By Tom Peters
Well, I finally finished my midseason reports for all the divisions. If you missed them, you can get them here….. AFC EAST, AFC NORTH, AFC SOUTH, AFC WEST, NFC EAST, NFC NORTH, NFC SOUTH, NFC WEST.
Last week I went 10 – 4 again, bringing my season record to 92 – 52 for the season. I already begin this week 0 – 1 after another Thursday night last minute debacle. The Jets are still overrated and will eventually get complacent and lose to a bad team, but we’ll cross that bridge at a later time. Without further ado, here are my picks for Week 11 in the NFL.
Denver Broncos (5-4) v. Atlanta Falcons (6-3)
This is a game that is hard to pick because you don’t know what Denver is going to do. We know Atlanta is a good team. Matt Ryan has been hot the last few weeks throwing 2 TD per game. The problem for Denver is that there are too many weapons to stop. Denver’s pass defense is poor, their run defense is even worse. Atlanta’s defense will not give it away like Cleveland did last Thursday night.
MY PICK: Falcons
Philadelphia Eagles (5-4) v. Cincinnati Bengals (1-8)
Eagles defensive coordinator Jim Johnson must be licking his chops. The Bengals have an inefficient running game and Ryan Fitzpatrick under center. Granted Fitzpatrick is improving, but he hasn’t seen pressure like this. The Eagles are reeling after their tough loss to the Giants Sunday night and I suspect Fitzpatrick is going to spend a lot of time on his back.
MY PICK: Eagles
Chicago Bears (5-4) at Green Bay Packers (4-5)
This is another on of those tough games to pick. We’re not sure on the status of Kyle Orton. Regardless, the Bears will have issue at quarterback. Grossman is unreliable and has the tendency to make the stupid turnover. Orton will not be at 100%. Matt Forte needs to have a big game in order for the Bears to be successful. The problem…..he’s only rushed for over 100 yards twice this season. The good thing……The Packer defense has not been great in stopping the run. The Bear defense isn’t what it used to be, but the Packers can’t run the ball so expect Rodgers to have a few interceptions and the Bears should spend a lot of time in the nickel and dime packages.
MY PICK: Bears
Houston Texans (3-6) vs. Indianapolis Colts (5-4)
The Colts are starting to roll at the right time. Manning is close to 100%, the receivers and tight ends are healing nicely. The timing needs work, but as you know it gets better every week. Manning to Harrison is almost back to normal. Houston would be a good team to work against. This game should not be close, but the Colts still have issues in stopping the run, but an improving Bob Sanders will help stop Steve Slaton. Sage Rosenfels is coming off a terrible game and there no reason to think he’ll do any better this week. The only thing that scares me is the fact that the Texans have kept them close in the most recent games.
MY PICK: Colts
New Orleans Saints (4-5) v. Kansas City Chiefs (1-8)
Drew Brees should have a huge game this week. The Chief secondary is banged up and hurting with 3 of the starting 4 questionable. The Saints still don’t have a running game and are awaiting the return of Reggie Bush, but it shouldn’t matter here. Larry Johnson returns from his suspensions, but I feel he may be more a distraction in this game and we won’t see the progress that Tyler Thigpen has made the last few weeks.
MY PICK: Saints (huge)
Oakland Raiders (2-7) v. Miami Dolphins (5-4)
The Raiders, a West Coast team, is playing a 1pm game in Miami, an East Coast team. West Coast teams are 0-12 in this situation. Make it 0-13. The only way the Raiders win is if Chad Pennington turns the ball over. I can’t foresee that happening. Let’s see who JaMarcus Russell blames for this loss.
MY PICK: Dolphins
Baltimore Ravens (6-3) v. New York Giants (8-1)
I am so looking forward to this game. The Giants have been the most talented team all season. Their balance and depth on both sides of the ball has thrown teams fits. The Ravens defense is for real and will give Eli Manning some problems. I suspect Manning will be responsible for at least two turnovers. On the other hand, I also suspect the Giant defense will give Joe Flacco some problems while stuffing Willis McGahee. It comes down to this…..The Giant defense is better than the Ravens offense.
MY PICK: Giants
Minnesota Vikings (5-4) v. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6-3)
The Vikings have won two in a row , but the offense and special teams have allowed the Texans & Packers to keep it close. The Buccaneers have a better defense than both those teams. Pat & Kevin Williams have not been suspended by the NFL for this game and they should be able to stop the Bucs running game. The Vikings pass defense is not good, but the Bucs passing game is worse. I don’t foresee Jeff Garcia connecting with the slow and old wide receivers and I believe the front four will get to Garcia.
MY PICK: Vikings (a gut pick)
Detroit Lions (0-9) v. Carolina Panthers (7-2)
Normally, this would be an easy pick. After seeing the Panthers against the Raiders, I’m not so sure. However, I don’t think John Fox would let Carolina play down to the competition in consecutive weeks. The Panther defense will dismantle to makeshift Lions offense and the Lions don’t have the defensive personnel to shut down the balanced Panther offense. Expect the Panthers to pass for 250 yards and run for 200.
MY PICK: Panthers.
Tennessee Titans (9-0) v. Jacksonville Jaguars (4-5)
When Mike Greenberg of ESPN’s Mike & Mike in the Morning, picks you to win (Jags) it is safe to bet against him. I will, but I’ll use more logical methods to arrive at my conclusion. The Jaguars have been one of the ultimate underachievers. The wins against the Lions was good, but it only shows how bad the Lions are. The Titan defense will stuff the over relied upon Jacksonville running game forcing David Garrard to beat them. The Titans showed they can win via the pass for the first time last week. This diversification is key to them maintaining this run.
MY PICK: Titans
St. Louis Rams (2-7) vs. San Francisco 49ers (2-7)
What a boring game. This game will be sloppier than my one year old son’s diaper after having corn on the cob. I know, too much info, but you get my point. The Rams are a mess, the 49ers are starting to clean up their mess. Steven Jackson will miss this game and they will be missing some key components of their defense. The 49ers showed signs of improvement against Arizona. Frank Gore should have a big game since the Rams have been able to stop the run most of the season and Mike Singletary should get his first win.
MY PICK: 49ers
Arizona Cardinals (6-3) v. Seattle Seahawks (2-7)
The Seahawks suck. I don’t care if this game is outdoors and in Seattle. The Cardinals are just better, as long as they don’t play down to their competition.
MY PICK: Cardinals
San Diego Chargers (4-5) v. Pittsburgh Steelers (6-3)
The Steelers are coming off a tough loss against the Colts. The Chargers barely beat Kansas City last week. I hope they give Herman Edwards a W-2 for his gift last week. The game is in Pittsburgh where the weather is supposed to be ugly, like the Chargers. No offense San Diego. The Steelers have the best defense in the league even after Peyton Manning found a way to beat them last week. Willie Parker’s health is improving and Mewelde Moore is doing well in taking the load off. Something still isn’t right with the Chargers. There is no reason for this team to be 4-5. Riversis having a hard time with his receivers and defense have been focusing on Antonio Gates while keeping LT out of the end zone. Gates will get nothing up the middle. If the Steelers are to win, they have to use the ground game.
MY PICK: Steelers
Dallas Cowboys (5-4) v. Washington Redskins (6-3)
Tony Romo is back. Yay!!! Doesn’t matter. The key player in this game is Clinton Portis. He will likely miss this game. If he plays, he will be limited in action. I’ve been harsh on the Cowboys dysfunction, but ti’s deserved. I think the ‘Boys had some time to do some soul searching. I think they will come out pumped and motivated. I think the Portis injury is going to put a lot of undue pressure on Jason Campbell and there will be a turnover at a critical juncture. While I don’t think Romo is the savior, it’ll boost their confidence. Combine that with the revenge factor and an ineffective Portis, Cowboys shuold prevail.
MY PICK: Cowboys
Cleveland Browns (3-6) v. Buffalo Bills (5-4)
After going to Buffalo two weeks ago, I want to go to this game too. I have a ‘SHOUT’ withdrawal. Let’s go Buffalo, Let’s go Buffalo. If that group of 4 in Section 206 got their season tickets revoked for serving a minor alcohol, let me know. I want them.
But I digress. Both teams have shown flashes of brilliance. Both teams have been horrific. The lines for the Bills have been pushed around like a shopping cart in a homeless shelter. The Browns can never seem to get their act together. If the Browns were in the AFC East, I’d give them a better chance. I think Marshawn Lynch will come back to have a good game and the Edwards to Evans connection will do well. If Robert Royal keeps dropping balls, the Bills will be in trouble. Expect to see a lot of Roscoe Parrish in this game.
My only hope is I get those tickets in 206. I’ll keep the heat off the seats.
Those are my picks for this week. Yell at me. I dare you.
Don’t forget to check out my midseason reports.
Here they are: AFC EAST, AFC NORTH, AFC SOUTH, AFC WEST, NFC EAST, NFC NORTH, NFC SOUTH, NFC WEST.
Enjoy the games.
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