NFL Week 11 Picks: Predicting Which Teams Will Score Huge Victories

There are a few teams desperate for huge victories in Week 11. 

No, not necessarily victories in which they blow out their opponent. 

To me, a huge win is a win in a game that has implications on a team's playoff chances. 

These clubs will get it done this weekend. 

Dallas Cowboys over Washington Redskins 

This isn't the scariest matchup for the Cowboys, but a divisional matchup nonetheless. 

Dallas is chasing the New York Giants for the NFC East title and winning a game like this, one that on paper they should win, is crucial to their playoff chances. 

DeMarcus Ware will bring chaos to the Redskins' backfield. The secondary should feast on Washington's ineptitude at quarterback. 

DeMarco Murray's emergence has formulated a great offensive balance for the Cowboys and not surprisingly, without all the pressure on him, Tony Romo has flourished in his last two games. 

They must keep pace with the Giants and do so with this victory over the reeling Redskins. 

Did Mike Shanahan really think he could win this season with Grossman or John Beck behind center? 

Detroit Lions over Carolina Panthers 

Analysts are ready to call the Lions "pretenders" after their 1-2 record following their 5-0 start to the season. 

With the Bears surging, Detroit needs a home victory to remain in one of the two NFC Wild Card spots. 

Matthew Stafford is coming off his worst performance of the year in which he was intercepted four times. 

What will help the Lions immensely in this game is Carolina's poor run defense that allows nearly 138 yards a game on 4.7 yards per carry. 

Detroit should be able to establish the run so Stafford doesn't have to throw the ball as frequently as he did against the Bears. The Lions won't win many games in which Stafford has 63 attempts. 

Cam Newton will have a decent game scrambling and making plays with his legs, but the Lions defensive front will limit the Panthers' big play potential. 

Calvin Johnson will get back in the end zone after not scoring last week. 

Oakland Raiders over Minnesota Vikings 

If you have the AFC West figured out, pat yourself on the back, (do people actually do that?) because you're a football genius. 

After being embarrassed in consecutive weeks by the Chiefs and Broncos, the Raiders were the far superior team against the Chargers last Thursday. 

Michael Bush stole the show with a record setting night, but Carson Palmer was extremely efficient and the defensive line was dominant all evening. 

This game will feature a ridiculous amount of rushing yards for many reasons. 

We know what the Raiders can do on the ground, but they are allowing 5.2 yards per carry—a number that has Adrian Peterson salivating. 

In the end, Richard Seymour and Co. create too much pressure on Christian Ponder and the Raiders win on a Sebastian Janikowski bomb in the final minute. 

Then again, Oakland will take a win however they can get it. 

Expect Palmer to continue his improvement against the NFL's 30th ranked secondary.