NFL Week 11 Picks: Projecting the 4 Biggest Winners

The NFL is a league of opportunity, as each week provides both players and teams a chance for success. As we inch closer to the playoffs, each game becomes increasingly more important. A loss in an important game could mean the difference between a playoff berth or an early end to the season.

Each week there are winners and losers of the game, but there are also big picture winners and losers. Sometimes it isn't a team's victory that makes them a winner, it could be a loss by a division rival. Most NFL players/coaches will tell you that they only focus on what they can control. However, there is no way that they don't keep a close eye on their playoff competition. 

The next few slides are going to breakdown this week's big winners.

New Orleans Saints

The New Orleans Saints are on their bye week, but they will still emerge as one of the weekend winners. New Orleans already has the lead in their division, but could see that lead extended today. The other contenders in the NFC South have very tough weekend matchups.

It would be considered a major upset if the Tampa Bay Buccaneers were able to knock off the undefeated Green Bay Packers. The Buccaneers have not had the type of season they hoped, basically already out of the playoff picture. A loss today would put them at 4-6, and likely out of striking distance to win the NFC South.

The Atlanta Falcons are hosting the Tennessee Titans, a team who has surprised more than a few people. Tennessee is led by quarterback Matthew Hasselbeck, who will not be phased by the road conditions. Atlanta is going to find themselves in a real battle, as they hope to keep pace with the Saints.

New Orleans will emerge as a weekend winner even if just one of these teams suffers a loss.

Oakland Raiders

Today is a very big day for the Oakland Raiders, as they have a chance to create some space in the divisional race. The Raiders are facing a Minnesota Vikings team who have really struggled to play competitive football.

Minnesota is starting a rookie quarterback, who is still learning how to play quarterback in the NFL. The Vikings will also be without starting cornerback Antonie Winfield, weakening an already weak secondary. This is good news for the Raiders, as they will likely be without Darren McFadden.

The rest of the AFC West is going to struggle to register a win, as they are facing some tough competition. San Diego has to travel to Chicago and face the streaking Bears. The Chargers are not playing great football, and seem unlikely to pull off a win.

Kansas City's season is slowly starting to unravel, and could basically come to an end today in New England. The Chiefs are dealing with the loss of Matt Cassel, and are going to try and pull off a win with Tyler Palko.

Oakland could emerge today with a two game lead in their division.

San Francisco 49ers

The San Francisco 49ers already have the NFC West and a playoff spot locked up, but have an opportunity to gain another win. At this point, the 49ers are playing for playoff seeding and the chance to host a playoff game. San Francisco is in good position to land the No. 2 seed, which would give them a first round bye and a home game.

It looks like the New York Giants and New Orleans Saints will be the 49ers top competition for the second seed in the NFC. Both teams currently have three losses and sit two games behind the 49ers. San Francisco has a real favorable schedule the rest of the season, making it unlikely that they lose more than a game or two.

The New York Giants have a tough divisional matchup today against the Philadelphia Eagles. Philadelphia has not been playing good football, but always seem to play their best versus the Giants. New York could very well suffer a loss today.

New Orleans has a bye week, but that only means they don't have a chance to add to their win total.

Buffalo Bills

The Buffalo Bills are suffering through a two game losing streak, but appear prime to get of the slide. They are taking on the Miami Dolphins, who are still one of the NFL's worst football teams. This is a must-win game for the Bills, as they look to keep pace with the rest of the AFC.

At this point, it seems like the Bills will be fighting for one of the two wild card spots. The New England Patriots has gained some distance in the divisional race. Buffalo's main wild card competition appears to be the Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals and Tennessee Titans.

The Baltimore Ravens are hosting the Bengals today, meaning that one of these teams are guaranteed to suffer a loss. Tennessee has to travel to Atlanta and face a tough Falcons team. Buffalo could very well see two of their playoff competitors suffer losses.