Nagler's Never Right: NFL 2014 Season Week 11 Picks

Aaron's NFL picks for Week 11 of the regular season. 

Last week: 8-5

Season: 88-59-1

Buffalo vs Miami

I really want to pick Miami here. I think the Dolphins’ defense is one of the better units in the league and I think Bill Lazor is doing solid work with Ryan Tannehill and the offense. But Miami’s offensive line had major problems with Buffalo’s front when they were healthy. They are banged up big time coming into this one, and I think the Bills ride the strength of that defensive dominance up front to a close road victory.

Houston vs Cleveland

The first place Cleveland Browns (I just like writing that) have been solid on defense and efficient, if not flashy, on offense and that’s been a winning formula for most of the year. The center position continues to be a worry, especially with JJ Watt coming to town. Ryan Mallett starting for Houston should make this one interesting, but I expect Cleveland to win.

Minnesota vs Chicago

The Bears Still Suck. I mean, there’s no other way to describe this pathetic excuse for a professional football team. The Vikings aren’t world beaters by any stretch of the imagination, but they should present enough of a problem for Jay Cutler that he shuts it down once things start going south again. The Vikings get the win and the heat only gets turned up on Marc Trestman.

Denver vs St. Louis

The Broncos keep terrorizing the lesser teams in the league. While the Rams aren’t the Raiders and Shaun Hill should help matters for St. Louis, they are still most certainly one of the league’s lesser teams. I actually think the Rams keep this close. Their defense is playing lights out. But I still think Peyton and the Broncos pull away in the second half for a comfortable win.

San Francisco vs New York Giants

The Giants are a mess. They have no margin for error on offense and their defense is paper mache thin. The 49ers are getting Aldon Smith back to go along with the play of Chris Borland, who has been everywhere for the Niners. Kaepernick and the 49ers offense should grind their way to victory with Frank Gore and Carlos Hyde leading the way.

Atlanta vs Carolina

Carolina’s line really puts the “offensive” in offensive line. They’re shaking it up again, not that it matters with Cam Newton being hobbled. Throw in the fact that the Falcons seemingly have suddenly discovered a pass rush, well, it doesn’t bode well for Cam and company this Sunday. Matt Ryan and the Falcons offense should score plenty. Falcons win.

Cincinnati vs New Orleans

The good news for the Bengals? Andy Dalton can’t possibly look any worse. Hopefully. The Superdome is a horrible place to try and right the ship, unless you’re the 49ers. The Bengals are not the 49ers. Payton, Brees and company feast.

Seattle vs Kansas City

The Chiefs had no business winning last week’s game in Buffalo. (Seriously, go watch the last 10 minutes of that game. Just absurd.) They get a chance to put a better effort together at home against the defending champs, who are having issues of their own when it comes to moving the ball through the air. Seattle is also having trouble getting pressure on the quarterback when only rushing four. It feels crazy, but I’m picking the Chiefs to pull off the upset at home.

Tampa Bay vs Washington

The Bucs are a disaster in Lovie Smith’s first year after some of my media brethren predicted they would be in the playoffs. They don’t do anything well on either side of the ball. Gerald McCoy and Levonte David deserve better than this mess. No, Washington is no great team, but they’ll beat the Bucs.

Oakland vs San Diego

The Chargers get Melvin Gordon back and that should help a defense that has had issues getting to the quarterback. San Diego needs pressure too, with the secondary springing leaks again after Jason Verrett was lost for the season. The Raiders are simply playing for pride and they have streaks of decent play, but nothing resembling winning football. The Chargers stop their three game skid.

Detroit vs Arizona

This is going to be one hell of a game. The Cardinals will start Drew Stanton against Detroit’s excellent defensive front after losing Carson Palmer for the season. On the flip side, Megatron is missing practice again after coming back and doing his usual damage against the Dolphins. I know many are writing off the Cardinals. I am not one of them. They win this one in the desert.

Philadelphia vs Green Bay

Last year, the Packers had major trouble stopping Lesean McCoy as the game went on. You have to think they’ll have some kind of plan in place for containing him, especially now that the Eagles’ offensive line is mostly back together. Expect Dom Capers to pressure Mark Sanchez a bit more than Carolina did on Monday night. Aaron Rodgers’ ability at the line of scrimmage and use of cadence will get the Packers in lots of good looks. This has the makings of a back and forth affair that the Packers pull out at the end.

New England vs Indianapolis

This is going to be a great football game. Forget everything you’ll most likely read this week about Andrew Luck’s “struggles” against the Patriots. He’s played them twice in his career - and he is simply a very different quarterback now. Tom Brady will need to keep the offense on schedule, which I expect him to do. I want to pick Luck and the Colts here, but I trust the Patriots defense to rattle Luck more than I trust the Colts to do likewise to Brady. Plus, I’m sick of picking against the Patriots and being wrong. Belichick and company continue their march to the postseason.

Pittsburgh vs Tennessee

Whoever scheduled the Titans to play on Monday night should be suspended for a month. The Steelers won’t lay two eggs on the road. Steelers get the win.

 

PLEASE SUBSCRIBE TO OUR CHEESEHEAD NATION WEEKLY NEWSLETTER HERE.

__________________________

0 points
 

Comments (2)

Fan-Friendly This filter will hide comments which have ratio of 5 to 1 down-vote to up-vote.
FITZCORE1252's picture

November 13, 2014 at 04:48 pm

I think Miami and Indy get the W, otherwise... I'm in agreement.

0 points
0
0
PackerAaron's picture

November 14, 2014 at 08:03 am

Well, you were right on Miami! :)

0 points
0
0