I am actually going to do something a little different this week. There will be no pre picks opinions or facts from the previous week. I am just going to get right to my famous picks, so here we go. I hope everybody has a great Thanksgiving!
As always, home team in CAPS.
Green Bay 10 1/2 DETROIT
There has been some talk of the Lions no longer playing on Thanksgiving. I don't know what has taken so long. The Packers have been inconsistent but they should be able to cover here, even if nobody is watching.
Packers 27-14
DALLAS 13 1/2 Oakland
The Dallas offense has disappeared faster than my good picks. It is hard to trust the Cowboys right now, while Oakland, still mediocre at best, have been playing better lately. I'll take the points that the Cowboys are giving me.
Cowboys 23-13
New York Giants 7 DENVER
The Broncos have totally fallen apart, and the Giants were able to squeak out a much needed win last week. This is a tough pick, because I am not sure that the Giants are seven points better than anyone right now, especially on the road. But, why not. Denver can't do anything right lately.
Giants 26-17
Indianapolis 3 1/2 HOUSTON
The Texans might want to think about replacing their kicker soon. Kris Brown can't seem to make any big kicks lately. The Texans losing some close games this year isn't all the kickers fault of course, but it would be nice if he made ANY big kick. The thing is that I think Houston is going to win this game. The Colts have been living dangerously and this might be their week to live with too much danger.
Texans 24-20
CINCINNATI 14 Cleveland
So much for the Bengals being an elite team after last week's disaster. So much for Cleveland being an elite....wait a minute. Wrong team. At least they were able to score last week. That was last week. This week will be a lot different.
Bengals 32-10
MINNESOTA 10 1/2 Chicago
The Vikings could arguably be the league's best team right now. Not so for Chicago, as Jay Cutler has been a borderline disaster, at least this year. It looks like the Vikings will continue to roll right along.
Vikings 29-16
PHILADELPHIA 9 Washington
The Eagles have been one of the more inconsistent teams so far this year, but I have a feeling they will get their act together at the right time. The only act the Redskins are getting right is a Riot Act that the fans might perform if things don't get better in a hurry. It is already too late for this year.
Eagles 30-20
Miami 3 BUFFALO
Both of these teams really haven't been all that bad. They have both been pretty competitive at least. The Bills are seriously pursuing Mike Shanahan, and he will make a huge difference if he does go there, but he will have some work to do. I am actually going to take the Bills here because they are at home.
Bills 20-17
TENNESSEE 2 Arizona
The Titans are suddenly one of the hottest teams in the league after a disastrous start. If they keep playing this well they might make a serious push for the playoffs. But I think it might be too little too late. The Cardinals are away from home where they have been winning, but right now it is tough to go against the Titans.
Titans 24-21
ATLANTA 12 Tampa Bay
I am not sure that the Falcons should be 12 point favorites over anybody right now. They are still in the playoff hunt, but they need to get better. Playing Tampa will help. I don't like the points here, but they are at home and they need to win.
Falcons 31-14
NEW YORK JETS 3 Carolina
Mark Sanchez absolutely needs to play better. He is a rookie of course, but a couple of those interceptions last week were horrible. The Jets are in danger of really falling apart. The Panthers play great one week, poor the next. After looking at last week's results, they are due to play very well. I can't take the Jets, at least not right now.
Panthers 24-16
SAN FRANCISCO 3 Jacksonville
I am not sure how the 49ers are favored here ( yes I see that they are at home ) because they have not been that good lately. The Jags, on the other hand, are really surprising right now. They are right in the thick of the AFC Playoff chase, and playing well. They should have enough to beat San Francisco on the road.
Jaguars 23-21
SAN DIEGO 13 1/2 Kansas City
The Chargers are flying right now, and the Chiefs aren't going to get in their way. Kansas City did get a surprising win last week, but their streak will be very short lived. I don't see any problems for the Chargers here.
Chargers 34-14
BALTIMORE 2 1/2 Pittsburgh
I don't know what has happened to the Ravens, besides the fact they have been losing. The Steelers have been struggling lately too, and last week was a bad loss. Ben Roethlisberger claims he is going to play. I think this is simply a case where I just pick the team that is at home, and according to my typing, that team is Baltimore.
Ravens 17-13
Game of the Week
NEW ORLEANS 3 New England
This is a huge game, and the Patriots three losses are all on the road. The Patriots have been beating up on the mediocre teams. The Saints are not mediocre. They haven't had any problems scoring, and I think the Patriots' weaknesses on defense will rear it's ugly head here. The Patriots are overrated, and I like New Orleans here by a fairly comfortable margin.
Saints 38-21
Stinker of the Week
Seattle 3 ST. LOUIS
When the Seahawks are favored on the road, that is usually not a good sign for the home team. Both teams have not been very good, but I think Seattle has been a little bit better. I'll take them here.
Seahawks 21-17
Record For Week 11: 7-9 ( A sparkling 13-3 without the spread )
Record Through Week 11: 64-69 ( A glittering 89-44 without the spread )
Game of Week Record: 4-5
Stinker of Week Record: 5-4
Jim Poore has been a long time contributor to Patriots Insider with his weekly picks column. Let him know what you think. Email him here:
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