In mid-November, the stakes for each game get higher and higher. There are teams desperately clinging to a playoff hope based on recent wins. Two examples come to mind for week 11 are the Las Vegas Raiders and the Denver Broncos who many once considered dead and buried. The game of the week will be the Superbowl 57 rematch between the Eagles and the Chiefs. It means the Kelce brothers will square off, their mom Donna will be in the stands, and pop superstar Taylor Swift will likely be at the game. Elsewhere, we will have our attention fixed on the AFC North matchups including the Browns and Steelers, after the Ravens’ defeat of the wounded Bengals. Also, can the 49ers start another win streak against the Buccaneers, or the Dolphins get back on track at home? These are some of the questions we answer in the five hottest matchups in week 11.
Last Week: 2-3
Overall: 30-20
1. Las Vegas Raiders at Miami Dolphins Sunday, 1 p.m., CBS
The Raiders have found new life under interim Head Coach Antonio with back-to-back wins. The Raiders are now playing a physical brand of football under the tutelage of the former linebacker, with the team averaging 149 rushing yards in the last two weeks. The defense is now playing inspired and ferocious football with ten sacks and three interceptions while allowing 9 points per game in the same span. However, it does help that those wins came against the woeful franchises in New York, the Jets and Giants. This week, they face a Dolphins team coming off a bye and ready to take off again offensively after a disappointing performance in Germany. I think Tua gets back on track at home and wins comfortably.
Dolphins 31-Raiders 20
2. Pittsburgh Steelers at Cleveland Browns-Sunday, 1 p.m., CBS
This is the most unpredictable game on the schedule. The Browns mounted a comeback last week against the Ravens and looked like a team poised to win the division. However, the team was dealt a blow with the season-ending injury of Deshaun Watson. It makes this matchup even more balanced because both teams have similar styles of wanting to run the ball and play good defense. The Steelers have a 6-3 record, but it is hard to explain how they keep winning because they are outgained based on yardage in every game. However, they know how to finish a close game in the fourth quarter, and I believe Kenny Pickett will do it again on Sunday. It will be a tight divisional matchup, but the Steelers prevail barely.
Steelers 18-Browns 17
3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers at San Francisco 49ers-Sunday, 4:05 p.m. ET Fox
The Buccaneers had an important win last week against the Titans after experiencing a defensive meltdown against the Texans in an excruciating week nine loss. Mike Evans was dominant in Tennessee by grabbing six catches, 143 yards, and one touchdown to lead his team to a comfortable win. However, I have a hard time seeing them winning this game. The 49ers came off their bye last week and looked like the juggernaut that started the season on a five-game winning streak. The defense was menacing, with the newly acquired Chase Young making life difficult for Trevor Lawrence. I think Baker Mayfield will struggle under the pressure, and Brock Purdy with Deebo Samuels will be too much for a Florida franchise for the second consecutive week.
4. Minnesota Vikings at Denver Broncos-Sunday, 8:20 p.m. ET NBC
What a difference a month makes! On October 8, both franchises were 1-4 staring down the abyss of a lost season. However, credit to both teams for still believing, and the two are among the hottest teams in the league. The Vikings have won 5 straight games, while the Broncos have won 3 of the last four games to make this slate one of the hottest games this weekend. Denver had an impressive win on Monday Night Football on the road in Buffalo, but it feels that the Bills self-destructed in the game through 4 turnovers. Despite benefiting from those miscues, the Broncos only won by a point through a game-winning field goal in the waning seconds of the 4th quarter. I think if Minnesota protects the ball, they should win this game because the Denver offense is still not playing effectively. Josh Dobbs is the best story in the NFL as a renaissance man cast aside by many teams to find a home with a Vikings team desperate for a quarterback. The return of Justin Jefferson has made him even better as he gets comfortable in the new system, while Bryan Flores has the defense playing well. It will be a close game under the lights in the altitude in Denver, but I have Minnesota winning.
Vikings 23-Broncos 20
5. Philadelphia Eagles at Kansas City Chiefs-Monday, 8:15 p.m. ET ABC/ESPN
This will be the highest-rated game of the year because it’s not only the Super Bowl rematch, but it pits the two best teams in each conference this season. Both teams had a well-placed bye week before this game to prepare for the showdown. The big prediction for this game is that both teams will not score a combined 73 points, which happened in February. In fact, the Chiefs defense is the best unit this season, and it will be a tough ask for Jalen Hurts, who has not looked healthy all season. Andy Reid is an impressive 21-3 after a regular season bye week, and I think he will get his team ready to play under the Monday Night lights.
Chiefs 27-Eagles 23