NFL Week 11: How to survive and advance in your knockout pool

The Niners and Raiders are double-digit favorites in the same week for the first time since 1987. Does that make them safe picks?

Let the bettor beware

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NFC South matchups fit this category perfectly. The Panthers have been playing better and almost forced Green Bay to OT at Lambeau. Atlanta comes off one of the most surprising victories of the season, winning at New Orleans. Could the Falcons have found their groove and make it two straight against divisional opponents? Will the Panthers rebound? If there are questions, the answer is to avoid the game. One could also lump New Orleans at Tampa Bay here. Same kind of matchup and same kind of questions. Don’t risk your season. The Bills journey to  Miami to face the suddenly resurgent Dolphins. Will Miami make it three in a row? Will Buffalo end the Dolphins’ run? This one is far too unpredictable to try and dissect. Buffalo took the first meeting by 10 in a game that was not as comfortable as the final score indicates. Dallas feels like a strong play against the Lions. However, this is a team that is 5-4 and does not provide security. Detroit gave Chicago a mighty test with Jeff Driskel at QB. It’s unlikely the Cowboys will tumble, but they did lose at the New York Jets. So they feel more like road worriers than warriors.