UTTQ Predictions: Week 11

In a scheduling oddity, we have a final series of byes this week. It's hard to believe we're more than half way through the season and only a two short months away from the playoffs. Here's my picks for the Thursday game and the majority of Sunday's early games.

NEW YORK JETS 21, DENVER 13
After a very short week following a Sunday night lost to the Pats, the Jets head into Denver facing the possibility of being .500 after ten weeks. On the other side, the Broncos are streaking despite the total lack of an effective passing game. Tim Tebow will face his toughest test yet in trying to decipher the Jets secondary on Thursday Night, and don't expect him to succeed.

JACKSONVILLE 10, CLEVELAND 14
This is an ugly match up. Two of the worst teams in the league will clash on Sunday with the Jags coming off a win over the hapless Colts and the Browns coming one shanked kick away from from a win over the Rams. Despite being hyped as potentially the best quarterback in April's draft, Blaine Gabbert just isn't in the same league as Cam Newton, Andy Dalton and Christian Ponder. Likewise, Colt McCoy has struggled mightily without any real weapons to work with. Expect a low scoring mess of a game that ends up with the home team pulling this one out in the Dog Pound.

CAROLINA 17, DETROIT 28
In a not so stunning turn of events, the Lions are fading fast and their 6-0 start to the season is a distant memory. Things took a turn for the worst on Sunday when they were absolutely destroyed by a Chicago team that has quietly inserted itself as a favorite for an NFC Wild Card spot. If Matt Stafford and crew want any hope of making the postseason, they must keep pace with the Bears and get back to their winning ways. Cam Newton has continued to play at a high level throughout the season, though their loss to the Titans on Sunday showed just how far the team still has to go. A struggling Panthers team is just what the doctor ordered for Detroit.

TAMPA BAY 21, GREEN BAY 35
After surprising the world in 2010 by finishing with a 10-6 record, the Bucs have taken a step back in 2011. Injuries have not been friendly to this young team, though there's still hope to salvage their season with a easier series of games coming up. However, this struggling team pulls the Packers this weekend in a game which should be closer then most expect. Some are daring to whisper the notion that Aaron Rodgers might just be the best to ever play the QB position. Ever. If he can play the rest of the season the way he has in the team's 10-0 start, I'll be jumping on that bandwagon sooner rather then later.

BUFFALO 24, MIAMI 21
Much like the Lions, the Buffalo Bills have hit a midseason slump in the worst way. The Bills' once proficient offense has slowed down considerable and Buffalo now sits at 5-4 after receiving a beatdown from the Cowboys on Sunday. The Miami Dolphins on the other hand are winners of two straight and seem to be resigned to not "Suck for Luck". Strange. The Bills hopes at the postseason are fading fast and they need this game badly. I say they get it, but by no means will it be easy.

OAKLAND 24, MINNESOTA 20
Carson Palmer finally got his first win for the Raiders last Thursday, and will take his crew into Minnesota on Sunday. The AFC West is totally up in the air now even more so with the Chiefs possibly losing Matt Cassel for the year. Oakland seems to be in the best shape at the moment with Darren McFadden returning soon. Christian Ponder has impressed so far in his rookie season despite the blowout loss to the Packers on Sunday. This game could easily go either way though I think it'll come to down to whichever QB can handle the offense more efficiently and avoid turnovers. I'll take the Raiders and Palmer for now, but I'm far from certain on this one.

DALLAS 27, WASHINGTON 14
With the Giants losing to the 49ers and the Eagles stumbling against Arizona, the Cowboys are right back in the thick of the NFC East race and are red hot. The Redskins on the other hand are losers of five straight and look like a lock for a top five pick in next year's draft. If Dallas is going to make a run at besting New York for the division, now is the time with a match up against the Giants looming in about a month's time.