The NFL season is in Week Eleven and tonight's game between the Arizona Cardinals and Seattle Seahawks should be an exciting one. The Cardinals (6-3) are coming off that epic finish last weekend when they defeated the Buffalo Bills, 32-30 as quarterback Kyler Murray connected with wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins for the game winning touchdown pass with two seconds remaining in the game.
The win for Arizona, coupled with Seattle (6-3) losing to the Los Angeles Rams (6-3) created a three-way tie for first place in the NFC West division. No doubt the Cardinals have been flying high so far this year and after a 5-0 start, the Seahawks have lost three of their last four games with QB Russell Wilson committing many turnovers, especially with interceptions thrown. Wilson needs to stay in control of things against Arizona in this one if the Seahawks want to win. Look for another shootout that will most likely come down to the final possession.
Four other games taking place this week with important meaning include the "prime time" games on Sunday night between the Kansas City Chiefs (8-1) and Las Vegas Raiders and the Monday night game featuring the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-3) hosting the Los Angeles Rams. Meanwhile, the Tennessee Titans travel to face the Baltimore Ravens with both teams having identical 6-3 records, while the Indianapolis Colts (6-3) will host the Green Bay Packers, who are 7-2 this season.
The Raiders (6-3) have no less than ten (or eleven) players on the COVID-19/IR list but they could be eligible to play if they test negative prior to game time in accordance with league protocol. Kansas City lost at home to the Raiders last month for their only blemish and would love to get some payback in this game. Quarterback Patrick Mahomes has been his usual brilliant self in the first nine games, throwing for 25 touchdowns with only one interception. The Raiders blew out the Denver Broncos last week, 37-12 and their defense forced five turnovers in the process.
The Colts are coming off a huge road win at Tennessee last week and lead the AFC South division to this point and face a Packers team that barely escaped with a 24-20 home win against lowly Jacksonville last weekend. The Colts have the best defense in the NFL and Green Bay has been among the league leaders in scoring through their first nine games, so something has to give.
In the game between the Ravens and Titans, both teams are coming off disappointing losses and need a win to get back on track, especially Baltimore, which is three full games behind the Pittsburgh Steelers (9-0) in the AFC North division race. In fact, Cleveland (another 6-3 team) is tied for second place in that race with the Ravens. Baltimore QB Lamar Jackson hasn't been nearly as dominant in the 2020 season as he was last year when he ran away with the NFL MVP award.
The Titans have struggled as well after a 5-0 start and in losing three of their last four games, one came against the Cincinnati Bengals. If they can control the football with their running game like they did in last year's playoff victory against the Ravens, they should have success this week. If not, then look for the Ravens to attempt to do the same and win a grind it out type of game.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have been erratic this season, losing to the Chicago Bears in "prime time" last month and getting blown out at home by New Orleans two weeks ago. They also clobbered the Green Bay Packers and last week put up 46 points in crushing the Carolina Panthers in a road win. So which team will show up against the Rams and their stellar defense on Monday night in Florida?
Four teams have the bye this weekend, including Chicago, Buffalo, San Francisco and the New York Giants. Therefore, the remaining nine games are featured in the capsule style format with the Heftyinfo picks for Week Eleven following up.
Detroit (4-5) at Carolina (3-6) - Lions won a thriller last week after squandering a 21-point lead and Carolina is banged up and coming off a blowout loss. Toss up.
Philadelphia (3-5-1) at Cleveland (6-3) - This game could go either way.
New England (4-5) at Houston (2-7) - See above comment.
Pittsburgh (9-0) at Jacksonville (1-8) - This one seems like a laugher, right? Jags almost stunned the Packers last week, so watch out.
Cincinnati (2-6-1) at Washington (2-7) - The Washington football team should win this one, but the Bengals will battle them to the end.
Atlanta (3-6) at New Orleans (7-2) - Saints should win this one, but will be without QB Drew Brees due to injured ribs. The Falcons have been improving each week.
Miami (6-3) at Denver (3-6) - Broncos have been inconsistent this season, but coach Vic Fangio knows how to rattle young quarterbacks, so the Dolphins better be ready in what should be a low scoring game.
N.Y. Jets (0-9) at L.A. Chargers (2-7) - Will this be the one win the Jets get this season? Not likely.
Dallas (2-7) at Minnesota (4-5) - Vikings have won three consecutive games and the Cowboys are a mess.
The Heftyinfo predictions for Week Eleven . . . . . . . . (Home teams are listed in bold; Lock of the Week is listed in BOLD CAPS)
Seattle over Arizona
Carolina over Detroit
Cleveland over Philadelphia
Houston over New England
Pittsburgh over Jacksonville
Washington over Cincinnati
Baltimore over Tennessee
New Orleans over Atlanta
Denver over Miami
L.A. Chargers over N.Y. Jets
Indianapolis over Green Bay
Minnesota over Dallas
KANSAS CITY over Las Vegas
Tampa Bay over L.A. Rams
Last Week's Record - 12-2
SEASON RECORD - 102-44-1
Lock of the Week Record - 8-2
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