NFL Game Picks Week 11: Cincinnati Bengals at Arizona Cardinals
By Erik Lambert
Aug 24, 2014; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Cardinals wide receiver John Brown (12) is tackled by Cincinnati Bengals free safety Taylor Mays (26) and defensive back R.J. Stanford (28) during the second half at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports
One of the bigger, if unheralded games of the season is set to take place in week 11. The Cincinnati Bengals look to defend their home turf against the dangerous Arizona Cardinals. This will be a measuring stick for both teams. Who comes away with the win?
Backdrop:
There is a little more juice to this game besides it being between two of the best teams in the league. It will be the latest chance for quarterback Carson Palmer to beat the team that drafted him, only to trade him away a few years ago to Oakland. His first attempt was an ugly 34-10 beat down. However, this time he has more help.
Conversely, this is the first time all season Andy Dalton will have to go into a big game not coming off a victory. How he responds will tell much about just how he’s progressed from a mental standpoint. After all, he did not play well against Houston and the Cardinals run a similar defensive scheme.
Matchup to Watch:
WR A.J. Green vs. CB Patrick Peterson
This is one of the highlight matchups of the entire week, not just this game. A.J. Green and Patrick Peterson are two of the most successful players at their respective positions in the league. Whomever gets the better of the other is almost certain to have a deciding impact on the outcome.
Green back to his old self, having caught 55 passes for 769 yards and four touchdowns through nine games. He’ll have to contend with Peterson who is playing some of his best football this season. He’s allowed just one touchdown pass all year and quarterbacks have a 56.6 rating whenever they throw in his direction.
Key Stat:
Neither team really has a lot of holes to speak of. That is why they are practically locks for the postseason already. Then again, there is one intriguing stat that is sure to become a factor: scoring. Arizona goes into the game with the #2 scoring offense in the NFL. They are averaging 33.6 points per game. They face a Bengals defense that is the best in the business in terms of preventing points, allowing just 16.9 per game.
Safe to say one of those is going to have to give if there is to be a winner in this game.
Prediction: Cardinals win 24-21
The Cardinals are hard enough to beat anywhere but they’ve been particularly stingy at home where the perfect condition accent their array of great athletes. When two teams appear evenly matched as they and the Bengals do, then home field matters a lot more. That is why they get out with the win.