NFL Picks Week 11: Can the Colts Crash the Patriots' Party?
NFL Picks Week 11 is here and features a number of possible upsets with a full slate of games on the schedule.
Arguably the most intriguing match-up this week features the Colts traveling to New England to meet the Patriots.
Despite an abundance of injuries, Peyton Manning has engineered Indy to the top of the AFC South.
Meanwhile, New England's young defense dominated Pittsburgh for three quarters Sunday night.
The pupil meets the teacher in Minnesota Sunday, when Aaron Rodgers and the Packers visit Brett Favre and the Vikings.
How much more magic can No. 4 possibly have left in his ailing arm?
Here's a complete look at NFL Week 11 picks.
No. 16: Chicago at Miami
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Why Chicago Could Win: Jay Cutler is finally taking care of the ball, and Mike Martz actually stuck with the run against the Vikings in Week 10.
Why Miami Could Win: Miami's defense has had some nice moments this season, and Tyler Thigpen has more talent than most third-string quarterbacks.
Prediction: Thigpen makes a few big plays in the passing game to spark the Dolphins.
Score: Miami 20, Chicago 16
No. 15: Buffalo at Cincinnati
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Why Buffalo Could Win: Ryan Fitzpatrick and the Bills' offense has played very well in the last month and finally managed to eek out a win in Week 10.
Why Cincinnati Could Win: Aside from playing at home, the bumbling Bengals have very little going for them right now.
Prediction: Buffalo torches the Bengals' secondary, making Marvin Lewis' seat even hotter.
Score: Buffalo 27, Cincinnati 24
No. 14: Detroit at Dallas
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Why Detroit Could Win: The Lions haven't had problems moving the ball with Shaun Hill at quarterback, but they need to finish drives with touchdowns.
Playing the Cowboys should help them turn yards into points.
Why Dallas Could Win: Jon Kitna found the fountain of youth Sunday, connecting with his talented receivers early and often.
Detroit's defense is vulnerable, so look for another strong effort from Kitna in Week 11.
Prediction: Antonio Bryant scores at least two touchdowns to lift the Cowboys over the Lions.
Score: Dallas 27, Detroit 17
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No. 13: Washington at Tennessee
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Why Washington Could Win: At the moment, the Redskins are hanging on by a thread in the NFC East. Another loss would basically end any chance of a run towards the postseason.
Why Tennessee Could Win: The Titans can't find consistency on offense, but everybody scores against the Redskins.
Prediction: Chris Johnson has a big game at last and Randy Moss hauls in a touchdown to lead the Titans to a win.
Score: Tennessee 26, Washington 19
No. 12: Arizona at Kansas City
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Why Arizona Could Win: Even though the Cardinals can't run the ball, the passing game appears to be alive once again with Derek Anderson at quarterback.
Anderson's big arm gives the Cards' a chance against a Chiefs' secondary vulnerable to big plays.
Why Kansas City Could Win: Matt Cassel has finally formed a connection with Dwayne Bowe.
Look for Kansas City to come out throwing for a change this week.
Prediction: The Chiefs' defense comes to play, leading Todd Haley's team to an easy win.
Score: Kansas City 31, Arizona 16
No. 11: Cleveland at Jacksonville
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Why Cleveland Could Win: Jacksonville is riding high at 5-4, but the Browns are much better than your average 3-6 squad.
Cleveland's defense is good enough to bring the Jaguars back to earth.
Why Jacksonville Could Win: Finally surrounded by weapons on the outside, David Garrard is on pace for his best season.
Don't count the Jags out of the postseason race just yet.
Prediction: The Jaguars are a healthy, and Cleveland won't be able to score too many points on the road.
Garrard throws three touchdowns as Jacksonville wins.
Score: Jacksonville 29, Cleveland 17
No. 10: Baltimore at Carolina
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Why Baltimore Could Win: The Ravens have big-time issues at cornerback, but the Panthers don't have a quarterback.
Why Carolina Could Win: It's been one strange season in the NFL, and Carolina could catch Baltimore off guard with a strong start.
Don't count on it.
Prediction: Ed Reed sparks Baltimore with two interceptions and Joe Flacco does the rest.
Score: Baltimore 35, Carolina 9
No. 9: Oakland at Pittsburgh
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Why Oakland Could Win: Tom Brady exposed Pittsburgh's corners in Week 10, and Zach Miller could have a big game against the Steelers.
Why Pittsburgh Could Win: The Steelers had one real bad game. Oakland doesn't have any reliable threats on the outside to exploit the pass defense.
Prediction: The Steelers shut down Jason Campbell and the Raiders' offense to pull off an ugly win.
Score: Pittsburgh 16, Oakland 10
No. 8: Houston at New York Jets
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Why Houston Could Win: Assuming Matt Schaub is able to play, the Texans have the weapons to challenge the Jets' secondary.
Why the New York Jets Could Win: Mark Sanchez is licking his chops as he prepares to face Houston's defense.
Prediction: After a slow start, Sanchez hooks up with Santonio Holmes for a long touchdown to spark an easy win.
New York Jets 30, Houston 17
No. 7: Green Bay at Minnesota
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Why Green Bay Could Win: The Vikings' sack party against the Packers last year is all but a memory now.
With Minnesota's pass-rush struggling, Aaron Rodgers appears poised for a huge day.
Why Minnesota Could Win: This will almost certainly be the final meeting between Brett Favre and his former team.
With all eyes focused on Favre, Minnesota turns to Adrian Peterson.
Remember him?
Prediction: Favre is once again running low on weapons in Minnesota. Meanwhile, Rodgers is getting comfortable with the talent around him.
Rodgers outplays his mentor to lead Green Bay to the win.
Score: Green Bay 28, Minnesota 20
No. 6: Seattle at New Orleans
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Why Seattle Could Win: It's tough to give the fighting Pete Carroll's a chance this week.
If the Saints sleep walk through another home game, the Seahawks could at least be in the game late.
Time to insert the "you never know what could happen" line...
Why New Orleans Could Win: With Pierre Thomas still recovering from his ankle injury, Reggie Bush will be welcomed back in the Bayou.
Drew Brees is ready for a 350-yard day against that woeful Seahawks' pass defense.
Prediction: Brees takes out his frustration on Seattle's defense, throwing four touchdowns in an easy win.
Score: New Orleans 38, Seattle 16
No. 5: Atlanta at St. Louis
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Why Atlanta Could Win: Roddy White and Matt Ryan are quietly putting up monster numbers for the Falcons.
Atlanta is much better than scrappy St. Louis on both sides of the ball.
Why St. Louis Could Win: This looks like a potential trap-game for the Falcons. The young Rams are a very dangerous team at home.
Prediction: It won't be easy, but Ryan will do just enough to hang on for a win.
Score: Atlanta 24, St. Louis 23
No. 4: Denver at San Diego
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Why Denver Could Win: The Chargers can throw the ball, but so can the Broncos.
Kyle Orton could have another huge game in San Diego on Monday night.
Why San Diego Could Win: Philip Rivers has kept the Chargers afloat this season and deserves the MVP award.
After sitting out Week 9, All-Pro Antonio Gates should be back in the lineup.
Prediction: The Broncos shock the world, getting a dominant performance from the passing game and a late touchdown to win.
Score: Denver 34, San Diego 31
No. 3: Tampa Bay at San Francisco
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Why Tampa Bay Could Win: For whatever reason, Tampa has proved to be a solid road team this season.
Points can be a problem for the Bucs, but San Francisco's offense remains a work in progress.
Why San Francisco Could Win: Tampa Bay brings the 30th-ranked run defense to the Bay Area. Frank Gore should be in line for a monster game on the ground.
Prediction: Tampa Bay takes an early lead, and panic sets in for the Niners.
Josh Freeman throws a pair of touchdowns to lead the young Bucs.
Score: Tampa Bay 20, San Francisco 13
No. 2: Indianapolis at New England
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Why Indianapolis Could Win: The Colts' offense should finally be at least a little bit healthier in Week 11.
No matter who lines up behind him or on the outside, Peyton Manning could have a nice game against the young Patriots' defense.
Why New England Could Win: The defense is young, but very talented and improving on a weekly basis.
The fighting Belichick's always seem to find a way.
Prediction: At some point, New England will have to make some big plays through the air. It won't happen in Week 11.
Instead, look for a solid game from BenJarvus Green-Ellis in a Pats' win.
Score: New England 31, Indianapolis 26
No. 1: New York Giants at Philadelphia
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Why the New York Giants Could Win: Every NFL team has had a stinker this season.
With the bad game out of the way, the Giants are lining up for a strong finish thanks to the best offense in the Tom Coughlin era.
Why Philadelphia Could Win: The Michael Vick Experience is back and better than every. If Vick gets time, he could pick apart a Giants' secondary that was awful in Week 10.
Prediction: New York sets the tone by running the ball against the Eagles, playing keep-away from Vick.
Ahmad Bradshaw and Brandon Jacobs lead the Giants to a close win.
Score: New York Giants 30, Philadelphia Eagles 28
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