NFL Picks Week 11: Playing Devil's Advocate for Week's Heavy Favorites

Let's take a look at how some of the heavy favorites in Week 11 of the NFL (Las Vegas scoreline in parentheses) could be upset. 

New York Jets (-6) at Denver Broncos

The Jets are favored by six points, but they are coming off an emotional divisional loss, have to travel three-fourths of the way across the country and were awarded just a handful of days to get ready for Tim Tebow and the Broncos' college-style offense.

Tennessee Titans at Atlanta Falcons (-6)

Titans running back Chris Johnson broke through with 130 yards on the ground last week, and he can revolutionize Tennessee's 2011 offense if he continues to look more like his old self. The Falcons are tough at home, but the Saints were able to beat them in overtime there last week.

Cincinnati Bengals at Baltimore Ravens (-7)

Andy Dalton and the Bengals showed last week that they can play with the big boys in the division. We've also seen the Ravens carry their sluggish play from one week to the next already this season.

After losing to the Jags on Monday night in Week 7, the Ravens nearly dropped a game to the Cardinals the very next week.

Carolina Panthers at Detroit Lions (-7)

Nothing about the Lions' play a week ago screams that they should be a seven-point favorite on anyone, but the Panthers' recent run warrants the line. But, if Carolina can get after Matthew Stafford and keep that offense from controlling the game, Cam Newton has the firepower to pull off the upset on the road.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Green Bay Packers (-14)

Did you know that Aaron Rodgers is 0-2 in his starting career with six interceptions against the Buccaneers?

It's true. The Bucs beat him up in both '08 and '09.

Could they continue to be his Kryptonite, even during his perfect season?

Dallas Cowboys (-7.5) at Washington Redskins

The Redskins have hardly shown a heartbeat over the past month and a half, but maybe a visit from their hated rival can spark a team that desperately needs it. Remember, the Redskins hung right with the Cowboys in Week 3 and probably should have beaten them in North Texas. 

Arizona Cardinals at San Francisco 49ers (-9.5)

Is there some faith growing in Cardinals quarterback John Skelton?

He's led the Cardinals to back-to-back wins, including a come-from-behind victory in Philadelphia last week. If he can continue to be efficient throwing the football—and you can throw on the 49ers—the Cardinals have a chance.

Kansas City Chiefs at New England Patriots (-15) 

We don't know anything about Tyler Palko, but couldn't that be a good thing for the Chiefs? The Patriots' young defense has almost nothing to go on to prepare for Monday night's game.

New England is plenty beatable when its defense doesn't play well. Maybe, just maybe, Palko has something up his sleeve.