BBS Pick 'Em Week 11

(Nov. 5, 2016 - Source: Jason O. Watson/Getty Images North America)

All lines accurate as of Tuesday 9:00PM*

Thursday
New Orleans Saints (+3.5) @ Carolina Panthers
Niko: Finally, a watchable Thursday night game. The last time these two teams squared off, Brees and co. edged it out to the tune of 41-38 in an epic shootout. This time, I have Newton returning the favor. Panthers at home in a good one.

Pete: The Panthers have patched some of the leaks in the ship that plagued the beginning of their season, but they are still a measly 3-6. Chances are Panthers will not make the playoffs, and there are far too many characters in that locker room to expect them to keep it together for the rest of the season. I think this is the beginning of the end for them. Saints. 

Jordan: This is going to be an entertaining game, much like the last time these two met up. Brees and the Saints prevailed last time, beating the Panthers 41-38 at home in a shootout. Flip of a coin, I'll take the home team. Carolina in another shootout.

Sunday
Pittsburgh Steelers (-8) @ Cleveland Browns
Niko: Steelers have to win big… right? You’d think so. Not sure I can identify a win on the remaining Cleveland schedule.

Pete: The Steelers should be able to notch a win here against the worst team in the NFL. 

Jordan: LOL. Pittsburgh in a rout.

Baltimore Ravens (+7) @ Dallas Cowboys
Niko: Sneaky game of the week? Baltimore is quietly 1st in the AFC North and always plays up to the competition, and we all know how well Dallas is playing. Tough to pick against the ‘Boys right now though. The rookies have them flat out balling.

Pete: The Dallas Cowboys are one of the best team in the NFL right now. However, the Ravens have been playing incredible football and appear to be poised to make a push for the playoffs. I will roll with the upset. 

Jordan: Agree with everything Niko said. This has the makings of being the game of the week. With both teams leading their division, might we see the Boys crumble against another leader? Doubt it, especially not at home. Cowboys move to 9-1, however, the Ravens cover.

Jacksonville Jaguars (+6.5) @ Detroit Lions

Niko: Jacksonville’s only two wins this season are against Indy and Chicago. That should tell you all you need to know. I’ll take the Lions.

Pete: I had moderate hope for the Jaguars this season, but they simply can't put it all together. Lions in a laugher at home. 

Jordan: Jacksonville is an absolute mess. They cannot get out of their own way, and they have disappointed many this year. Lions cover the spread and prevail at home.

Tennessee Titans (+3) @ Indianapolis Colts
Niko: The Titans are 3rd in the league in rushing yards per game, and have really established themselves offensively. Mariota is playing exceptionally well, they just dropped 47 on the Packers, and they face a soft Colts’ defense. Titans with the road “upset”.

Pete: Like I talked about in my season preview a few months back, the Titans have a two-headed monster at running back with Derrick Henry and Demarco Murray. As Niko alluded to, they are one of the best rushing teams in the NFL. I don't see this one being close. 

Jordan: This has been quite a Cinderella season so far for the Titans. Not because they're leading the division, because they're not, but they're relevant again. Their two-headed monster of a backfield in Murray and Henry have led the charge behind a dominant stretch from Marcus Mariota. They dominated against the Packers last year and Indy is pathetic, Titans keep on keeping on.
Buffalo Bills (+3) @ Cincinnati Bengals
Niko: Ha. This is a fun one. Time is running out for both of these clubs (and seemingly, coaches). In back against the wall situations, I’d normally roll with Rex, especially over Marvin Lewis, but in this case I just don’t see it. The Bengals extend their season another week.

​Pete: Both teams are facing must-win games. If the Bills and Bengals both could lose, then they probably would. In this situation, you have to roll with the home team. Bengals in a poopy one. 

Jordan: These teams are both messes. Both teams coaches HAVE to be on the hot seat. Flip of a coin, I'll take the home team in Cincy. Bengals stay alive.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (+7.5) @ Kansas City Chiefs
Niko: The Bucs are (oddly?) 3-1 on the road and with an offense ranked 26th in total yards per game, the Chiefs really don’t have the capacity to blow teams out. Although KC should get it done at Arrowhead, I’ll take the points and go with Tampa.

Pete: If this game was on a neutral field, then I could see a scenario where a young Bucs team stomps the banged up Chiefs. However, Arrowhead is similar to Mile High in Denver where it is almost impossible for the road team to win. 

Jordan: The Buccaneers may not be the best team in the league, but I do think they're headed in the right direction. Winston has shown flashes of that number one pick from last year. His potential is through the roof. However, the Chiefs always find a way, Chiefs win, Bucs cover.

Chicago Bears (+7) @ New York Giants
Niko: The Giants continue to find ways to win games and the Bears are downright terrible. Alshon Jeffery’s suspension and the injury to 3-time Pro Bowl guard Kyle Long don’t help matters. G-men get it done in a closer one than it should be at the Meadowlands.

Pete: I hate to say this, but the Giants are going to start making some noise here in the playoffs if all things continue to trend upward. At 6-3, the Giants are second in the NFC East and the Bears SUCK. Should be an easy game here. 

Jordan: Had this been the matchup last week, I might've rolled with the upset and picked the Bears. But, for the notable players missing that Niko mentioned, it's hard to see Chicago sustaining any success. Giants win and cover the spread.

Arizona Cardinals (pick’em) @ Minnesota Vikings
Niko: It seems like it’s been over a month since the Vikings have won a game. That’s probably because it has been. That team is fried. Cardinals take care of business on the road.

Pete: This would have been a great game if the Vikings got their head out of their asses. Unfortunately, the Vikings are horrendous as of late and the Cardinals are trending in the right direction after starting out slow. 

Jordan: Sam Bradford has been exposed in recent weeks. Can he bounce back? Sure. Will he? Not a chance. Arizona gets it done on the road.

Miami Dolphins (-1) @ Los Angeles Rams
Niko: Finally, #1 overall pick Jared Goff debuts. Let’s see what he’s got. That being said, Miami is hot right now and seem to have found their identity, as a run first team led by Jay Ajayi. Dolphins get the job done in LA.

Pete: Don't look now, but the Miami Dolphins could threaten for a playoff spot if all things go according to plan. As Niko mentioned, the Rams will be starting Jared Goff at the Coliseum in his first NFL game. I think the lights will be a bit too bright for the youngster, but he will show some promise. 

Jordan: Just blindsided optimism/excitement, I think Goff takes advantage of his first NFL start and gets the job done at home. Also, LA always seems to win games we expect them to lose. Miami has been a formidable opponent all year, but they can't rely on Jay Ajayi every week and hope to make the playoffs. Rams pull off a close win.

New England Patriots (-13) @ San Francisco 49ers
Niko: Pats bounce back in a big way in a cupcake matchup following a tough loss. More on this in the roundtable coming this weekend.

Pete: I think this is a trap game. Kaepernick is a complete douchebag, but he is the exact type of quarterback that can give the Patriots some problems. I think the Patriots can get it done, but it is going to be closer than you think. 

Jordan: Pats bounce back and ladle a terrible Niners team. Check out the RoundTable for more details this weekend.

Philadelphia Eagles (+6.5) @ Seattle Seahawks
Niko: Well, Seattle is starting to gel. We saw that first hand at Gillette on Sunday night. Plus, while Philly is 4-0 at home, their away record is 1-4. ‘Hawks cover at home.

Pete: The Seahawks are the best team in the NFL, until further notice. Simply put. There defense is impeccable and it appears as if Russell Wilson is starting to turn into one of the better quarterbacks in the NFL, if he wasn't there already. 

Jordan: The Seahawks have to be pumped up after their goal line stand against the Pats last week (too soon, I know). Like Niko said, the Eagles seemingly can't win on the road, and in the legion of boom, I expect Wentz to struggle.

Green Bay Packers (+2.5) @ Washington Redskins
Niko: Green Bay Head Coach Mike McCarthy with some flat out bizarre comments at the beginning of this week when asked about the teams’ underwhelming performance thus far this season. Feeling the heat, Big Mike? You should be. ‘Skins get the W and the Pack keep reeling.  

Pete: Going into the season, as a Patriots fan, the Packers were the one team in the NFL that terrified me. Now, it appears as if HC Mike McCarthy may not even make it out of the season. My oh my how the mighty have fallen. I think it continues this week. Redskins in a close one. YOU LIKE THAT, Aaron Rodgers???

Jordan: Are the Packers really this bad? Can Kirk Cousins have a big game and put the final nail in the coffin? Those questions will be answered Sunday. I personally say yes to both. If Aaron Rodgers can't pump his team up, they're screwed. Redskins get it done at home.

Monday
Houston Texans (+6) @ Oakland Raiders
Niko: Coming off a bye, Oakland should be very well rested and very well prepared to square off with the Texans. Plus, they’re at home. Tough to pick against the Raiders when the last time we saw them in action they put a beating on the defending champs. Oakland covers. ​
Pete: I think the Oakland Raiders can threaten for the top spot in the AFC, even though they have one of the harder schedules in the NFL. They should make quick work of the Texans this week. Watch out Patriots. 

Jordan: Brock Osweiler threw for 99 yards last week. Gross. And with the Raiders coming off a win against Denver and a bye, tough to see them losing to a bad Texans offense. Raiders win.