NFL Week 11 Sunday games pick predictions, key matchups

Get ready for an action-packed slate of games in Week 11 with my expert picks for the week. As the NFL season really begins to heat up, every game becomes crucial for teams looking to secure postseason berths. From exciting matchups between division rivals to potential upsets, I’ve analyzed all the key matchups and presented my predictions. Whether you’re a die-hard fan or just looking to add some excitement to your Sunday, my goal is to provide some extra flair to your game day experience. So grab your jersey and your snacks, and get ready to see how my picks stack up against the final scores. Let the game-day festivities begin!

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Sunday, November 19 NFL games

Dallas Cowboys at Carolina Panthers, 1 p.m. EST (FOX)

Logic will tell you to pick the Cowboys here. But my heart wants to pick the Panthers because there are so many story lines that made me pay attention to Carolina this season. I like rookie quarterback Bryce Young. I like that wide receiver Adam Thielen is having success after the Vikings pushed him to the side for rookie wide receiver Jordan Addison. And I like head coach Frank Reich from his time in Buffalo. But I’m not an emotional guy outside of the Buffalo Bills. The Cowboys are the better team in every way. This game should be won easily if quarterback Dak Prescott can protect the ball and get his receivers involved early.

Cowboys for the win.

Pittsburgh Steelers at Cleveland Browns, 1 p.m. EST (CBS)

Cleveland will now be without quarterback Deshaun Watson for the remainder of the season. That would normally spell trouble for a team, because losing one’s starting QB is never optimal. But the difference with the Browns is that they have possibly the best defense in football, and they show up every week. The Steelers have found ways to win, but it’s not because their offense is great — they’re the first team in NFL history to be outgained in yards in each of their first nine games and still sit above .500. Pittsburgh comes into this game 6-3 and has a chance to stay relevant in a division that’s now also without Joe Burrow for the remainder of the season.

That said, I have to go with the Browns here. A defense like theirs can win with subpar QB play — as they have all season.

Chicago Bears at Detroit Lions, 1 p.m. EST (FOX)

This one isn’t difficult at all so I won’t make it hard. The Lions are the better team and they’re going to win the NFC North. Although the Bears aren’t currently one of the top teams, it’s still a divisional game and that means something. The Lions want to make a statement every time they play a team in their division and this game is no exception. Their offensive line has been fun to watch as they dominate the line of scrimmage and allow the running backs to have their way almost every week.

Lions with the win on the short week, buckle up for Thanksgiving.

Los Angeles Chargers at Green Bay Packers, 1 p.m. EST (FOX)

The Chargers just haven’t been the team we thought they’d be this year — which tends to be a common refrain about them, season after season. Coming into this game at 4-5, there’s still room and opportunity to make things interesting in December, but they’ve certainly made it difficult for themselves. The Packers need to find players for their offensive line and fast — and they need to find a QB. In this game the Chargers have the better QB, so when the game’s on the line Los Angeles will get the job done.

Chargers disappoint Packers fans at Lambeau Field.

Arizona Cardinals at Houston Texans, 1 p.m. EST (CBS)

Quarterback Kyler Murray is back and it is glorious! The Cardinals might mess up their draft position, but fans won’t be upset, what with games being more fun and State Farm Stadium now being electric. This week, however, is an away game. Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud is easily the rookie of the year and might get consideration for MVP if he keeps playing at the level he’s shown to this point. Houston has a favorable schedule and can really make some noise in the AFC if Stroud’s able to continue this level of play.

C.J. Stroud for rookie of the year! Texans win.

Tennessee Titans at Jacksonville Jaguars, 1 p.m. EST (CBS)

The stage is set and now’s the time for the Jaguars to really create some separation in their division. The Texans are one game back and have a favorable schedule upcoming. It’ll be important for Jacksonville to win the games they’re supposed to, this being one of them. The Titans will love having rookie quarterback Will Levis in future seasons, but I don’t think he’s quite ready to be considered a true game changer in the NFL. It’s been a fun story, but Trevor Lawrence is the best QB in the division and will need to fight to prove C.J. Stroud doesn’t deserve that title.

Jacksonville by double digits.

Las Vegas Raiders at Miami Dolphins, 1 p.m. EST (CBS)

The Dolphins have their window. They currently face an opportunity to create space in the division and try to win the AFC East for the first time since 2008. The Raiders’ season is on life support, but the team has shown well for interim head coach Antonio Pierce. Even when QB Jimmy Garoppolo was starting, the offense struggled to move the ball. Since Las Vegas benched him in favor of rookie quarterback Aiden O’Connell things predictably haven’t gone much better. The Dolphins have the potential to explode offensively at any point and the Raiders just can’t keep up.

The Dolphins roll and they cover the spread.

New York Giants at Washington Commanders, 1 p.m. EST (FOX)

I’ve been disappointed with both of these teams. Head coach Brian Daboll has gone from Coach of the Year to a rumored hot-seat contender — and it hasn’t even been one full season. The Commanders were supposed to set the league on fire with new offensive coordinator/assistant head coach Eric Bieniemy. This game doesn’t present anything exciting for most NFL fans to look forward to Sunday afternoon. Giants undrafted rookie quarterback Tommy DeVito is young and inexperienced. The only chance they have is if backup quarterback Matt Barkley has a monster game. Bills Mafia know the potential exists there, but it’s highly unlikely.

I’m taking the Commanders in this one.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers at San Francisco 49ers, 4:05 p.m. EST (FOX)

The 49ers are back to looking like the best team in football after dismantling the Jaguars 34-3 in Week 10. The Buccaneers have enough talent to stay in games and quarterback Baker Mayfield has been better than expected this season. But for me, the Niners are ready to roll all the way to Las Vegas in February.

McCaffrey has another big day and the 49ers score another win.

Seattle Seahawks at Los Angeles Rams, 4:25 p.m. EST (CBS)

Last year’s comeback player of the year, quarterback Geno Smith, is having some inconsistencies that reminds us of his years with the New York Jets as opposed to what we saw in 2022. For the season he has 11 touchdowns to seven interceptions. Last season he had 30 touchdowns to 11 total interceptions. Something isn’t clicking for the veteran right now, but the Seahawks have the same record as the division-leading 49ers. The Rams have been beaten up throughout much of this season and are in the midst of a four-game losing streak. Without knowing how healthy quarterback Matthew Stafford is with a thumb injury, I just can’t pick the Rams here.

I hope Stafford’s fully healthy, but I’m going with the Seahawks to win on the road.

New York Jets at Buffalo Bills, 4:25 p.m. EST (CBS)

Be sure to check out the Pregame Rumblings Podcast Presented By DraftKings Sportsbook for my keys to the game, SGP, and final score prediction!

Minnesota Vikings at Denver Broncos, 8:20 p.m. EST (NBC)

The Broncos are flying high after a two-game winning streak against two of the AFC’s best quarterbacks in Patrick Mahomes and Josh Allen. This is another week in primetime for Russell Wilson and Broncos Country. There’s reason to be excited for Broncos fans, but the Vikings have reason to celebrate as well. Quarterback Joshua Dobbs won’t end up their new franchise quarterback, but the season isn’t lost. And — with the return of wide receiver Justin Jefferson — who’s to say they can’t win some game and try to disrupt the NFC? The Vikings should be a fun story the rest of the season, and they’re likely to bring the Broncos back down to earth.

Vikings win by a touchdown.

Bye week: Atlanta Falcons, Indianapolis Colts, New England Patriots, New Orleans Saints

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