Week 11 NFL Picks: Super Bowl preview when Dallas visits Kansas City? – The Denver Post

Game of the week

Dallas at Kansas City

Don’t look now, but the Chiefs are back in their customary No. 1 spot in the AFC West and they are stopping teams, having allowed only 17, seven and 14 points during their current winning streak. A potential Super Bowl preview in which Dallas is a 2 1/2-point underdog.

Chiefs 27, Cowboys 20

Lock of the week

Baltimore at Chicago

Both teams are rested — the Bears had their bye and the Ravens played a Week 10 Thursday night game and are a 6 1/2-point favorite. If Chicago’s head-coaching job opens, it will be intriguing to see how attractive the job is because of quarterback Justin Fields, who will take some lumps Sunday.

Ravens 34, Bears 14

Upset of the week

Cincinnati at Las Vegas

The reeling Raiders are a one-point home underdog and have lost four of their last six games since a 3-0 start. But the Bengals aren’t exactly rolling, either — they lost 34-31 at the Jets and 41-16 to Cleveland at home to limp into their bye. Las Vegas moves a full game ahead of the Broncos.

Raiders 37, Bengals 28

Around the AFC: Buffalo, Tennessee enter stretch run as conference’s top two teams

As the season enters the stretch run, the conference’s top five teams:

1. Buffalo (6-3): The concerning loss at Jacksonville was erased by a rout of the Jets last week, the defense leads the NFL with 24 takeaways and four players have at least 22 catches. They may have squandered a chance at the top seed, but are tops in our AFC rankings.

2. Tennessee (8-2): Not only have the Titans won six consecutive games, the last five opponents all made the playoffs last year and running back Derrick Henry (foot) has missed two weeks. The Titans own the tiebreaker over Buffalo and Kansas City.

3. Kansas City (6-4): The Chiefs took the AFC West lead around 9:30 p.m. last Sunday. Don’t expect them to give it up even if they lose to Dallas this week. Receiver Tyreek Hill and tight end Travis Kelce are on pace for 127 and 102 catches, respectively.

4. New England (6-4): Here come the Patriots. Their 1-3 start has been erased by the current 5-1 streak in which they have won by three, 41, three, 18 and 32 points. Rookie quarterback Mac Jones has a 94.1 passer rating and the defense is second in scoring (17.7 per game).

5. Baltimore (6-3): The Ravens are in first in the AFC North because of Pittsburgh’s tie against Detroit. The offense is second in yards (414.1), but 11th in scoring (25.7). If they keep quarterback Lamar Jackson available, they will win the division.

Around the NFC: Aaron Rodgers is back and Green Bay is the conference’s class

As the season enters the stretch run, the conference’s top five teams:

1. Green Bay (8-2): The Packers’ only losses were a Week 1 no-show (38-3 to Saints) and a Week 9 Jordan Love game (13-7 at Kansas City). Green Bay should finish with at least 13 wins and maybe more if it wins at home over the Rams and/or at Baltimore.

2. Dallas (7-2): Every team but the 1972 Dolphins loses a clunker and the Cowboys’ turn was against the Broncos two weeks ago. Dallas needs to win its remaining four NFC East games to gain a grip on the second seed and a potential playoff game against an 8-9 (or worse) team.

3. L.A. Rams (x): Team All-In after trading for Von Miller and signing Odell Beckham, the Rams have tough road trips remaining to Green Bay, Arizona, Minnesota and Baltimore. They may not be seeded higher than the Cardinals, but have a better chance at the title.

4. Arizona (8-2): A well-rounded club that is fifth in points per game (28.7) and fifth in fewest points allowed (18.9), the Cardinals are 1-1 minus injured quarterback Kyler Murray. The Cardinals’ Jan. 2 trip to Dallas could decide the second seed.

5. Tampa Bay (6-3): The Buccaneers like to make it tough on themselves, don’t they? They laid a big egg in last week’s loss at Washington (just let Tom Brady call all the plays for the offense and defense) and may have to win two playoff road games to reach Super Bowl.

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