NFL Picks Week 11: 5 Upsets and 5 Blowout Sure To Happen
When picking NFL games, it's usually either upsets or blowouts being selected.
For Week 11 this article is going to present upsets AND blowouts.
Both are bound to happen each week in the NFL, whether they are expected or not. Who knew the Philadelphia Eagles would blowout the Washington Redskins 59-28 on the road? And who thought the Dallas Cowboys would go into New Jersey and defeat the New York Giants?
Maybe if you expected one of those things to happen people would believe you. But to have called both? That's just unlikely.
So why not try to do both on the slight chance that you can be able to tell your friends "I told you so."
Upset No. 1: St. Louis Defeats Atlanta
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Atlanta is No. 1 in many power rankings, which is effectively the kiss of death.
In this season's topsy-turvy NFL, anything and everything has been happening. So why can't Sam Bradford and the Rams take out the supposed top team in the NFC?
The Rams might be below .500 in the abysmal NFC West, but they are 4-1 at home, including an upset win over the San Diego Chargers.
On defense, the Rams are allowing just 12.6 points per game at the Edward Jones Dome and their sixth ranked rush defense should be able to slow down the Falcons eight ranked rush offense.
Sure, you must be saying that now all the Rams need to have happen to win is Sam Bradford outplaying Matt Ryan.
Stranger things have happened, especially in the 2010 NFL season.
Blowout No. 1: Baltimore at Carolina
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Ray Lewis and the Ravens are not playing their best football of late.
But they've had a long time to recuperate after a Thursday night game in Week 10 and should be looking to take their frustration from a late loss to the Falcons out on the pitiful Panthers.
Even if the Ravens defense gave up an uncharacteristic number of yards and points to the Buffalo Bills, the Panthers are not the Bills.
The Bills have defensive problems but actually have a decent offense. The Panthers offense is historically bad.
Looking to make a statement about their viability as a contender, the Ravens will dominate this one thoroughly from start to finish, imposing their will on the over-matched Panthers.
Upset No. 2: Detroit Defeats Dallas
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Fact: The Dallas Cowboys do not have a single home win at Jerry World.
Jim Schwartz has the Lions playing tough despite their 2-7 record. They have a positive point differential and the defense improves each week.
While the Cowboys are coming off a 33-20 road victory over their NFC East rivals, the New York Giants, they didn't really show that they've fixed the problems that led to a 1-7 start.
They still allowed the Giants to move up and down the field on them to the tune of 480 yards of offense.
Those that think this means the Cowboys are on the right track are misguided.
They still have a long way to go. That will show through this week when the Lions come to Dallas and knock the Cowboys right back on their butts.
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Blowout No. 2: Seattle at New Orleans
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The New Orleans Saints defense is forcing about one fewer turnover per game than the team's 2009 unit. However, they are, in many ways, playing better all-around defense.
All they need is Drew Brees to stop throwing so many interceptions and they'll be back near the top of the pile in the NFC.
The Seahawks have nothing on offense to challenge the Saints, as they lack the quarterback or running backs to combat the fierce defense of the Saints. They also have the 28th ranked pass defense, which Brees should pick apart all day.
The Saint are not going to make the mistake of allowing another inferior opponent beat them at home. In fact, they will make it two blowouts in a row following their 34-3 victory over the Panthers.
Upset No. 3: Washington Defeats Tennessee
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Sure that was an embarrassing loss to the Eagles on Monday night; that's exactly why the Redskins are going to be hyped up to upset the Tennessee Titans.
After being thoroughly embarrassed by the Eagles, the Redskins will want to play their best.
Against an AFC opponent that is unfamiliar with them, the Redskins best will be enough to pull out the upset.
Donovan McNabb and the 14th ranked Redskins pass offense will pick apart the Titans 25th ranked pass defense, while the Titans 31st ranked pass offense, even with Randy Moss, won't be able to capitalize enough on the Redskins 31st ranked pass defense to stave off the upset.
Blowout No. 3: Denver at San Diego
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The San Diego Chargers are starting to wake up.
Added to this is the fact that this divisional win would be the Chargers first. They need this game badly and can't drop a game at home where they are 3-1.
And they won't. In fact, this will serve as a notice to the remainder of the AFC West that it is still technically the Chargers' division.
The Chargers' third ranked pass defense will shutdown the Broncos' potent pass attack while Philip Rivers and a rapidly improving Chargers receiving corps will exploit a Broncos defense that allows 28 points per game en route to a blowout.
Upset No. 4: Oakland Defeats Pittsburgh
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Zach Miller is getting healthy, which is bad news for a Steelers team that is coming off a three touchdown game from Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski.
The return of Miller should energize the Raiders passing game enough to help them defeat the Steelers. They will need it if this upset is going to happen.
The Steelers are first in the NFL against the run, allowing just 63 yards a game. That means they can neutralize the Raiders strength.
But the Steelers are hurting really bad right now.
Sure, this is bold.
The Steelers probably don't lose back-to-back home games too often. However, they are just 2-2 at Heinz field this season and even if Hines Ward plays on Sunday, it might not be enough to take out the red-hot Raiders.
Blowout No. 4: Houston at NYJ
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Last season the Jets beat the Texans in Houston 24-7, not allowing the Texans offense to score a single point.
This season the two teams meet again in New Jersey.
Arian Foster is a great weapon, but he really hasn't faced a run defense as strong as the Jets fifth ranked rush defense this season.
Andre Johnson is also a great weapon, but last season he was held to four catches for 35 yards by Darrelle Revis.
If you didn't know, go ask Calvin Johnson if Revis Island is back, as the corner held Megatron to one catch for a measly 14 yards in the Jets/Lions matchup.
The Jets just match up well with the Texans offense. Matt Schaub's best weapons will be eliminated and the less-than mobile quarterback will be pressured by the Jets defense.
Meanwhile, the Texans defense can't stop anybody. This has the makings of a blowout.
Then again, the Texans are most likely playing for their season and the Jets have not blown out any team since Week 4.
Upset No. 5: Indianapolis Defeats New England
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Yes, the Patriots are 4-0 at home and not apt to lose there.
But sooner or later somebody is going to exploit that Patriots 30th ranked pass defense for a lot of points.
Who better to do that than Peyton Manning.
Sure he is missing Dallas Clark and Austin Collie, but Manning is a surgeon out on the field.
Add that to the fact that it is questionable how much the combination of Ben-Jarvus Green Ellis and Danny Woodhead can capitalize on the Colts 29th ranked rush defense and you have the formula for an upset.
Last week Tom Brady made a statement against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Pittsburgh.
This week look for Peyton Manning to make a similar statement in New England.
Blowout No. 5: Green Bay at Minnesota
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Teams have been getting blown out at home with regularity in the past couple of weeks. First the Broncos lost 59-14 at Mile High Stadium and then the Redskins allowed the Eagles to walk all over them at FedEx field.
This week Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers will put a stake in the heart of Brett Favre's career and the Minnesota Vikings season by blowing them out at Mall of America Field in Minnesota.
It would only be fitting that Rodgers return the favor of Favre sweeping the Packers in 2009 with a sweep of his own in 2010.
Green Bay is heating up and the Vikings are just about ready to quit on Brad Childress, if they haven't already.
Clay Matthews will terrorize Favre. Rodgers will put on a show. And the Packers will stake their claim in the NFC North.
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