NFL Week 11 picks: Expect lots of scoring in clash of the NFC West leaders

There is a word that has become taboo in NFL circles in the Pacific Northwest and in the Valley of the Sun. Defence.

Sure, Seattle has an established megastar in quarterback Russell Wilson and a budding one in receiver DK Metcalf.

And yes, the Cardinals have the reverse in quarterback Kyler Murray throwing prayers to — and having them answered — by veteran DeAndre Hopkins.

What neither of these NFC West leaders (along with the Rams, all 6-3) possesses is enough defence.

Which means Thursday’s night prime-timer should be filled with points that are pleasing to the eye, and defence that viewers will want to turn away from watching.

The Seahawks rank dead last against the pass, with the Cardinals at the top of the list as a passing threat. And while Arizona is middle of the pack in many defensive statistics, the offence much of the time has to bail out the defence.

So, yes, both units tend to be Legions of Doom.

This is an absolutely critical contest for both teams in the NFL’s best division. The West members manage to beat up on each other, which could cost all of them the single conference bye in the playoffs. Seattle, a three-point choice over the Cardinals, already lost at Arizona last month, in overtime, and also has fallen to the Rams. Upset special: Cardinals, 35-30

SUNDAY

No. 17 New England (minus 21⁄2) at No. 28 Houston: We’re still not buying the Patriots as a contender, but they should handle Texans. Best bet: Patriots, 23-16

No. 1 Pittsburgh (minus 9) at No. 31 Jacksonville: Steelers don’t play their best in northern Florida. They don’t need it here. Pick: Steelers, 26-13

No. 4 Green Bay (plus 1 ⁄2)

1 at No. 11 Indianapolis: If the Colts win, we need to take them seriously as a contender.

Pick: Colts, 26-24

No. 2 Kansas City (minus 6) at No. 10 Las Vegas: If the Raiders win, we need to take them seriously as a contender, too.

Pick: Chiefs, 30-20

No. 14 Tennessee (plus 61⁄2) at No. 7 Baltimore: These two should be contenders. Should be. Pick: Ravens, 20-19

No. 12 Miami (minus 3) at No. 25 Denver: Miami is showing impressive consistency, while Denver is the exact opposite. Pick: Dolphins, 21-13

No. 30 Dallas (plus 7) at No. 16 Minnesota: Take an NFC Least team against a non-division opponent? No way.

Pick: Vikings, 24-20

No. 21 Philadelphia (Off) at No. 15 Cleveland: Take an NFC Least team against a non-division opponent? No way.

Pick: Browns, 27-17

No. 27 Cincinnati (pick ’em) at No. 29 Washington: Take an NFC Least team against a nondivision opponent? No way.

Pick: Bengals, 28-23

No. 32 N.Y. Jets (plus 9) at No. 26 L.A. Chargers: The Jets belong in the NFC Least — where they would be last, too.

Pick: Chargers, 34-23

No. 20 Atlanta (Off) at No. 3 New Orleans: No breeze for Saints without Drew Brees. Pick: Saints, 23-21

No. 23 Detroit (Off) at No. 22 Carolina: The Lions could reach .500 with a win. So … Pick: Lions, 20-16

MONDAY

No. 8 L.A. Rams (plus 4) at No. 5 Tampa Bay: Bruce Arians is worried about his aged quarterback staying up late to play.

Pick: Rams, 26-24

2020 RECORD

Last Week: Straight up: 10-4. Against spread: 5-5-2 Season: Straight up: 98-48-1. Against spread: 75-63-4