Week 11 in the NFL features one of the most anticipated matchups of the season as the undefeated Kansas City Chiefs face perhaps their biggest test yet against the Buffalo Bills. But while this showdown will certainly attract attention, there are sure to be others that produce scintillating storylines.
Identifying the strongest candidates to catch our attention is quite difficult, as only one other game on Sunday – the Baltimore Ravens vs. the Pittsburgh Steelers – will pit two winning teams. But after last week brought exciting results from the Chiefs, Detroit Lions and Pittsburgh Steelers, among others, there are sure to be more twists and turns that will leave people with plenty to talk about on Monday .
Here are the bold Week 11 predictions from USA TODAY Sports’ NFL writers and editors:
Jared Goff won’t throw an interception – but will connect on a TD pass to Amon-Ra St. Brown
After throwing a career-high five interceptions (and surviving) in Houston on Sunday night, expect a big comeback from the Detroit Lions quarterback for at least two reasons. Hey, the Jacksonville Jaguars are coming to the Motor City, and they’ll bring the lowest-ranked defense in the NFL while being positioned in the league’s bottom quartile for interceptions with, well, five picks. Then consider that Goff’s gaffes against the Texans were so out of character. Not long ago (Week 4) he set an NFL record by going 18 for 18 against Seattle. And in 2023, he was within reach of the NFL record with a 383 pass streak without a pick. Until disaster began to strike in the Lone Star State, Goff had gone five games and 114 consecutive passes without an INT. At one point during his meltdown, Goff sat on the bench and buried his face in a cap.
But at least he left the place a winner – and became the first Lions QB in 60 years to win a game after throwing five interceptions (Frank Sinkwich, 6). It was a testament to the balance of the supporting cast and Detroit’s prowess as it currently positions itself as the No. 1 seed in the NFC. So, back on his field in the friendly confines of Ford Field, Goff will take advantage of his comfort zone and get back on track. And that will include another payoff for sensational wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown, who has caught a TD touchdown in seven straight games and until last weekend had 30 consecutive receptions on throws from Goff.
— Jarrett Bell
Two premier AFC games decided by two combined points
Give the writers serious props if this one actually happens. Both afternoon slots feature intriguing AFC matchups: Baltimore at Pittsburgh early and Kansas City at Buffalo late. Both games will offer fun watches and close finishes – and both will be decided by a single point. With both games airing on CBS, the parent company must be salivating.
Last week, the Bengals-Ravens duel was decided by one point and the Steelers beat the Commanders by one score. Every time the Bills and Chiefs play, the game seems to hinge on whether Josh Allen or Patrick Mahomes has the ball last (somehow it always feels like it’s Mahomes) . That these games will be close is not a bold prediction. Margin is boldness, and it symbolizes how crowded the AFC summit is in 2024.
—Chris Bumbaca
SoFi Stadium will host a de facto playoff game on Sunday night
As we get closer to Thanksgiving, the weekly evolution of the NFL playoff picture has started to resurface in a visible way. This weekend’s game between the Cincinnati Bengals (4-6) and Los Angeles Chargers (6-3) was compelling enough to fit into the “Sunday Night Football” slot and will have heavy playoff ramifications – so much so that I would bet (a small amount) that the winner will end up with a wild-card spot. Both teams are playing well enough, but each is nowhere near at this point for a division title. The Bolts currently sit as the sixth seed in the conference and have a decent margin for error, but are about to enter a much tougher part of their schedule – which will include hosting another prime-time game against the Ravens in Week 12. Cincinnati had won four of six before losing Thursday’s deciding game at Baltimore. Still, this team can score with the best of them and could even step up a gear when LT Orlando Brown Jr. and WR Tee Higgins return to the field. A win on Sunday followed by a well-deserved bye week should prepare quarterback Joe Burrow and the Bengals for one of their patented closing kicks.
—Nate Davis
Bengals snap Chargers’ streak of 20 points or less, but Los Angeles survives prime time
The Chargers are the fourth team since 1990 to allow 20 points or fewer in each of their first nine games of a season. Defensive coordinator Jesse Minter is the highest-scoring defense in the NFL. However, with the exception of Patrick Mahomes and Kyler Murray, the Chargers defense has faced average or below average quarterbacks. The Chargers’ scoring streak of 20 points or less will end Sunday night at the hands of Joe Burrow, Ja’Marr Chase and the Bengals. Burrow leads the NFL in passing yards, while Chase leads the league in receiving yards. Burrow would throw for over 250 yards and Chase would get a receiving touchdown. But the Chargers would still hold on to win, 23-22, thanks to a winning drive from Justin Herbert. The victory will give Herbert a 2-0 career record against his 2020 QB draft classmate.
-Tyler Dragon
Patriots put Rams’ playoff hopes on life support
This hardly qualifies as a marquee game, but I’m the only one who picked New England to beat Los Angeles, so an explanation is warranted. The Patriots certainly didn’t find a cure for all their ills simply by taking on the New York Jets and Chicago Bears. But between an improving defense and Drake Maye finding enough spark to reinvigorate a previously lifeless offense, Jerod Mayo and Co. might have enough in the tank to notch their third win in four weeks. The Rams, meanwhile, can’t put together the pieces of the puzzle that is their offensive line and their protection plan for Matthew Stafford. If they can’t solve it on Sunday, their season could be beyond repair, as there’s little chance a 4-6 group can get ahead of the likes of the Green Bay Packers, Washington Commanders and San Francisco 49ers in the race for a wild NFC title. map stain.
—Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz
This article was originally published on USA TODAY: NFL predictions for Week 11: What are our bold projections?
