You know it is funny, I places these games out here week in and week out and the only week where I had no idea who I wanted to pick was the week that Sadira was in the hospital. I pick these games pretty much as I type in the games and spreads. I always wonder what everyone is thinking when they pick their games. I always wonder is it because they hate one team or they are rooting for another or are they just tossing a coin in the air. For me this season it has been a struggle. Coming off of last year's Championship, I thought it would be easier. It has not been. So I am hoping that this is the week I get it back on track because otherwise Sadira will not be caught by me this season. That being said, here are my picks for week #11 in the league where the play.......for pay!!!
Oakland +9 1/2 @
Kansas City--- I know this is a hated rivalry but Oakland's offense is almost offensive. That is how brutal they really are. Can anyone here really pick Oakland on the road against anyone. I think if Oakland were playing a High School team you have to pick the High School team to win. Kansas City despite their injuries should cover the spread. Taking the Chiefs and giving Oakland the 9 1/2.
Indianapolis -1 @ Dallas---let's see, has Dallas beaten anyone of quality??? Carolina and yet Carolina sits at 5-4. The Colts played their trap game last week and struggled against Buffalo. They will not struggle against Dallas. Manning is probably looking for reasons to light up that defense. And I believe he will. For Dallas they MUST play mistake free football for 60 minutes to have a chance to beat the Colts. Can they??? I think they can. But who knows. I would normal go with the home team here but the Colts are undefeated. Until they lose, you have to go with them. It is basically a pick'em game. Nothing to lose but the game. Taking the Colts.
Cincinnati +3 1/2 @
New Orleans--- The Bengals defense gave up 42 points in the second half of their game last week. The Saints coming off an equally tough loss in Pittsburgh. Both games are probably classics ( just not from a defensive stand point ). If Cincinnati were home here, I would select them to bounce back from their loss to San Diego. But it is New Orleans who are coming home off of a tough loss. I will take the team at home and lay the 3 1/2 points.
Pittsburgh -3 1/2 @ Cleveland--- Is it as easy to pick against Cleveland here??? I am not so sure. Cleveland has been playing everyone tough for the last five week and this is a decent rivalry. But I think maybe Pittsburgh might be on the right track after a good win for them against the Saints. So I will pick Pittsburgh but with lots of respect towards Cleveland. They are not a pushover team.
Tennessee +13 @ Philadelphia--- this point spread earlier this year involving the Titans, I would have taken the Eagles with my eyes closed. Now the Titans are playing better and are more involved in their games. Can they use the Baltimore game from a week ago to springboard them??? Probably not, but with the Eagles struggles they could keep this a 7 to 10 point game. I will take the points and Tennessee.
Atlanta +4 @
Baltimore--- I know that Ray Lewis is out. But Atlanta lost to Detroit and Cleveland at a time when they have informed New Orleans that winning this division wasn't going to be easy. Now they are playing a 7-2 Ravens team that still can have homefield advantage until they are forced to play Indianapolis. I think that Baltimore has more to play for at home. I will give the points up and take the Baltimore Ravens.
St.Louis + 6 1/2 @
Carolina--- The Rams lost 2 horrible games to the Seahawks that would make any head coach want to shovel cow manure for a living. The latest really hurt because essentially it gives the Seahawks a 3 game lead in the division. Carolina chasing New Orleans need this game. So I will go with the team that is more desparate rather than the team on life support. Carolina and giving up the 6 1/2.
Buffalo +2 1/2 @
Houston--- Houston is playing better and they are playing at home. My opinion, Buffalo is already in off-season mode making this an easy choice. Taking Houston to win easy.
New England -6 @ Green Bay--- now I will root on Green Bay, but if anyone thinks that New England will lose three in a row is just not paying attention. New England will refocus and beat Green Bay who is really a bad team. My pick in New England.
Washington +3 @ Tampa Bay--- this is the who cares bowl. If Washington wins, who cares??? If Tampa Bay wins, who cares??? So since I must pick a winner, I guess I could pick my nose instead and find a bigger winner there.
Oh what the heck, let me root on the underdog. I will take Washington but not convincingly.
Chicago -7 @
New York Jets--- I am 7-1 when I have picked the Jets this season. I am 3-3 when I have picked the Bears and 0-3 when I have picked against the Bears. So basically, it doesn't matter. I believe that this game the Jets are over their heads. But winning a BIG game against New England might fuel something bigger. The Bears are returning to the Meadowlands after playing and destroying the Giants this past Sunday Night. This is my head speaking. Chicago will win this game. But I am picking the Jets though because 7 of their 9 games have been decided by 7 points or less and an 8th game was decided by 8 points. So I will go with the odds that the Jets do play a lot of close games and go with the Jets.
Minnesota + 3 1/2 @
Miami--- Minnesota is playing like they have given up on the season. And they might have. It wouldn't be the first time the Vikings team has done something like that. Miami seems rejuvienated. I am not sure why they waited so long, but that is no matter. I will be taking the Fish to win this game by more than 4.
Detroit + 2 1/2 @ Arizona--- here is another who cares game. The Lions are playing with more heart and spirit than the Cardinals who lost to Dallas last week. Even Parcells said he didn't want to score anymore because he didn't want to be responsible for Dennis Green getting fired. He might get fired here. I will take the points and Detroit.
Seattle -6 1/2 @ San Francisco--- this game I struggled with because San Francisco has played well at home. It is a divisional game, so it might be close. But I will in fact take the Seahawks and give up the 6 1/2.
San Diego +2 1/2 @
Denver--- Can I trust Jake Plummer in a big spot??? I do like Phillip Rivers and LT. This is a really good game. I will probably root on San Diego but I must go with the home team here. I like both of these teams in their home parks. I will take the Broncos and give up the 2 1/2.
Monday Night Football
New York Giants +3 1/2 @
Jacksonville--- another tough game. I want to see the Giants win this game because it helps the Jets playoff chances. Especially if the Jets win. But with all those injuries can I go with the Giants here??? I don't think so. So I will take the Jaguars and hope for a Giants win.
As far as Michigan at Ohio State, with Bo Schembechler passing away it casts a cloud on the game. My condolenses to Bo's family and to the Michigan family. I do stand by what I said in another thread that I thought Ohio State is the better team and that they would win 31-14.
Those are my picks and have a great weekend everyone!!!
