As for the Packers (4-6), they finally snapped out of it and won last weekend (31-28 in OT against the Dallas Cowboys) to snap a five game losing streak. They need to keep it going in a positive direction and quarterback Aaron Rodgers has to step it up as he did in the win against Dallas (three TD passes) if they want to defeat the Titans.
The Titans rely mostly on the run with Derrick Henry (923 rushing yards and nine TD this season) but QB Ryan Tannehill came back last week after missing two games with injuries and fired two TD passes in the win against the Denver Broncos. They will need to mix things up against the Packers defense and also be ready to pressure Rodgers when they go on defense. The Packers were effective running the ball last week, so Tennessee (allowing just 85 YPG rushing) needs to be ready to counter that attack.
The Sunday games feature six intriguing matches, especially the Dallas Cowboys (6-3) at the Minnesota Vikings (8-1). The Vikings have won seven in a row and show a resolve to never give up and last week overcame a 17-point deficit in the second half to beat the Buffalo Bills on the road. The offense is getting it done with Kirk Cousins throwing to WR Justin Jefferson and running back Dalvin Cook doing his thing. Dallas has to be ready for anything, especially after being roughed up by Green Bay last week. The Cowboys offense has shown it can score points in a hurry at times this season and should be able to continue that against the Vikings. This game should be a close one with lots of points on the scoreboard.
The Philadelphia Eagles (8-1) are coming off their first loss this year and now travel to face the Indianapolis Colts (4-5-1), who won last week in interim head coach Jeff Saturday's debut. The Colts went for over 200 yards rushing in the game last Sunday and would like to do the same against a Philly defense that has struggled to stop the run this season (25th ranked against the run in 2022) allowing 108 yards per game. The Eagles offense was up and down in the Monday night loss to Washington and they turned the football over four times. This will be a game that could go either way, but the Eagles know they have to get back on track if they want to win the rugged NFC East.
The Cleveland Browns (3-6) and Buffalo Bills (6-3) will BOTH travel to Detroit to play their game because a massive snow storm is expected to be in Buffalo this weekend. That could bode well for Buffalo and their passing attack not having to deal with possibly several feet of snow and high winds. As for Cleveland, they like to give the ball to Nick Chubb and run, run, run. The Bills have dropped two straight games and this should be a game they win, especially playing indoors.
The New York Jets (6-3) will get another stiff test against the New England Patriots (5-4) this Sunday in Foxborough, Massachusetts. The Pats beat the Jets (22-17) just three weeks ago and will likely use the same formula to get another win in this one. If they do that, both teams would be 6-4 and tied for third place in the AFC East, which right now would send all four teams to the AFC playoffs.
The Cincinnati Bengals (5-4) need to take care of business this Sunday against the Steelers (3-6) in Pittsburgh in order to keep pace with the first place Baltimore Ravens in the AFC North division. They are coming off the bye week and have won three of their last four games, including a 42-point effort two weeks ago when RB Joe Mixon scored five touchdowns. If the Steelers are going to beat the Bengals again (23-20 OT win in Cincy in Week One) the defense has to bring it and pressure Bengals QB Joe Burrow like they did before. The Bengals should win, but the Steelers will be ready to play.
The Sunday night game once again features the Los Angeles Chargers (5-4), fresh off a close defeat (22-16) against San Francisco. The Chargers will be at home for this one against the Kansas City Chiefs (7-2), who could all but wrap up the AFC West with a win in this game. Kansas City has won three straight games since losing a close one last month to the Buffalo Bills. QB Patrick Mahomes has already tossed 25 touchdown passes and if he gets it going on SNF, this one could get ugly. But these teams always seem to play each other close and that will likely be the case again. L.A. could have WR Mike Williams back for this one and maybe even Keenan Allen and that would be a huge boost for the Chargers offense.
The rest of the Week Eleven action is featured in the capsule style format and the Heftyinfo picks follow up.
Chicago (3-7) at Atlanta (4-6) - The Bears have lost three in a row and the Falcons have dropped two straight. Something has to give. Take the Bears as QB Justin Fields has another big rushing game.
L.A. Rams (3-6) at New Orleans (3-7) - The loser of this game will be done as far as playoff chances are concerned.
Detroit (3-6) at N.Y. Giants (7-2) - On paper, this looks like all Giants. But the Lions have restored the roar in the last two games.
Carolina (3-7) at Baltimore (6-3) - Take the Ravens.
Washington (5-5) at Houston (1-7-1) - Can the Texans spring the upset in this one?
Las Vegas (2-7) at Denver (3-6) - Two bottom feeders in the AFC West in this one. Toss up.
San Francisco (5-4) at Arizona (4-6) - This Monday night game is being played in Mexico City, Mexico and the 49ers should be celebrating the fiesta when it's over with.
The Heftyinfo predictions for Week Eleven . . . . . . . . . . . (Home teams are listed in bold; Lock of the Week is listed in BOLD CAPS)
Green Bay over Tennessee
Chicago over Atlanta
Buffalo over Cleveland (Game being played in Detroit)
Philadelphia over Indianapolis
New England over N.Y. Jets
New Orleans over L.A. Rams
Detroit over N.Y. Giants
BALTIMORE over Carolina
Washington over Houston
Denver over Las Vegas
Dallas over Minnesota
Cincinnati over Pittsburgh
L.A. Chargers over Kansas City
San Francisco over Arizona (Game being played in Mexico City, Mexico)
Last Week's Record - 9-5
SEASON RECORD - 89-60-1
Lock of the Week Record - 8-2
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