NFL: Four Games with Playoff
Implications in Week 11
Green Bay Packers (6-3)
vs. Detroit Lions (4-5)
The Packers
head to Ford Field after their bye week in hopes of regaining their momentum.
The Packers, winners of four straight, are looking to overtake the Chicago
Bears on top of the NFC North. The Packers will face an improving Detroit
defensive backfield. The Lions are currently 7th in pass defense but
Aaron Rodgers historically plays well against the Lions. So, this should be a
great test for both teams. Detroit needs this win to stay alive in the playoff
chase in the NFC and if the Packers win it will get them one game closer for a
divisional showdown with the Bears. This game will be decided by the pressure
the Lions can put on Rodgers, but if that does not happen it will be a long day
for the Lions’ defense.
Prediction: Packers 38-20
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (5-4) vs. Carolina Panthers
The Buccaneers won a crucial game last week against the
Chargers and now face that same urgency against the Panthers today. The
Panthers have no chance of making the playoffs but they can hinder the playoff
hopes of the Bucs. Last week, the Bucs’ defense was able to create turnovers
and they will need to do much of the same against the Panthers. The Bucs’ can win
this game if they can keep Cam Newton scrambling instead of throwing down
field. The Bucs’ still lead the league in defending against the run and this will create more
pressure on Cam Newton to make plays with his arm and not his feet.
Prediction: Bucs 28-20
Baltimore Ravens (7-2)
vs. Pittsburgh Steelers (6-3)
This
divisional matchup has been one of the most highly contested rivalries in the
NFL. This game will be missing some of the key players like Ben Roethlisberger,
Troy Polamalu & Ray Lewis but the game still has major implications on the
division and the playoffs. The Ravens currently are leading the division but
this game will give the Steelers an opportunity to tie up the division. The
Ravens came out strong against the Raiders last week and Joe Flacco had one of
his best games this season while the Steelers struggled on Monday night against
the Chiefs. The Steelers have backup Quarterback Byron Leftwich starting in
place of injured Roethlisberger and this will play to the advantage of the
Ravens. The Steelers are playing at home and for them to have a chance their
linebacking core will need to play a major role in stopping Ray Rice and Joe
Flacco. The Steelers are not only playing for the division but possibly one of
the two wildcard playoff spots. The Ravens can win this game if they can put pressure
on Leftwich and stall the Steelers running game. This game will still be a battle
and will be decided late in the 4th quarter.
Prediction: Ravens 24-17
Chicago Bears (7-2) vs.
San Francisco 49ers (6-2-1)
This game
features two of the best defenses in the NFL and two injured Quarterbacks. The
Bears are regrouping from a tough loss last week that saw them lose Jay Cutler
in the first half to a concussion. Cutler was not cleared to play this week and
this greatly affects their chances of winning on the road. The 49ers played to
a tie last week against the Rams and in that game their starting Quarterback
Alex Smith left the game with a concussion too. The 49ers have still not
announced whether Smith will play or not, but considering how important this
game is to playoff seeding, I bet Smith will find a way to get onto the field.
The winner of this game will have the tie breaker over the other in what should
be a tight race for the playoffs. The defensive matchups favor the 49ers since
Jason Campbell struggled mightily against the Texans last week. But the Bears
might play against a backup Quarterback too, so the 49ers being the home team
gives them the advantage in this toss-up game.
Prediction: 49ers 21-17
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