We are now firmly in the back half of the 2021 NFL season. With upsets sweeping across the league, will things start to normalize this week? Let’s take a look at our Week 11 picks and predictions and see what the NFL betting landscape holds.
NFL picks and predictions Week 11 | NFL lines and odds
The early NFL odds for Week 11 underline how this week looks somewhat unbalanced in terms of matchups. Seven of the 15 games have early lines where one team is favored by at least a touchdown. However, the NFL is notorious for its unpredictability.
Let’s take a look at the Week 11 picks, predictions, and NFL odds from DraftKings Sportsbook as of 2 PM ET on November 20.
New Orleans Saints at Philadelphia Eagles (-2.5)
If you’ve read my weekly picks and predictions, you know how much I love playing on narratives. The NFL is so unpredictable. Sometimes, just fading what happened last week is good process.
The Eagles are coming off a strong road win over the Broncos, while the Saints dropped a heartbreaker to the Titans. Time for the good ol’ double-reverse play. The Saints get it done on the road here as the Eagles fall back to earth.
Saints vs. Eagles Prediction: Saints 22, Eagles 17
Miami Dolphins (-3.5) at New York Jets
The Dolphins are coming off an extremely impressive home victory over the Ravens. The Jets were embarrassed at home by the Bills. What does that give us?
You guessed it! Another double-reverse narrative. The Dolphins are poised for a road letdown while the Jets play inspired football at home.
Dolphins vs. Jets Prediction: Jets 23, Dolphins 20
Washington Football Team at Carolina Panthers (-3.5)
No double-reverse narrative here. We have two teams coming off impressive wins, and one of them has to lose.
I believe in the Panthers and their sneakily good defense more than the Football Team. It feels like Washington had their Super Bowl last week. The Panthers are certainly set up for a letdown, but Cam Newton making his first start will have the team extra motivated.
Washington vs. Panthers Prediction: Panthers 24, Football Team 16
Indianapolis Colts at Buffalo Bills (-7)
Both of these teams are coming off dominant wins. The Bills are the better team with the better quarterback. Josh Allen and Stefon Diggs finally looked truly in sync last week.
Meanwhile, Carson Wentz had a dud game against the Jaguars. Wentz may play better, but I like the Bills to keep it rolling at home.
Colts vs. Bills Prediction: Bills 30, Colts 20
Detroit Lions at Cleveland Browns (-12)
The Lions are coming off a tie. Yes, a tie. It’s an improvement after they lost their first eight games.
The Browns were just embarrassed in New England, scoring only 7 points. Baker Mayfield got banged up again, but he will play. Nick Chubb should also return this week. I expect the Browns to steamroll the Lions in this one.
Lions vs. Browns Prediction: Browns 34, Lions 10
San Francisco 49ers (-6.5) at Jacksonville Jaguars
The 49ers looked very impressive at home against the Rams last week. However, we mustn’t forget the previous week where they got blown out at home by Colt McCoy. It’s difficult to know what to make of this 49ers team.
Despite the Jaguars looking mostly awful all season, I just can’t lay a touchdown on the road with a sub-.500 team.
49ers vs. Jaguars Prediction: 49ers 24, Jaguars 20
Houston Texans at Tennessee Titans (-10)
Every team we thought was really good faceplanted in the last week or two — except the Titans. This squad just keeps finding ways to win games.
The Titans had their disastrous loss back in Week 4 against the Jets. Clearly, it served as a wake-up call as Tennessee hasn’t lost since. They’ve had multiple impressive wins and have shown no signs of slowing down. The Texans will offer little resistance.
Texans vs. Titans Prediction: Titans 31, Texans 14
Green Bay Packers (-1) at Minnesota Vikings
The Packers’ offense looked broken last week. Aaron Rodgers failed to throw a single touchdown. Nevertheless, the defense dominated, shutting out the Seahawks.
The Vikings are coming off an impressive road win over the Chargers. Eventually, the Packers are going to lose again. For now, they keep finding ways to win, and I’m done fading them.
Packers vs. Vikings Prediction: Packers 28, Vikings 21
Baltimore Ravens (-6) at Chicago Bears
Justin Fields is steadily improving week by week. You love to see it. Unfortunately, the Ravens have had 10 days to think about their performance against the Dolphins. They are angry, motivated, and ready to take out their frustrations on the Bears.
I expect Baltimore’s offense to absolutely explode this week. The Bears aren’t going to know what hit them.
Ravens vs. Bears Prediction: Ravens 38, Bears 16
Cincinnati Bengals (-1.5) at Las Vegas Raiders
I really thought the Raiders would play better last week, but they let me down. This team laying this much at home to a good Bengals team feels wrong.
Whenever a line jumps out at me like the Bengals here, I immediately pause and ask why? It feels like this line should be Raiders -3. The sportsbooks know something I don’t. I’m not falling for it.
Bengals vs. Raiders Prediction: Bengals 27, Raiders 20
Dallas Cowboys at Kansas City Chiefs (-2.5)
I really hope we get the shootout we deserve here. The NFL has been light on offense over the past few weeks. Every time the Chiefs play another elite offense, I’m hoping for something resembling the greatest regular-season game of all time — Chiefs vs. Rams 2018.
Of course, we’re not getting another 100-point epic, but I’ll take a standard high-scoring affair. I want to take the Cowboys here, and I would if this game were in Dallas. Alas, it is not, and it feels like the Chiefs are back.
Cowboys vs. Chiefs Prediction: Chiefs 31, Cowboys 28
Arizona Cardinals (-1.5) at Seattle Seahawks
The Cardinals got their unexpected win with Colt McCoy two weeks ago against the 49ers. Last week, however, McCoy reminded them who he is. Nevertheless, the Cardinals have a Week 12 bye and seem really committed to making sure Kyler Murray is 100% for the stretch run.
This team is making the playoffs regardless of the outcome of this game. I’m sure they want a road win against a division foe, but they want their MVP candidate quarterback healthy more. I think they hold Murray out one more week, and Russell Wilson has a bounce-back performance.
Cardinals vs. Seahawks Prediction: Seahawks 27, Cardinals 17
Sunday Night Football: Pittsburgh Steelers at Los Angeles Chargers (-5)
It will be a race against the clock for Ben Roethlisberger to return from the COVID-19 list for this game. The Chargers, meanwhile, desperately need a win after losing three of their last four.
The Steelers certainly let one get away last week in tying the Lions. If Mason Rudolph starts again, I don’t think they have any chance. If Roethlisberger returns, there’s hope, but I like the Chargers to impress this week.
Steelers vs. Chargers Prediction: Chargers 24, Steelers 16
Monday Night Football: Week 11 picks and predictions
The New York Giants have to travel to Tampa Bay to face the Buccaneers, who are coming off an embarrassing loss in Week 10. Good luck.
New York Giants at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (-11)
Everyone in the world knows we’re getting angry Tom Brady this week. Coming off a loss to the Football Team, the Bucs will not take the Giants lightly.
Saquon Barkley’s potential return is going to be met with fierce resistance. The Giants may be getting healthy, but the Bucs are as motivated as ever to remind everyone who they are. I expect a cornucopia of points Monday night.
Giants vs. Buccaneers Prediction: Bucs 35, Giants 10