AFC Week 11 Preview

AFC week 11 preview

Sports Analyst Tim CarrollTim is a freelance Sports Reporter with previous work in the Daily Vidette at Illinois State University.

Thursday, November 19, 2015

Tennessee Titans (2-7) at Jacksonville Jaguars (3-6)

In this week’s latest “Color Rush” game, the Titans take on the Jags in what is possibly the worst game ever with playoff implications. If the Jaguars win, they’ll have a chance to end the week tied for first place in the division, as long as Houston and Indianapolis lose as well. Blake Bortles has played reasonably well this season, but still leaves you wanting more if this team is to be a real division title contender. I they are to beat out teams that feature JJ Watt and Andrew Luck, they are going to need outstanding play from Bortles to win a few games they likely shouldn’t. The Titans aren’t a great team, and playing in Jacksonville won’t help, but they could even make a division title run if they get hot enough, although that seems very unlikely. Expect a competitive game, unless Bortles takes over.

Prediction: Jacksonville 31, Tennessee 23.

Sunday, November 22, 2015

New York Jets (5-4) at Houston Texans (4-5)

After suffering a tough loss at home to former coach Rex Ryan, the Jets turn their attention to another team that’s had its hardships, but are still in position to control their own destiny with some wins. The playoff push is just beginning, and these teams are right in the thick of it. Many recent Super Bowl winners have come out of the Wild Card spots, and if everything were to break right, who knows? Ryan Fitzpatrick said he’s going to play Sunday, and with Hoyer out due to a concussion, it looks as though TJ Yates will get yet another go as the Texans QB Sunday. Fitzpatrick will look to get revenge on the team that decided he wasn’t the long-term answer, and unless JJ Watt plays dominantly, it could happen. Expect a low-scoring, hard-fought game.

Prediction: Houston 21, New York 17.

St. Louis Rams (4-5) at Baltimore Ravens (2-7)

The Rams suffered a tough loss last week against the Bears, but the Ravens are a team truly sputtering this season. Joe Flacco seems to be the only redeemable player on this team. Ironically, his contract may be the reason this team cannot get anybody else of great caliber on their roster. The Rams have decided to go with Case Keenum as their QB this week, and he may get a chance to shine against a weak Ravens secondary. If he can simply manage the game and get the ball into his playmaking receiver’s hands, he could be the guy they go with for the rest of the year. The Rams defense, however, will hopefully be able to get after Flacco and take advantage of his turnover habits. The Ravens may be 1 point favorites at home, but when the margin is that small, the odds-makers don’t seem to think very highly of them.

Prediction: St. Louis 24, Baltimore 17.

Dallas Cowboys (2-7) at Miami Dolphins (4-5)

The good news for Cowboys fans, Tony Romo is back. The bad news, he’s missed 7 games and they’ve lost EVERY SINGLE ONE. Romo comes back, but it’s not as if everything will be rosy right from the get go. Even after practicing this week, he’ll be a little rusty. Luckily, nothing will be as bad as the quarterback play that’s been seen in his absence. The Cowboys have run the ball really well even without Romo, so with him, they should improve in all phases of the offense. The Dolphins have managed to almost get back to .500 after their terrible start, and a home game against a team that’s lost 7 straight sounds great, but with the QB who lead the league in passer rating last season returning, this may be the worst possible week to play a desperate team. Expect a close game, but for talent to ultimately win out in the end.

Prediction: Dallas 31, Miami 21.

Kansas City Chiefs (4-5) at San Diego Chargers (2-7)

The Chiefs are riding high following a blowout at the expense of Peyton Manning and the Broncos. They may have been the final team to face Peyton, depending on how his injury heals and how Brock Osweiler plays. It’ll be interesting to see how KC does, playing a 2-7 team following their win over Denver. The Chargers, meanwhile, have been looking like they need some new leadership. I know they’ve had injuries and everything, but it always seems like these coaches come in to San Diego, win early and slowly fade over a few seasons. So many players get labeled as coach killers, why hasn’t Philip Rivers yet?

Prediction: San Diego 27, Kansas City 20.

Cincinnati Bengals (8-1) at Arizona Cardinals (7-2)

(this is an NFC game, but was included with the AFC preview to even this week out)

The Bengals were struck by reality last Monday, getting embarrassed by the Texan’s defense. I don’t mean in the sense that Andy Dalton isn’t a winner, but that they aren’t a perfect football team and could lose if they don’t bring their A-game with them. The Cardinals aren’t the best bet for the Bengals to earn back their confidence, but it may be the challenge they need to get refocused for the playoffs. The Cardinals are also a team looking to take the next step, and while they’ve beaten good teams this season already, beating an 8-1 will be a great measuring stick at this point in the season. I also love the storyline about Palmer facing his old team. He’s played them before when he was in Oakland, but he didn’t have much of a team around him for that one and this time, he may have the upper hand.

Prediction: Arizona 31, Cincinnati 24.

Monday, November 23, 2015

Buffalo Bills (5-4) at New England Patriots (9-0)

The Bills were nearly blown out at home against the Pats until a late surge made it a game at the end. Even going into Gillette Stadium, the Bills are feeling hot after their win over New York, and they’ll be looking to stick Tom Brady and the Pats with their first loss of the season. LeSean McCoy and the whole offensive core just about healthy again, they look primed to make a big playoff run, and beating New England would be a huge confidence booster heading into the final 6 games of the season. The Pats, however, appear to have a 16-0 season on their minds, and will stop at nothing to achieve it. If they are going to lose, it’s going to take a team’s best effort, and some luck.

Prediction: Buffalo 27, New England 24.

[mwi-cat-listing cat="94" ppp="4" cols="4" desc="false" type="view" btn_color="black" ]