NFL 2023 Week 11 Prequel
Thursday, November 16, 2023, 8pm
Cincinnati Bengals at Baltimore Ravens (-3 1/2) — Both teams suffered surprising home losses last week. Both teams have great quarterbacks and solid defenses. This is one to go with the home field. In a close game, trust Justin Tucker every time. Ravens win but fail to cover
Sunday, November 19, 1pm
Dallas Cowboys (-10 1/2) at Carolina Panthers — The Cowboys have started to turn it on, and yes, the Panthers are awful. Yet the spread is too high for a road team that sometimes plays to the level of its competition. Cowboys win but fail to cover
Pittsburgh Steelers at Cleveland Browns (-2 1/2) — The Browns got a big emotional win at Baltimore only to find out after the game that Deshaun Watson was out for the season. Nevertheless, the Dawg Pound wins games with defense. This will be a typical AFC North slobberknocker. Kenny Pickett is not elite. PJ Walker will manage the game. Expect the Browns to rally around Walker. Both teams want to run the ball and play defense. Give the Browns the benefit of the doubt at home. Browns cover
Chicago Bears at Detroit Lions (-9) — The Lions are very good.. The Bears are awful. The Lions offense is unstoppable. The Bears offense is anemic. This game could be over by halftime. Lions cover
Los Angeles Chargers (-3) at Green Bay Packers — The Chargers consistently underachieve while the Packers are a shell of what they were. Justin Herbert is better than Jordan Love. The Green Bay weather will not be a factor, allowing Herbert to spread the ball around. It is hard to ever trust the Chargers, but they have more weapons on offense. Chargers cover
Arizona Cardinals at Houston Texans (-4) — The return of Kyler Murray gave the Cardinals a jolt last week. The Texans went on the road and stunned Cincinnati. The Texans have the better defense. CJ Stroud is playing lights out football. Yet with Murray back, the Cardinals could be competitive. The texans do not blow teams out when they win. Texans win but fail to cover
Tennessee Titans at Jacksonville Jaguars (-6 1/2) — After getting humiliated at home by 31 points against San Francisco, the Jaguars will be an angry bunch. The Titans just are not as good as they were before the roof caved in last year. If Derrick Henry can get going, the Titans can shorten the game and keep it close. The Texans will right the ship, but it will not be a cakewalk. Jaguars win but fail to cover
Las Vegas Raiders at Miami Dolphins (-12) — Yes, the Raiders are 2-0 since Josh McDaniels was fired. Do not be fooled. While Antonio Pierce is a major upgrade, the Raiders beat a pair of beatable teams at home. Now they face a real test on the road against one of the fastest offenses in the league. The Raiders are improved, but that does not mean they are good. Tua Tagovailoa is far better than Aidan O’Connell. Tyreek Hill can light it up, and a quick Dolphins lead would remove Josh Jacobs as a factor. Dolphins cover
New York Giants at Washington Commanders (-9 1/2) — The Giants are a mess, but the Commanders are not that special. The Giants have an adequate defense but an inept offense. The Giants could get a garbage touchdown. Commanders win but fail to cover
4pm
Tampa Bay Buccaneers at San Francisco 49ers (-11 1/2) — The 49ers finally returned to form last week in a 31 point blowout win at a good Jacksonville team. Having Deebo Samuel back made a world of difference for the 49ers. Yet the Buccaneers have some playmakers. Baker Mayfield is no slouch. Neither are his receivers. Neither is the defense, although the 49ers have a better defense. A garbage touchdown is very realistic. 49ers win but fail to cover
New York Jets at Buffalo Bills (-7) — Josh Allen is far better than Zach Wilson, but Allen has not been playing well in recent weeks. The Bills turn the ball over far too often. A loss at home last week to Denver led to the firing of Buffalo’s offensive coordinator. Both teams are 5-5 and have very good defenses. Yet in a battle for survival, go with the better quarterback at home. Bills win but fail to cover
Seattle Seahawks (-1) at Los Angeles Rams — The Seahawks are an overachieving team. The Rams are in rebuilding mode. Geno Smith is playing well. Pete Carroll and sean McVay are both great coaches, but right now Carroll has more to work with. Seahawks cover
8pm
Minnesota Vikings at Denver Broncos (-2 1/2) — Both of these teams were left for dead and then got red hot. The Broncos started 1-5 but have won three straight including a stunner last week at Buffalo. The Vikings started 1-4 but have won five straight. Joshua Dobbs has played well in place of the injured Kirk Cousins. The Broncos have the better defense and the home field. Broncos cover
Monday, November 20, 8pm
Philadelphia Eagles at Kansas City Chiefs (-3) — The rematch of Super Bowl XLVII is finally here. Both of these teams have a legitimate chance at getting back to the Super Bowl. Patrick Mahomes and Jalen Hurts are both elite. This is one of those games where the hot field could make the difference. In a battle of evenly matched great teams, go with the crowd at Arrowhead. Chiefs cover