NFL Week 11 picks: Will 49ers cross Jacksonville off list of stadiums they’ve conquered?
Long story short, here are my NFL Week 11 picks:
49ers 26, Jaguars 17: After losing in 1999 and 2005 visits, the 49ers run to their first-ever win in Jacksonville. (Their 2013 “away” game was in London.) Trivia question: Can you name all eight current NFL venues where the 49ers have yet to win a regular-season game? (Answer at end.) Line: 49ers -6 1/2
Patriots 28, Falcons 3: I will not predict 28-3. I will not predict 28-3. I will not … do so in favor of the Falcons. Line: Patriots -7
Bills 26, Colts 23: Carson Wentz hasn’t had a pass intercepted in seven of his past eight games. Then he goes to Buffalo and gets a wild wing. Line: Colts +7
Panthers 20, Washington 16: While everyone is looking at the Cam Newton vs. Ron Rivera storyline, Christian McCaffrey is running toward his first 100-yard game this season. Line: Panthers -3 1/2
Bears 21, Ravens 17: Both teams were off last week, so to speak, as the Bears enjoyed a bye and the Ravens had a Thursday night out in Miami. Line: Bears +5
Lions 20, Browns 19: The Lions are red hot. A tie last week, and now a win at Cleveland’s re-opened Factory of Sadness. This makes five meetings in a row that Detroit tops the Browns. Line: Detroit +11
Vikings 29, Packers 28: Home-dome advantage lifts Minnesota over its division rival before a Week 12 visit to the 49ers with wild-card ramifications. Line: Vikings +2 1/2
Jets 23, Dolphins 21: New York wins behind Joe “The Jet” Flacco – apologies to 49ers legend Joe “The Jet” Perry. Line: Jets +3
Saints 26, Eagles 17: The NFL’s No. 1 run defense comes through for the quarterback-less Saints, who shake a two-game losing streak. Line: Saints +2
Titans 33, Texans 16: The Texans … returned from their bye. That’s it, that’s the accomplishment. How tough that must have been not to extend their vacations anywhere else. Line: Titans -10
Bengals 33, Raiders 27: Any sense of a cooler equals trouble in Vegas. The Raiders fold in their third straight. Line: Bengals -1
Cowboys 33, Chiefs 27: Dallas avoids its second loss in three weeks against the AFC West. Line: Cowboys +2 1/2
Cardinals 28, Seahawks 24: Seattle hasn’t had a losing home record since 2008, until it drops this one and the 49ers’ impending visit Dec. 5. Line: Cardinals -2 1/2
Steelers 26, Chargers 24: After tying the winless Lions, the Steelers successfully flee west to hide out in Los Angeles. (How many teams show up at SoFi Stadium and say they’ll return in February for the Super Bowl?) Line: Steelers +5 1/2
Bucs 31, Giants 14: The home team improves to 10-1 on “Monday Night Football” this season, the lone loss coming in Seattle last month. This is the Giants’ second MNF road loss this month. Line: Bucs -11
Trivia answer: The 49ers have yet to win at current stadiums in Atlanta, Baltimore, Cleveland, Indianapolis, Jacksonville, Las Vegas, Minnesota and Pittsburgh.
Last week: 5-8-1 straight up, 7-7 against the spread
Season: 83-66-1 straight up, 68-81-1 against the spread