NFL - Week 11 Predictions

Ringer's Record
Last Week ATS: 8-8
Last Week SU: 8-8

Season ATS: 74-71-1 (51%)
Season SU: 95-51 (65%)

NY Jets (-4.5) at Denver
This game is currently in progress.

Prediction - NY Jets 20 Denver 14

Cincinnati (+7.5) at Baltimore
It is hard to figure out the Baltimore Ravens. In some weeks they have looked to be the elite team in the AFC and a sure fire contender for the Super Bowl. In other weeks they have looked as bad as any team in the AFC. Last week was one of their underwhelming performances against one of the league's doormats. They return home where they are 4-0 for a pivotal AFC North matchup. The Bengals are getting into the meat of their schedule and need a win to prove their worth. Which Ravens team shows up? I say the one closer to elite status.

Prediction - Baltimore 23 Cincinnati 16

Jacksonville (-1.5) at Cleveland
I don't know how much longer Browns fans can take it. They have been bad for the last 13 years. Now they haven't scored a TD at home in the last 8 quarters. They lost to the lowly Rams this week, and welcome another bad football team into Cleveland this week. With 5 games remaining against Pittsburgh, Baltimore, and Cincinnati, this may be the last chance for the home crowd to see a win - and maybe even a TD. The Jags can't score either, but have a solid D. That means that Cleveland fans are in for another snoozer. Give me the Browns by a FG.

Prediction - Cleveland 13 Jacksonville 10

Carolina (+7.5) at Detroit
The Lions were brought back down to earth a bit last weekend. Detroit went into Chicago and were beat down by the Bears. They return home to face a struggling Carolina team this week. The Panthers D has been inept all season, and should provide a chance for the Lions to regain their explosiveness. So much praise has been heaped on Cam Newton but the Panthers record is not improving much over last year. Chalk up another loss for the Panthers.

Prediction - Detroit 31 Carolina 22

Tampa Bay (+14.5) at Green Bay
The last team the Bucs want to play this week is the Packers. Of course with the way the Pack has been playing they are probably the last team anyone would want to face. Tampa Bay has lost 3 straight, while Green Bay is looking to remain perfect and move to 10-0. The Bucs have difficulty scoring and that is not a good that probably spells disaster against an Aaron Rodgers lead offense.

Prediction - Green Bay 34 Tampa Bay 14

Buffalo (+2.5) at Miami
Don't look now but the Miami Dolphins are playing good football. After opening the year 0-7, Miami has won their last 2 games. The Bills are headed in the opposite direction. They surprised many with their hot start but are in danger of dropping to .500 with a loss this week. This game means a lot more to the Bills in terms of a potential playoff run, but the Dolphins have dug deep and found something inside them. I like The Fins to make it 3 in a row.

Prediction - Miami 24 Buffalo 21

Oakland (-1.5) at Minnesota
The 1st place Oakland Raiders are heading to Minnesota this weekend. You read that right, I said the 1st place Oakland Raiders. As the only team above .500 in the AFC West, the Raiders sit atop the division. Carson Palmer put together his best performance since being traded to the Bay. Minnesota is coming off a short week and a drubbing at the hands of Green Bay. It will be too difficult for the Vikings to bounce back this week.

Prediction - Oakland 28 Minnesota 20

Dallas (-7.5) at Washington
The Cowboys have found new life since inserting DeMarco Murray into the starting lineup. They now sit at 5-4 and are creeping right behind the New York Giants in the NFC East. They head to the nation's capital this week to face a reeling Redskins squad. Washington has lost 5 straight and things aren't looking pretty. I expect them to get uglier this weekend. Give me the Cowboys easily.

Prediction - Dallas 27 Washington 10

Arizona (+9.5) at San Francisco
Critics have doubted the validity of the 49ers record all season. It is getting harder and harder to doubt. The 9ers took care of business against one of the NFC's better teams last week and moved to 8-1 on the year. Don't for get that they play in a weak division and they have 5 more games to play against those teams. Arizona is one of those teams. The Cards have won 2 straight, but look for that to end this weekend. San Francisco is clearly the class of the NFC West and they should clinch the division very soon.

Prediction - San Francisco 27 Arizona 13

Seattle (+2.5) at St. Louis
It's hard to believe that these 2 teams played for a playoff birth on the last week of the season last year. Neither team has a prayer of getting into the playoffs this year. They are both coming off a win though and looking to generate some momentum as we head toward the home stretch. This is one of the worst games of the weekend, but someone's got to win, so I'll go with the home team.

Prediction - St. Louis 23 Seattle 17

Tennessee (+6.5) at Atlanta
Mike Smith took a huge gamble last week and it didn't pay off. The Falcons had the opportunity to seize control of the NFC South last week, but they decided to go for it on 4th and 1 at their own 29 in OT against the Saints. They did not get it. Now they need a win to remain in the thick of the Wild Card hunt. Tennessee is in the same boat. The Titans also stand at 5-4 and need a win to stay relevant on the playoff chase. The Falcons won't lose 2 in a row in the Georgia Dome.

Prediction - Atlanta 27 Tennessee 17

San Diego (+3.5) at Chicago
The Chicago Bears have turned the corner and are headed back toward the upper echelon of the NFL. Their defense has been playing spectacularly. And their offense has been getting better every week thanks to an improving offensive line. Matt Forte and Jay Cutler have looked significantly better with the O-Line's improvement. Words can't describe the disappointment that Phillip Rivers and the Chargers have been this season. Unfortunately for them, they head to Chicago at the wrong time.

Prediction - Chicago 27 San Diego 21

Philadelphia (+4.5) at NY Giants
The Dream Team's playoff hopes diminished with their inexcusable home loss to the Arizona Cardinals. They will likely be without Michael Vick this week now. That means that their chances of playing spoiler to the New York Giants division lead diminished as well. Dallas is now on the Giants' heels, so this is a huge game on Sunday Night. The D-Line of the Giants should be able to dominate and harass which ever QB is on the field for Philly.

Prediction - NY Giants 26 Philadelphia 17

Kansas City (+14.5) at New England
The Patriots got a huge win over the New York Jets last weekend. They dominated in a 37-16 victory to reestablish their role as favorite in the AFC East. Now they welcome in a Kansas City team that will have Tyler Palko making his 1st career start at QB. I don't think Bill Belechick will take it easy on him. Palko may need to sit on the sideline and learn from Tom Brady before he attempts to make it in the big time.

Prediction - New England 30 Kansas City 13