Here we go with Week 13 in the 2011 NFL season. You would hope that there would big games matching playoff caliber teams downt the stretch. There just aren't that many marquee matchups the rest of the way. For instance, this week only features the following games that pit two teams with winning records: Cincy at Pittsburgh, Atlanta at Houston, Detroit at New Orleans, Green Bay at New York Giants. That is is for Week 13, and if you look at it the Houston-Atlanta game loses some luster because the Texans are starting their third-string QB Tyler Yates. I'll keep track of the amount of marquee games each week as we hit the home stretch. Onto to the picks for this week............
Last Week's Record: 6-10-0
Overall Record: 66-85-11
(HOME TEAM IN CAPS)
Tennessee (+2) over BUFFALO: The Bills played great in their loss to the Jets last week. Buffalo has lost four straight and now stands at 5-6. The Titans are lurking around at 6-5, and the Texans are down to Tyler Yates at QB. The Titans could lay in the weeds and make the playoffs somehow and someway this year. I think they get the job done in a close one at Buffalo this week.
CHICAGO (-7) over Kansas City: Caleb Hanie proved that he is no Jay Cutler last week in the loss at Oakland. We'll see if the Bears can bounce back this week at home to KC. I would normally love the Chiefs in this spot, but it looks like Tyler Palko gets the start again for them, so that sways me to Chicago's defense in this one. Look for Palko to get buried by that Bears defense, and look for a Kyle Orton sigthing in the second half. The Bears win this one in the 17-3 fashion.
MIAMI (-3) over Oakland: The Dolphins have played hard every week and instead of 3-7, they could easily be 5-6 or even 6-5. The Raiders are looking impressive and lead the AFC West at 7-4, but this seems like a game they could lose. Miami has a solid defense, and the Raiders have to travel East and play an early game. Dolphins win it late 24-20.
Atlanta (-2) over HOUSTON: The Texans are going with Tyler Yates after losing both Matt Schaub and Matt Leinart for the year to injuries. The Texans are not totally screwed for the playoffs, and they stand at 8-3. If they can go 2-3 down the stretch, then they will probably win their division at 10-6. This looks like a tall order for the Texans this week. Atlanta catches a break by getting the Texans this week and not a month ago.
Baltimore (-6) over CLEVELAND: All the Ravens will hear about this week is how they play down to the competition. They lost at Seattle and Jacksonville already this year, but this week they will be focused and ready when they head to Cleveland to take on the 4-7 Browns. The Ravens will take care of business on the road this week.
New York Jets (-3) over WASHINGTON: The Redskins finally got their win last week to get to 4-7, and in come the Jets off a close win at home over the Bills. The Jets, at 6-5, need to play well and get some confidence again. This is the perfect matchup for them because Rex Grossman will start for the Skins. Look for a close game early, and then the Jets put it away in the second half. The Jets have to win this week and next week at home vs. KC to get them going again.
(HOME TEAM IN CAPS)
Tennessee (+2) over BUFFALO: The Bills played great in their loss to the Jets last week. Buffalo has lost four straight and now stands at 5-6. The Titans are lurking around at 6-5, and the Texans are down to Tyler Yates at QB. The Titans could lay in the weeds and make the playoffs somehow and someway this year. I think they get the job done in a close one at Buffalo this week.
CHICAGO (-7) over Kansas City: Caleb Hanie proved that he is no Jay Cutler last week in the loss at Oakland. We'll see if the Bears can bounce back this week at home to KC. I would normally love the Chiefs in this spot, but it looks like Tyler Palko gets the start again for them, so that sways me to Chicago's defense in this one. Look for Palko to get buried by that Bears defense, and look for a Kyle Orton sigthing in the second half. The Bears win this one in the 17-3 fashion.
MIAMI (-3) over Oakland: The Dolphins have played hard every week and instead of 3-7, they could easily be 5-6 or even 6-5. The Raiders are looking impressive and lead the AFC West at 7-4, but this seems like a game they could lose. Miami has a solid defense, and the Raiders have to travel East and play an early game. Dolphins win it late 24-20.
Atlanta (-2) over HOUSTON: The Texans are going with Tyler Yates after losing both Matt Schaub and Matt Leinart for the year to injuries. The Texans are not totally screwed for the playoffs, and they stand at 8-3. If they can go 2-3 down the stretch, then they will probably win their division at 10-6. This looks like a tall order for the Texans this week. Atlanta catches a break by getting the Texans this week and not a month ago.
Baltimore (-6) over CLEVELAND: All the Ravens will hear about this week is how they play down to the competition. They lost at Seattle and Jacksonville already this year, but this week they will be focused and ready when they head to Cleveland to take on the 4-7 Browns. The Ravens will take care of business on the road this week.
New York Jets (-3) over WASHINGTON: The Redskins finally got their win last week to get to 4-7, and in come the Jets off a close win at home over the Bills. The Jets, at 6-5, need to play well and get some confidence again. This is the perfect matchup for them because Rex Grossman will start for the Skins. Look for a close game early, and then the Jets put it away in the second half. The Jets have to win this week and next week at home vs. KC to get them going again.
Carolina (+3) over TAMPA BAY: I have to admit that I was totally and completely wrong about Cam Newton. I thought he was going to struggle a lot this year, and that he wouldn't be a quality NFL QB, and he would be a borderline bust. Well, Newton has proved me wrong from day one. Here is the other thing about Cam: He is really fun to watch. Why else would you even pay attention to the Panthers? Every Sunday, I find myself flipping over to the Panthers game and watching at least a few drives with Cam at the helm. Once again, I'll take Cam on the road against the free-falling Bucs.
Cincinnati (+7) over PITTSBURGH: The Bengals played valiantly in their defeat a few weeks ago at home to the Steelers, and I just have a feeling they are going to give the Steelers some fits again this week. The Steelers look like they are in that mode where they will just do what they have to do to win games down the stretch, and basically set themselves up for the playoffs, and no one is going to want to see them in January.
SAN FRANCISCO (-12) over St. Louis: The Niners will rebound after their loss at Baltimore on Thanksgiving and take out their frustration on the Rams this week. Much has been written and said about the Niners resurgence this year, but the bottom line is that coaching in the NFL really matters and Jim Harbaugh is proving that.
ARIZONA (+4) over Dallas: The Cowboys are riding high at 7-4, and this game looks like an easy victory for them, but with the Giants looming next week, you get the feeling that the Cowboys could be setting themselves up for a letdown this week in Arizona. It looks like Arizona might get Kevin Kolb back this week which might not be a good thing, but I like how the Cards have fought these last few weeks, and look for tight game in the Desert.
Green Bay (-6) over NEW YORK GIANTS: I have thought about picking the Giants all week, but I'm going to go away from them this week. They are just too banged up, and even if they lose this week, they will be 6-6 with four games to make a run at the playoffs. Remember, the Giants have two games left with Dallas to make up ground, and they have Washington at home and a "road" game against the Jets on Christmas Eve. The G-Men could get to 10-6 and it won't surprise me at all. Too much Aaron Rodgers and the Pack this week.
NEW ENGLAND (-20) over Indy: There is no talk about the "Greatest Rivalry in the NFL" this week as the 0-11 Colts head to Foxborough. 20 points is a lot to lay in the NFL, but the Patriots will stick it to the Colts this week in a bad way. By the way, the Patriots remind me of the 2006 Colts. Think about it: In '06 the Colts really struggled on defense, and their run defense was one of the worst in recent memory; however, once they got to the playoffs, no one could run on them, and they went on to win the Super Bowl. Same thing this year with Pats. Everyone has been killing their defense, and they struggle at pass defense, but they still have Tom Brady. Once the playoffs start, Bill Belichick will go to work on the defense and the AFC will still have to run through New England.
NEW ORLEANS (-8) over Detroit: The Lions will put up points on the Saints this week, but this game just looks like another offensive clinic by the Saints at home. I don't like giving up eight points to the Lions, but I'll feel pretty good about it once the Saints get off to a fast start like they did on Monday Night against the Giants. The Lions might still make the playoffs, but this one feels like a big night for Drew Brees.
San Diego (-3) over JACKSONVILLE: What another crappy game on Monday Night Football. I can't see the Chargers losing a seventh straight game. Also, don't put the nail in the coffin just yet on the Chargers. I know they are 4-7, but does anyone remember 2008? The Chargers aren't dead until they are officially knocked out of the playoffs.
MINNESOTA (-2) over Denver: Before I break down this game, can I get something off my chest about Tim Tebow. I know that he struggles as a passer, and I know he is not the most accurate QB in the NFL, but does every analyst and announcer have to try to top the other in their criticism of Tebow. Instead of just saying things like "Tebow's pass is off the mark" or "Tebow throw is too low for Eddie Royal," announcers/analysts have to go over the top to say how "awful" and "brutal" some of his throws are. It is just annoying, and no one said how great of a throw it was when he stood in the pocket on 3rd and 11 and drilled a 36 yard completion to Eric Decker late in the game at San Diego last week. Yes, he is inaccurate and he misses some easy throws, but give him credit for the two or three great throws he seems to make every game. Anyway, this game seems like a tough one for the Broncos for a few reasons. First, it is an early game in Minnesota. Second, the Vikings are not as bad as their 2-9 record would indicate. Third, Von Miller is a game-time decision with a busted thumb, and he is probably the most valuable player on Denver's defense. Lastly, after hearing all week that they are right in the middle of a possible playoff run, the Broncos are due for a letdown this week. It is hard to win four games in a row in the NFL let alone five.
Final Score: Minnesota-24 Denver-10
No comments:
Post a Comment