Every Thursday I pop on Facebook and Twitter and toss out my Thursday Night Football Pick ahead of that week’s Friday Afternoon Quarterback column. After a couple weeks of garbage fire games, we were blessed with what looked like solid match up. The third best team in the AFC, the Pittsburgh Steelers, was hosting the third best team in the NFC, the Carolina Panthers.
Here’s my tweet and prediction.
I like the Steelers tonight to win and cover, but this should be a good game. Steelers 24, Panthers 20 #TNF #CARvsPIT
— Adam Greene (@TheFirstMan) November 8, 2018
What actually happened is the Steelers hung 52 points on the Panthers, emphatically showing that not only do they not need Le’Veon Bell, but the Kansas City Chiefs and New England Patriots might want to start paying attention to the goings on in the Steel City. Carolina is a seriously good team and Ben Roethlisberger posted a perfect 158.3 passer rating against them, throwing for 328 yards and five touchdowns. The last month and a half of this season will be very interesting.
Related: NFL Betting Guide | Week 10 Odds
I open the week 1-0 both against the spread and straight up. Let’s see how I can screw it up in your Friday Afternoon Quarterback picks for Week 11 of the NFL season.
Byes: Denver Broncos, Minnesota Vikings, Baltimore Ravens, Houston Texans
New England Patriots at Tennessee Titans (+6.5, O/U: 46.5)
Since losing two straight games in Weeks 2 and 3, the Patriots have reeled off six straight victories. Mike Vrabel and the Titans will make it seven. Patriots 27, Titans 20
Detroit Lions at Chicago Bears (-6.5, O/U: 44)
This line looks a little too big until you remember that Khalil Mack should play and the Lions have won only one road game this entire season. Bears 24, Lions 17
And on this day, Matthew Stafford officially became a Lion: pic.twitter.com/sV4NE5H4dB
— Hardy (@hardy985) November 4, 2018
Atlanta Falcons at Cleveland Browns (+5.5, O/U: 50.5)
It’s games like this that all but ensure a second-half surge toward the playoffs for the Falcons. Falcons 38, Browns 17
New Orleans Saints at Cincinnati Bengals (+5, O/U: 53.5)
This is it. after going straight chalk down the line for my first four picks (counting Thursday), I’m going off the grid. With my face covered in Skyline Chili, I’m all for a Cincy upset. Bengals 27, Saints 24
Jacksonville Jaguars at Indianapolis Colts (-2.5, O/U: 46.5)
Is it time for Good Blake Bortles to make a second appearance this season? I hear The Good Place is on the ropes in the ratings, so now’s the moment to save the day, Blake. Do it for Jason Mendoza! Jaguars 20, Colts 19
Since 1990, four teams (3%) started 3-6 yet made it to playoffs: 1994 Patriots (10-6), 1995 Lions (10-6), 1996 Jaguars (Doh!, 9-7); 2012 Washington (10-6, Mike Shanahan). Broncos in position to become the fifth. #9sports
— Mike Klis (@MikeKlis) November 7, 2018
Buffalo Bills at New York Jets (-7, O/U: 36.5)
Has any Josh McCown quarterbacked team ever been favored by a touchdown in the man’s entire career? Where’s the Next Gen stat on that? Jets 20, Bills 10
Washington Redskins at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (-3, O/U: 51)
This should just be another epic Jay Gruden vs. Dirk Koetter chess match. Just sit back and watch these two masters face off. Redskins 34, Buccaneers 27
"This Tampa Bay Buccaneers football team… pic.twitter.com/jYcgam7I0D
— Trevor Sikkema (@TampaBayTre) November 4, 2018
Arizona Cardinals at Kansas City Chiefs (-16, O/U: 49.5)
You know, 16 points is a lot. In this game, it might still be too low. Chiefs 40, Cardinals 20
Los Angeles Chargers at Oakland Raiders (+9.5, O/U: 50.5)
If you can pull yourself away from the Jay Gruden vs. Dirk Koetter strategic masterpiece, tune into this Anthony Lynn vs. Jon Gruden tour de force. What a time to be alive and an NFL head coach. Chargers 33, Raiders 16
Is that the @Raiders ? https://t.co/nDRfQ4lvtM
— Larry OG (@LarryOG14) November 8, 2018
Miami Dolphins at Green Bay Packers (-9.5, O/U: 47)
Of their three victories, the Packers have only defeated one team by 10 points or more (the Buffalo Bills). Sure, they should beat the Dolphins, but Mike McCarthy will do everything in his power to make this a three-point victory. Packers 27, Dolphins 24
Seattle Seahawks at Los Angeles Rams (-9.5, O/U: 50)
The Rams are at home, healthy and angry coming off a loss. Uh oh. Rams 38, Seahawks 20
Dallas Cowboys at Philadelphia Eagles (-7, O/U: 43)
Two primetime games in a seven-day period for the Cowboys. It’s like the universe wants Jason Garrett fired today. Or at least Monday. Eagles 30, Cowboys 20
Crazy NFL fact–>The top 4 defensive teams this season all have losing records.
1st: Ravens 4-5
2nd: Jaguars 3-5
3rd: Bills 2-7
4th: Cowboys 3-5— Damon A. Salvadore (@DamonSalvadore1) November 8, 2018
New York Giants at San Francisco 49ers (-3.5, O/U: 44)
We all loved the Nick Mullens show last week, but what are the chances he pulls it off two weeks in a row? Besides, the Giants have to start winning a few games to knock themselves out of the No. 1 pick in the draft. Giants 28, 49ers 24
Notable #49ers debuts as starter:
Joe Montana
• 36 pass yards, 0 pass TDSteve Young
• 80 pass yards, 1 pass TDNick Mullens
• 262 pass yards, 3 pass TDWe aren’t saying it’s a thing but…
— NFL Research (@NFLResearch) November 2, 2018
This week
Straight up: 1-0
Against the spread: 1-0
Last week
Straight up: 8-5
Against the spread: 7-6
Season
Straight up: 76-56-2
Against the spread: 68-66
