The Week 11 Picks

Apologies for the brevity of this column, however it’s a getaway day for The Kid.

While I’m thinking about it, the annual "Thanksgiving Day Deuce" will be coming to you live from my old stomping grounds, and chances are I'll be all hopped up on Pudge's cheese steaks, Rosenberger's lemon iced tea, and of course Mom's spaghetti and meatballs (easily the best in the world). Not to get ahead of myself, but I like the third game on turkey day, even if it does render the title of The Deuce obsolete. I guess I’ll have to come up with something new.

Sunday, November 19th, 2006

The Match-up: St. Louis (+7.0) @ Carolina
The Skinny: Monday night was a microcosm of the Panthers’ season – brutal first half, strong second half. Carolina is suddenly only a game back in the NFC South, and New Orleans and Atlanta both look vulnerable. The Panthers seem poised to go on a run and become the Super Bowl contender everyone thought they would be.
Straight Up: Carolina
Against the Spread: Carolina

The Match-up: New England (-5.5) @ Green Bay
The Skinny: Brett Favre must be excited that Vinny Testaverde is back in the league. Now Favre doesn’t seem so old.
Straight Up: New England
Against the Spread: New England

The Match-up: Atlanta (+4.0) @ Baltimore
The Skinny: Why do I get the funny feeling that Ron Mexico will re-emerge this week and get back to being that guy who played so well a few weeks ago? They may not win it, but they’ll be in it.
Straight Up: Baltimore
Against the Spread: Atlanta

The Match-up: Oakland (+9.5) @ Kansas City
The Skinny: Props to Herm Edwards for having the wherewithal to bring Trent Green back for a scrimmage. Wait, you mean this game counts? Somebody better tell Randy Moss. Maybe he’ll actually show up.
Straight Up: Kansas City
Against the Spread: Oakland

The Match-up: Buffalo (+2.5) @ Houston
The Skinny: The Bills actually gave the Colts a scare last week, but fell short. Set up for a let-down against Houston? That might explain why the Texans are favored.
Straight Up: Houston
Against the Spread: Houston

The Match-up: Minnesota (+3.5) @ Miami
The Skinny: It’s the first ever Daunte Culpepper Bowl! I know Culpepper doesn’t play for the Vikings anymore, but the way they’ve collapsed it seems like he never left.
Straight Up: Miami
Against the Spread: Miami

The Match-up: Cincinnati (+3.5) @ New Orleans
The Skinny: I think both of these teams have been exposed on defense of late. The Saints blew a halftime lead and gave up 38 to the Steelers in the ‘burgh. Cincinnati, meanwhile, came from 21 ahead to lose to San Diego. Could either of these defenses, I don’t know, defend?
Straight Up: Cincinnati
Against the Spread: Cincinnati

The Match-up: Chicago (-7.0) @ New York Jets
The Skinny: I hope the Bears are enjoying New York City, their home away from home. The Bears will play their second straight game in the Meadowlands, and thanks largely to last week’s beat down of the Giants, the trip would have to be deemed a success.
Straight Up: Chicago
Against the Spread: New York Jets

The Match-up: Tennessee (+13.0) @ Philadelphia
The Skinny: Reports of the demise of the Eagles may have been greatly exaggerated. Shutting down the run in a 27-3 division win over Washington should restore the swagger, and another strong showing against Vince Young and the Titans will serve notice to the rest of the league.
Straight Up: Philadelphia
Against the Spread: Philadelphia

The Match-up: Pittsburgh (-3.5) @ Cleveland
The Skinny: A hearty welcome back to the Pittsburgh Steelers, who rediscovered their identity and ran the ball to a win over New Orleans. Running to set up the pass (as opposed to the alternative) makes Ben Roethlisberger a better quarterback.
Straight Up: Pittsburgh
Against the Spread: Pittsburgh

The Match-up: Washington (+3.0) @ Tampa Bay
The Skinny: Let’s see, young quarterback making his first NFL start on the road against a decent defense without his all-pro running back? Sounds like a recipe for disaster.
Straight Up: Tampa Bay
Against the Spread: Tampa Bay

The Match-up: Detroit (+2.0) @ Arizona
The Skinny: Yes, I’m taking the Lions on the road. That should tell you what I think about the Cardinals.
Straight Up: Detroit
Against the Spread: Detroit

The Match-up: Seattle (-4.5) @ San Francisco
The Skinny: Reports are that Shaun Alexander is back and will start Sunday against the 49ers. Matt Hasselbeck should be back soon, too. Looks like the Seahawks, despite the injuries, may have broken the Super Bowl loser’s curse.
Straight Up: Seattle
Against the Spread: Seattle

The Match-up: Indianapolis (-1.0) @ Dallas
The Skinny: As wide receivers go, there will be two guys on display in The Toilet on Sunday that are polar opposites. Indianapolis’ Marvin Harrison is all class – hard working, soft-spoken, humble, and one of the best receivers the league has ever seen. And then, there’s TOFU – narcissistic, narcoleptic, and generally a piece of crap. That alone should make you pull for the Colts.
Straight Up: Indianapolis
Against the Spread: Indianapolis

The Match-up: San Diego (+2.5) @ Denver
The Skinny: Despite the fact that their offense hung 49 on the Bengals last week, San Diego’s defense scares me. And if they do fall behind in Denver, sledding up the comeback trail will be a lot tougher, if not impossible.
Straight Up: Denver
Against the Spread: Denver

Monday, November 20th, 2006

The Match-up: New York Giants (+3.5) @ Jacksonville
The Skinny: Maybe David Garrard was looking over his shoulder when he threw four picks in last week’s disappointing loss to Houston. And if he wasn’t, maybe he should have been.
Straight Up: New York Giants
Against the Spread: New York Giants