x
Breaking News
More () »

Ben Axelrod's Week 11 NFL Picks: Seahawks beat Packers, Panthers top Lions

WKYC.com's Ben Axelrod makes his picks against the spread for Week 11 of the 2018 NFL season.

After a season-best 11-2 run, I came through with another winning week, going 8-5-1 with my Week 10 picks.

That brings my overall record for the season to 74-61-7 -- not bad for someone who was under .500 a mere three weeks ago.

At this point, there's not much left to say: Let's keep the momentum rolling. Here are my Week 11 picks:

All lines made available via Bovada. No line available on Bengals vs. Ravens due to injury.

Green Bay Packers (+3) vs. Seattle Seahawks

Pick: Seahawks -3

In what appears to be a game between two evenly matched teams in need of wins to keep pace in the playoff hunt, I'm tempted to take Aaron Rodgers and the points. Thursday Night Football, however, has been too kind to home teams this season, putting me in a position to take Seattle with the Packers heading to the West Coast.

Dallas Cowboys (+3) vs. Atlanta Falcons

Pick: Cowboys +3

The Cowboys are at their best when they're able to feed Ezekiel Elliott on a consistent basis. And against a Falcons team that's been prone to surrendering explosive plays in the run game -- see: Nick Chubb last week -- they should be able to do just that -- at least often enough to cover a 3-point spread.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (+1.5) vs. New York Giants

Pick: Giants -1.5

In a battle between two bad teams with a lot of offensive talent, I'll take the Giants to cover at home by less than a field goal.

Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports

Carolina Panthers (-4.5) vs. Detroit Lions

Pick: Panthers -4.5

The Panthers have been inconsistent all season, but at the very least, they're better than what they showed last week when they lost by 31 to the Steelers on national TV. Between Carolina coming off a long week, Detroit looking ahead to a Thanksgiving Day game and Cam Newton playing in a dome, I'll take the Panthers in what should be a decisive victory.

Tennessee Titans (+1) vs. Indianapolis Colts

Pick: Titans +1

As an early backer of the Titans, I still have trust issues after that Week 5 loss to the Bills. Still, I''m sticking with Mike Vrabel against the Colts, whose current three-game winning streak has just as much -- if not more -- to do with their schedule than their own play.

Pittsburgh Steelers (-6) vs. Jacksonville Jaguars

Pick: Steelers -6

The Steelers are as hot as anyone and football and coming off a long week of rest. Meanwhile, the Jaguars have arguably been the most disappointing team in football this season and could find themselves on the wrong side of a Pittsburgh revenge game from last year's playoffs.

Credit: Charles LeClaire
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Antonio Brown (84) reacts after scoring his second touchdown of the game against the Cleveland Browns during the second quarter at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh.

Houston Texans (-3) vs. Washington Redskins

Pick: Texans -3

Considering both of these teams have the exact same 6-3 record, it seems fishy the Texans are a 3-point favorite on the road. So as much as my gut says to take the Redskins and the points, I'll bank on the oddsmakers being up to something back Houston on the road.

Denver Broncos (+7) vs. Los Angeles Chargers

Pick: Broncos +7

The Broncos are 3-6, but haven't lost a game by more than a touchdown since Oct. 7. Even with Joey Bosa possibly rejoining a Chargers team that is currently one of the hottest in football, I'll take Denver to at least keep it close against its division foe.

Oakland Raiders (+5.5) vs. Arizona Cardinals

Pick: Raiders +5.5

The Raiders are bad -- probably the worst team in football. But I'm not ready to lay more than a field goal with this Cardinals team regardless of where the game is being played.

Philadelphia Eagles (+9) vs. New Orleans Saints

Pick: Eagles +9

There hasn't been a lot to like about this Eagles team lately, but this is a spot where they should pull out all the stops to salvage their season. I don't know if they can beat the Saints outright, but they should do enough to at least stay within a touchdown.

Credit: Ronald Martinez/Getty Images

Minnesota Vikings (+3) vs. Chicago Bears

Pick: Vikings +3

Playing on Sunday Night Football, the Vikings have a chance to re-establish their status as one of the NFC's top teams. I expect them to do just that, taking advantage of Mitchell Trubisky's inconsistencies in a nationally televised game.

Kansas City Chiefs (+3.5) vs. Los Angeles Rams

Pick: Rams -3.5

What could very well be a Super Bowl preview was moved from Mexico City to Los Angeles earlier this week. Both teams have explosive offenses, but I'll ride with the Rams, whose defense has been much more consistent over the course of this season.

Stream Live with fuboTV: 7-day Trial

Before You Leave, Check This Out