Week 11 in the NFL season showcases a pair of AFC playoff contenders. Watch the top team in the AFC West take on the top team in the AFC South when the Oakland Raiders face off with the Houston Texans for Monday Night Football.
Game of the Week
Houston Texans @ Oakland Raiders
Favourite: Raiders -6
The Texans and Raiders conclude the NFL’s international games for 2016 with a Monday Night Football showdown in Mexico City. The Texans moved to 6-3 SU (5-3-1 ATS) after earning their first road win of the season in Jacksonville last week. They’re in first place in the AFC South, but it’s not all rosy; Quarterback Brock Osweiler seems to be struggling as of late, throwing for a mere 99 yards in the Jacksonville win.
The Raiders are 7-2 SU (6-3 ATS) and coming off a bye. Tied atop the AFC West with the Kansas City Chiefs, the Raiders have won three straight and six of seven. They’ve had an explosive offense this year, scoring 28 or more in five of their last six games.
Game with the Biggest Spread
New England Patriots @ San Francisco 49ers
Favourite: Patriots -14
The Patriots are 7-2 SU and ATS after a 31-24 home loss last Sunday night to the Seattle Seahawks. What’s more worrying is tight end Rob Gronkowski’s chest injury; after missing Wednesday’s practice, it doesn't look like he'll play this week. Despite the setback, the Pats are still a massive favourite because the 49ers are 1-8 SU (2-7 ATS) after a 23-20 loss to the Arizona Cardinals.
49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick threw for 210 yards and a touchdown, and ran for 55 yards and another touchdown, but it’s an uphill battle when the 49ers' defense is ranked last in the league in average yards allowed. Even without “Gronk”, the Patriots still have Tom Brady.
The Patriots are 3-7 SU and 4-4 ATS in their last 10 meetings with the 49ers. They’ve been a road favourite of 10.5 to 14 points just four times since 1992 and while they’ve won all four of those contests, they’ve covered just once (with one push).
Game with the Second Smallest Spread
Arizona Cardinals @ Minnesota Vikings
Favourite: Vikings -1.5
The Cardinals looked off last week. They needed a last-second field goal to beat the struggling 49ers and get to 4-4-1 SU (3-6 ATS). Carson Palmer threw for 376 yards and a touchdown, but he was also picked off twice.
As for the Vikings, they’ve lost four straight after starting the season 5-0. Last Sunday, they suffered a 26-20 defeat in Washington. Quarterback Sam Bradford threw for 307 yards, two touchdowns and a pick, but the Vikings still couldn’t get their ground game going. They rushed 21 times for 47 yards.
This is a game of must-win proportions for both the Vikings and the Cardinals, who are both looking to keep pace in the race for their divisions, or at least the wild-card spots in the NFC. The Vikings are 7-3 SU and 5-4-1 ATS in their last 10 meetings with the Cardinals, who are 0-8 SU and 2-5-1 ATS in Minnesota.
*Odds as of Novermber 17, 2016