NFL Playoff Contenders Emerge: Week 11 Preview

With Week 11 of the NFL right around the corner, we will find out who is the playoff contender or playoff pretender.

The Denver Broncos have fallen apart since their miraculous 6-0 start, losing three games in a row to Baltimore, Pittsburgh, and Washington respectively, by a total of 85 points allowed and only 34 points forced.

How did Josh McDaniels and the Broncos manage to lose to the Redskins, yet beat the Cowboys and Patriots in Weeks Four and Five?

Denver was on a roll out of the gates, seemingly unstoppable other than a Week One freak play by Brandon Stokely off a pass tipped by Leon Hall that just happened to fall right into Stokely's lap for an 87-yard touchdown.

In Week 10, Washington had all the right calls for Denver, including a fake punt pass thrown 35 yards from Hunter Smith to Mike Sellers for a touchdown.

Early in the game Denver was rolling, as Kyle Orton completed two long bomb touchdowns to receiver Brandon Marshall. Redskins running back, and former Bronco, Clinton Portis was out with an injury, which allowed Ladell Betts to come in and provide a consistent running game, putting up 114 yards rushing off 26 carries. Denver had no answer for a third straight week, losing 27-17.

Now with Week 11 in the house Denver will be taking on the San Diego Chargers who are looking for their fourth straight win and forcing a fourth straight Denver loss. Déjà vu, huh?

Last season the Broncos were on their way to an easy playoff run, yet then lost three games in a row to end the season, including a divisional game with the Chargers, which they lost 52-21.

The AFC West is on the line this week as the 6-3 Broncos welcome the 6-3 Chargers into Invesco field @ Mile High.

Important Matchups

Indianapolis Colts (9-0) @ Baltimore Ravens (5-4)

One of the best quarterbacks in the NFL, Peyton Manning will be looking for another 10-0 start to add to his career.

Indy caught a break last week after being down against the Patriots when Belichick and the Pats went for the first down on 4th-and-2 on their own 28-yard line and did not succeed. Peyton was able to easily dice up a couple throws and hit Reggie Wayne on an inside route for the game-winning score.

Baltimore, on the other hand, faced the Cleveland Browns on Monday night, which they easily won by a score of 16-0. The Ravens defense was dominant, forcing QB Brady Quinn to complete only a miserable 13-of-31 along with two interceptions.

My pick: Colts win, 30-24

Atlanta Falcons (5-4) @ New York Giants (5-4)

The Atlanta Falcons are loaded with talent, yet have not been able to consistently win games. Same story goes for the Giants who have now lost four games in a row after starting off at a hot 5-0 pace.

QB Matt Ryan for the Falcons has continued to struggle over the last few weeks, throwing interceptions in each of his past six games.

The problem with Atlanta is that they have not found the proper way to get the ball in Tony Gonzalez's hands. Gonzalez should be the Falcons automatic third down option, as he is the most reliable player on that offense followed by Michael Turner and Roddy White.

The Giants and Eli Manning have been in the same type of situation. Eli has struggled mightily and the Giants defense has given up a total of 133 points in the last four games.

This is an important game based on the fact that these are two teams on the outside, looking in for a playoff spot.

My Pick: Falcons win, 35-24

San Diego Chargers (6-3) @ Denver Broncos (6-3)

Back again on the Chargers-Broncos topic, like I said earlier, this is a do-or-die game for both teams.

If the Chargers lose, Denver will take a 2-0 tiebreaker into the playoff chase, yet if the Broncos lose, Denver will drop to 6-4 and possibly be out of the divisional chase and even possibly the wild-card playoff spot.

During this decade, no rivalry within the AFC West has been filled with more hatred than these two teams. Images flash back of Philip Rivers mocking the Broncos' sideline while Jay Cutler puts on his pout face.

Now, this is a different team with a different attitude. Kyle Orton could possibly be out of this game, allowing former Texas QB Chris Simms a chance to start and take his team back to the top level of performance.

This game comes down to who can run the ball and play the best defense.

My Pick: Chargers win, 27-20