Saints def. Falcons 31-14
Ravens def. Jets 21-17
Bears def. Rams 27-20
Steelers def. Browns 20-16
Panthers def. Dolphins 27-10
Lions def. Bucs 34-24
Packers def. Vikings 21-20
Texans def. Jags 17-14
Chiefs def. Chargers 28-17
Cardinals def. Colts 27-24
Titans def. Raiders 20-16
Giants def. Cowboys 31-28
Broncos def. Pats 31-24
49ers def Redskins 28-14
Week 11 record: 10-5
Season record: 108-54
Minnesota def. Green Bay 10-7
Pittsburgh def. Cleaveland 21-16
Detroit def. Tampa 38-14
Kansas City def. San Diego 35-31
Chicago def. STL 23-17
Carolina def. Miami 34-14
Baltimore def. NYJ 21-17
Houston def. JAX 24-9
Tennessee def. Oakland 17-13
Indy def. Arizona 42-17
Dallas def. NYG 27-10
Denver def. New England 37-27
Washington def. San Fran 24-21
Week 11 Record: 10-5
Season Record: 59-39
Packers def. Vikings 17-14
Steelers def. Browns 14-10
Lions def. Buccaneers 31-20
Chiefs def. Chargers 20-17
Bears def. Rams 28-20
Panthers def. Dolphins 24-21
Jets def. Ravens 14-13
Texans def. Jaguars 17-13
Titans def. Raiders 20-13
Cardinals def. Colts 21-20
Cowboys def. Giants 31-28
Patriots def. Broncos 34-31
49ers def. Redskins 28-17
Week 11 Record: 12-3
Season Record: 106-56
By Gerald Porter
The Carolina Panthers have NFL nation on its toes. On a 6 game winning streak, the Panthers look very dangerous and have started to become a serious playoff contender. While saying they could make it all the way to the Super Bowl is a stretch, the Panthers do have what it takes to finish out this season strong and take a number 2 seed behind the league best, Seattle Seahawks. But why have the Panthers been able to win so many games for so long? Well it’s partly because of a fairly easy schedule, along with a controversial MNF call, but the main contributing factors has been the consistency and defensive play. The Panthers don’t have the best offense in the league, but Cam Newton has thrown for 200+ yards the past three weeks while DeAngelo Williams has been able to pick up yards on the ground, as the Panthers are 10th in the NFL in Rushing YPG with 125.3. But with a silent but deadly offensive attack, the Panthers defense is what’s really been making noise. Led by 2nd year linebacker Luke Kuechly, the Panthers have been on the prowl, causing major problems for NFL offenses with the number 5 defense in passing YAG with 209.5 and the number 3 defense in rushing YAG with 84.5. With one of the most complete defenses in the league, the Panthers look to be a problem as they’re hunt to be a top team in the NFL has only just begun.
By Julian Passman
Is it ever ok to lose on purpose? If you have no hopes of making the playoffs, wouldn’t it be more beneficial to try and get a higher draft pick? The question has been raised for years now, and frankly, I’m still not sure what the correct answer is. As a franchise, you owe something to the fans who come out and support the team each game, and by losing on purpose you are insulting their loyalty. However, in the same sense, there is no benefit to being 7-9 and missing the playoffs while getting the 15th overall pick. I’ve always thought its worse to be mediocre than awful. Never has this question been more relevant than this Sunday, when the Texans (2-8) face the Jaguars (1-9) at Reliant Stadium in Houston.
Can Chad Henne come through with a clutch loss for the Jags on Sunday?
These are, unquestionably, two of the worst teams in the NFL, but which one is worse? It is never a good thing to have that title, but in this instance, the team who finishes 4-12 is worse off than the team that finishes 2-14. No one would have predicted the Texans to be where they currently are after their 12-4 season last year. I can’t really say the same about the Jaguars, because they are truly terrible at just about every position, and I would expect them to be in contention for the top pick for the next few years to come. With that being said, these two teams will have to make the decision for themselves on Sunday. Either way, this may be the worst game of the season so far, and I would not be surprised if it were blacked out in Houston. Additionally, I’ll give anyone ten dollars to watch this one in its entirety. Although Houston is bad, Jacksonville is just on a whole other level, and for that reason, I’m going with Houston 17-13 in what will be the game of the century.
How many games are left? – Matt Schaub
Saints def. Falcons 34-17
Steelers def. Browns 20-13
Lions def. Buccaneers 30-24
Packers def. Vikings 20-17
Texans def. Jaguars 23-15
Chargers def. Chiefs 23-20
Panthers def. Dolphins 20-10
Ravens def. Jets 24-23
Rams def. Bears 24-21
Cardinals def. Colts 24-21
Raiders def. Titans 16-13
Cowboys def. Giants 31-28
Patriots def. Broncos 34-31
49ers def. Redskins 27-17
Week 11 Record: 9-6
Season Record: 101-61
In one of two games of the week, the San Francisco 49ers will face off against the New Orleans Saints. For both teams, this game has great importance to their respective division races. In the NFC West, the 49ers (6-3) are playing catch-up to a dangerous Seahawks (9-1) team who has not only been displaying their talent as one of the leagues best, but in doing so through a 5 game winning streak. In the NFC South however, the race for first is a tight one between the Saints, who stand first with a 7-2 record and the Carolina Panthers, who are a close second with a 6-3 record. So as the Saints and 49ers are both in need of big wins, this week’s matchup could dictate the pace of the rest of their seasons. But with both teams having strong offenses, the key to a win for either team will be a stronger defense. With the Saints being a league 2nd in passing yards/game with 324.9, and the 49ers being 4th in the league in rushing yards/game with 147.7, the opposing defenses have their work cut out for them. Yet with these high stats, both teams display that their offenses are very one-dimensional. The Saints are 23rd in the NFL in rushing yards/game with 97.8, while the 49ers are 32nd in passing yards/game with 173.9. But as defense is a key factor this week, the 49ers have one of the most well rounded defenses in the league, and with that said, will have the upper hand in this matchup. In passing and rushing yards allowed per game, the 49ers are 8th with 211.7, and 12th with 105.1 yards allowed, respectively. Although the Saints are 3rd in the league in passing yards allowed with 199.9, their run defense ranks a league 23rd with 117.7 yards allowed on the ground per game, which will cause trouble as the 49ers gain most of their yards off the run. As the run defense seems to be the Saints Achilles heel, the 49ers will be able to use their running ability to their advantage, which will then open up the play action game and allow the 49ers to stretch out the Saints defense and ultimately, gain the win this week.
New York Jets def. Buffalo 17-10
Chicago def. Baltimore 28- 20
Cincinnati def. Cleveland 31-17
Philadelphia def. Washington 28-27
Detroit def. Pittsburgh 27-20
Tampa Bay def. Atlanta 14-10
Arizona def. Jacksonville 13-10
Oakland def. Houston 21-20
San Diego def. Miami 27-21
New York Giants def. Green Bay 21-20
New Orleans def. San Francisco 31-28
Seattle def. Minnesota 31-17
Denver def. 31-20
Carolina def. New England 20-17
Week 10 Record: 7-7
Season Record: 94-53
By Julian Passman
Let’s face it, no one really knows how good the Chiefs are. As I mentioned in my previous article, they have only beaten one playoff contender, that being Dallas, and I would barely call them such. Sure, their defense has been impressive getting to opposing Quarterbacks, but they have also allowed the 8th most rush yards per game in the NFL. I’m just not sure what to think, I want to get on the bandwagon, but they do not have me fully convinced yet. However, Kansas City has a chance to quiet all of their doubters this Sunday Night in a primetime show down with the high-octane Denver Broncos. Kansas City will have to travel to Denver, where the Broncos have not lost all year, to face the league’s most productive passing offense, led by Peyton Manning. Manning has been dealing with a few injuries throughout the week, but his status is not in question for Sunday night. Denver will have their own worries on defense, as Jamaal Charles has been the league’s most productive back all year. If Kansas City can establish Charles on the ground early on, it may be a long game for Denver’s defensive unit. That being said, Denver’s real weakness lies in their secondary which allows nearly 300 yards through the air per game. I just don’t think Alex Smith has the arm or weapons to take advantage of the holes which Denver has.
My Prediction: I really want to pick the Chiefs, I really do, but I don’t think they are nearly as good as their record indicates, and for that reason, I’m picking Denver 31-20
Indianapolis def. Tennessee 37-21
Buffalo def. NYJ 35-34
Chicago def. Baltimore 24-20
Cincinnati def. Cleveland 31-10
Philadelphia def. Washington 21-20
Detroit def. Pittsburgh 45-35
Atlanta def. Tampa Bay 27-15
Arizona def. Jacksonville 38-6
Houston def. Oakland 23-15
San Diego def. Miami 42-38
NOLA def. San Fran 27-26
Green Bay def. NYG 17-13
Seattle def. Minnesota 52-17
Denver def. Kansas City 48-45
Carolina def. New England 35-21
Week 10 Record: 7-7
Season Record: 49-34
Beneath The Helmet 