The best rivalry game in the NFL will go down on Sunday night in Pittsburgh. The Steelers host the Ravens in a game that has major implications on the AFC North playoff race. Andrew Luck will hope to reignite the Colts-Patriots rivalry on Sunday, and the best team in the NFL will meet the worst team in the NFL.
Lots to talk about in Week 11. We'll start on Thursday night.
More: NFL odds for Week 11 | Power rankings | Big Ben out
Dolphins vs. Bills
We've suffered through a lot of Thursday night games this year. Bucs-Vikings, Chiefs-Chargers and Colts-Jaguars to name a few. This is a rivalry game so it's (probably) not the worst matchup on Thursday night this year, but it's close. Actually, it might be the worst.
The pick: 20-17, Dolphins
Cardinals vs. Falcons
This would be a great matchup ... in Week 5. Back then, both the Cardinals and Falcons were undefeated at 4-0. The Cards have imploded since then, losers of five in a row. The Falcons, meanwhile, lost their first game last week. Atlanta's running game will eventually be an issue but not on Sunday against Arizona.
The pick: 27-13, Falcons
Buccaneers vs. Panthers
More people should be talking about the Bucs. They're 5-4, winners of three in a row and currently one of the top offenses in the game. Did anyone realize this is the third-ranked offense right now? They haven't had fewer than four touchdowns in a game since September. This is one of the hottest teams in football right now.
The pick: 30-20, Buccaneers
Packers vs. Lions
I can't see the Packers playing the Lions and not mention the Suh stomp:
The pick: 35-30, Packers
Browns vs. Cowboys
Everyone's had this game circled on their calendars all year long. The game of the week between two perennial powers.
Wait, what? This actually isn't a big game? Then why are the Cowboys selling commemorative t-shirts for it?
The pick: 24-20, Cowboys
Eagles vs. Redskins
Michael Vick won't play, so this game loses some luster but with any Eagles game from here on out we're going to be on Andy Reid watch. He could get fired at any time. Or he could convince management that they have to go to Nick Foles right now, which could buy him another year or two. That's the game that's going on right now.
The pick: 24-20, Redskins
Jets vs. Rams
This is one of the saddest matchups of the week, and I'm not talking about the crowd in St. Louis. The Jets are a clown show at this point. Not even a real football team. Just there for our entertainment.
The pick: 17-16, Rams
Bengals vs. Chiefs
If Jets-Rams is the saddest game, then this is a close second. The Bengals actually have hopes for this season, so they have something to play for. The Chiefs, meanwhile, are deciding between Brady Quinn and Matt Cassel.
Let that sink in for a second. Chiefs fans are hoping Brady Quinn plays. This is what it's come to.
The pick: 23-13, Bengals
Andrew Weber-US PRESSWIRE
Jaguars vs. Texans
Oh no. Our No. 1 ranked team hosts our No. 32 ranked team. The Texans are 15½ point favorites, which is incredible. The only question is how many touchdowns they win by.
The pick: 42-10, Texans
Saints vs. Raiders
Can the Saints really make the playoffs after an 0-4 start? Of their seven remaining games, they should beat the Raiders, Bucs, Cowboys and Panthers. That's eight wins. They'll need to steal one, possibly two, from the 49ers, Falcons and Giants. The road to the playoffs continues Sunday in Oakland.
The pick: 38-17, Saints
Chargers vs. Broncos
If anyone cares about the AFC West, this is a big game in the division. A Denver win gives the Broncos a three-game lead in the division with just six games to go. In other words, the Broncos can effectively seal the deal with a win. Expect them to do that, especially with Peyton Manning playing like he's from another planet right now.
The pick: 30-20, Broncos
Jeremy Brevard-US PRESSWIRE
Colts vs. Patriots
Be prepared for what's coming: lots and lots and lots of Brady-Luck talk. Is this the new Brady-Manning? Is Luck as good as Manning? Do you think Brady and Luck are friends? Better friends than Brady and Manning? Why is Peyton's forehead so big? (That last one is a legitimate question.)
The pick: 33-27, Patriots
Ravens vs. Steelers
No Big Ben on Sunday. Since being drafted in 2004, the Steelers QB has missed the Ravens game four times due to suspension or injury. And the Steelers lost all four of those games. Sometimes one player really does make all the difference.
The pick: 16-9, Ravens
Bears vs. 49ers
This is awesome. I enjoy old school football -- Ravens-Steelers is one of my favorite games every year -- so this is the perfect game for me. The 49ers are the top ranked defense while the Bears are second. Both teams will need their defense in a big way because Jay Cutler and Alex Smith could both miss this game. I like the 49ers offense with Colin Kaepernick more than I do the Bears with Jason Campbell.
The pick: 9-6, 49ers
