NFL Week 11 Predictions: Projecting the Top Breakout Performances

It's always fun and exciting to see a player in the midst of a breakout performance. During the course of that game, we get to see the actual developmental process take center stage.

What's more interesting is that breakout performances don't always apply to only rookie or inexperienced players. Veterans having a down year or maybe just an average season are also subject.

That being said, here are four of the top breakout performances you'll see in Week 11.

Brandon Jacobs: RB, Giants (vs. Eagles)

Ever since Ahmad Bradshaw took over the backfield in New York, Giants RB Brandon Jacobs's role to contribute and produce has been limited.

However, with Bradshaw being injured as of late, Jacobs has been the main Brahma Bull in the Big Apple. His best game this year is a solid 100 total yards against the Patriots, but it was vastly overshadowed by QB Eli Manning's play, as well as the game-winning drive.

This week, though, expect Jacobs to have his breakout game of the year.

New York is hosting the 3-6 Philadelphia Eagles, whose defense still allows 120 rushing yards per game. Philly's defense has been its Achilles heel all season long, so expect a heavy dose of Jacobs.

Prediction: 150 total yards, two TDs

Alex Smith: QB, 49ers (vs. Cardinals)

San Francisco 49ers QB Alex Smith may have thrown three TDs against the Tampa Bay Bucs in Week 5, but he only threw for 170 yards and completed 11 passes.

On the year, Smith has yet to throw for more than 300 yards and only once has he topped 250.

Now, there's obviously no reason for him to throw the ball much, especially with Frank Gore in the backfield. But this week, Frisco is playing host to NFC West rival Arizona, who's coming off a two-game win streak and feeling really confident.

That said, expect the Cardinals to stack the box to stop Gore from bursting through, which will force Smith to beat them (which is their best option anyway).

The only problem, however, is that Alex Smith manages games as good as any QB out there. And he also has the ability to shred a defense when needed.

Plus, it's not like Arizona's No. 24 ranked pass defense has any shot to begin with.

Prediction: 27-of-39 for 315 pass yards, three TDs

Chris Conte: Safety, Bears (vs. Chargers)

In the past four weeks, the Chicago Bears defense has really made some significant improvements.

For one, they've only allowed 65 points during that stretch (won all four games also), and the last two games were against potentially explosive offenses in Philadelphia and Detroit.

The improvement has really shown in the pass rush and run defense, and although the pass defense still remains as the Bears' weakest link, rookie safety Chris Conte is helping patch that up.

Conte only has one pick on the year to go with 15 tackles, but six of those tackles have come in the past two games. Now, a lot of his lack of tackles and pass deflections can be attributed to Chicago's front seven and fellow DB Charles Tillman locking coverage down.

However, with a veteran QB in Philip Rivers facing him this week, Conte must step up. Rivers has been uncharacteristic this season by throwing 15 INTs, so Conte will be given numerous opportunities.

Plus, the Bolts have a weak rush offense, so to even move the ball on the Bears, throwing the ball is their only option. And with Conte being a rookie, Rivers will try to exploit that, providing Conte with even more chances to prove himself.

Prediction: Seven tackles, two interceptions, five pass deflections

Christian Ponder: QB, Vikings (vs. Raiders)

The Oakland Raiders have a pass defense that allows almost 250 yards per game, but their rush defense is arguably worse, as it allows just over 130 yards per game.

So, when Oakland visits Minnesota in Week 11, we have to anticipate Vikings RB Adrian Peterson darting through defenders quicker than anyone they've seen this season.

For the Raiders to give themselves a chance, they must stack the box with at least eight defenders, allowing rookie QB Christian Ponder to take flight and showcase his worth as a first-round pick.

If you're a Raiders fan, the odds are much better if Ponder has to beat you instead of Peterson, regardless of how weak Oakland's defense may be.

But don't sleep on Ponder—he's shown a tremendous upside in a sound performance against Carolina (18-of-28, 236 yards, one TD). And Oakland's defense is even more vulnerable, so watch Ponder take his pro career to another level and have a big breakout game.

Prediction: 27-of-40, 325 pass yards, three TDs

Be sure to check out John on Bleacher Report. 

You can follow him on Twitter @ Sportswriter27.