Clash of the Titans set for Thursday night
AFC Division leaders meet in Pittsburgh to kick off Week 11
Many weeks, football fans find other things to watch on Thursday nights. The matchups aren’t exactly intriguing. Pittsburgh is a seven-point favourite over Tennessee. It’s an important game for several reasons:
■ Both teams lead their divisions, the 7-2 Steelers in the AFC North, the 6-3 Titans in a tie with Jacksonville atop the AFC South.
■ Both are in good shape for wildcard slots, and this game could have tiebreaker ramifications.
■ Both teams are on four-game winning streaks.
■ Each comes off tight tests against inferior opponents, Pittsburgh at Indianapolis, Tennessee at home to Cincinnati.
Titans head coach Mike Mularkey isn’t concerned the short turnaround will affect his club. “If we let that become a distraction, it can be, yes,” Mularkey said. “This team’s pretty mature and pretty good about handling different situations, and this won’t be any different.”
Unfortunately for the Titans, they have not played particularly well on the road.
Steelers, 20-17
New England (minus 6) vs. Oakland at Mexico City
It gets tiresome making the Pats the top choice, but it makes sense. Best bet: Patriots, 30-20
Arizona (minus 2.5) at Houston
One of several home underdogs we like this week.
Upset special: Texans, 19-13
Baltimore (minus 2.5) at Green Bay
Another home dog we will go with. Packers, 17-16 Detroit (minus 2.5) at Chicago And another. Bears, 17-16
Kansas City (minus 9) at N.Y. Giants
OK, enough of that. Here’s a favourite ready to romp. Chiefs, 30-13 Los Angeles Rams (plus 2.5) at Minnesota Who would have projected this to be the highlight of Week 11? Rams, 27-24
Philadelphia (minus 3) at Dallas
The Cowboys can kiss the NFC East title and maybe a wild card goodbye if they lose. Cowboys, 28-27
Atlanta (plus 3) at Seattle
Dan Quinn against his mentor, Pete Carroll. Seahawks, 23-21
Jacksonville (minus 7.5) at Cleveland
Just can’t pick the Browns to win. Jaguars, 23-20
Tampa Bay (plus 3) at Miami
This was a Week 1 matchup postponed by hurricane Irma. Buccaneers, 20-16
Washington (plus 8) at New Orleans
Saints have a rising-up look, Redskins have a banged-up look. Saints, 34-23
Buffalo (plus 4.5) at Los Angeles Chargers
Did the prospect of the playoffs scare the Bills into a QB change? Chargers, 22-20
Cincinnati (plus 2.5) at Denver
Remember when Denver was a tough place to play? Bengals, 17-16
Last week: Against spread 7-6, straight up 8-5
Season totals: Against spread 6769-3, straight up 88-57
Best bet: 6-4 against spread, 8-2 straight up Upset special: 6-4 against spread, 6-4 straight up The Associated Press