NFL WRAP-UP WEEK 11

Week 11 wrap-up of the NFL season...

Steelers over Titans-

Pittsburgh keeps rolling. They will easily win the AFC North. Now it's a matter of securing a bye in the playoffs and, most importantly, home field advantage over new England. They ply in Pittsburgh soon. At 8-2 the Steelers are rolling (They were my pick to make the Super Bowl in the AFC). Tennessee dropped to a game behind surprising Jacksonville in AFC South, but I still like Tennessee's chances to either win the division or squeeze into the playoffs as a wild card.

Lions over Bears-

Detroit hangs in there in NFC North, two games behind Minnesota. They play a must-win game on their traditional Thanksgiving Day game vs the Vikings. The Bears come to Philly to take on the Eagles. for the 3-7 Bears, it's another rebuilding year.

Ravens over Packers-

Baltimore invaded Lambeau Field and beat the Pack, who aren't the same without the injured Aaron Rodgers. Even if Rodgers comes back for the finally two games of the season, green Bay will be out of the division race, and probably too late for the playoffs. The ravens are a disappointing 5-5 but very much in contention for a wild card berth. Baltimore has two home games upcoming with struggling Houston and Detroit. Green Bay continues on a rough road by playing at Pittsburgh.

Jaguars over Browns-

Jacksonville leads their division at 7-3. They are playing well, but also benefiting from an easy schedule.Beating the woeful 0-10 Browns is no big deal. The Jags may get into the playoffs, but will they go far in the playoffs? Jacksonville goes out west to play Arizona this weekend while clueless Cleveland plays interstate rival Cincinnati on the road. In fact, 4 out of the last 6 games for the browns is on the road. 0-16 is realistic.

Cardinals over Texans-

Arizona stays in a wild card chase with a weak 4-6 record. They won't make it, as the Cards are too inconsistent. Houston is cashing in their chips for the year, losing star QB Desean Watson. The Cardinals start a big three game home stand which will make-or-break their playoff chances. They begin with a good Jaguar team this week. Houston goes to Baltimore then Tennessee, both playoff contenders.

Bengals over Broncos-

Denver, after a 3-1 start, continues to struggle.  They won't win without a quarterback, even in the weak AFC West. Cincinnati stays alive, but at 4-6, they are in the playoff hunt. They are too inconsistent, with a weak coach to get in, but they have a shot. The Bengals' destiny is in their own hands, with three home games in a row against Cleveland, Pittsburgh and Chicago.Denver goes to Oakland this week, the loser buried for the season.

Patriots over Raiders-

The Pats are doing what they always do around this time of the year- separating themselves from the pretenders in AFC East. Even at 8-1, New England may not be the team they once were, but don't be surprised if they earn a playoff bye and home field in the playoffs yet again. Oakland is just trying to survive in AFC West, fortunate to only be two games behind front-runner Kansas City. New England has a home game against Miami this weekend before heading back on the road fro three. The Raiders stay home with Denver and then an equally-bad Giants team. At 6-6 they would have as hot at the playoffs, making the Christmas night contest with the Eagles in Philadelphia a bug game,

Vikings over Rams-

This was a big NFC game in Minnesota. The Vikes go to 8-2 and take control of their division. The Rams  are still in 1st place since Seattle lost last night I still don't believe in LA but that game with the Birds in 3 weeks can be huge .Minnesota's season boils down to the three roads games in a row starting on Thanksgiving at the Lions. Los Angeles plays the sizzling-hot Saints and drew Brews at home this week.

Saints over Redskins-

New Orleans overcame a late 15 point deficit to beat Washington in overtime, winning their 8th game in a row. They seem like a team of destiny, along with our Eagles. Facing the Rams in LA this week will be a challenge. Meanwhile,, the "Skins lost a must-win game they had control of, and have to be kicking themselves. They play at home Thanksgiving night with the Giants, but will Washington do enough to sneak into the playoffs? I doubt it.

Giants over Chiefs-

Surprise! New York won only their second game of the entire season, upsetting Kansas City at the Meadowlands. They are still buried at 2-8. KC is struggling atfer a sensational start. Coach Andy Reid has gone too conservative and it's cost them. Luckily, in a weak AFC West, they remain two games ahead of the pack. The Giants get torched in Washington on Thanksgiving night while the Chiefs need to get back in gear with a  home game against Buffalo. With Pittsburgh and New England playing so well, KC will lose it's home field advantage at Arrowhead Stadium unless they come on strong.

Buccaneers over Dolphins-

Tampa Bay, the trendy pick before the season started, can't make the playoffs, especially with QB Winston out. Losing the interstate Florida rivalry, the Dolphins continue to slide.Miami goes to New England for a key AFC East game, while Tampa travels to Atlanta.

Chargers over Bills-

The Chargers are playing better, and are actually in the mix for a wild card berth. With any luck they can also challenge Kansas City for the AFC West crown, but it's unlikely. Buffalo, after a surprising start, are turning back into Buffalo. New coach Sean McDermott's curious decision to change quarterbacks last week was a head-scratcher. Buffalo won't be going anywhere soon until they resolve their shaky QB situation. LA plays in Dallas on Turkey Day, and with the Cowboys in chaos, I give the chargers a shot. Buffalo goes to Kansas City, who needs a victory badly.

Eagles over Cowboys-

We talked about the Birds total domination of Dallas. It leaves the Eagles at 9-1, playing the 3-7 bears at the Linc this Sunday. Dallas plays their traditional Thanksgiving Day game, this time against Philip Rivers and the Chargers.

Falcons over Seahawks-

Seattle isn't so invincible at home anymore, good news for the eagles in a few weeks. Defensively, they are no where near as good, as they battle the Rams for the lead in NFC West. Atlanta has righted their season the last few weeks, but still find themselves in a dogfight with Carolina and New Orleans for their division. Right now, the Falcons would sneak into the playoffs as a wild card team. Now the Falcons have three consecutive home games, including key games with Minnesota and the Saints. Seattle goes to San Francisco this week.

Indianapolis, San Francisco, Carolina and the Jets had byes.