Week 11 NFL Predictions/NFL News

Indianapolis Colts Quarterback looks to improve his team to 10-0 this Sunday against the Ravens.

There’s some interesting match-ups in Week 11 in the 2009 NFL Regular Season. There’s no must-see game like there was with the Pats/Colts last week, but there’s definitely some games that could have some big Playoff implications. I missed the prediction for the Miami/Carolina game last night because I was taking in Dane Cook in Saskatoon – say what you want about him but he is a funny guy and puts on a great live show.

As far as the Dolphins/Panthers game last night; Miami proved that there is life after Ronnie Brown by defeating the Panthers by a score of 24-17. Ricky Williams who started in place of the injured Brown accounted for all 3 of Miami’s Touchdowns. Panther’s QB Jake Delhomme nearly tied things up on the last play of the game when he heaved the ball into the end zone but it was batted down and effectively ended the game as the Dolphins survived a 14 point 4th Quarter by the Panthers.

Indianapolis Colts (9-0) Vs. Baltimore Ravens (5-4)

This is a game between two of the best at their respective positions. Peyton Manning is known around the football world as one of the most intelligent Quarterbacks to ever play the game, while on the flip-side Ray Lewis is feared-league wide and is the heart and soul of the Raven’s defence.

These two teams met back on October 12th at Lucas Oil with the Horseshoe’s prevailing 31-3, I’d expect a better game but ultimately it will be the same results with the Colts extending their winning streak this season to 10 and their overall regular season win streak to an impressive 19.

THE PICK: Indianapolis

Washington Redskins (3-6) Vs. Dallas Cowboys (6-3)

The best rivalry in football takes to the gridiron this Sunday in Dallas. The Redskins have struggled all season long but snapped a losing skid last weekend against the crumbling Denver Broncos. The Cowboys are coming off a tough loss to the Pack last weekend in Lambeau and will no doubt be looking to take a strangle-hold on the NFC East with a big win at home in these two teams’ first meeting of the 2009 campaign.

THE PICK: Dallas

Cleveland Browns (1-8) Vs. Detroit Lions (1-8)

Oh boy… these are the kind of games that you just know are going to be terrible. The Browns have the worst offence I’ve probably ever seen and the Lions are, well, the Lions. I might tune into this game just for the pure comedic aspect of it – hey, it’s a strange sense of humour but watching two struggling football teams turns my crank sometimes. Detroit is at least on the upswing (I guess you could call it that) with a young QB and a win which is more than they could say last year. The Browns on the other hand are getting worse and a major overhaul is going to be needed there at seasons end.

THE PICK: Detroit

San Francisco 49′ers (4-5) Vs. Green Bay Packers (5-4)

Big game for the Pack and 49′ers. Green Bay needs a win to keep their Wild Card bid alive as it is unlikely they will be able to catch the 8-1 Minnesota Vikings. The 49′ers are just 2 wins behind NFC West Division Leader’s Arizona Cardinals, meaning a win against the Pack will prevent them from falling behind as the Cards will likely dispose of the Rams this weekend.

The Packers have one of the best defensive backfields in the NFL and Alex Smith can be erratic at times which could make for an interesting afternoon.

THE PICK: Green Bay

Buffalo Bills (3-6) Vs. Jacksonville Jaguars (5-4)

The Buffalo Bills enter the post Dick Jauron era Sunday against the Jags who need to keep winning to keep their Wildcard hopes alive as they are extremely unlikely to catch the division-leading Colts. Sometimes you see a team who has just recently fired their coach respond in a big way by pulling out a win the following week but I don’t think that is the case here. The Bills have a lot more wrong with them right now than just their Head Coach but getting rid of Juaron is likely the first of a flurry of moves that will be coming in the off-season.

THE PICK: Jacksonville

Pittsburgh Steelers (6-3) Vs. Kansas City Chiefs (2-7)

This game shouldn’t be much of a problem for the Steelers – the Chiefs beat their division rival Raiders last week to climb to 2-7 but they are all but eliminated from the playoffs. The Steelers are 1.5 games back of the division leading Cincinnati Bengals so a win is essential for them to keep pace as Cincy is up against the Raiders and are likely to win.

THE PICK: Pittsburgh

Seattle Seahawks (3-6) Vs. Minnesota Vikings (8-1)

This likely won’t be much of a game. The Vikings have a devastating ground game and Adrian Peterson continues to do what he’s been doing for the past 3 years and that’s putting up big numbers. There’s no indication that is going to stop this weekend against a struggling Seahawks team. Favre had a big game last week connecting over and over again with Sidney Rice, it’ll be interesting to see how the Seahawks handle shutting him down.

THE PICK: Minnesota

Atlanta Falcons (5-4) Vs. New York Giants (5-4)

Two teams with identical records head into this game on completely different levels. The Giants are currently the owners of a nasty 4 game losing streak and are coming off the Bye while the Falcons have had a fairly up and down year and are looking to finally settle down in a groove down the stretch run. Eli has had poor outings his last few games and I expect him to bounce back this week and put up some good numbers on his way to a win.

THE PICK: New York

New Orleans Saints (9-0) Vs. Tampa Bay Bucaneers (1-8)

Well…not much to say here folks, the Saints will cruise to 10-0 despite some key injuries at cornerback, DT, and RB.

THE PICK: New Orleans

Arizona Cardinals (6-3) Vs. St. Louis Rams (1-8)

Kurt Warner returns to St. Louis to play his former team. The Cardinals are the favourites for sure but I think this game might have the makings for an upset. The Rams have been reasonably competitive this season and they’re in a position to steal a football game at home.

THE PICK: St. Louis

San Diego Chargers (6-3) Vs. Denver Broncos (6-3)

If you’re going to watch one NFL game this weekend this is definitely the one to watch. HUGE Playoff implications with this one. The Denver Broncos had a 3.5 game lead on the Chargers at one point in the season but a four game winning streak by the Chargers coupled with a three game losing skid by the Broncos makes for two teams tied atop of the AFC West at 6-3. Broncos will have back-up Chris Simms calling their signals as starting QB Kyle Orton is out with an ankle injury.

THE PICK: San Diego

New York Jets (4-5) Vs. New England Patriots (6-3)

Jets Rookie QB Mark Sanchez goes up against one of the best in the game in Tom Brady. The Pats are coming off a huge let-down last week when they blew a 17 point 4th Quarter lead against the Indianapolis Colts. New England Head Coach Bill Belichick made an interesting call to go for it on 4th and 2 despite being ahead and on their own side of midfield. I’d look for the Pats to bounce back and take out some pent-up aggression on the Jets.

THE PICK: New England

Cincinnati Bengals (7-2) Vs. Oakland Raiders (2-7)

Another stinker joins the long list of others this week. The Bengals continue to surprise everyone this year with their continued success and unfortunately for the Raiders it’s doubtful they’ll be able to snap their 3 game losing streak. An interesting stat: if the Bengals are successful in beating the Raiders it will mark the first time in franchise history that the Bengals have won 5 straight away games.

THE PICK: Cincinnati

Philadelphia Eagles (5-4) Vs. Chicago Bears (4-5)

Philly needs to win to keep up with the NFC East leading Dallas Cowboys. The Bears have lost their last 2 games but are 3-1 this year when playing at home. The Eagles lost a close one to the Chargers last week and I’m expecting them to seize this opportunity to stay in contention for a playoff spot.

THE PICK: Philadelphia

Tennessee Titans (3-6) Vs. Houston Texans (5-4)

When these two teams met earlier in the season the Texans narrowly defeated the Titans by a score of 34-31. Don’t look now but the Titans have won 3 games in a row now after going winless in their first 6. The Texans Matt Schuab is proving that he deserves his starting role at Quarterback and I think he will be a major factor in a big win over a Division Rival.

THE PICK: Houston

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SATURDAY NFL NEWS

- Recently retired coach Mike Holmgren’s name has been thrown around the last few days in regards to the Cleveland Brown’s continued offensive struggles. Holmgren stepped down as the Head Coach and GM for the Seattle Seahawks last year and is now enjoying his retirement in Phoenix.

“I’m very flattered by my name being tossed around like that,” Holmgren said by telephone from Phoenix. “It makes me feel good when I’m riding around on my motorcycle, enjoying the sun. But I hope it’s true, that someday we get a chance to talk.

Holmgren is widely regarded as one of the best offensive minds in football and would definitely give the floundering Browns offense a much needed boost.

-Saints running back and return specialist Reggie Bush will not be making the trip to Tampa Bay this weekend due to a knee injury. Also not making the trip for the Saints is Defensive Tackle Sedrick Ellis.

-The 100 Million Dollar Man Albert Haynesworth is listed as questionable for this Sunday’s game with an ankle injury. Haynesworth has made the trip to Dallas and will be a game time decision according to ‘Skins head coach Jim Zorn

-Apparently Bronco’s QB Kyle Orton could potentially get the start this Sunday against the Chargers despite word coming out earlier in the week he was all but officially sitting this week out. Broncos coach Josh McDaniels has been quoted as listing Orton as a game-time-decision.