denver Broncos (4-5)
Pick: Denver 31, NY Jets 14

BIG GAME THIS WEEKEND:
Cincinnati Bengals at Baltimore Ravens (both 6-3, and tied for 2nd in AFC North)
This game is probably the most important game of the week, having big playoff implications, as well as chasing idle Pittsburgh in the AFC North.
Pick: Baltimore 35, Cincinnati 21

SUNDAY AFTERNOON GAMES:
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-5) at Green Bay Packers (9-0)
Pick: Green Bay 42, Tampa Bay 3

Jacksonville Jaguars at Cleveland Browns (both 3-6)
Pick: Jacksonville 17, Cleveland 10

Oakland Raiders (5-4) at Minnesota Vikings (2-7)
Pick: Oakland 24, Minnesota 14

Dallas Cowboys (5-4) at Washington Redskins (3-6)
Pick: Dallas 35, Washington 13

Buffalo Bills (5-4) at Miami Dolphins (2-7)
I remember when the Bills were 3-0 and as hot as they were in the 1990s. Since then, they've lost four of six, including last Sunday's shipwreck in Big D. Miami has reeled off back-to-back wins after an 0-7 start.
Pick: Miami 27, Buffalo 10

Carolina Panthers (2-7) at Detroit Lions (6-3)
The Lions need this win to get back on track before hosting the Green Bay Packers for their annual Thanksgiving date.
Pick: Detroit 31, Carolina 27

LATE SUNDAY GAMES:
Arizona Cardinals (2-7) at San Francisco 49ers [8-1)
Pick: San Francisco 34, Arizona 0

Seattle Seahawks (3-6) at St. Louis Rams (2-7)
Pick: Seattle 14, St. Louis 12

Tennessee Titans (5-4) at Atlanta Falcons (6-3)
Pick: Atlanta 31, Tennessee 17

San Diego Chargers (4-5) at Chicago Bears (5-4)
Pick: San Diego 38, Chicago 33

SUNDAY NIGHT GAME:
Philadelphia Eagles (3-6) at New York Giants (7-2)
Pick: NY Giants 31, Philadelphia 20

MONDAY NIGHT GAME:
Kansas City Chiefs (4-5) at New England Patriots (6-3)
These two know each other well. Chiefs QB Matt Cassel was the starter in 2008 after Tom Brady was lost to a knee injury at Arrowhead Stadium. Chiefs GM Scott Pioli and Defensive Coordinator Romeo Crennel both used to work for the Patriots. Familiarity breeds contempt.
Pick: New England 38, Kansas City 10