NFL Predictions Week 11: Previewing the Weekend's Most Anticipated Games

Week 11 will feature quite a few intriguing matchups around the NFL, where the New Orleans Saints will win one of this weekend’s biggest matchups.

It’s time for the title contenders to step up and make a statement. There are huge games in both conferences, and one of the inter-conference games will go a long in way in determining one of the playoff races.

This is the time of year for teams to work for high playoff seeds. Getting home-field advantage is important, especially for a team like the Saints. They will get a chance to host a contender this weekend and show that they are one of the league's elite teams.

Here’s a look at this week’s games, along with some predictions for the top games on tap.

Date	Time (ET)	Away	Home	Prediction
11/14	8:25 p.m.	Indianapolis Colts	Tennessee Titans	Colts
11/17	1 p.m.	New York Jets	Buffalo Bills	Jets
11/17	1 p.m.	Atlanta Falcons	Tampa Bay Buccaneers	Falcons
11/17	1 p.m.	Detroit Lions	Pittsburgh Steelers	Lions
11/17	1 p.m.	Washington Redskins	Philadelphia Eagles	Eagles
11/17	1 p.m.	Arizona Cardinals	Jacksonville Jaguars	Cardinals
11/17	1 p.m.	Oakland Raiders	Houston Texans	Texans
11/17	1 p.m.	Baltimore Ravens	Chicago Bears	Bears
11/17	4:05 p.m.	San Diego Chargers	Miami Dolphins	Chargers
11/17	4:25 p.m.	Green Bay Packers	New York Giants	Giants
11/17	4:25 p.m.	Minnesota Vikings	Seattle Seahawks	Seahawks
11/17	4:25 p.m.	San Francisco 49ers	New Orleans Saints	Saints
11/17	8:30 p.m.	Kansas City Chiefs	Denver Broncos	Broncos
11/18	8:40 p.m.	New England Patriots	Carolina Panthers	Patriots

San Francisco 49ers (6-3) at New Orleans Saints (7-2)

Before the season began, this looked game like it could be a battle for home-field advantage in the NFC playoffs. Although it still could play a factor, the San Francisco 49ers are more concerned about just getting into the playoffs. They face the tough task of going into the Superdome to take on the Saints.

San Francisco lost, 10-9, to the Carolina Panthers last week, but the Niners had been on quite a run before that this season. San Francisco had averaged 34.8 points during its five-game winning streak and won each game by an average of 22.6 points. The 49ers ran into a tough defense in Week 10, and now they could be involved in a shootout.

New Orleans has alternated wins and losses in its last five games. If that trend continues, the Saints would lose this week. However, they are 5-0 at home and tough to slow down in the Superdome. 

The Saints are averaging 35.2 points at home this season, including four straight games with at least 31 points. Their last four home victories have come by an average of 23.8 points.

Saints quarterback Drew Brees has 18 touchdowns and only two interceptions at home this year.

New Orleans just held Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo to 128 yards passing in the Superdome, which isn't a good sign for San Francisco. The 49ers rank 32nd in the league in passing, so they could have a tough time keeping up with Brees and the Saints. 

Prediction: New Orleans Saints 35, San Francisco 49ers 21

Kansas City Chiefs (9-0) at Denver Broncos (8-1)

This is the game of the week. It is what everyone has been waiting for and offers a great contrast of styles. Denver owns the top-scoring offense (41.2 points) while Kansas City is the top-scoring defense (12.3 points).

Peyton Manning is on his way to a fifth NFL Most Valuable Player award, as the 37-year-old has thrown for 3,249 yards and 33 touchdowns in only nine games.

Manning has done a fantastic job of distributing the football. He has completed 71 percent of his passes with his ability to get everyone involved. Demaryius Thomas, Julius Thomas and Wes Welker each have nine touchdown receptions this season.

The last few games haven’t been kind to Manning’s body. He has been beaten up by the Indianapolis Colts and San Diego Chargers. The Chiefs lead the league with 36 sacks, so this could be another rough week for him, but Manning is good enough at getting rid of the football quickly.

Last week was the first time that the Broncos had been held to fewer than 33 points. That’s saying something.

These two teams will play twice in the next three weeks, so the division could be decided based on these meetings. Kansas City’s defense has been great, but the offense hasn’t scored a touchdown over the last six quarters.

The Chiefs have squeaked by some inferior opponents in recent weeks, and the Broncos will take advantage of their offensive struggles.

Prediction: Denver Broncos 28 - Kansas City Chiefs 17

New England Patriots (7-2) at Carolina Panthers (6-3)

The Panthers are second in total defense (283.3 total yards) and scoring defense (12.8 points), so Tom Brady and the New England Patriots are going to have their hands full.

New England took a two-game winning streak into its bye week, just as its offense was finally getting it together. The Patriots were averaging 34.8 points in the four games leading up to the bye. Now that Rob Gronkowski and Danny Amendola are on the field at the same time, Brady can get back to business.

Carolina hasn’t allowed more than 15 points in a game since the first week of October. Before their one-point victory in San Francisco on Sunday, the Panthers had been blowing out teams. They won four straight by an average of 20.5 points prior to their close call against the 49ers.

The Panthers are allowing only 9.3 points per game at home, so something has to give in this one.

Since 2003, the Patriots are 9-1 following a bye. Head coach Bill Belichick knows how to get his guys ready following a week off.

New England is in control of the AFC East while Carolina enters this weekend one game in back of New Orleans in the NFC South. This game means a lot more to Carolina, but in the end, Brady will be too much.

Prediction: New England Patriots 21, Carolina Panthers 14

*All stats are courtesy of NFL.com