Week 11: Proving grounds

NFL: Week 11

My laptop is back now. I foresee more consistent Posts.

Early Posts

Baltimore Ravens (4-5) @ Chicago Bears (5-5)

The Bears have to decide whether or not to pay Jay Cutler this season. On one hand the Bears haven't had a QB better than Cutler in recent history. The problem is that Cutler is still profoundly outside of the list of elite QBs in the league. When the Bears look across the field, they'll see a team that was put in the same position and now has overpaid for a slightly above average qb. Admittedly, the Ravens have a Super Bowl ring which makes things easier to swallow. 

Cleveland Browns (4-5) @ Cincinnati Bengals (6-4)

The Bengals, when healthy, are the best team by far in the division. They have been struck down by injuries this year to all of their elite players on defense. Also, if the Trent Richardson trade happened tomorrow, would the Browns be able to get a 5th round pick for him?

New York Jets (5-4) @ Buffalo Bills (3-7)

The poor Bills this year. It's hard to measure how good they are because they've had backup quarterbacks almost all year. They've reached deep into the their bench.

Atlanta Falcons (2-7) @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1-8) 

I said the NFC south would have the most wins when they year began. I regret that. The Bucs and Falcons are better than their records, and were it not for the major injuries that both teams have (does having Schiano as your coach count as an injury?) they would likely both be playoff contenders.

Washington Redskins (3-6) @ Philadelphia Eagles (5-5)

Nick Foles can't be this good right? Wasn't RG3 supposed to be the best QB in the league this year? 

Arizona Cardinals (5-4) @ Jacksonville Jaguars (1-8)

What did Jacksonville do to deserve a matchup against the Cardinals? #Bridgewater 

Detroit Lions (6-3) @ Pittsburgh Steelers (3-6)

The Lions have looked amazing this year and combined with the absolute incompetence of the Steelers, this should be an uninteresting game.

Oakland Raiders (3-6) @ Houston Texans (2-7)

Both of these teams are throwing out backup QBs when their starters weren't that good. Unwatchable.

Late Games

San Diego Chargers (4-5) @ Miami Dolphins (4-5)

Both of these teams have showed flashes of competence outweighed by awful play. The Phillip Rivers resurgence didn't last as long as the Chargers hoped. 

Minnesota Vikings (2-7) @ Seattle Seahawks (9-1)

Percy Harvin's revenge might start tonight. On the other hand, Harvin should write a thank you letter to the Vikings organization because he's in a much better place.  

Green Bay Packers (5-4) @ New York Giants (3-6)

The Aaron Rodgers Seneca Wallace Scott Tolzein show is beginning. Everyone is certain that the Giants have played under their potential and that they will return to prominence. On the other hand, the Giants have had a relatively easy schedule and it appears that the Giants time is running out even though they could end this week at 1 game behind the division leader. 

San Francisco 49ers (6-3) @ New Orleans Saints (7-2)

Oh, there is a 4 o'clock game worth watching. The offensive minded Saints vs. the defense minded Niners should be interesting. The Saints have been one of my better picks this season, so I'm excited about their potential. 

Sunday Night Football

Kansas City Chiefs (9-0) @ Denver Broncos (8-1)

The Battle of the AFC West is going to be as good of a matchup as the weekend has to offer. Kansas City has been a defensive juggernaut, although they have also had an easy schedule. The Chiefs will have their hands full with against the Broncos offense. Provided Manning stays upright, the Broncos have the best pass offense in the league. Manning has been hobbled with injury and the Chiefs pass rush must be excited to see him. 

Monday Night Football

New England Patriots (7-2) @ Carolina Panthers (6-3)

Since when are the Panthers "good"? Carolina has struggled over the last year since their Super Bowl loss to the Patriots. If you don't remember that performance, Janet Jackson performed at halftime. The Panthers defense, led by Luke Kuechly, has been as talented as the league has to offer.