A Gander Across the Gridiron: Week 11

A look around the league and my predictions

Nov 20, 2020

I love bye week when it’s not week 4. When the 49ers are good, I’m happy they can rest up. And when they suck, I know I can go a week without watching them get hurt. Instead, I can cry while they all get Covid off the field. Or they can get hurt in practice, but at least I won’t see it. Just like I didn’t see Klay Thompson’s injury. It totally doesn’t hurt me emotionally to see my favorite NBA player of all time get a serious injury. And yes, that’s sarcasm. Back to the NFL, I am excited I get to watch some Sunday football without stressing about the Niners.

Last Week’s Scores: 7-6

Last Week’s Lines: 8-5

Overall Scores: 92-44-1

Overall Lines: 69-66

Cardinals @ Seahawks

5:20 pm (TNF) PT SEA -3

Somehow, I don’t think this game will match the Toots @ Cards Sunday night game earlier this season. Russell Wilson has struggled in recent games, while Kyler Murray looks like a potential MVP candidate. I’ve seen too much of Wilson to ever count him out, especially against a Cardinals defense that’s on a short week coming off a tiring win against Buffalo. Wilson will be still playing with Chris Carson, but Carlos Hyde is expected to return. Two O-linemen, Pocic and Simmons, are out. On defense, three corners are listed as out, including their two starting outside corners, Griffin and Dunbar. The Cardinals have their own injuries, namely D-linemen Jordan Phillips and Corey Peters, but it’s better than Seattle’s situation.

ARI wins 37-33

Eagles @ Browns

10:00 am PT CLE -3

Cleveland loves playing in bad weather apparently. They’ve had some really ugly games against the Raiders and Texans. There’s a good chance it rains in Cleveland Sunday (currently a 60% chance). Both teams have good run games, but I think Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt will win that battle. Looking at the injury reports, both teams are getting hit by illness. The Eagles had J.J. Arcega-Whiteside Whiteside test positive for Covid on Thursday. The Browns placed Jack Conklin, Cody Parkey, and Charley Huglett on the Covid list, and Myles Garrett has not practiced because of an illness. I’m expecting an ugly, low scoring game.

CLE wins 17-13

Falcons @ Saints

10:00 am PT NO -4

The big story is that Drew Brees is out for two weeks. And no, it was not a dirty hit by Street. It was clean, re-aggravated a previous injury, and people get hurt in football. The Saints will still be a good team with Jameis Winston and some Taysom Hill, but expect a lot more interceptions and risky throws. Alvin Kamara was held out of Thursday practice with a foot injury. He expects to play, but I’m not counting on it. Atlanta is quietly on a two-game win streak and has a tendency to win in the second half of the season after losing any shot at making playoffs. They are also off a bye. Atlanta has a good shot of getting an upset win in a very underrated rivalry.

ATL wins 28-25

Bengals @ WFT

10:00 am PT WSH -1.5

I can’t wait to see what team gets stuck being the winner, with the potential to draft after the Niners! Pessimism aside, how great was it to see Alex Smith play and sadly lose? Not hating on Alex at all, but it reminds me of the pre-Harbaugh Niners. The offense does look a lot better, which is also pretty damning for Haskins and Allen. The Football Team will possibly be without their kicker Dustin Hopkins after two missed practices. D-linemen Matt Ioannidis was just placed on the Covid list as well. The big injury news for the Bengals is that Joe Mixon will likely miss another week. Giovani Bernard has been fine for Cincy, so it’s not too big of a loss.

CIN wins 27-23

Lions @ Panthers

10:00 am PT DET -1.5

An injury bowl without the 49ers should not be allowed, but here we are. The Lions had an injury scare with Stafford on Wednesday with a thumb injury, but he returned to practice on Thursday and should be able to play. In exchange, Kenny Golladay yet again got downgraded and did not practice with a hip injury. Rookie running back D’Andre Swift entered concussion protocol after a breakout game, and will not be able to play. For Carolina, McCaffrey was declared out and Teddy Bridgewater is “unlikely” to play with a knee injury. The backup is XFL “star” player P.J. Walker. Not the most trustworthy player, even against a bad Detroit defense.

DET wins 24-20

Steelers @ Jaguars

10:00 am PT PIT -10.5

Remember the good days when Sacksonville crushed Pittsburgh in their one good season? Now we see an undefeated, balanced team with a great defense against Jake Luton. The Steelers defense gets corner Mike Hilton back after he missed 4 weeks. Most of their injuries are backup running backs, which is an enviable position to be in. Luton needs to work some black magic to get an upset.

PIT wins 34-13

Titans @ Ravens

10:00 am PT BAL -5.5

Both teams are coming off rough losses, with Tennessee having extra rest and Baltimore on a short week. Clowney has not practiced this week, after practicing fully last week. 8 players in total did not practice Thursday, with the O-line and secondary hit hard. The former is balanced out by the Ravens’ Calais Campbell, Brandon Williams and Pernell McPhee not practicing and Lamar Jackson’s supporting cast being disappointing all season. If Derrick Henry gets going against a tired defense that lost to Cam Newton, the Titans should be able to repeat playoff performance against the Ravens.

TEN wins 24-17

Patriots @ Texans

10:00 am PT NE -2

So when did Newton look competent again? After almost losing to the Jets? Clearly, Jakobi Meyers is carrying Cam and you can’t convince me otherwise. Stephon Gilmore has a shot of returning this week with two limited practices. The Patriots O-line has three starters, Mason, Thuney, and Wynn, limited. Luckily the Texans don’t have a very good front 7. Houston could be playing without Kenny Stills and Laremy Tunsil, whom are both crucial for Deshaun Watson. Until Houston can beat a team besides Jacksonville, I’m going to have a hard time predicting a win for them at any point this season.

NE wins 24-21

Dolphins @ Broncos

1:05 pm PT MIA -3.5

This line does not favor Miami enough. Miami is red hot, and Tua is doing his job. No interceptions in four games for a rookie is really good, and I will still insist that Xavien Howard needs more appreciation. The biggest injury for the Dolphins is Kyle Van Noy, who was upgraded to limited on Thursday with a hip injury. Denver saw Drew Lock miss practice Wednesday with a rib injury, but he returned on Thursday. Denver has no momentum right now, and are set to get embarrassed yet again.

MIA wins 34-21

Jets @ Chargers

1:05 pm PT LAC -9.5

You think the Jets have a chance coming off a bye and against the Los Angeles Chokers? The same team who saved the Browns from going winless in 2016? Well, maybe. Unlikely, but possible. The Jets do look a little better with Flacco and Darnold is not practicing. Young corner Bless Austin also missed practice on Thursday. Mekhi Becton and Quinnen Williams are practicing at least. On the Chargers, Casey Hayward was limited on Thursday with an ankle injury. Aside from that, the Chargers look healthy for Charger standards and are set to beat the Jets.

LAC wins 24-16

Packers @ Colts

1:25 pm PT IND -1.5

My early pick for the best game on Sunday. Neither team has major injury concerns. Davante Adams was held out of practice Thursday for an ankle injury he suffered against the Jaguars. He came back in that game and practiced Wednesday, so it just sounds like a rest day. I’m curious to see how Green Bay’s O-line holds up against the Colts after they collapsed against the Bucs earlier this season. He hasn’t faced many other tough defenses so far, just the Bucs and Saints. Rivers hasn’t been very consistent either, but he’s needed to do little most of the season. This match will say a lot about how the Packers will perform in playoffs.

GB wins 28-27

Cowboys @ Vikings

1:25 pm PT MIN -7

Good news for Dallas: Andy Dalton cleared both concussion and Covid protocol. And are off a bye. The Cowboys might have a slim chance. Just ignore that center Tyler Biadasz is hurt and that two D-linemen, Randy Gregory and Demarcus Lawrence, have illnesses. They get to face the Vikings, who are on a 3 game winning streak. Fullback C.J. Ham was added to the Covid list, which hurts when Dalvin Cook is the offense. Even without Ham, Cook has a great matchup and Justin Jefferson will torch the Cowboys secondary. A win would put the Vikings at .500 and in position to compete for a Wildcard spot.

MIN wins 30-17

Chiefs @ Raiders

5:20 pm (SNF) PT KC -8

The only Chiefs loss this season has been to the Raiders. I’d love to see a repeat and for Andy Reid to stop being so good after bye weeks. These are things I never thought I would say for a Raiders-Chiefs matchup. Injury-wise, Eric Fisher returned to practice and CEH missed practice due to injury. Le’Veon Bell has not impressed so far in New York or Kansas City. The Chiefs had an inconsistent run game all year. The Raiders have a weak run defense so if Bell can’t get going, his career is likely doomed.

KC wins 31-28

Rams @ Buccaneers

5:15 pm (MNF) PT TB -4

Who would have guessed that Antonio Brown had an off-field incident before joining Tampa? Crazy, right? Mr. Big Chest hasn’t been amazing yet in Tampa, but has been solid next to a really good receiving group. Brady better hope that AB doesn’t get suspended. Guard Ali Marpet practiced for the Bucs on Thursday. He isn’t out of concussion protocol yet, but is on track. He’ll be needed against Aaron Donald. We all know how Brady played last time he faced a good front 7. It wasn’t pretty. I don’t think the Saints atrocity will be repeated, but it’s possible.

TB wins 24-21

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