Kit's Picks - Week 11

The back end of the season is upon us now...as teams jockey for position in the ranks with little time left to gain a foothold. No more byes...it's all about who can run the gauntlet from here on out. Soooo what's in store for week 11?

Baltimore Ravens @ New York Giants: The Ravens & Steelers are currently duking it out atop the AFC North. While the Giants have a good lead in the NFC East, they're far from safe at this point. The Ravens are a solid team who probably need the win a little more...but...I think the Giants are too good at this point...and take another step toward clinching their division.

New York Jets @ New England Patriots: The AFC East is in an almost complete deadlock at this point. Every game counts...especially intra-divisional games like this. The winner of this game stands alone atop the division, at least for now. Add the Bellichick/Mangini factor...and this game shapes up to be arguably the most intriguing game of the week. I don't expect the Jets to roll over easily, but I do expect the Pats to prevail in this one.

Denver Broncos @ Atlanta Falcons: Talk about unfair: mediocre Denver retains the narrowest of leads in the AFC West, while upstart powerhouse Atlanta is still a game back in the NFC South. I think Atlanta is the team with the momentum...and they'll get a W here...but...

Detroit Lions @ Carolina Panthers: Carolina still retains the lead in the division at the expense of the hapless Lions, who have virtually no hope of any sort of foothold in the NFC North.

Minnesota Vikings @ Tampa Bay Buccanners: Minnesota is all knotted up at the top of the NFC North...and Tampa is a game behind Carolina in the NFC South. Both teams need this game to retain position...expect a dogfight. I think Tampa, fresh off a bye, will pull this one out.

Oakland Raiders @ Miami Dolphins: Believe it or not, the in the lackluster AFC West, Oakland is only 3 games behind...and not even in last place! Last season's 1-15 Dolphins are now in a dead heat with the rest of the teams in the AFC East. Of course the Raiders have no hope of winning this game...and the Fins hold on to their 3rd place division spot.

New Orleans Saints & Kansas City Chiefs: The Saints are currently in last place (but not out of the running) in the NFC South...while the Chiefs are officially the worst team in the worst division in the AFC. Advantage Saints.

Philadelphia Eagles @ Cincinati Bengals: The NFC has been surpringly good this season. The Eagles are a solid team...yet sit at the bottom of the loaded NFC East. The Bengals won a game! In theory, they could still win the AFC North. I wouldn't hold my breath, however. Gotta go with the Eagles.

Chicago Bears @ Green Bay Packers: The NFC North is in a deadlock (well...minus the Lion)...and this is another game with huge reverberations. They meet again in 5 weeks. Whichever team wins this week has a huge step up. With the loss of Orton...the ears are vulnerable. I'll take the Packers.

Houston Texans @ Indianapolis Colts: Houston could theoretically win the AFC South...if Tennessee doesn't win another game this season (yeah right). The Colts have a much more reasonable shot at it...and tack on another W this week to keep them there.

St Louis Rams @ San Francisco 49ers *and* Arizona Cardinals @ Seattle Seahawks: ZZZzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz. That pretty much sums up the NFC West. These games are meaningless to everyone except fans of the respective teams. I'll take San Fran I guess, and Arizona definitely.

Tennessee Titans @ Jacksonville Jaguars: The Titans all but have the AFC South locked up. I don't expect them to let up now. Titans remain undefeated.

San Diego Chargers @ Pittsburgh Steelers: I can't express my displeasure enough at the fact that the Steelers & Ravens are dominating the AFC North. The Chargers are one game back in the AFC West...and imo will remain there. Begrudgingly, I'll take the Steelers.

Dallas Cowboys @ Washington Redskins: The Skins are one game up on the 'Boys in the NFC East. Romo's back this week...albeit not 100%. Washington's been lackluster & Dallas is due. I'll take the Cowboys.

Cleveland Browns @ Buffalo Bills: Buffalo's at the bottom of the deadlocked AFC East...but they seem to start strong every season then fade...and they've been on the fade for a while now. Cleveland is...well Cleveland. They're only 3 games behind but...*sigh*. I know they *can* win this...it's just a question of whether they will find a way to lose for the third week in a row. I'm banking on them pulling out the W this week, though.