After the New England Patriots looked like the New England Patriots of old with a dominating 25-0 win over the Atlanta Falcons, it’s time to take a look at the other intriguing matchups in Week 11.
The fact that six of the remaining games feature the visiting team listed as the favorites gives an indication that this could be a wild week.
There are some divisional matchups and only three games feature a pair of teams with winning records so this is one of those weeks where the top teams need to take care of business.
For those who bet online, here is a look at some of the most compelling matchups.
Indianapolis Colts at Buffalo Bills
Odds: Bills -7
What to know: The Indianapolis Colts have gone under the total set by the Las Vegas odds in four of the last five games against Buffalo. The total for this one is 49½.
Coming off their bye week, the Buffalo defense has made it clear that if opponents are going to have success against the Bills it will not be on the ground.
Against the Miami Dolphins, Jacksonville Jaguars and New York Jets, Buffalo (6-3) gave up a total of 217 yards and only three yards a carry. Those aren’t exactly the three greatest running teams in recent NFL history so this will be a much tougher test,
No NFL running back is on a bigger role right now than Jonathan Taylor of the Indianapolis Colts (5-5). He has a rushing touchdown in each of the last seven games and has been over 100 yards in four of the last five contests. It will be fun to watch Buffalo’s No. 1 rated defense go up against Taylor and an Indianapolis offense that is starting to put things together.
Cincinnati Bengals at Las Vegas Raiders
Odds: Bengals -1
What to know: The Cincinnati Bengals have covered against the spread set by the scores and odds in six of their last seven games against the Raiders.
The race for the playoff spots in the AFC is going to be something special. The Tennessee Titans have a little breathing room but there are 11 other teams with 1½ games of each other. Two of those squads are the Cincinnati Bengals and Las Vegas Raiders, who are both 5-4 and still within range of the leaders in their divisions.
Both teams come into the game having lost their last two games and while a loss won’t eliminate them from the tightly bunched AFC playoff picture, the team that pulls this one out will certainly be in good shape moving forward.
Cincinnati quarterback Joe Burrow and Raiders’ QB Derek Carr both have three touchdown passes and three interceptions in their last two games
Dallas Cowboys at Kansas City Chiefs
Odds: Chiefs -2½
What to know: The total of 56 is the highest of all the Week 11 NFL games.
The quarterback matchup between Dak Prescott of the Dallas Cowboys and Patrick Mahomes of the Kansas City Chiefs should be enough for people to want to see this AFC/NFC crossover game.
Mike McCarthy on Patrick Mahomes on @1053thefan: “Brett Favre was a comparable that a lot of people made in the (predraft) conversations that I was a part of. … I’ll enjoy watching him after Sunday. No, you put him & Dak Prescott on the field, this is gonna be a heck of a game.”
— Jon Machota (@jonmachota) November 19, 2021
Kansas City (6-4) has won three straight and currently leads the AFC West but all four teams are within a game of first place. Dallas is running away with things in the NFC East as Dallas (7-2) is already up 3½ games on the Philadelphia Eagles and holds a four-game lead on the Washington Football Team and New York Giants.
One matchup worth watching could be NFL interceptions leader Trevon Diggs of the Dallas Cowboys covering game-breaking Kansas City receiver Tyreek Hill.
The Dallas Cowboys (+400) are the No. 2 pick behind the Super Bowl champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers to win the NFC title. The Kansas City Chiefs (+450) are tied with the Tennessee Titans and trail only the Buffalo Bills in the AFC championship odds.
Green Bay Packers at Minnesota Vikings
Odds: Packers -1
What to know: The Green Bay Packers are 9-0 against NFL betting lines in their last nine games.
At first glance, a showdown between the 8-2 Green Bay Packers and the 4-5 Minnesota Vikings would result in an indifferent yawn but this rivalry has been something to behold with five of the last six matchups being decided by less than 10 points.
A win would give Green Bay a 4½-game lead on Minnesota in the NFC North Division.
This could be a showcase game for Green Bay running back A.J. Dillon who will take over the lead back duties until Aaron Jones returns from injury.
For the Vikings, receiver Justin Jefferson has been targeted 44 times in Minnesota’s four wins and 35 times in the five losses.
Pittsburgh Steelers at Los Angeles Chargers
Odds: Chargers -6
What to know: The Pittsburgh Steelers are 6-1 against the NFL picks against the spread in their last seven road games against the Los Angeles Chargers.
This Sunday night game is interesting because of the players who might not play as much as the ones who will when Pittsburgh (5-3-1) plays the Los Angeles Chargers (5-4).
Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger’s status is up in the air while T.J. Watt, one of the frontrunners for the NFL Defensive Player of the Year award, hasn’t practiced this week.
For the Chargers, top pass rusher Joey Bosa is currently on the COVID list.
Regardless of who plays or more appropriately, who doesn’t play, this is a huge game for both teams.
Pittsburgh is currently in second place in the AFC North while Los Angeles is tied for second place in the AFC West.
