NFL 2014 Week 11 picks

Thursday night:  Buffalo Bills at Miami Dolphins:  Both teams are doing well and coming off close losses.  Kyle Orton has looked good since replacing ineffective EJ Manuel, and Ryan Tannehill has posted excellent numbers.  I like Miami's defense, and that might be the difference in this game.  DOLPHINS, 24-20

Sunday early games:
Atlanta Falcons at Carolina Panthers:  Something has to give!  While both teams stink outside the division, both teams are unbeaten against divisional opponents.  Carolina is crumbling on both sides of the ball, while Atlanta still shows promise on offense, so I'll pick the Falcons.  FALCONS, 24-20

Cincinnati Bengals at New Orleans Saints:  The Saints lost to an overtime field goal last week, but this week it won't need to go to overtime.  SAINTS, 27-20

Denver Broncos at St Louis Rams:  QB Shaun Hill is healthy enough to return to the Rams line-up, but the bigger issue is slowing the Broncos offense.  They won't be that successful.  BRONCOS, 31-20

Houston Texans at Cleveland Browns:  Both teams have good offenses and special teams, so the difference is offense.  There the edge goes to Cleveland.  BROWNS, 23-17

Minnesota Vikings at Chicago Bears:  I'm picking the upset here.  With all of the negative attention poured onto the Bears this week, they will sharpen their game.  Pity the Vikings, who are still getting used to having Teddy Bridgewater under center.  BEARS, 27-23

San Francisco 49ers at New York Giants:  Everyone has been complaining about the collapse of the Bears' defense, but the Giants' is nearly as bad.  49ERS, 27-23

Seattle Seahawks at Kansas City Chiefs:  The Seahawks begin the tough part of their schedule, and I bet they wish they had a better record than 6-3 to begin it.  KC's offense may be conservative, but they don't have to be high-powered when they have one of the toughest defenses in the league.  That was said about Seattle's last year, but they haven't played like it this year.  CHIEFS, 23-20

Tampa Bay Bucs at Washington Redskins:  The Bucs have one of the worst defenses in the league, especially against the run, so that plays right into RGIII's hands.  REDSKINS, 23-20

Sunday late games:
Detroit Lions at Arizona Cardinals:  This should be an interesting game.  Everyone is wondering whether Drew Stanton can produce.  He has shown himself capable in the other times he has filled in for Carson Palmer, so I don't question it.  The strength of the Cardinals is their defense, and Detroit's Matthew Stafford doesn't always do well against tough defenses.  CARDINALS, 23-17

Oakland Raiders at San Diego Chargers:  The Raiders are looking for their first win of the season.  That search will continue, as the Chargers should roll through the porous Raiders defense.  CHARGERS, 24-16

Philadelphia Eagles at Green Bay Packers:  Here's a fun game.  Either team could really win.  Mark Sanchez moved into Nick Foles' spot very well, but this offense can move no matter who is under center.  Aaron Rodgers' back didn't seem to bother him at all against the Bears, but their defense wasn't rushing much.  Against the Eagles, it will be another story.  EAGLES, 27-24

Sunday night:  New England Patriots at Indianapolis Colts:  The Patriots have had the upper hand against the Colts, both when Peyton led them and since Andrew Luck has taken over.  While both offenses should move well, the Patriots should secure another win.  PATS, 31-27

MONDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL:  Pittsburgh Steelers at Tennessee Titans:  The Titans are struggling, while the Steelers are pacing Cleveland for the division lead.  The Steelers love national games like this one, so expect them to excel.  STEELERS, 26-17