Week 11 Picks

I apologize that it's been nearly a week since my last post, but my abysmal performance last week sent me into a deep depression. However, my doctor has told me that there is a cure for this kind of depression: winning. So, with that in mind, after a 6-8 mark last week that left me 84-60 for the year, we go to the picks for week number 11...in the league where they play...for pay...

Thursday

Chicago Bears (6-3) @ Miami Dolphins (5-4) - 25 years ago these two met on a Monday night in Miami with the undefeated Bears threatening to join the 1973 Dolphins as the only undefeated teams in league history. That night Dan Marino and company derailed the Bears undefeated dreams; however, Chicago did defeat New England 46-10 in one of the most lopsided Super Bowls of all-time. This one, however, is not nearly as compelling. The Bears are 6-3, but they have struggled since their 3-0 start; the Dolphins, meanwhile, are without their 1st and 2nd string quarterbacks. Even though the Bears have an issue at quarterback as well, specifically, Jay Cutler's propensity to turn the ball over, I think Miami's QB issues are more alarming. Pick: CHICAGO

Sunday

Baltimore Ravens (6-3) @ Carolina Panthers (1-8) - If the Ravens are as good as I think they are, they'll have little trouble dispatching the Panthers, who just might be the worst team in the league. Pick: BALTIMORE

Houston Texans (4-5) @ New York Jets (7-2) - Three weeks ago this looked like it could be a pivotal matchup in deciding seeding in the AFC playoffs. Now, after losing 3 in a row, the Texans need the W just to stay in the hunt to make the playoffs. The Texans defense is one of the worst in the league, which is good news for a Jets offense that needs a boost. Pick: NEW YORK JETS

Arizona Cardinals (3-6) @ Kansas City Chiefs (5-4) - After getting out to a 5-2 start the Chiefs need to come out with a big effort this week because Oakland has caught them for the division lead and San Diego is looming 1 game behind. Both teams are 1-4 on the road this year; however, unfortunately, for the Cardinals, the Chiefs are 4-0 at home and this one is in Kansas City. Neither team is playing well going into this one, Arizona has lost 4 in a row and Kansas City 2 straight, including an embarrassing loss in Denver last week, but I think Kansas City will be able to hold the Cardinal offense in check just enough. Pick: KANSAS CITY

Washington Redskins (4-5) @ Tennessee Titans (5-4) - I don't understand the Redskins. One week Donovan McNabb is not good enough to quarterback the team in the final 2 minutes, and the next week he's getting a 5 year/$40M guaranteed contract extension. I mean, if I'm McNabb, I sign that deal in a heartbeat, but why would Washington be in such a rush to get this deal done? Even though he is the same age as Tom Brady, 33, and a year younger than Peyton Manning, it's not like he's playing at an MVP level, as Brady and Manning are. I thought Mike Shanahan was supposed to come in and bring order and respect to the Redskins. Randy Moss was completely ineffective for the Titans in his debut with the team last week in Miami. Both teams are inconsistent, which explains their near .500 records, but Tennessee is 3-0 against the NFC East and they're at home. Pick: TENNESSEE

Buffalo Bills (1-8) @ Cincinnati Bengals (2-7) - The Bills finally got a win last week when they beat the Lions, the last team to go winless for the season. While they both have terrible records, they both have been competitive in most of their games. I'm going to take the Bengals here because they're at home and because of the possibility that Buffalo might relax a bit this week after getting that win and avoiding an 0-16 campaign. Pick: CINCINNATI

Oakland Raiders (5-4) @ Pittsburgh Steelers (6-3) - Where did the Raiders come from? At 2-5 it looked like it would be another miserable year for them, but they have won 3 in a row and now sit tied with Kansas City for the division lead. They'll test their mettle this week though when they go to Pittsburgh. Keep in mind, though, that since Ben Roethlisberger came back the Steelers are only 3-2, and they did get whacked around last week by the Patriots in prime time. Oakland is a team on the rise, but they do take a step up in class this week. Pick: PITTSBURGH

Cleveland Browns (3-6) @ Jacksonville Jaguars (5-4) - The Jaguars won on a Hail Mary against the Texans last week and the Browns had a crushing defeat to the Jets with 16 seconds to go in OT. Cleveland has been a tough out all year and Colt McCoy looks like he may be another one of those good young QBs. Jacksonville has won 2 in a row, but that was against a lifeless Dallas team and a Houston team that gives up 30 points a game. Cleveland is going to be a much tougher test for the Jags. Pick: CLEVELAND

Detroit Lions (2-7) @ Dallas Cowboys (2-7) - The Cowboys showed a lot of life against the Giants last week in their debut under interim coach Jason Garrett, and Dez Bryant continues to impress in his rookie year. This game is an opportunity for both teams to get a victory before they both take a step up in class when they host games on Thanksgiving Day. I'll take the Cowboys here because they may have caught a spark under the new coach. Pick: DALLAS

Green Bay Packers (6-3) @ Minnesota Vikings (3-6) - Last week's loss in Chicago most likely ended the season for the Vikings. At 3-6 with about 5 teams to leap frog their playoff hopes are all but gone. The Packers, meanwhile, are coming off their bye week and have an opportunity to really solidify themselves as one of the NFC's elite teams. The Vikings are still a talented team, but I think in the end Brett Favre will throw an interception that costs his team the game. Pick: GREEN BAY

Seattle Seahawks (5-4) @ New Orleans Saints (6-3) - The Seahawks may be 5-4, but outside of their own division they are 2-3. The Saints look like they may be starting to hit their stride, except for their week 7 loss to Cleveland, and they'll have an excellent opportunity to get to 8-3 in the span of 5 days. Pick: NEW ORLEANS

Atlanta Falcons (7-2) @ St. Louis Rams (4-5) - St. Louis appears to be improving under coach Steve Spagnuolo and they are very tough to beat at home, 4-1, but they have not beaten a team as good as Atlanta; nor have they played a team as good as Atlanta. Atlanta has had a couple of instances in which they've stubbed their toe, but they're still an elite team, and they further proved that when they rallied for a last minute victory over Baltimore last Thursday night. Pick: ATLANTA

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6-3) @ San Francisco 49ers (3-6) - Give them credit, the 49ers really are fighting hard to get back into the race to win the NFC West after a terrible 1-6 start. They're only 2 games out and they still have 4 division games to play, including 1 with first place Seattle. However, Tampa Bay has shown ability all year to beat the weaker teams on their schedule, and San Francisco looks like they are set up for Tampa Bay to knock down; Tampa Bay's only losses have been to Pittsburgh (6-3), New Orleans (6-3), and Atlanta (6-3). Pick: TAMPA BAY

Indianapolis Colts (6-3) @ New England Patriots (7-2) - For about the 7th year in a row these two teams will meet in the regular season. Unfortunately, the Colts come in undermanned after the injury bug has bit them hard. The Patriots are coming off an impressive win in Pittsburgh and may be primed to make a serious run at the AFC championship in what was supposed to be a rebuilding year. However, there is a certain 6'5", 230 pound quarterback with a laser rocket arm that stands in their way, and as long as he's on the field the Colts have a chance. Pick: NEW ENGLAND

New York Giants (6-3) @ Philadelphia Eagles (6-3) - The winner of this one walks away with the lead in the NFC East. The Giants were embarrassed last week at home against Dallas and the Eagles put up 59 on the Redskins. This one will hinge on the the ability of the Giants defense to get a consistent pass rush AND to also keep Michael Vick from running loose. The Giants may have looked terrible against the Cowboys last week, but they still have one of the league's leading rushers, Ahmad Bradshaw, a receiving corps that can play with anybody, and an elite QB in Eli Manning. It will be close, and I may be going with my heart on this one, I admit, but I like the Giants here. Pick: NEW YORK GIANTS

Monday

San Diego Chargers (4-5) @ Denver Broncos (3-6) - Denver has been on both ends of two of the league's biggest blowouts so far this year; they were smacked around by the Raiders a month ago, 59-14, and they beat up on the Chiefs last week 49-29. San Diego, meanwhile, seems poised to go on yet another late season run--I'll admit, I thought that they were done, but I may have spoken too soon. I will take Phillip Rivers and company in this one. Pick: SAN DIEGO and 54 points for the tiebreaker.