NFL Week 11 - Sunday Preview Part 1

Buffalo Bills (4-5) @ Cincinnati Bengals (3-5-1) - Paul Brown Stadium

Both the Bills and Bengals can ill afford another loss as they look to stay in the playoff race when they clash in Cincinnati on Sunday. The Bills are fresh off a bye after a bitter loss in Seattle where they dominated large portions of the game, but ended up losing 31-26. The Bengals are also on a frustrating run with an overtime tie against the Redskins and a one point loss at the Giants, leaving them in a precarious position with just seven games left to play. 

Verdict - Bengals 28 Bills 24

Battle of two inconsistent teams here, however I fancy the Bengals given they are at home. It has been a long time since the Bills made the playoffs and, on the road, they are dicey proposition. I just think the Bengals have a few more points in them with Andy Dalton at quarterback. 

Pittsburgh Steelers (4-5) @ Cleveland Browns (0-10) - Browns Stadium

The Steelers face a must win divisional match up against the winless Browns in Cleveland on Sunday afternoon.  The Steelers' defence compounded last week late in their 35-30 home loss to the Cowboys, which leaves them one game behind the Ravens in the AFC North. For a team with talent on both sides of the ball, their inconsistent play this year would really be putting the heat on Coach Mike Tomlin. The Browns, under Hue Jackson, are having a year to forget as they continue on their search for that elusive victory. Whilst the Browns were unlucky in a number of games earlier this season, they have been blown out by both the Cowboys and Ravens in  their past two losses. 

Verdict - Steelers 27 Browns 17

The Steelers do not fill me with a lot of confidence at the moment, however surely they can get a win here. The Browns have been putrid in their last two games and Hue Jackson and his staff appear to have run out of ideas. I expect this game to be a bit closer than people expect given some of the Steelers' pathetic performances on the road this season. 

Baltimore Ravens (5-4) @ Dallas Cowboys (8-1) @ AT&T Stadium

The Cowboys are shooting for a 9th straight win when they welcome in the Ravens to Dallas on Sunday. The Cowboys have already beaten the Steelers, Bengals and Browns, and will sweep the entire AFC North with a victory over the Ravens. Tony Romo will be suited up for the first time this season, but will play second fiddle to boom rookie Dak Prescott who continues to play at an elite level. The Ravens have managed to bounce back from an alarming 4-game losing streak with back-to-back victories against divisional rivals,  the Steelers and Browns. This is an interesting match up between Dallas' high flying 5th ranked offense and the Ravens tough nosed defence. 

Verdict - Cowboys 27 Ravens 20

Dallas are really going well right now, and look like the best team in the NFL besides New England. I expect them to keep their winning streak going here even against a tough and hard nosed Ravens' outfit. Expect this game to be close and physical throughout. 

Jacksonville Jaguars (2-7) @ Detroit Lions (5-4) - Ford Field

The Lions can keep control of the AFC North with a victory over the Jaguars at home on Sunday. With the Vikings having dropped 4 straight, and the Packers off colour at 4-5, the Lions have a rare opportunity to win their division. The Lions have remarkably not won their division since way back in 1993. Lions' quarterback Matthew Stafford is having the best season of his career, having engineered 4th quarter comebacks in every single one of the Lions' victories this season. The Jaguars are having a season to forget,  sitting at 2-7 after close losses at the Chiefs and at home to the Texans. 

Verdict - Lions 34 Jaguars 13

I am done with Jacksonville for the year. The Lions should be able to blow them out here at home with plenty to play for. I expect Matt Stafford and the Lions' offense to have a big day out here. 

Tennessee Titans (5-5) @ Indianapolis Colts (4-5) - Lucas Oil Stadium

It is a crucial AFC South divisional match-up when the Titans visit the Colts on Sunday. Both sides sit behind the Texans at 6-3, with a loss here hugely damaging for both teams' chances of reeling in Houston. The Titans are one of the most improved teams in the NFL this season, with their offense operating at a high level the last month. With DeMarco Murray running the ball strongly, and quarterback Marcus Mariota starting to play more consistent football, the Titans have averaged over 35 points a game the past three weeks. The Colts are fresh off a bye, having produced their best performance of the season in claiming a 31-26 victory at Green Bay. The Colts have a remarkable record against the Titans, winning their last 10 straight. 

Verdict - Colts  33 Titans 27

Hard to ignore Andrew Luck and the Colts' record against the Titans. He seems to have the measure of their defence and I expect him to pick them apart again here. The Titans are right in the playoff hunt themselves though and I expect this game to be end-to-end and high scoring. 

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-5) @ Kansas City Chiefs (7-2) - Arowhead Stadium

The Chiefs will be looking to maintain a share of the lead in an elite AFC West when they go for a sixth straight victory against the Buccaneers on Sunday. The Chiefs showed their playoff credentials last week by rallying from 17-0 against the Panthers on the road to claim a gritty 20-17 victory. The Chiefs are an astonishing 17-2 in their 19 regular season games, and are flying under the radar once more under experienced head coach Andy Reid. Reid has his team Number 1 ranked in turnovers at +14 this season. The Bucs kept their ailing playoffs hopes alive with a beat down of the Bears, 36-10 at home. The Bucs have not lost to Kansas City since 1993, having won the past four match ups. 

Verdict - Chiefs 28 Bucs 16

The Chiefs are flying right under the radar which will suit them down to the ground. Arrowhead Stadium is a zoo of a place to pay in for opponents, and I expect the Chiefs' defence to force a few turnovers here and grind their way towards another victory. 

Arizona Cardinals (4-4-1) @ Minnesota Vikings (5-4) - U.S Bank Stadium

The Vikings will be looking to avoid a fifth straight loss when they welcome in the Cardinals to U.S Bank Stadium on Sunday. The Vikings had chances to win both their previous two games before falling late to the Lions 22-16 in overtime and the Redskins 26-20 in Washington. With injuries mounting up they need a victory here to stay tied for the lead with the Lions in the NFC North. The Cardinals have not hit the heights of 2015 this season and look a forlorn hope of catching Seattle in the NFC West. However, a Wild Card berth remains very much alive for the Cardinals despite having unconvincing form right throughout the campaign so far. 

Verdict - Cardinals 23 Vikings 20

Both these teams are out of sorts and in desperate need of a win here. I just think Minnesota's form has dropped away more rapidly, and, with injuries on both sides of the ball, the Cardinals can pull out a tight one here.