NFL

2014 NFL Picks: Week 11 Edition

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By @GilAlcarazIV

Picking Week 11 of NFL Action

Tom Brady Cover
Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports

Sadly, the 2014 NFL season is winding down as we head into the final seven weeks of the regular season. Several teams have emerged from the pack, while others have floundered out on the field. Numerous teams are still jockeying for position, which makes picking games each week all the more difficult. Still, we carry on.

My record is 100-46-1 on the season. While that's certainly a solid mark, you assume the risk when you take my advice.

Buffalo Bills (5-4) @ Miami Dolphins (5-4)

Ryan Tannehill
Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports

Buffalo Bills (5-4) @ Miami Dolphins (5-4)

Ryan Tannehill
Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports

Pick: Dolphins

While this sounds like a disappointing Thursday night matchup, it should be more entertaining than most of the TNF showdowns this season. Kyle Orton has proven to be a solid starter for Buffalo this season, but the Dolphins’ defense is playing lights out right now. Miami will edge out a win.

Minnesota Vikings (4-5) @ Chicago Bears (3-6)

Teddy Bridgewater
Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports

Minnesota Vikings (4-5) @ Chicago Bears (3-6)

Teddy Bridgewater
Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports

Pick: Vikings

The Vikings have been far from impressive this season, but the Bears are playing pitiful football right now. They got demolished by the Packers on Sunday night, and appear like a complete train wreck at this point in the season. It won’t be a cake walk for Teddy Bridgewater, but he’ll get Minnesota to .500.

Houston Texans (4-5) @ Cleveland Browns (6-3)

Terrance West
Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports

Houston Texans (4-5) @ Cleveland Browns (6-3)

Terrance West
Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports

Pick: Browns

As crazy as it seems, the Browns are now sitting atop the AFC North. Although they haven’t played like a powerhouse, they’ve shown consistency and reliability in the clutch that we’ve rarely seen out of Cleveland. The Texans are a quality team, but Ryan Mallett won’t win his first NFL start.

Atlanta Falcons (3-6) @ Carolina Panthers (3-5-1)

Matt Ryan
Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Atlanta Falcons (3-6) @ Carolina Panthers (3-5-1)

Matt Ryan
Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Pick: Falcons

Both of these teams are in shambles right now. The Falcons, however, are coming off a win against the Buccaneers while the Panthers have lost three straight games. Monday night isn’t expected to go well for Carolina, which will allow Matt Ryan and Co. to come into town and earn a win.

Cincinnati Bengals (5-3-1) @ New Orleans Saints (4-5)

Jimmy Graham
Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

Cincinnati Bengals (5-3-1) @ New Orleans Saints (4-5)

Jimmy Graham
Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

Pick: Saints

Based on what we saw from Andy Dalton and the Bengals last week, it’s hard to imagine they’re 5-3-1. The Saints are coming off of a disappointing loss to the 49ers, but still showed the ability to compete with contenders. Expect Drew Brees to hook up early and often with Jimmy Graham on their way to a win.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1-8) @ Washington Redskins (3-6)

Robert Griffin
Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1-8) @ Washington Redskins (3-6)

Robert Griffin
Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports

Pick: Redskins

Josh McCown looked like a quality quarterback on Sunday until two late interceptions (and a subsequent post-game meltdown) proved these are still the same old Buccaneers. The Redskins have shown some competitiveness throughout the season, and should be able to come away with a resounding victory.

Denver Broncos (7-2) @ St. Louis Rams (3-6)

Peyton Manning
Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports

Denver Broncos (7-2) @ St. Louis Rams (3-6)

Peyton Manning
Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports

Pick: Broncos

Going up against a high-flying Denver offense and opportunistic defense, the Rams don’t stand much of a chance. While St. Louis has been more competitive than many of us expected, Peyton Manning is on fire right now and the Broncos defense is playing lights out as well. It’ll be a long day for Austin Davis.

San Francisco 49ers (5-4) @ New York Giants (3-6)

Frank Gore
Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

San Francisco 49ers (5-4) @ New York Giants (3-6)

Frank Gore
Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

Pick: 49ers

Right now, the Giants just aren’t playing good football. The offense can’t get going, and the defense has quickly proven incapable of slowing down anyone or anything. As long as the 49ers don’t commit too many turnovers, they should keep their playoff hopes alive with a win here.

Seattle Seahawks (6-3) @ Kansas City Chiefs (6-3)

Dontari Poe
Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

Seattle Seahawks (6-3) @ Kansas City Chiefs (6-3)

Dontari Poe
Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

Pick: Chiefs

No one expected it to be this difficult for the Seahawks this season, but it has been. While they’re still well in the hunt for a playoff spot, they currently own the No. 6 seed in the NFC. The Chiefs, however, are going to take that away. Kansas City is arguably the most underrated team right now, and will prove it against Seattle.

Oakland Raiders (0-9) @ San Diego Chargers (5-4)

Philip Rivers
Brad Barr-USA TODAY Sports

Oakland Raiders (0-9) @ San Diego Chargers (5-4)

Philip Rivers
Brad Barr-USA TODAY Sports

Pick: Chargers

While the Chargers have certainly disappointed in the last few weeks, I can’t buy the Raiders until I actually see them land in the win column. They’ve played decent football all season, but can’t close games out at all. The Chargers should get back on track at home against Oakland.

Detroit Lions (7-2) @ Arizona Cardinals (8-1)

Calvin Johnson
Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports

Detroit Lions (7-2) @ Arizona Cardinals (8-1)

Calvin Johnson
Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports

Pick: Lions

As great as the Cardinals have been, the loss of Carson Palmer will be costly. Their defense can carry them into the playoffs, but holding off Calvin Johnson and Co. might be too difficult of a task. This one should be close, but a key turnover from Drew Stanton should seal the deal for Detroit.

Philadelphia Eagles (6-2) @ Green Bay Packers (6-3)

Aaron Rodgers
Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

Philadelphia Eagles (6-2) @ Green Bay Packers (6-3)

Aaron Rodgers
Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

Pick: Packers

Mark Sanchez can only look good for so long. Even if he does play well against the Panthers on Monday night, Sanchez is going to struggle against an underrated Packers defense. Look for Aaron Rodgers and his receivers to make minced meat of the Eagles secondary on their way to another big win.

New England Patriots (7-2) @ Indianapolis Colts (6-3)

Tom Brady
Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports

New England Patriots (7-2) @ Indianapolis Colts (6-3)

Tom Brady
Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports

Pick: Patriots

After an early-season hiccup, the Patriots are firing on all cylinders right now. Tom Brady is playing some of his best football, and the defense is making enough plays to keep pace. The Colts and Andrew Luck have looked excellent throughout the season, but will come up just short against New England.

Pittsburgh Steelers (6-4) @ Tennessee Titans (2-7)

Ben Roethlisberger
Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports

Pittsburgh Steelers (6-4) @ Tennessee Titans (2-7)

Ben Roethlisberger
Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports

Pick: Steelers

Even after an embarrassing loss to the pitiful Jets in Week 10, the Steelers shouldn’t have too much trouble taking care of the hapless Titans. Zach Mettenberger has shown well, but isn’t yet to the point where he can win games. The Tennessee defense is a mess, and Ben Roethlisberger should exploit it all day long.

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