PostScript Sports

Following a strong 8-6 week in Week 10 we head into Week 11 as some teams are finally starting to emerge as the league’s best. Season Total: 76-73-1.

Drake Maye for MVP? I went against the Patriots last week as they traveled to Tampa Bay to square off against Baker off of a bye. Their defense really proved itself as they limited Tampa with extra time to prepare. Maye has looked great all year, his deep ball is a huge weapon. But doing this with a skill position group that doesn’t jump off the screen is also really starting to stand out to me. The Patriots are not just fighting for the AFC East crown but possibly the one seed and a huge part of that falls on the shoulders of the second-year man under center.

THE BEARS ARE: A playoff team? The NFC North is showing to be possibly the deepest division in the league and right now if the season ended the Bears would finish third in their division but would find themselves in the playoffs. A lot of their wins have looked ugly and ugly against bad teams. The dichotomy of the Caleb Williams experience is still going but the pendulum is starting to have less sway as he seemingly grows more comfortable under the new Ben Johnson system.

We have the match up and possibly game of the year this week in Los Angeles versus Seattle. Both teams are just so well coached, are scheming up offenses and personnel groups that are leaving many opposing defensive coordinators scratching their heads looking at scoreboards that don’t bode well in their favor. This game seems like it will come down to which defense can adjust to the other teams heavy offensive personnel groups. The Seahawks run a ton of nickel on the defensive side of the ball. Can the 3 tight end looks of the Rams make them change or punish the smaller size? Can the Rams secondary slow down Smith-Njigba when they’ve been having troubles slowing down opposing top receivers? Sunday will tell us and we are lucky enough to get a second match up later this year.

New York (J) at New England -12.5

New England -12.5

QB: Advantage New England, Coaching: Advantage New England and Homefield: New England. Trifecta for the Thursday Night rules. It’s a huge line and a division game but I’m just not taking this Jets team, that though did win last week against the Browns. Did put up 14 points on special teams plays. Vrabel has this Patriots team looking better and better every week. I’m just going to ride with the Patriots momentum.

Washington at Miami -2.5

Miami -2.5

Last Europe game of the year by way of Madrid! I don’t have much hope for either of these teams but Miami outside of Thursday Night against the Ravens has some momentum going their way. The one thing I’ve always found true with this Miami team under McDaniel and Tua is if they can stay clean in the pocket and on-time they can put up points. This Washington defense has looked bad on defense the last few weeks. I think Miami just put up more points and wins this game in Spain.

Carolina at Atlanta -3.5

Atlanta -3.5

Talk about two teams that week to week you have no idea what you’re getting from them. When it comes to two teams like that, in the same division and no team with a glaring strength against another team’s weakness I’m just going to ride with the home team. Give me the Falcons but seriously don’t bet real money on either of these teams this year.

Tampa Bay at Buffalo -5.5

Buffalo -5.5

Buffalo crapped the bed last week in an embarrassing loss against the Dolphins in a game in which they were 9.5 point favorites. It just feels like Buffalo is one of those good teams that continues to play down to lower competition and play up to better competition. I think they get back on track in Buffalo and beat a Tampa team that is still just so banged up on the offensive side of the ball.

Houston at Tennessee +6.5

Houston -6.5

The bye week I don’t think will do much for Cam Ward and the Titans offense against this very good Texans defense. Houston needs to win to keep pace and have a chance of making the playoffs. I just think this is a game the Titans will struggle to score in, remember Houston shut out Tennessee in Week 4. I honestly love that this line is under 7. Give me Houston in a blow out.

Chicago at Minnesota -3

Minnesota -3

Both of these teams are a bit of a wild card week to week. I just like the Minnesota defense a little more than I like Chicago’s. Minnesota was able to have a comeback win against the Bears earlier this year. I still find Caleb and the Chicago offense to be too inconsistent and I think this Vikings defense slows them down and turns them over with some creative pressure drawn up by Brian Flores.

Green Bay at New York (G) +7

Green Bay -7

Green Bay is coming off back-to-back losses as a favorite at home so why am I taking them here? No Jaxson Dart, no Cam Skattebo and no Malik Nabers. It’s looking like we will get Jameis Winston under center for the Giants and even though I’m taking the Packers I’ll probably be rooting for the Giants to be eating a W.

Cincinnati at Pittsburgh -5.5

Pittsburgh -5.5

I might be done taking Cincinnati this year. The defense is just so bad and can’t hold onto leads. Pittsburgh at home is still something I’m just going to feel better taking even if the team has holes which this team does. I think the Steelers get revenge from their earlier loss against the Bengals this year and cover the spread.

Seattle at Los Angeles (R) -3

Los Angeles -3

We talked about earlier this being the match up of the week. I am rolling with the Rams here for a few reasons. The Seahawks are banged up on defense. The Seahawks have been mauling teams the last few weeks on the defensive side of the ball which has covered up that their defense is missing a lot of pieces or returning pieces off injury. No Reed, no Love. Jobe Questionable, Ernest Jones Questionable. It makes me worry about this unit against McVay. Seattle always seems to struggle on the road against the Rams. I’m going to roll with LA.

San Francisco at Arizona +3 

Arizona +3

It feels like the San Francisco injuries are finally catching up to them. The Cardinals got embarrassed last week in Seattle but like many teams were saying going into that game. All other Cardinals games have been decided by one score. I don’t think SF can get the pressure on the quarterback like Seattle did. I think Arizona wins this one.

Baltimore at Cleveland +7.5

Baltimore -7.5

I’m going to keep it simple: the Browns are going to struggle to score 13 points. Even with a decent defense the empty possessions on offense will compound and you have to put up points to beat Lamar. I think the Ravens take it to Cleveland this week and climb their way back into the playoff picture.

Kansas City at Denver +3.5

Kansas City -3.5

You should know by now my Thursday Night Theory. But one other theory or rule I play every year gets to take place in Week 11. The rule is: just take Andy Reid off the bye. Reid in his career is 22-4 off of the bye. Aside from that I just don’t trust the Denver offense right now. I think the Chiefs take this one on the road.

Detroit at Philadelphia -2.5

Philadelphia -2.5

I know the Lions put up points and beat up on Washington last week. But I think it’s a real red flag that they turned the play calling back to Dan Campbell. I think this Eagles defense showed last week that they are a good unit and can slow down the Lions rushing attack. 

Dallas at Las Vegas +3.5

Las Vegas +3.5

Neither of these teams are any good. Neither of these teams seem to have a bright future. And neither of these owners have any patience. That all being said, Dallas doesn’t feel like a team that should be 3.5 point favorites on the road against anyone. I’ll take the points, the home team and the Raiders off a bye.

Super 5

KC
BAL
HOU
GB
PIT