5 day forecast
Gerry Dulac's NFL Forecast: Week 11
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Last week: 9-5 (.643)
Season record: 87-59 (.596)
Miami Dolphins (4-5) at Buffalo Bills (3-6), 8 p.m., Thursday
The Skinny: Just when you think the Dolphins are a surprisingly good team, they go and get whacked by the Titans, 37-3. Here's another surprise: QB Ryan Tannehill needs only 232 yards to pass Dan Marino for most passing yards by Dolphins rookie. He will need them in a Bills' shootout.
Prediction: Bills, 34-30
Baltimore Ravens (7-2) at Steelers (6-3), 8:20 p.m., Sunday
The Skinny: It has not been an easy task trying to beat the Ravens in the regular season with Ben Roethlisberger, let alone without him. Despite their problems, especially on defense, the Ravens keep finding ways to win.
Prediction: Ravens 16-14
Cleveland Browns (2-7) at Dallas Cowboys (4-5), 1 p.m., Sunday
The Skinny: The Cowboys find themselves back in the NFC East race after beating the Eagles and back-to-back losses by the Giants. The Browns are still in the race, too ... for the No. 1 overall draft choice.
Prediction: Cowboys, 24-13
Cincinnati Bengals (4-5) at Kansas City Chiefs (1-8), 1 p.m., Sunday
The Skinny: There is a reason why the Bengals have never had back-to-back winning seasons under Marvin Lewis. It's the same reason why they have trouble handling big victories such as the one against the Giants. The Upset Special.
Prediction: Chiefs, 15-13
Green Bay Packers (6-3) at Detroit Lions (4-5), 1 p.m., Sunday
The Skinny: This is the game that will shape which direction the Lions will go. But, if it is to go up, they have to stop Aaron Rodgers, the first QB in NFL history to have 25 or more TD passes after nine games in back-to-back seasons.
Prediction: Packers, 41-37
Jacksonville Jaguars (1-8) at Houston Texans (8-1), 1 p.m., Sunday
The Skinny: By beating the Bears in Chicago, the Texans won one of those gritty road games that can define a season. The Jaguars? They have already defined their season, and it isn't a pretty sight.
Prediction: Texans, 34-3
New York Jets (3-6) at St. Louis Rams (3-5-1), 1 p.m., Sunday
The Skinny: The Jets have lost three in a row and five of the past six, making Antonio Cromartie's playoff guarantee look as foolish as Rex Ryan's Super Bowl prediction two years ago. Word of advice to Jets: Leave the bold predictions to Joe Namath.
Prediction: Rams, 23-20
Philadelphia Eagles (3-6) at Washington Redskins (3-6), 1 p.m., Sunday
The Skinny: The Eagles should be better served playing on road than at home, where they have to listen to the wrath of their own fans. They are a little more patient in Washington, even though the Redskins have lost three in a row.
Prediction: Redskins, 21-20
Arizona Cardinals (4-5) at Atlanta Falcons (8-1), 1 p.m., Sunday
The Skinny: The Cardinals went from being one of the NFL's biggest surprises to one of the biggest puzzles after losing five in a row. This, though, shouldn't be hard to solve, not after Falcons finally suffered their first defeat.
Prediction: Falcons, 27-13
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (5-4) at Carolina Panthers (2-7), 1 p.m., Sunday
The Skinny: Notice to the Panthers defense: Josh Freeman and the Bucs offense are on a roll. He has 13 TDs and 115.9 passer rating in the past five games. And the offense has scored 28 or more points in past five.
Prediction: Buccaneers, 31-21
New Orleans Saints (4-5) at Oakland Raiders (3-6), 4:05 p.m., Sunday
The Skinny: Good thing the Falcons have such a big lead in the NFC South. The Saints have won four of their past five games and averaged 31.2 points in those victories. The Raiders? They have allowed 97 points in their past two games.
Prediction: Saints, 37-24
San Diego Chargers (4-5) at Denver Broncos (6-3), 4:25 p.m., Sunday
The Skinny: The Chargers have won their past three games in Denver, but that was before Peyton Manning. He has not thrown an interception at home and began Broncos' four-game win streak with comeback from 24-0 deficit in San Diego.
Prediction: Broncos, 30-20
Indianapolis Colts (6-3) at New England Patriots (6-3), 4:25 p.m., Sunday
The Skinny: This game was flexed so the nation could see Andrew Luck and the surprising Colts, who are 5-1 since Bruce Arians took over as temporary coach. But the Patriots average an NFL-best 33.2 points per game.
Prediction: Patriots, 34-27
Chicago Bears (7-2) at San Francisco 49ers (6-2-1), 8:30 p.m., Monday
The Skinny: The Bears have only one chance if Jay Cutler, who had a concussion against the Texans, does not play. And that is if Alex Smith, who had a concussion against the Rams, does not play for the 49ers.
Prediction: 49ers, 13-10
First Published November 15, 2012 12:00 am
