Saleh & Judge Feeling the NY Heat Week 11 Preview & Predictions

Nobody said playing professional sports in the New York City/New Jersey market was easy.

Just ask Jets Head Coach Robert Saleh, or Giants Head Coach Joe Judge. Both are in charge of pro football's beleaguered New York City franchises, and both are facing intense scrutiny as Thanksgiving quickly approaches.

For Saleh, who is only in his first year as Jets Head Coach, not only is he coaching a 2-7 football team. But as a former defensive coordinator, he has watched his Jets defensive unit surrender 175 points in the last four weeks. That is on average 43 points a game.

“It always starts with me,” Saleh said this week. “We have eight games left and we have to figure it out.”

In addition, his decision to start Joe Flacco this week versus Miami, rather than Mike White, has been met with intense criticism. Saleh blamed the fans and media for tossing White to the curb after last week's 4-pick performance against Buffalo. However, Saleh, probably with a little cajoling from GM Joe Douglas, is the one who benched White.

This has led many to conclude the Jets are starting Flacco for two reasons: 1) They want to justify trading a sixth round pick for a 37-year old quarterback. 2) they don't want White to light it up again and restart the quarterback controversy talk with injured Zach Wilson.

Meanwhile for Big Blue, Joe Judge has his Giants at 3-6. It's been a disappointing season thus far for a Giants team that expected to compete this year.

The Giants have been ravaged by injuries. Saquon Barkley, Andrew Thomas, Sterling Sheperd just to name a few.

On top of close losses to Atlanta, Kansas City and Washington have not helped matters. Fans have been clamoring for change both at head coach and General Manager if things don't change.

The Giants have had only one winning season the last nine years. While New York has an outside shot at the postseason, those hopes could be dashed this weekend when they visit an angry Tampa Bay team on Monday Night.

Mike Cohen's Fox Sports New Jersey Pick Six

Last week: 6-0

Season: 20-10

Dolphins (3-7) @ Jets (2-7) So will Joe Flacco light a charge into the Jets? Or will this be another rough day at MetLife for Gang Green? The Dolphins may have figured something out after their stellar defensive performance against Lamar Jackson and the Ravens last week. Not crazy about Tua Tagoviloa doing much in this game. He isn't Josh Allen or Mac Jones, so don't expect Miami to roll up points. This will be close and ugly. PICK: DOLPHINS 15 - JETS 10

Colts (5-5) @ Bills (6-3) A rematch of last season's wild card game that Buffalo won going away. The Colts have played well of late, winners of four of their last five. However those wins were against the Jets, Texans, Jaguars, and 49ers. Not exactly murders row. Don't like the prospects of Carson Wentz going up to Buffalo to play this great defense on a rainy afternoon. Josh Allen will throw the lights out of the ball.  Easy one. PICK: BILLS 35 - COLTS 17.

Saints (5-4) @ Eagles (4-6) It's hard to know where these two teams are going right now. Both are incredibly unpredictable. The Saints somehow are 5-4. Somehow they beat Tom Brady and the Bucs with Trevor Seimian at quarterback three weeks ago. Seimian nearly pulled it out last week in Tennessee. Star running back Alvin Kamara is questionable with a knee injury. That could play into the Eagles favor. New Orleans has also lost two straight by a combined four points.

Philly has settled into a bit of a groove offensively in recent weeks, and Jalen Hurts has played well enough. The Eagles haven't won at home all year; they are due at some point. PICK: EAGLES 21 - SAINTS 19.

Cowboys (7-2) @ Chiefs (6-4) Hands down the game of the week. The Cowboys destroyed the Falcons last week 43-3, and have scored 30 or more points in five of their nine games this season. Dak Prescott is enjoying the best year of his career. However, the most intriguing part of this game might be whether the Chiefs figured something out last week in Las Vegas. Patrick Mahomes threw five touchdowns, and KC looked their old selves, scoring 41 points. If the Chiefs have turned the corner, this could be a track meet. PICK: CHIEFS 37 - COWBOYS 31.

Packers (8-2) @ Vikings (4-5): In so many ways this is Minnesota's Super Bowl. They need a win to stay alive in the hunt for one of the two wild card slots in the NFC. And what better way to stay alive than beat their arch rivals the Packers. However, aside from dealing with Aaron Rodgers, the Vikes have to go up against a Packers defense that has not allowed an opponent to score in six quarters. Green Bay is third in the NFL in total defense. That is going to be an issue for Kirk Cousins and company. PICK: Packers 27 - VIKINGS 24.

Giants (3-6) @ Buccaneers (6-3) The Giants are in a tough spot here. They are hoping to have Andrew Thomas and Saquon Barkley back, but it might not be enough against an angry Bucs team. Tampa lost 29-19 to Washington last week, with head coach Bruce Arians blasting the team and quarterback Tom Brady. It will be interesting to see if the Antonio Brown COVID-19 card drama is a distraction in this one. On the flip side, Daniel Jones has played well, but he needs help, and hasn't gotten it from many sources. Defensively, the Giants have to pressure Brady and force a mistake if they have a shot. PICK: BUCS 27 - GIANTS 13.