Sunday, November 22, 2020

2020 NFL Predictions Week 11 (Part 1)

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NFL Predictions - 

Steelers vs Jags - 

The Jags played a lot better vs the Packers most expected them to. But it should be noted, that punt return for a touchdown and several offensive mistakes by the Packers is what likely kept them in this game. Still it was impressive for young QB and a young team to go head to head with one of the better teams in this league. Howver, I believe things will be even tougher on Sunday vs the Steelers. This is one of the league's defenses, we are talking here with the Steelers. The Steelers' offense probably doesn't even matter here. If Jags can't score points, then nothing else really matters that much. I fully expect the Steelers to bring a lot of pressure, something we didn't see last week. But when the pressure got home late in the game, the Jags had no chance. And unless last week, I don't think they will run the ball. 

Last week, I thought Steelers had one of it best offensive performances of their season. But their run game still not what it was a few years ago. James Connor still isn't running at the level, like he was in 2018. I also believe that this offense isn't what it was a few years ago, either. Overall, they been alright but not dropping 30 points on a weekly basis. But they don't need to with that scary defensive unit. If your boss asked you to produce 250 parts in a single day. Are you gonna produce 350? Nah you aren't trying to overwork yourself. Same thing with the Steelers. If they got the win in the bag, then why try to run up the score or something? No need! 

Prediction - Sorry Jags, but going with the 9-0 Steelers on this one! They have a massive advantage in pretty much every single aspect!

Lions vs Panthers -

Lions got a must needed win in week 10 vs the Washington Football Team! Now, they will try to get another vs the Panthers! I thought last week game between the Lions and Washington Team Football was gonna be super close and it was. I am expecting more of the same in week 11, between these two teams. Once again, the Lions will be without their top WR. But the Lions should be able to still move the ball down field, though. I think their biggest issue as usual will be their defense. If they lose this game, then I bet you anything it will be because of their defense giving up big plays on the ground and through the air. They really don't do a lot of things very well on defense side of the ball. I think the lack of true playmakers is what put them in a big hole. Sure, there's some really nice players but I don't think any of them really can change the course of a game, though. 

Panthers have been a nice surprise in 2020 for the most part. I think a lot of people thought that signing Teddy Bridgewater was a huge mistake and they would be a top 5 pick in 2021 draft. And really, they had done well with Bridgewater under center and missing CMC for most of the season already. On defense side of the ball, they have done a lot better than I expected, too. Overall, this team is just a solid all-around football team. I wouldn't say that they do anything great, but they do a lot of things really good and sometimes that is good enough to win some weeks. Last week, it wasn't but that was vs the Bucs. Nobody expected them to win. However, I think they have a shot this week vs the Lions. I think the Lions are more on their level than the Bucs were! 

Prediction - Like last week, I am not sure if I should pick the Lions or not. I think the Lions' offense have a lot higher ceiling on offense than the Panthers do. But I think the Panthers have a better all-around team. I believe the Lions' defense is that much of an liability here. However, I am still gonna pick the Lions in this one because they have Matthew Stafford and he always give them a shot to win! 

Pats at Texans -

The Pats really surprised me last week, when they upset the Ravens. I gave them no shot, but give some major props to Bill for getting his team ready to play. They didn't just roll over, they stood and fought and pulled out the big win. I don't think they will make the playoffs in 2020, but that is alright. These wins will help this team down the road, in my opinion. I am still not super high on the Pats, though. They are a little more healthy than they were a few weeks ago. But still, I have a lot of questions on both side of the ball. 

The Texans are coming off a bad game vs the Browns. They really only put up 7 points vs Cleveland and the Browns could had ran the score up even more, if they didn't stop at the 1-yard line to bled the clock even more at the end. The Texans just don't have a lot to work with. Soon as they got rid of Hopkins, this team was headed in a different direction. They were already probably headed in that direction, but that took them out of contention. If you don't think one player make a different, then you are crazy. A top 5 skill position player can make a huge difference. And it has for Waston and this Texans' offense. The defense was never great, but the decline of offensive production really hurt them, in my honest opinion. 

Prediction - I don't love either team in this game, but I am going with the Pats in this one. I just don't believe in the Texans right now. The Pats aren't great, but they are more than capable of pulling this win off. They are healthier and have enough talent to take care of business. Even though, I am pretty sure it will be a one-score game, though. 

Titans vs Ravens -

The Titans are coming off a big loss on Thursday night football vs the Colts. That was a big loss that was their 3rd straight loss and things won't get any easier in week 11. As they will face the Ravens, whom is coming off a loss vs the Pats. So neither team is probably in a good mood after last week's prime time losses! So which team is in better position to win here? Well, the Titans probably should had won that game. Or at least been way closer. They controlled the game earlier on and really was neck and neck with the Colts, until the Colts' special teams unit took over. After that, it was all over for them. Even before that, the Colts seem to be gaining the momentum in the second half. I also believe the Titans had three problems vs the Colts: 1) their 29th rank pass rush struggled (again)! 2) They still couldn't keep Tannehill upright. 3) They couldn't slow the opposing offense down (again). Those three issues has been a problem all season and it will keep happening until something about it is fixed. They do have a great run game still, led by Derrick Henry and still have a really good passing attack. There is no question that the Titans can put up the points, but they also can't stop the opposing teams from putting up the points, either. If the Titans gonna keep winning, then they will probably need to start averaging like 30 points per game. Because that what it will take vs playoffs' teams!

 The Ravens have their own set of problems, as they aren't nearly as good as they were a year ago. At this time last season, people were tabbing the Ravens as super bowl contenders and wondering how the league will slow down Lamar Jackson! A year later, the Ravens are less effective running the ball and have seen their defense decline in play. Two key elements on why last season's team was so impressive to begin with! I think Lamar Jackson is still a damn fine Quarterback and still gives teams a lot of problems when facing him. I don't believe that the Ravens' defense need to be great for the Ravens to win, either. I think they need to do better, but the Ravens are good enough to win with just good offensive production and less mistakes. 

Prediction - This is a tough game to prediction, but I am going with the Ravens in this one. The Ravens aren't playing their best football right now, but I still believe they are better than the Titans. The problem with Tennessee is they are so bad on offense that they need to score 30 points almost every single week. And sometimes, not even that is good enough for them to win. And their run defense is very bad and you can bet that Ravens will take advantage of that! 

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