What are our bold projections?

On By Littum

game

Week 11 in the NFL features one of the most anticipated games of the season as the undefeated Kansas City Chiefs face perhaps their biggest test yet at the Buffalo Bills. But while that matchup will certainly take the spotlight, there are sure to be others producing sparkling storylines.

It’s pretty hard to identify the strongest contenders to grab our attention, as only one other game on Sunday – Baltimore Ravens at Pittsburgh Steelers – pits two winning teams against each other. But after last week brought exciting finishes from the Chiefs, Detroit Lions and Pittsburgh Steelers, among others, there are sure to be more twists and turns that will leave people with plenty to talk about on Monday.

Here are bold Week 11 predictions from USA TODAY Sports’ NFL writers and editors:

Jared Goff won’t throw an interception — but will connect on a TD pass to Amon-Ra St. Brown

After throwing a career-high five interceptions (and surviving) in Houston on Sunday night, expect a big comeback game from the Detroit Lions quarterback for at least a couple of reasons. Hey, the Jacksonville Jaguars are coming to the Motor City, and they’ll bring the NFL’s worst-ranked defense while ranking in the bottom quartile in the league for interceptions with, well, five picks. Then consider that Goff’s goof against the Texans was so out of character. It wasn’t that long ago (Week 4) when he set an NFL record by going 18-for-18 against Seattle. And in 2023, he was within reach of the NFL record with a streak of 383 passes without a pick. Until disaster began to strike the Lone Star State, Goff had gone, well, five games and 114 consecutive passes without an INT. At one point during his meltdown, Goff took a seat on the bench and buried his face in a ball cap.

But at least he walked away a winner — becoming the first Lions QB in 60 years to win a game after throwing five interceptions (Frank Sinkwich, 6). It was a testament to Detroit’s balanced supporting cast and skill while currently ranked as the No. 1 seed in the NFC. So back on the turf in the friendly confines of Ford Field, Goff will enjoy his comfort zone and get back on track. And this will include finding another pay dirt strike for sensational receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown, who has a TD catch in seven straight games and until last weekend had caught 30 consecutive receptions on throws from Goff.

— Jarrett Bell

Two premier AFC games decided by a combined two points

Give the screenwriters some serious props if this one actually comes to fruition. Both afternoon slots feature exciting AFC games: Baltimore at Pittsburgh early and Kansas City at Buffalo late. Both games will deliver in the form of fun watches and close finishes – and both will be decided by a single point. With both games broadcast on CBS, the parent company must be drooling.

Last week, the Bengals-Ravens duel was decided by one point, and the Steelers defeated the Commanders by one score. Whenever the Bills and Chiefs play, the game seems to come down to whether Josh Allen or Patrick Mahomes has the ball last (somehow it always feels like it’s Mahomes). That these games are close is not a bold prediction. The margin is the audacity, and it’s symbolic of how crowded the top of the AFC is in 2024.

– Chris Bumbaca

SoFi Stadium hosts a de facto playoff game on Sunday night

As we creep toward Thanksgiving, the weekly evolution of the NFL’s playoff picture has begun to re-emerge. This weekend’s matchup between the Cincinnati Bengals (4-6) and the Los Angeles Chargers (6-3) was appealing enough to be slotted into the “Sunday Night Football” slot and will have weighty postseason implications — so much, I’d bet of (a small amount) that the winner will win with a wildcard slot. Both teams are playing reasonably well, but each is somewhat of a long shot at this point for a division title. The Bolts currently hold the conference’s sixth seed and have a decent margin of error, but are entering a much more difficult segment of their schedule — which will include hosting another primetime game against the Ravens in Week 12. Cincinnati had won four of six , before losing Thursday’s heartbreaker in Baltimore. Still, this team can score with the best of them and may even hit another gear when LT Orlando Brown Jr. and WR Tee Higgins will return to the field. A win Sunday followed by a much-needed bye week should set up QB Joe Burrow and the Bengals for one of their patented completion kicks.

– Nate Davis

The Bengals snap the Chargers’ streak of 20 points or less, but LA survives in prime time

The Chargers are the fourth team since 1990 to allow 20 points or less in each of their first nine games of a season. Defensive coordinator Jesse Minter has the No. 1 scoring defense in the NFL. But aside from Patrick Mahomes and Kyler Murray, the Chargers defense has faced average or below-average quarterbacks. The Chargers’ streak of allowing 20 points or less ends Sunday night at the hands of Joe Burrow, Ja’Marr Chase and the Bengals. Burrow leads the NFL in passing yards, while Chase tops the league in receiving yards. Burrow will throw for over 250 yards and Chase will have a receiving touchdown. But the Chargers would still hang on to win, 23-22, thanks to a game-winning drive by Justin Herbert. The win will give Herbert a 2-0 career record against his 2020 QB draft classmate.

– Tyler Dragon

The Patriots are putting the Rams’ playoff hopes on life support

This hardly qualifies as a marquee matchup, but I’m the only one who picked New England to beat Los Angeles, so an explanation is warranted. The Patriots certainly haven’t found a cure for all their ills simply by dealing with the struggling New York Jets and Chicago Bears. But between an improved defense and Drake Maye finding enough spark to breathe new life into a previously lifeless offense, Jerod Mayo and Co. have enough in the tank to claim their third win in four weeks. The Rams, meanwhile, can’t piece together the puzzle that is their offensive line and protection scheme for Matthew Stafford. If they can’t fix it on Sunday, their season might be beyond saving, as there’s little chance a 4-6 group can leapfrog the Green Bay Packers, Washington Commanders and San Francisco 49ers in the race for an NFC -wild- card slot.

— Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz