Sports Network:Inside the NFL: Week 11

[TK]

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Inside the NFL: Week 11

Last Update: 11/13/2003 1:59:46 PM

By Bryan McGovern, NFL Editor

Philadelphia, PA (Sports Network) - It will be Little Bill against Big Bill, as the New England Patriots host the Dallas Cowboys at Gillette Stadium in the premier matchup of Week 11.

Belichick was Parcells' right-hand man for 12 years with three different organizations, serving mostly as Parcells' defensive coordinator and assistant head coach. Their relationship began in the '80s with the New York Giants and continued through the '90s with the New England Patriots and New York Jets. The "Bills" won two Super Bowls with the Giants, led the Patriots to a Super Bowl appearance and helped turn around the Jets en route to an AFC Championship Game berth.

Parcells is looking to capture the glory without Belichick, who turned the trick without Big Bill in 2001 by leading the Patriots to the Super Bowl XXXVI title. Parcells' Cowboys are 7-2 and sit in first place in the NFC East. Belichick also has his team in first with a 7-2 mark, which should make for an intriguing Sunday night showdown.

"Someone is going to have to make some blocks out there, and someone is going to have to make some tackles," Belichick said. "It's not going to be me and it's not going to be Bill."

SUNDAY'S EARLY GAMES

Houston Texans at Buffalo Bills: The Bills, who are 3-1 at home, have been a bust since their 2-0 start. Gregg Williams' team has lost five of its last seven games to fall out of the AFC East race. The road back to respectability won't get any easier Sunday when the Bills take on the scrappy Texans. Houston RB Domanick Davis has three 100-yard games in his last four contests. Bills QB Drew Bledsoe hasn't topped the 200-yard mark in the last two games. That should change this week against a porous Houston pass defense. The Texans' defense also lacks a consistent pass rush, as it has just eight sacks this season.

Predicted Outcome: Buffalo 27, Houston 23

New York Giants at Philadelphia Eagles: Andy Reid's Eagles are the hottest team in the NFC with four straight wins. The Giants climbed out of a 2-4 hole with consecutive victories, but Jim Fassel's squad was a no-show last week against Atlanta. It's always a battle when these NFC East rivals get together. The Eagles started their current winning streak with a 14-10 win over the Giants in Week 7. New York will be without one of its top offensive weapons, as TE Jeremy Shockey (knee) is out. Donovan McNabb should find it easier to pass against the Giants' wounded secondary, which is missing two of its top three cornerbacks.

Predicted Outcome: Philadelphia 24, NY Giants 13

Arizona Cardinals at Cleveland Browns: The Browns face a must-win situation this week against Arizona. Butch Davis' club has dropped three straight contests to fall two games behind the AFC North-leading Ravens. A week after William Green's controversial team-imposed suspension, the Browns made news this week by releasing leading receiver Kevin Johnson for his failure to improve. Cards QB Jeff Blake will have a tough time getting the ball downfield against Cleveland's fifth-ranked pass defense. Marcel Shipp has rejuvenated Arizona's ground attack by averaging 107 yards over the last four games.

Predicted Outcome: Cleveland 21, Arizona 17

Kansas City Chiefs at Cincinnati Bengals: The Chiefs are shooting for the 17th 10-0 start in NFL history. Bengals WR Chad Johnson added some fuel to the fire this week when he guaranteed his team would be the first to beat KC. While the Bengals are playing good football, beating the Chiefs is easier said than done. The Priest Holmes-led offense is scoring more points per game than any other team and ranks third in total yards. Johnson is a dynamic playmaker and should do a fair amount of damage against KC's secondary, but QB Jon Kitna is shaky and the Chiefs' defense has feasted on turnovers this year. This could have been a huge trap game for Dick Vermeil's club if Johnson didn't give the Chiefs some bulletin board material.

Predicted Outcome: Kansas City 31, Cincinnati 17

St. Louis Rams at Chicago Bears: The Rams are the superior team in almost every area, but Mike Martz's club has dropped three of four road games and grass fields seem to slow down the high-powered offense. St. Louis' offense was humbled last week by Baltimore's strong defense, but the Rams managed to win the game and improve to 6-3. The Bears failed to beat Detroit twice in three weeks and now sit at 3-6. Chicago's only chance to win this game is to pound the ball with Anthony Thomas and keep the Rams' offense off the field by controlling time of possession.

Predicted Outcome: St. Louis 27, Chicago 19

Washington Redskins at Carolina Panthers: The Panthers earned the season sweep over Tampa Bay with an impressive comeback victory in Week 10. Even more impressive was the fact Carolina managed to win without RB Stephen Davis, who has rushed for 992 yards this season. Davis is still nursing his ankle injury and is questionable to play against his former team on Sunday. Steve Spurrier will allow Hue Jackson to call the majority of the offensive plays once again this week. It worked well enough to help the Redskins snap a four-game skid with a win over Seattle last week. Carolina will set the tempo with its power running attack, which sets up QB Jake Delhomme in the passing game.

Predicted Outcome: Carolina 20, Washington 17

Jacksonville Jaguars at Tennessee Titans: Both teams are coming off huge victories. The Titans lifted themselves into a first-place tie with Indy by beating Miami last week. Jacksonville's Week 10 victory over the Colts was its second win in nine games this season. These teams met back in Week 8 with the Titans earning a 30-17 road victory behind two Eddie George rushing touchdowns. Fred Taylor rushed for 152 yards against the Colts last week but was limited to 48 yards on nine carries in the first meeting with Tennessee. The Titans haven't allowed an opposing running back to gain 100 yards in 24 straight games. The Steve McNair-led offense has scored 30 or more points in six straight games. The young Jags are strong against the run, but McNair should post solid passing numbers.

Predicted Outcome: Tennessee 28, Jacksonville 10

Baltimore Ravens at Miami Dolphins: There's good news and bad news for the Ravens. The bad news is rookie QB Kyle Boller suffered a season-ending quad injury in last week's loss in St. Louis. The good news is Baltimore's passing offense can't get any worse because it's already ranked dead last in the NFL. Anthony Wright will make his first start for the Ravens in Miami. While the Dolphins' defense has had some letdowns recently, it has enough athletes to make Wright's life miserable. Jamal Lewis, the NFL's leading rusher, will take aim at the league's second-ranked run defense. It will be difficult for the Ravens to get anything going offensively, but their defense nearly overcame seven turnovers by forcing four of its own and holding the Rams to 121 total yards. The Dolphins have the same offensive philosophy: pound Ricky Williams, who has only 26 combined carries over the past two weeks. Dave Wannstedt will look to snap a two-game skid with Brian Griese at QB.

Predicted Outcome: Miami 16, Baltimore 13

Atlanta Falcons at New Orleans Saints: The Falcons played their best game of the season last week and it paid off on scoreboard with a 27-7 victory over the Giants. The win was huge for Atlanta because it snapped a seven-game skid and gave Dan Reeves his 200th career victory. The Saints, who are coming off a bye, beat the Bucs in Week 9. Jim Haslett's job is on the line and New Orleans needs to make a second-half run to save it. The Saints won the first meeting of the year, 45-17. Aaron Brooks passed for 352 yards and three TDs in that contest, while Deuce McAllister rushed for 116 yards and two scores. The Falcons shouldn't walk into the Superdome expecting the Saints to come out as flat as the Giants. This is a division game and one the Saints must have if they are going to compete for a Wild Card berth.

Predicted Outcome: New Orleans 31, Atlanta 17

SUNDAY'S LATE GAMES

New York Jets at Indianapolis Colts: The Jets have been more competitive with Chad Pennington back at quarterback. Pennington has thrown six TD passes in his first two starts of the year. Tony Dungy's defense is reeling after allowing Jacksonville's Fred Taylor to rush for 152 yards last week. It might be tempting to allow Pennington to throw the ball 40 times, but the Jets need to run the ball with Curtis Martin and LaMont Jordan to keep Indy's defense at bay. The Colts' Cover-2 scheme is designed to limit big passing plays, which could put the clamps on WR Santana Moss. The Colts' offense will likely be without All-Pro Marvin Harrison (hamstring). Peyton Manning will have to spread the ball around to his secondary receivers with his favorite target watching from the sidelines. The Colts need to run Edgerrin James more. He ran the ball just 15 times for 44 yards last week. The Jets have the worst run defense in the league. New York ended Indy's season last year in the playoffs with a 41-0 drubbing at the Meadowlands.

Predicted Outcome: Indianapolis 27, NY Jets 24

San Diego Chargers at Denver Broncos: Doug Flutie was nothing short of spectacular last week in leading the Chargers to a huge win over the Minnesota Vikings. Flutie passed for 248 yards and two TDs and also ran for a pair of scores. This game also pits two of the best running backs in the game against each other. Denver's Clinton Portis got the better of the first meeting back in Week 2, when he ran for 129 yards in the Broncos' 37-13 win at Qualcomm Stadium. Flutie's presence takes some pressure off LaDainian Tomlinson, but the Broncos won't lose sight of their main goal, and that's to stop San Diego's star back. Denver should get a big boost from the return of QB Jake Plummer, who hasn't played since Week 5.

Predicted Outcome: Denver 31, San Diego 20

Green Bay Packers at Tampa Bay Bucs: The defending Super Bowl champs are in trouble. For the first time under Jon Gruden, the Bucs have lost two straight games. The Packers, who have lost three of four, have also been a big disappointment. It's always an event when Warren Sapp and Brett Favre get together on the same field. Favre needs one more victory to pass Johnny Unitas (119) into fourth place all-time. He usually leaves everything on the field when Sapp's chasing him down. Seven of the nine games between these former division rivals in the past five years have been decided by eight points or less.

Predicted Outcome: Tampa Bay 24, Green Bay 20

Detroit Lions at Seattle Seahawks: The Lions have bounced back from a 1-6 start with two straight wins. However, Steve Mariucci would like nothing more than to win this week in Seattle to help the franchise snap a 20-game road losing streak. The Seahawks, who have lost two of three, are starting to feel the heat from St. Louis. Both Seattle and St. Louis have 6-3 records, but the Seahawks beat the Rams earlier this season. Mooch and Mike Holmgren know each other well from their days together in Green Bay. Seahawks defensive coordinator Ray Rhodes will load up to stop Detroit's streaky running game and force QB Joey Harrington to beat them through the air.

Predicted Outcome: Seattle 27, Detroit 20

Minnesota Vikings at Oakland Raiders: After a 6-0 start, the Vikings have lost three straight games. Consecutive home losses to the Giants and Packers set up a key road game for the Vikes in San Diego, but Mike Tice's team was surprised by the play of the 41-year-old Doug Flutie. The Raiders, who have lost five in a row to fall to 2-7, are simply going through the motions at this point. Last week's home loss to the Jets was disheartening and could be the final straw for head coach Bill Callahan. Defending league MVP Rich Gannon is set to have surgery on his injured shoulder and will miss the rest of the season.

Predicted Outcome: Minnesota 28, Oakland 17

SUNDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL

Dallas Cowboys at New England Patriots: It doesn't get better than Parcells vs. Belichick. Quincy Carter will have to limit his turnovers against an aggressive New England defense and the backfield tandem of Troy Hambrick and Adrian Murrell will have to keep the chains moving if the Cowboys are going to hand the Pats their first home loss of the season. The Cowboys' small-but- quick defense is ranked first in the league in yards and points allowed per game. Tom Brady will utilize the short-passing attack to generate yardage, but his big-play options will be limited. Dallas is vulnerable to big, powerful running backs. Antowain Smith gained 55 yards on 17 carries in Week 9 and will need to be a big part of New England's attack on Sunday night.

Predicted Outcome: New England 20, Dallas 13

MONDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL

Pittsburgh Steelers at San Francisco 49ers: At 3-6, the Steelers can't afford another loss. The Niners, who trail both Seattle and St. Louis in the NFC West, also need a win to stay in the playoff picture. Dennis Erickson is expected to start Tim Rattay at quarterback once again this week since Jeff Garcia is still hobbled by a high ankle sprain. Rattay threw three TD passes in the surprising Week 9 triumph over St. Louis. Pittsburgh's offensive line has struggled to protect Tommy Maddox this season, and the offensive production has decreased as a result. The Niners have the benefit of playing this game after a bye week. The hard-hitting Steelers snapped a five-game losing streak last week with a home win over Arizona.

Predicted Outcome: San Francisco 27, Pittsburgh 21

[Henry]

Nothing too earth-shattering about that, except maybe that they are only picked to win by three points.