If the Commanders can get the running game going, it will do so much for rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels and the passing game. On the other side, Philadelphia has running back Saquon Barkley (991 rushing yards and six TD) pounding the ball and QB Jalen Hurts will look to wide receiver A.J. Brown to keep things going with the passing attack. This one should be close and do not be surprised if the Commanders can get the win, provided their defense can get turnovers.
On Sunday, the Pittsburgh Steelers (7-2) host the Baltimore Ravens (7-3) in a big AFC North tilt. The Steelers have been tough on Baltimore in recent games and give Ravens QB Lamar Jackson fits with the pressure they bring. Pass rusher T.J. Watt (6 1/2 sacks) and company will look to hassle Jackson, but the Ravens can counter with NFL rushing leader Derrick Henry (1,120 rushing yards, 14 total TD, 12 of them rushing) to keep them honest.
The Ravens defense has 31 quarterback sacks, but their secondary has been torched many times this season. Just last week, Bengals QB Joe Burrow passed for nearly 500 yards and wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase had 264 receiving yards and three touchdowns in the 35-34 loss to Baltimore. Steelers QB Russell Wilson can light it up and George Pickens has been the main target in the three games Wilson has started since coming off the injury list. Look for another tight game between these two fierce rivals and possibly another overtime finish.
In Buffalo, the Bills (8-2 and running away with the AFC East) face the undefeated Kansas City Chiefs (9-0), fresh off their miracle win at home last Sunday (against Denver) thanks to a blocked field goal as time expired. The Chiefs have been consistent on both sides of the football this season and QB Patrick Mahomes has so many weapons with tight end Travis Kelce, receivers JuJu Smith-Schuster and DeAndre Hopkins and running back Kareem Hunt, who has flourished since coming back to K.C. and filling the shoes of injured starter Isiah Pacheco.
The Bills have scored 290 points (tied for 2nd most in the NFL) this season and QB Josh Allen continues to do it all with his passing and running, throwing for 2,281 yards with 17 TD and four interceptions while also gaining 261 rushing yards and scoring four touchdowns. Buffalo's defense has been suspect at times against the pass, but they seem to find a way to limit opponents when it matters most in the red zone. In addition, the Bills have picked off eleven passes. Kansas City will need to pressure Allen and stuff the run if they want to get to a 10-0 record.
On Sunday night in Los Angeles, the Chargers (6-3) will be going for their fourth straight win, but it will be a tough test against the Cincinnati Bengals (4-6) who really need to win this game to stay in the thick of the AFC Wild Card hunt. The Chargers have adapted to the style of Head Coach Jim Harbaugh and have been steady on both offense and defense. The Chargers mix it up with the run and pass and QB Justin Herbert has 11 TD passes and just one interception this season.
The Bengals counter with QB Joe Burrow (2,672 passing yards with 24 TD and only four interceptions), who has been spectacular and along with WR Ja'marr Chase (66 receptions, 981 yards, 10 TD) and Tee Higgins in this game, could keep the Chargers defense on its toes. The Bengals average 27 PPG and allow 26.6 PPG, so they will look to turn this one into a shootout. The Chargers allow a league low 13.1 PPG and have 31 sacks and are a plus-9 in the turnover category. Look for a tight one and if the Chargers can pound the football and mix it up enough to keep Burrow and company on the sidelines, they should get the win.
The rest of the NFL action for Week Eleven is featured in the capsule style format and the Heftyinfo picks follow up.
Jacksonville (2-8) at Detroit (8-1) - Lions roll !
L.A. Rams (4-5) at New England (3-7) - Beware the Patriots, who suddenly have been playing solid football, particularly on defense. Rams need to get the offense going again.
Cleveland (2-7) at New Orleans (2-7) - Who cares?
Indianapolis (4-6) at N.Y. Jets (3-7) - This game was "flexed off" the Sunday night game and for good reason. These two teams are struggling and the loser of this one is likely to be out of the AFC playoff hunt.
Minnesota (7-2) at Tennessee (2-7) - The Vikings seem to have things going again following two straight losses. The Titans have been floundering so far this season.
Las Vegas (2-7) at Miami (3-6) - The Dolphins can continue to keep their resurgence going in this one. The Raiders are terrible.
Green Bay (6-3) at Chicago (4-5) - The Bears are in free fall mode and the Packers would love to continue that trend against their old rivals.
Seattle (4-5) at San Francisco (5-4) - The 49ers at home with a chance to get back into a first place tie with Arizona in this game . . . Seahawks coming off the bye week need this one to stay in contention.
Atlanta (6-4) at Denver (5-5) - This game could be one of the better ones featuring two teams that need a win to continue to remain relevant in the playoff picture.
Houston (6-4) at Dallas (3-6) - The Cowboys are a mess right now with so many injuries while the Texans are looking to stop a two-game skid. This Monday Night Football game might be closer than most people think.
The Heftyinfo picks for Week Eleven . . . . . . . . . . . . . (Home teams are listed in bold; Lock of the Week is listed in BOLD CAPS)
Washington over Philadelphia
Pittsburgh over Baltimore
DETROIT over Jacksonville
L.A. Rams over New England
New Orleans over Cleveland
N.Y. Jets over Indianapolis
Minnesota over Tennessee
Miami over Las Vegas
Green Bay over Chicago
San Francisco over Seattle
Denver over Atlanta
Buffalo over Kansas City
L.A. Chargers over Cincinnati
Houston over Dallas
Last Week's Record - 9-5
SEASON RECORD - 99-53
Lock of the Week Record - 7-3
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