NFL Picks Week 11: Playoff-Caliber Teams That Will Cruise to Easy Wins

The playoff contenders are beginning to distinguish themselves from the teams that don't quite have the foundation in place to reach the 2013 NFL postseason.

Week 11 offers up some favorable opponents for a few of the upstart teams that have exceeded the expectations of many and are in position for a playoff berth despite some obvious flaws.

Thankfully for this trio, the schedule is kind on Sunday. Let's take a look at some of the clubs in the running for extra football in January, along with a complete list of picks for the remaining games on tap.

New York Jets over Buffalo Bills

A battle of two rookie quarterbacks in the Jets' Geno Smith and Bills first-round pick EJ Manuel—what could possibly go wrong?

The answer is a lot given their levels of inexperience, which is why New York will rely on a superior defense to pull this AFC East battle out in Ralph Wilson Stadium.

Manuel has to go up against the exotic defensive schemes Jets head coach Rex Ryan will have waiting for him. Ryan got the better of the youngster in Week 3's encounter, when Manuel completed just 19 of 42 passes in a 27-20 loss.

Smith threw for 331 yards in that game as the Jets piled up a whopping 513 yards of total offense. Unfortunately, a lack of discipline—to say the least—resulted in 20 penalties for 168 yards.

Chances are, Ryan won't allow his crew to be that sloppy again.

The receiver position is where the Jets and Smith are going to have a big advantage, though. While New York's most talented wideout, Santonio Holmes, returns after a five-game absence, Bills star Stevie Johnson has been declared out:

All signs point to the Jets moving to 6-4 and solidifying their position at No. 6 in the AFC playoff picture.

Prediction: Jets 24, Bills 17

Detroit Lions over Pittsburgh Steelers

The Lions are susceptible to big plays on the back end of the defense, but they have a favorable matchup even on the road against the Steelers in that regard.

A shaky Pittsburgh offensive line struggles to establish the run and leaves QB Ben Roethlisberger—who holds the ball too long as it is—open to a lot of physical punishment. Beyond Antonio Brown, there isn't much depth to speak of in the Steelers receiving corps, either.

Chris Burke of Sports Illustrated tweeted something roughly two weeks ago that still rings true now—Matthew Stafford is the healthiest starting signal-caller in the NFC North:

That's great news for Detroit, who forms arguably the most explosive passing game combination in the league with Calvin Johnson.

Although the Steelers pass defense is formidable, Pittsburgh can't stop the run, which should translate to a big day from Reggie Bush and a victory to retain at least a one-game lead atop the division.

Prediction: Lions 31, Steelers 21

Arizona Cardinals over Jacksonville Jaguars

This could be the week where even the most casual fans become acquainted with Cardinals running back Andre Ellington.

The explosive rookie out of Clemson is proving to be one of the gems of the 2013 draft as a sixth-round pick. Ellington hasn't gotten as many touches as many feel he should, but he's averaging 7.2 yards per carry and nine yards per catch on 24 receptions.

Chase Stuart highlights the difference between Ellington and frequent starter Rashard Mendenhall:

Jacksonville may have won its first game in Week 10, but its defense is dead-last against the run.

Establishing the ground game isn't exactly a point of emphasis in head coach and play-caller Bruce Arians' pass-heavy vertical offense, but the matchup alone should see Ellington as more of a focal point.

Oh, and Cardinals QB Carson Palmer should have plenty of time to throw against a pass rush that's generated an NFL-low 12 sacks all season.

The Jags haven't been able to establish Maurice Jones-Drew all season, and it won't happen against Arizona's No. 3 rush defense. That will set the Jacksonville back on the skids, but closer to the No. 1 overall pick in the 2014 draft.

Meanwhile, Arizona will improve to 6-4 and stay in the NFC wild-card hunt ahead of Week 12's home contest against the Indianapolis Colts—Arians' most recent coaching stop before heading to the desert.

Prediction: Cardinals 34, Jaguars 13

Away Team	Home Team	Winner
New York Jets	Buffalo Bills	Jets
Baltimore Ravens	Chicago Bears	Bears
Cleveland Browns	Cincinnati Bengals	Browns
Washington Redskins	Philadelphia Eagles	Eagles
Detroit Lions	Pittsburgh Steelers	Lions
Atlanta Falcons	Tampa Bay Buccaneers	Buccaneers
Arizona Cardinals	Jacksonville Jaguars	Cardinals
Oakland Raiders	Houston Texans	Texans
San Diego Chargers	Miami Dolphins	Chargers
San Francisco 49ers	New Orleans Saints	Saints
Green Bay Packers	New York Giants	Giants
Minnesota Vikings	Seattle Seahawks	Seahawks
Kansas City Chiefs	Denver Broncos	Broncos
New England Patriots	Carolina Panthers	Panthers