NFL Picks Week 11: Patriots and Other Sure Fire Locks

As we near the end of the season, it has become increasingly easier to pick out who the real teams are, from those locked in their spots in the middle or bottom of the pack, waiting for their position in the coming draft..

Las Vegas makes a stop at B/R today as we choose a few sure fire picks that will not bring about any surprises and possibly put some funds in your pocket.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-5) at Green Bay Packers (9-0)

Possibly the easiest pick of the week, the undefeated Green Bay Packers are riding high off of a 45-7 thrashing of the Minnesota Vikings, while the Tampa Bay Buccaneers appear ready to mail in this season after falling 37-9 to the Houston Texans.

The Packers rank third in the NFL in passing yards per game and possess arguably the best quarterback in the league in Aaron Rodgers to take on a Tampa Bay team that currently ranks 28th in passing yards given up per game at 263.

Green Bay has a severe weakness in its secondary, but I wouldn't expect the Bucs to take too much advantage, considering Josh Freeman has been slumping with the team, currently at No. 15 in the league in passing yards per game.

Carolina Panthers (2-7) at Detroit Lions (6-3)

This is a terrific matchup that features one of the NFL's greatest young offensive talents in Panthers quarterback Cam Newton, and Lions defensive lineman Ndamakong Suh.

Both players have been outstanding, with Suh being the reigning Defensive Rookie of the Year and Newton sure to earn an Offensive Rookie of the Year award with 2,605 yards and 11 touchdowns thus far.

Still, this game isn't going to be close. The Lions are coming off of an embarrassing loss to the Chicago Bears and they're looking for a bounce-back game.

A matchup with a woeful Panthers defense is just what the doctor ordered, as Lions QB Matthew Stafford and his wideout Calvin Johnson look to tear up the secondary, while running back Jahvid Best looks to take on a rushing defense coming in ranked at No. 28.

Arizona Cardinals (3-6) at San Francisco 49ers (8-1)

The Arizona Cardinals are running into an absolute buzzsaw this week as they take on arguably the league's second-best team in their division rival San Francisco 49ers.

The Niners are coming off of a monumental win against the New York Giants, and while some may say emotions may get the best of them, I wouldn't bet against an 8-1 team losing to a division rival at home.

The 49ers will be taking on a Cardinals team without its starting quarterback Kevin Kolb, which should considerably help their 26th ranked passing defense.

Expect a big day from Niners running back Frank Gore, who is looking to run all over a Cardinals defense that ranks 21st in rushing yards given up per game.

Kansas City Chiefs (4-5) at New England Patriots (6-3)

Two teams going in completely opposite directions, the Kansas City Chiefs are taking a two-game losing streak (with losses to Miami and Denver) into Foxborough, where they will take on a New England Patriots squad that is coming off of a 21-point win over the rival New York Jets.

One of the most difficult accomplishments you could complete in the NFL is winning in Foxborough, and the New York Giants have already done that; so the chances of a Chiefs team without their starting quarterback, and in the midst of a losing streak, winning in New England is low to say the least.

The Patriots' No. 1 ranked passing offense will take on a Chiefs secondary ranked 16th in the league.