The Week 11 Picks

It's a true road game this weekend, as the picks are coming to you live from the former home front in the Philly 'burbs. I'm also working on a dial up connection, so the picks will be brief in nature (so as not to get cut off by an incoming call). I won't even bombard you with any T.O. commentary - at least not for another week or so.

FYI - I will keep track of how many times I am disconnected through the proceedings, starting with the time it just happened [one].

The Match-up: Oakland (+6.0) @ Washington
The Skinny: The Skins are the latest team to fall victim of a coach growing stones at the end of the game when Jon Gruden went for two and the win at the gun last week. Oakland fell victim to Dick Vermeil's last-second touchdown call the week before. The two meet this week, and somebody will leave FedEx Field pissed off again.
Straight up: Washington
Against the Spread: Washington

The Match-up: Miami (+2.5) @ Cleveland
The Skinny: Don't think I've picked the Browns yet this year, and I see no reason to start now. Straight up: Miami
Against the Spread: Miami

The Match-up: Pittsburgh (off) @ Baltimore
The Skinny: Tommy Maddox vs. Kyle Boller isn't exactly good theatre.
Straight up: Pittsburgh
Against the Spread: Pittsburgh

The Match-up: Detroit (+8.0) @ Dallas
The Skinny: Dallas sucks, have I mentioned that before? Just making sure I cover all my bases.
Straight up: Detroit
Against the Spread: Detroit

The Match-up: Jacksonville (-4.0) @ Tennessee
The Skinny: Other than Indianapolis at home, the Jags have a virtual cake walk to the post-season.
Straight up: Jacksonville
Against the Spread: Jacksonville

[two]

The Match-up: Arizona (+9.5) @ St. Louis
The Skinny: The Rams are starting to regain their health and round back into form.
Straight up: St. Louis
Against the Spread: St. Louis

The Match-up: New Orleans (+9.5) @ New England
The Skinny: Notice no one is talking about the Pats three-peating any more.
Straight up: New England
Against the Spread: New England

The Match-up: Philadelphia (+7.0) @ New York Giants
The Skinny: Mike McMahon to Billy McMullen for the game-winning touchdown in the fourth quarter. Hey, it could happen.
Straight up: Philadelphia
Against the Spread: Philadelphia

The Match-up: Tampa Bay (+6.0) @ Atlanta
The Skinny: Chris Simms may have come of age last week against Washington. Down by seven twice late, he rallied the troops to the aforementioned last-second two point conversion victory. But in Atlanta is a tough go, even though the Bucs have given Ron Mexico fits in the past.
Straight up: Atlanta
Against the Spread: Atlanta

The Match-up: Carolina (-3.0) @ Chicago
The Skinny: At 7-2, the best team in the NFC right now resides in Charlotte.
Straight up: Carolina
Against the Spread: Carolina

[three]

The Match-up: Seattle (-12.5) @ San Francisco
The Skinny: Shaun Alexander is a stud - five straight years of 15+ touchdowns? Unheard of.
Straight up: Seattle
Against the Spread: Seattle

The Match-up: New York Jets (+13.0) @ Denver
The Skinny: 13 points is just too many to give the Jets, even on the road.
Straight up: Denver
Against the Spread: New York Jets

The Match-up: Buffalo (+11.0) @ San Diego
The Skinny: Bills fans should not get too excited about the showing of J.P. Losman last week. I mean, it's not like he's Jim Kelly or anything.
Straight up: San Diego
Against the Spread: San Diego

[four - this is getting ridiculous]

The Match-up: Indianapolis (-6.0) @ Cincinatti
The Skinny: In the game of the week, I like the Colts to get to 10-0, but not without a fight from the Bengals.
Straight up: Indianapolis
Against the Spread: Cincinnati

[five - what the chicken?]

The Match-up: Kansas City (-7.0) @ Houston
The Skinny: The Chiefs should not miss a beat without Priest Holmes, as long as Larry Johnson keeps running the way he has.
Straight up: Kansas City
Against the Spread: Kansas City

The Match-up: Minnesota (+4.5) @ Green Bay
The Skinny: Brett Favre, Lambeau Field, Monday night. Need I say more?
Straight up: Green Bay
Against the Spread: Green Bay