NFL Week 11 Picks

Alright, seeing as how I’m already running late posting my picks this week, I’ll keep this intro short and save the typing for the game analysis. The quick recap of Week 10 shows nothing better than average for yet another week of picks as I finished both 9-5 in my straight picks and 9-5 against the spread. There are no longer any bye weeks left as we enter into Week 11, so at this point anything less than double digits in the wins column should be less than acceptable. Here we go.

Season Stats:

84-60 / 84 of 144 (.583) Straight Picks

77-64-3 (.535) Against the Spread

----Picks against the spread in red----

ALL TIMES ARE EASTERN

Thursday, November 13^th, 2008

New York Jets(6-3) at New England Patriots(6-3) 8:15PM

Who would have guessed that the Jets would be making the trip into Foxboro in Week 11 with a record that was tied with the Patriots? The game should prove to be an exciting one, especially if the Jets can duplicate the intensity of the first half of last weeks domination against the Rams.

Jets manage to pull off a fourth quarter comeback through

(Jets +3.5)

Sunday, November 16^th, 2008

Denver Broncos(5-4) at Atlanta Falcons(6-3) 1:00PM

After refusing to go Homer on my pick last week, Jay Cutler put forth an amazing effort to bring the Broncos back for a win over the Browns. Problem is, Cutler’s arm is about all Denver has left. With all their running backs battered, beaten, or on IR, numerous other players bulking up the injury list and a defense that still has more holes than a pound of Swiss cheese, no one can pick the Broncos to go into Atlanta and win without a bunch of prayers and a little bit of luck.

Falcons continue to impress as they take advantage of a hobbled Denver team

(Atlanta -6.5)

Minnesota Vikings(5-4) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers(6-3) 1:00PM

While the Buccaneers should be able to reap the benefits of home field and an extra weeks rest, Adrian Peterson seems to have found his groove and has been on a steady increase with the passing of each week. With a run game like that benefiting the Vikings, they just might have that extra push to take the edge.

Vikings plunder a win out of Tampa

(Vikings +4)

Baltimore Ravens(6-3) at New York Giants(8-1) 1:00PM

Both teams are entering into this match up with a four game win streak that someone is going to have to see come to an end. I would look for the Giants defense to be more effective against he Ravens offense while the Giants offense will still be able to create a consistency of plays against the Ravens offense. I guess that pretty much tells everyone who I think is going to win.

Giants control the game just enough to take the win

(Ravens +7)

Oakland Raiders(2-7) at Miami Dolphins(5-4) 1:00PM

While the Dolphins seem to hit the field in a dominating fashion against tough competitors, they have lacked some intensity when playing teams that carry a losing record. Why’s that? Who knows? So should we expect an upset in Miami this week? Come on, from the Raiders?

Dolphins continue to win in their attempt to remain in the AFC East race

(Raiders +10.5)

New Orleans Saints(4-5) at Kansas City Chiefs(1-8) 1:00PM

Did the Chiefs almost pull an upset in San Diego last week or did San Diego almost shot themselves in the foot? I mean, come on, even the Raiders have a better record at this point and the only team the Chiefs have been able to beat all season are the…oh…never mind.

Saints take a win in a hostile Arrowhead Stadium

(Saints -5.5)

Detroit Lions(0-9) at Carolina Panthers(7-2) 1:00PM

While I can’t see the Lions going 0-16 on the season, I also can’t see them traveling into Carolina and upsetting the Panthers on their own turf. What I can see is a second effort in the second half by Detroit to pull within the spread, but a win is simply too much of a long shot.

Panthers keep the Lions in a winless season

(Lions +14)

Philadelphia Eagles(5-4) at Cincinnati Bengals(1-8) 1:00PM

Coming off a tough, hard-hitting game against the Giants, the Eagles could be looking at going into a trap weekend. Following the Giants going in and looking at the Ravens going out, it could be an easy oversight making a stop off in Cincinnati. But then again, as the Bengals continue to play without Palmer…

Eagles continue to fight for the NFC East’s runner up

(Eagles -9)

Chicago Bears(5-4) at Green Bay Packers(4-5) 1:00PM

Fantastic match up in what should prove to be a fantastic game, but regardless of the home field advantage I think the Packers could be in for a bit of a fight. Let me just say, THIS is the game where Devin Hester finally breaks his punt return drought. Add a possible INT from Aaron Rodgers and a fumble and the Bears defense/special teams will lead the way home on this one.

Bears pull off a win at Lambeau

(Bears No Line)

Houston Texans(3-6) at Indianapolis Colts(5-4) 1:00PM

On several occasions in the past I’ve liked the Texans to upset the Colts, especially this year. However, as long as turnover happy Sage Rosenfels is at the helm of this offense, I wouldn’t pick them to beat the Raiders…OK, maybe they beat the Raiders, but definitely not Peyton Manning and the Colts! Especially after Rosenfels last performance against them.

Colts climb one step higher above .500

(Colts +8.5)

Tennessee Titans(9-0) at Jacksonville Jaguars(4-5) 4:15PM

While many are probably feeling the Titans are overdue for a loss, and that the Jaguars have the capacity to serve up that loss, I don’t think that Jacksonville can get it done. Considered a contender for the Super Bowl at the beginning of the year, the Jaguars have failed to show us anything consistent that would leave me to believe they are the team to end this streak.

Titans continue to show the league they are the team to beat

(Titans -3)

Arizona Cardinals(6-3) at Seattle Seahawks(2-7) 4:05PM

As the Cardinals continue to push forward as the stand alone powerhouse of the NFC West they will get the honors of being the first team to welcome Matt Hasselbeck back into the line up. Unfortunately for Hasselbeck, I don’t believe the Cardinals will make it a happy return.

Cardinals continue to own the NFC West

(Cardinals No Line)

St. Louis Rams(2-7) at San Francisco 49ers(2-7) 4:05PM

Quite honestly I had the Rams picked to win this match up for this week, but after such a pathetic performance against the Jets last week and the competitive outing by the 49ers against the Cardinals last week that was a near upset, I had to change my position.

49ers take a much needed win to move into second place in the NFC West

(49ers -6.5)

San Diego Chargers(4-5) at Pittsburgh Steelers(6-3) 4:15PM

I have never been a believer in Big Ben Roethlisberger as a top tier quarterback and the more I watch him play, the more I believe that I’m right. The powerhouse run game and stout defense of Pittsburgh have made Roethlisberger, Roethlisberger has not made Pittsburgh. With that said, watch for the Steelers defense to wreak havoc on San Diego as Mewelde Moore continues to grab yards by leaps and bounds. If the Steelers are to lose this match up, it will be Big Ben’s to lose.

Steelers dominate on Heinz Field

(Steelers No Line)

Sunday, November 16^th, 2008, Sunday Night Football

Dallas Cowboys(5-4) at Washington Redskins(6-3) 8:15PM

Within a week or two after the Redskins upsetting Dallas at home, I would have seen this game as a possible revenge game. As if the rivalry between these teams isn’t heated enough, the Cowboys have got to be out for blood in this match up. Unfortunately, even with the return of Tony Romo, I think the Cowboys have shown us that their troubles and frustrations run much deeper than just an injury to their starting quarterback.

Redskins sweep the Cowboys in their second match up at home

(Redskins No Line)

Monday, November 17^th, 2008, Monday Night Football

Cleveland Browns(3-6) at Buffalo Bills(5-4) 8:30PM

Although at times the Browns have shown signs of life this season, they still have yet to show signs of a defense. My only hope is that this game can produce some of the excitement I unexpectedly got from last Monday Nights Cardinals/49ers game, because the Bills can show signs of defense. They can show signs of offense as well.

Bills emerge victorious on the Monday Night Stage

(Bills -5)

And with that, we call a wrap to another Week of picks and spreads. My, my where has the first half of the season gone? Time flies when you’re watching football!