ESPN senior writer Mike Sando asks NFL insiders to pick winners in select games each week. Three evaluators joined the panel for Week 11. This week's games: Packers-Seahawks, Cowboys-Falcons, Titans-Colts, Vikings-Bears and Chiefs-Rams.
Dallas Cowboys at Atlanta Falcons
Sunday: 1 p.m. ET, Fox | Point spread: ATL by 3.5 | Insiders pick: DAL (2/3)
All three insiders could have gone the other direction with their picks.
"I actually think Atlanta will win at home with a chip on its shoulder after last week, but they sure do have issues," one of the insiders said. "One thing they showed in the Browns game is that just sitting back in the same defense is too easy to scheme against. And then the other thing is, the Browns were able to run the ball extremely well. If Dallas can do that, they will have their way."
Ezekiel Elliott had 25 touches and 187 scrimmage yards against Philadelphia last week, including 151 yards rushing and an 8.0-yard average per carry. The Falcons allowed 176 yards to Browns rookie Nick Chubb last week, plus three touchdown passes and a 94.5 QBR to rookie quarterback Baker Mayfield.
"The matchup of this game will be Dallas' defensive line against Atlanta's offensive line," another insider said. "Atlanta's offensive line is beat up this year. They had the good fortune of being healthy up front in the past. Not this year, and it is affecting Matt Ryan. This is a game where Atlanta could figure out a way to win at home, even though on paper Dallas should win."
