NFL Week 11 Preview: End Game Rematch

By Alex Lauzon from the “Course of Life” podcast

After field goal kickers were the heroes all over the NFL this past weekend, we now boot our way into a week twelve slate that has a series of great matchups, and a crescendo to a dream MNF matchup that should have the eyeballs of the entire sports world. It’s the Super Bowl rematch of this past season being revisited for a national television stage on Monday to wrap the Week 11 slate as the Eagles head to KC to play the Chiefs, with both teams picking up right where they left off last season at 8-1 and 7-2 respectively. If you’re looking for vengeance as an Eagles fan, it’s all the more reason to enter our NFL weekly contest for a shot at a big payout.

As we’re at the outset of games that were tricky to predict - full of underdogs covering and some winning outright altogether like the Browns and Texans…we wonder what the motto for Week 12 plays will be. For myself? I’m going with “pick with your head and less with your heart as the season goes on.” Here’s the menu for this weekend’s action:

Games of the Week

Bengals vs Ravens (-3.5) - 8:15 pm ET (Thursday) - Two AFC North teams that I unsuccessfully blacked last week. The Joe Burrow heater talk can cool down, and if the Browns can beat the Ravens then they may not be ready to compete with Kansas City yet. As for who bounces back, the line indicates it goes either way and I stick by Joey B for one more week.

Raiders @ Dolphins (-11) - 1 pm ET - The Fins as double digit favorites off of a bye, while they host a raiders team that’s fired its coach but also in playoff contention? Believe it. I can see why the spot is dictating this big line, but don’t be surprised if the Vegas squad made up mostly of former Patriots players knows the Dolphins tendencies pretty well here.

Steelers @ Browns (-3.5) - 1 pm ET - This is quite the coaching performance from Mike Tomlin to have his group at 6-3 without their starting QB. I like them to go into Cleveland and tame Desahun Watson, who falls back to reality after a “game of the year” type of performance Sunday. 

Bucs @ 49ers (-10.5) - 4:05 pm ET - There’s something missing from this year's Niners team but I can’t put my finger on it. After dropping three in a row they had a resurrecting effort in pummeling the Jags, and public m,oney should come pouring back in on them. This feels like a “no cover” win for San Fran back at home.

Jets @ Bills (-6.5) - 4:25 pm ET - Sure the Jets may get Aaron Rodgers back (miraculously) before Christmas, but will it be too late at this pace? A recent loss within the AFC makes their path narrow, and Buffalo does not feel like a kind, quiet venue where Zach Wilson will thrive, does it? I’d be stunned if the Bills drop two in a row at home.

Fishy Lines to Watch

Bears @ Lions (-10.5) - 1 pm ET - It’s feeling like a bizarro world where the Lions will be heavy favorites this weekend and on Thanksgiving day, but welcome to the crazy party. I will note this could be a soft look ahead, and though the Bears have zero clutch players on offense to help them win a tough game late, they could be pesky here. 

Cowboys @ Panthers (-11) - 1 pm ET - As you can see there’s a surprising amount of double digit favorites on the board. History in NFL lines will tell us that at least 60% won’t cover the big spreads, so is Carolina a pick to give the Cowboys fits? Cowboys bettors should inflate this line as the week progresses. 

The Primetime Pick

Eagles @ Chiefs (-3) - 8:15 pm ET (Monday) - NBD…Just a Super Bowl rematch with both teams rolling along this season. It’s pretty much everything you could ask for in a Monday Night finale to the week, and with it being a Monday night will a certain pop star in between concerts be there to steal the cameras? It’s likely. As for the game, the line indicates it’s a coin flip and the Chiefs offense versus the Eagles defense will be an all-out brawl in between the lines.

Week Eleven Plays To Watch

(16-9 last five weeks)

Bengals +3.5 - One last stand for Joey Burrow to catch heat again.

Raiders +11 - The number might be even better for Raiders backers as the week goes on…

Steelers +3.5 - Maybe a money line sprinkle? This is Mike Tomlin SZN.

Bills -6 - They’re not the same but they’re good enough in this spot

Chiefs -3 - Especially if you know who is there

Lock of the Week (3-4 this season)

Bears +10.5 - Leaning into the cringe and betting on a Lions look-ahead to Turkey Day.