NFL Week 11 Preview/Predictions

*some of the comments attributed to David Rutz and Ryan Stewart we not actual quotes by those men. I apologize for the error and it has been corrected.

Hello, all. Unfortunately, we were not able to get our weekly graphic up in time for this week of NFL predictions. However, we have a logjam at the top, as Bradley William Stewart has tied me, Joseph Arthur Smeltzer, for first place in our group at 83-63. Ryan Carlton Stewart is not too far behind at 82-64. Hopefully, I can distance myself from the pack a little more this week.

1:00
The ''Back to Reality'' game of the week

Raiders (4-5) at Lions (2-7)
Joe: The Raiders have lost 2 in a row, but I think they will get back on track here. I'm sorry to say to any Detroit fan who may be reading this that last week's win over Green Bay was a fluke. Derek Carr will send Detroit back to reality with a little help from Amari Cooper and Michael Crabtree, with a mix of Latavius Murray.

Brad: Tossup, but I'll go with the team with the better record

Jeff: Raiders. Going with my gut.

David: I'll go with the Lions since I can't keep picking the Raiders.

Ryan: Raiders
The ''Fairly young Matt vs. Old Matt'' game of the week
Colts (4-5) at Falcons (3-6)

Joe: Matt Hasselbeck is 40 years old starting for the Colts at QB against a loaded but underperforming Falcons offense in the Georiga Dome. I think Matt Ryan will break out here, and there is nothing that the Colts can do about it. Falcons 38, Colts 14.

Brad: The Falcons are simply better than the Colts, and they are playing at home.

Jeff: Colts have been disappointing, and the Falcons offense will get the better of them in what should be a shootout.

David: Sigh. Falcons. I'll regret this, won't I.

Ryan: Falcons. 
The ''Houston, we have a problem'' game of the week
Jets (5-4) at Texans (4-5)

Joe: The Jets are coming off a tough loss at home to Buffalo last Thursday night, and I think they'll bounce back here. New York is a good football team, and I see them squeaking by Houston with Ryan Fitzpatrick having a big day and throwing for 300+ yards. It's a toss-up, but I think the Jets are a better team overall. But fear not Texans fans, if JJ Watt simply sneezes, it should take a lot of the attention away from your loss. Jets 34, Texans 20

Brad: Another toss-up, but I'll go with the Texans due to home-field advantage.

Jeff: Texans have been struggling this year, and the Jets offensive is pretty good, so I'll go with the team from the Meadowlands.

David: Texans. 

Ryan: Jets. 

The ''Eagles can't beat Florida teams'' game of the week
Buccaneers (4-5) at Eagles (4-5)

Joe: The Eagles suffered a tough loss at home against Miami last week, and they play another team from Florida this week in Tampa Bay. This is an even matchup, but Jameis Winston is an impressive QB, who is on the rise while Mark Sanchez might throw a key pick or four. Because of the Eagles knack for disappointing and Mark Sanchez's knack for being bad, I'm going with the Pirates. Bucs 28, Eagles 20

Brad: Tampa. The Eagles are so consistent with being inconsistent.

Jeff: Winston. That's all I have to say about that.

David: Eagles. 

Ryan: Eagles. 

The ''Brock Lesner? No? Wait, who?'' game of the week
Broncos (7-2) at Bears (4-5)

Joe: Brock Osweiler, not WWE superstar Brock Lesner, will be starting for Denver this week in place of Peyton Manning, who is out with a foot injury. There is turmoil going on in the Mile High city at the moment, as apparently Denver is ''tired'' of Manning while #18 is more focused on healing then helping Osweiler out. Denver has looked terrible the past two weeks with Manning in the lineup, so I don't exactly love their chances with a guy who has never started an NFL game in his life behind center. The Bears have proven me wrong in that they haven't been nearly as bad as I thought they would be, and I like Jay Cutler's chances against a backup QB. Jeremy Langford has been impressive over the past few weeks, so look for him to be a factor in today's game. Bears 31, Broncos 14.

Brad: The Bears are heating up, and Denver's defense has been bad the past few weeks. I think that Osweiler will struggle in his first NFL start.

Jeff: Both teams have been struggling (false) but the Broncos defense is better, so I'll go with Denver in a close one.

David: The Bears fail me every time I pick them, so I'll be superstitious and go with Denver.

Ryan: Broncos.
The ''Who the hell cares?'' game of the week (with the exception of Thursday night
Rams (4-5) at Ravens (2-7)

Joe: Two teams who I pick to win a lot and have let me down so much this year are going at it, and I wish they could both lose. The Ravens are at home, so I guess I'll go with them. Ravens 24, Rams 14. Not that I care.

The ''Skip Bayless might see his team win for once'' game of the week
Cowboys (2-7) at Dolphins (4-5)

Joe: The Cowboys have to win at some point, and they have their QB and leader back for the first time since week 2 in Tony Romo. Romo will be at least better than Matt Cassel and Brandon Weeden this week, and going against a pedestrian at best Miami team,  I think that will be enough for Big D to get a Big W. Cowboys 31, Dolphins 21.

Brad: Dallas was 2-0 before Romo went down and I think they will find their mojo today.

Jeff: Miami is starting to play well, and I think Romo will struggle in his return.

David: Dallas. Why not? Both teams are terrible.

Ryan: Cowboys.
The ''I can't think of a good title'' game of the week
Redskins (4-5) at Panthers (9-0)

Joe: James Taylor has Carolina on his mind, but Carolina has the Superbowl on their mind. Kirk Cousins has had some great moments this season, but I don't see the 4-5 Redskins getting in Cam Newton's way, especially on the road. Washington will make it close, but I think Carolina will be too much in this one. Expect Jonathon Stweart and Mike Tolbert to both have big days against the putrid Redskins run defense.  Panthers 34, Redskins 24.

Brad: Undefeated playing at home against a horrible Redskins team? Yeah, no way Carolina loses.

Jeff: Undefeated. That won't change because of the Redskins.

David: Undefeated, at home.

Ryan: Panthers.

4:05
The.... West is Bad.... Game of the Week
Chiefs (4-5) at Chargers (2-7)

Joe: I don't really care about this game because both teams are going nowhere, but if I had to pick, I'd say that the combination of the Chiefs being bad, Phillip Rivers being good and the Chargers playing at home will be just enough to get the Bolts a win. The Chiefs won't be able to shut down a marquee QB two weeks in a row. Chargers 34, Chiefs 27.

Brad: Don't look now but the Chiefs have won 3 in a row and are showing no signs of slowing down. San Diego has been in a lot of close games, but I see them falling short once again.

Jeff: Chiefs. KC is coming in hot.

David: Chiefs.

Ryan: Chiefs.

4:25
The ''this is quite intriguing'' game of the week
Packers (6-3) at Vikings (7-2)

Joe: This is the game that I am most looking forward to watching, as the NFC North title very well could be on the line. Minnesota has been a great story this year, but I have a feeling that their luck will run out. Green Bay has lost 3 in a row, and I really don't see them losing 4 straight. Aaron Rodgers won't let that happen, and I see him leading an exciting last minute drive to win it for the cheese heads. Packers 34, Vikings 30.

Brad: The Vikings will keep on rolling, as a win could very well put the NFC North in their hands.

Jeff: Packers lose 4 in a row? I don't think so.

David: Vikings. It's all happening. 

Ryan: Vikings.

The ''Bring back Faith Hill'' game of the week
Bengals (8-1) at Cardinals (7-2)
Joe: This should be fun. Two of the NFL's best teams from different conferences going at it in prime time. It will be close, but I think that Carson Palmer will be fired up playing against his old team. Arizona is slightly better than Cincy in my opinion, and they are playing at home. Keep in mind that the Cards excel during prime time. Cards 27, Bengals 17.

Brad: This game will be very close and very tight, but I see Palmer's veteran leadership trumping Dalton's youthful tactics.

Jeff: The Cards will be pumped up and ready to go. They CAN win big games.

David: Bengals

Ryan: Cards. 

Bills (5-4) at Patroits (9-0)

Will the Patriots lose? No. 

K