The playoff race is heating up, and this weekend’s slate holds plenty of marquee matchups that will shape the playoff picture. Here are picks across the board for Week 11.
Commanders vs Dolphins
9:30 AM ET
This will be the first ever regular season game played in Spain. It also will be a game between two teams who are 3-7.
The Commanders have had injuries derail their season, with QB Jayden Daniels missing the majority of the season. On the other side, everything has gone wrong for the Dolphins this year. After a terrible start to the year, the team fired their GM Chris Grier, but decided to stick with HC Mike McDaniel… at least for this season. Once the next up and coming head coach from the Shanahan tree, McDaniel is now coaching for his job.
While both of these teams seasons haven’t gone the way they have thought they would, the Dolphins are coming off a blowout win against the Buffalo Bills. And the Commanders are in the middle of a 5 game losing streak, less than a year removed from playing in the NFC Championship Game. I like the Dolphins to win a close one here in Madrid, with McDaniel fighting to keep his job as head coach.
Prediction: Dolphins 27, Commanders 21
Packers vs Giants
1:00 PM ET
The Packers went into the year as a Super Bowl contender, after acquiring Micah Parsons in a blockbuster trade with the Cowboys. But so far this season, they have not always looked like a team capable of winning the NFC.
The Packers are coming off losses against the Panthers and the Eagles, and now sit at 5-3-1 on the season. As a result, many are questioning the Packers offense, specifically HC Mike LaFleur and QB Jordan Love. If the team still wants to make a deep playoff run this year, the time is now to flip the switch.
On the other side, the Giants are coming off a loss against the Bears in a game they could have and probably should have won. Following the loss, the team decided to fire HC Brian Daboll, who held a record of 20-40-1 as the Giants head coach. The team’s offensive coordinator, Mike Kafka, is stepping in as the interim coach.
In Kafka’s first move as head coach, he appointed Jameis Winston as the starter over Wilson for this week’s game, with Dart battling injury. Jameis will provide an immediate boost to this offense compared to Wilson, and expect Winston to make this a close game. But with the Packers needing a win to right the ship, I expect them to pull off this win in New York.
Prediction: Packers 28, Giants 17
Texans vs Titans
1:00 PM ET
The Texans are coming off a thrilling come from behind win against the Jaguars last week. A game in which backup QB David Mills passed for 292 yards and 2 touchdowns, and led the team to outscore the Jags 26-0 in the 4th quarter.
QB CJ Stroud will be OUT this game as he deals with a concussion, so Mills will be leading the offense once again. The team is sitting at a record of 4-5, and will face the Bills on a short week following this game. If the Texans hope to return to the playoffs this year, this is a must-win game.
Meanwhile, the Titans have had a terrible year. With the excitement of first overall pick Cam Ward leading this team, the season has been a complete disappointment. Leading to HC Brian Callahan getting fired early into the year. While Ward has shown flashes of being a star, the team has too many holes for them to compete in games this year.
Expect the Texans to pick up a win here as they continue their push to getting back into the playoff race.
Prediction: Texans 27, Titans 13
Panthers vs Falcons
1:00 PM ET
This will be the second matchup of the year for these two teams. In the prior meeting, the Panthers dominated the Falcons, routing them 30-0. The Panthers are sitting at 5-5, hoping to stay in the playoff picure, while the Falcons are 3-6, hoping to get their season back on track.
The Panthers have been a very inconsistent team this year. They are two weeks removed from an impressive win in Lambeau field against the Packers, but followed that up with a loss to the tanking Saints.
The Falcons are back from an oversees game, where they lost to the Colts in OT. For a team with higher expectations heading into this year, the season has been a huge let down. But, the Falcons still have a path to righting the ship and getting back into the playoff picture.
For what should be an explosive offense, led by Penix, Bijan, and London, the Falcons have been wildly inconsistent this year. But I expect this team to bounce back and get a win against a divisional opponent, and inch closer to getting back into playoff relevancy.
Prediction: Falcons 24, Panthers 17
Bears vs Vikings
1:00 PM ET
This will be a big NFC North matchup between two playoff hopeful teams. In Ben Johnson’s first year, the team has soared to a 6-3 start, putting themselves firmly in the playoff picture. Meanwhile, the Vikings are sitting at a 4-5 record, but have shown signs of promise since QB JJ McCarthy’s return.
For the Bears, it’s evident the immediate impact that Ben Johnson has made on the team. While they have faced some lower-tier teams, the Bears have shown signs of resilience, being able to win many close games. Caleb Williams has had an up and down season, but will have the chance for a statement game this Sunday.
The Vikings season has been interesting to say the least. The team started Carson Wentz for most of the season, while McCarthy nursed an injury, and then turned back to McCarthy after Wentz suffered a season-ending shoulder injury.
In this NFC North matchup, expect the Vikings defense to make a big difference. With Brian Flores’ scheme, Ben Johnson and Caleb Williams could be in for a long day.
Prediction: Vikings 20, Bears 17
Chargers vs Jaguars
1:00 PM ET
These two AFC playoff contenders will help shape the playoff picture this Sunday. The Chargers are coming off a big Sunday Night Football win against the Steelers, while the Jaguars are coming off a crushing loss against the Texans.
With the Chargers sitting at 7-3, the team is on the verge of taking the next step under HC Jim Harbaugh. But injuries among the OL have greatly slowed down the Chargers offense.
QB Justin Herbert has been greatly pressured in games where the OL has been beat up, and this will be another tough matchup against the Jaguars defense on the road.
For the Jaguars, the team started off on fire, and looked like a top AFC playoff contender. But has then gone on to show major flaws, and is coming off a brutal divisional loss to the Texans, in which the team got outscored 26-0 in the 4th quarter.
Sitting at 5-4, the Jaguars need to start winning some games to hold their spot in the playoff picture. But I expect the Chargers to carry their momentum over from last week’s performance, and get a big win in Jacksonville.
Prediction: Chargers 21, Jaguars 17
Buccaneers vs Bills
1:00 PM ET
These are two of the top contenders from the NFC and AFC, yet have shown cracks in their armor as of late. Each team suffered disappointing losses last week, and hopes to get a win here to get back on track.
For the Bucs, the team is coming off a home loss against the Patriots, and are now sitting at 6-3. Fortunately for the Bucs, the NFC South isn’t looking competitive this year, so they can afford these losses.
The offense is greatly beat up, with Bucky Irving and Chris Godwin likely to be OUT for this game, and Mike Evans still on IR. Baker will look to continue his connection Egbuka in this game if the team hopes to come out of Buffalo with a win.
On the other side, the Bills got a huge home win against the Chiefs, just to go on the road and lose to the lowly Dolphins the following week. The team is also sitting at 6-3, but trails the Patriots by a game and a half for the division.
The Bills need to stack wins if they hope to catch the Patriots, and Josh Allen will be looking to carry the team to victory this Sunday. I expect the Bills to get a big bounce back win at home this Sunday.
Prediction: Bills 31, Buccaneers 27
