NFL Week Eleven predictions

As we reviewed the standings this week, we noticed that there was a discrepancy in the number of games we had each picked. Somehow, Pia had two less games than the rest of us. Josh suggested giving her two losses, hoping to even the field. Phil said we should hand her one win and one loss, keeping her totals even. Wondering what to do and where we had gone wrong, we poured over the last ten weeks of predictions, hoping to find a clue as to where we had done some bad math. As fate would have it, we found the mistake. So what did we find? We omitted two of Pia's correct predictions. Her two more wins plus another week of superiority mean she's pulling away fast, as the rest of us are left stunned and embarrassed. As for this week…

Overall

Last Week

Sunday, November 19, 2006

Atlanta Falcons (5-4) at Baltimore Ravens (7-2)

Josh says: Steve McNair is most definitely a dinosaur. A dinosaur who can throw clutch touchdown passes and lead his team to victory every week, and somehow not go extinct. McNair torches the Falcons' secondary and leads the purple birds over the red birds.

Abe says: Don't discount the absence of Ray Lewis. The emotional team leader and a force on the field, RayRay is the heart and soul of the Ravens, who looke sloppy without him last week against the horrid Titans.

Pia says: Steve McNair is getting real good at coming up with last-minute wins, something that has led the team to a 7-2 record where they were 2-7 last year. Atlanta's quarterback on the other hand is causing them to lose games; Michael Vick has had four interceptions and two fumbles in the last two games.

Phil says: While Vick and crew are stalling after their great start, the Ravens are hitting on all cylinders. Momentum carries the Ravens over the shaky Falcons.

Buffalo Bills (3-6) at Houston Texans (3-6)

Josh says: Houston is coming off a surprising win last week over Jacksonville; Surprising to everyone except for Pia, who probably picked them to win, and knows who will win each week. She is absolutely frying us.

Abe says: Buffalo is a tough team to figure out: one week they play extremely well and lose by a hair, the next they get blown out. I guess that's what you come to expect from a young nucleus of players. I just can't see Houston winning two games in a row.

Pia says: I'm struggling to decide which game I want to watch less: this one or Detroit vs. Arizona.

Phil says: The Texans finally found some one, no matter how slightly, worse than them.

Chicago Bears (8-1) at New York Jets (5-4)

Josh says: The Bears defense needs to be mentioned and compared with some of the best of all time. Last week, they tormented Eli Manning into two picks and a fumble. Against a soft Jets offense, expect the Bears to win easy.

Abe says: Da Bears got back on track last week and proved that defense and special teams are the key to winning NFL football games on a consistent basis. Rex Grossman proved that his horrid week against Miami was a fluke, and he'll look to pick on New York's suspect secondary.

Pia says: The Bears will face much less scrutiny this week as they return to Giants Stadium to play the New York Jets. The Jets have won three of their last four but are too unpredictable to be counted on to beat da' Bears.

Phil says: Bears reasserted their dominance as the NFC's powerhouse in their decisive victory over the Giants. This Chicago has their second straight: week in the big apple, game in Giants Stadium and win. I like the Jets, and if yes I called their victory over the patriots last week, but the Bears are just the better team.

Cincinnati Bengals (4-5) at New Orleans Saints (6-3)

Josh says: Chad Johnson and Ocho Cinco are back! Too bad Reggie Bush and the Saints seem to put up points every week. The Saints defense can't contain Chad, but they can contain the rest of the Bengals.

Abe says: I know I'm not alone in saying I never would have predicted the Bengals to have a sub-.500 record through ten weeks. But in a game that will likely become a shootout, I like Carson Palmer's chances.

Pia says: Cincinnati finally looked like the playoff-contenders they were supposed to be in the first half of last week's game against San Diego. Unfortunately they blew a 21-point lead in the second half, ultimately losing 49-41. Continued team bickering and inconsistent play will let the Saints come marching home after last week's disappointing loss to Pittsburgh.

Phil says: Similar offenses (yeah I compared Drew Brees to Carson Palmer) but the Saints D is just on another level.

Minnesota Vikings (4-5) at Miami Dolphins (3-6)

Josh says: Those funny turquoise jerseys have some magic in them. Literally—how else can you explain their win last week over Kansas City? Keep it going and prove me right.

Abe says: I'd like to take this opportunity to thank my parents for choosing to live in an area where absolutely no sports bar will show this game on TV. Blech!

Pia says: A formerly dismal Miami team has turned themselves around starting with a win against NFC powerhouse Chicago and then last week against Kansas City. Minnesota has done pretty much the opposite, losing the last three straight, including to mediocre teams San Francisco and Green Bay.

Phil says: In the first five games Chester Taylor's yard per carry were over four. Since then it has been hovering just under three. Miami can stop the run and this proposes a problem that the Vikings cannot solve.

New England Patriots (6-3) at Green Bay Packers (4-5)

Josh says: The Jets beat New England! New England somehow lost two games in a row for the first time since 2003. Well I think we can all agree that was the flukest thing ever. The Patriots get back to what they know how to do this week and that's win.

Abe says: Laurence Maroney and the Pats get back on track this week against a lowly opponent. Tom Brady rarely loses three games in a row, and I don't expect that trend to change any time soon.

Pia says: New England lost to the New York Jets last week in a stunning defeat, causing them to lose two consecutive games for the first time since December 2002. The Pats aren't going to let that become three in a row.

Phil says: I just can't see the Patriots dropping three straight.

Oakland Raiders (2-7) at Kansas City Chiefs (5-4)

Josh says: I don't think the Chiefs realize, it doesn't matter who starts at quarterback for them. To win, all they need to do is survive the two seconds between the snap and handing of the ball to Larry Johnson.

Abe says: Every snap is a struggle for the Raiders, who insist on continuing to start the immobile, inaccurate Andrew Walter at QB.

Pia says: Kansas City starting quarterback Trent Green is back for the first time since Week One.

Phil says: Even quarterback Andrew Walter (Who?) is criticizing Art Shell. Something must be going wrong.

Pittsburgh Steelers (3-6) at Cleveland Browns (3-6)

Josh says: The Steelers are like a fallen giant. At any time they can wake up and smush you. Maybe last week against the Saints was their wakeup call.

Abe says: Although the Steelers have had an imperfect season following their Super Bowl win last season, they should not be taken lightly. Pittsburgh can grind it out with the best of 'em.

Pia says: The reigning Super Bowl champions and the, well, Cleveland Browns, have the same record? Wow.

Phil says: No real evidence to support this one, just a hunch.

St. Louis Rams (4-5) at Carolina Panthers (5-4)

Josh says: I hope Steve Smith and Steven Jackson battle it out and make my fantasy squad the greatest of all time.

Abe says: Watching Steve Smith every week just makes me even angrier that the Redskins can't get Santana Moss involved in their offense as much as they should.

Pia says: Carolina can hope to get back into the running for NFC South title against a recently struggling Rams team.

Phil says: The Panthers are back on track and poised to make their playoff run.

Tennessee Titans (2-7) at Philadelphia Eagles (5-4)

Josh says: Vince Young is progressing extra fast. Too bad Brian Dawkins will knock the piss out of him this week.

Abe says: Donovan McNabb is what Vince Young wants to be in the future. Unfortunately, we're talking about the present, and right now, the Titans are stinky.

Pia says: Titans QB Vince Young might have some promise, but the rest of the Titans team needs to pull their weight if they want to go somewhere.

Phil says: In the words of Borat, "Tennessee might win………………..NOT!"

Washington Redskins (3-6) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-7)

Josh says: Projected Campbell statline: 20-30 passing for 315 yards and 3 TD's. Oh yeah, no interceptions and the Redskins usher in the new era with a W.

Abe says: Jason Campbell? I like. T.J. Duckett? I hope. A Redskins win? I know.

Pia says: Jason Campbell!

Phil says: When I pick the Skins they lose, I don't, they win. But I want Campbell's premier to be successful. So…

Detroit Lions (2-7) at Arizona Cardinals (1-8)

Josh says: The odds that the Cardinals win is 2:1. The odds that neither team wins is about 3:1, not close behind. I wish I could pick for a tie at 0-0, but I can't.

Abe says: Arizona can only be described by one word: poopy.

Pia says: I think I will just go check what channel curling is on.

Phil says: Coming off a loss to the pathetic 49ers but before that a shocking win against the Falcons look for Lions to come out with a new form and intensity they have yet to show. Bold prediction Detroit wins eight games.

Seattle Seahawks (6-3) at San Francisco 49ers (4-5)

Josh says: Shaun Alexander is back, even though it looks like the Madden cover curse continues.

Abe says: Are the Niners really flirting with .500? Wawawiwa!

Pia says: Even without Seattle's star quarterback Matt Hasselback and running back Shaun Alexander, both of whom might be back this week, the Seahawks would still pummel the 49ers.

Phil says: Thank god Shaun Alexander's back. Not only will the Seahawks be a lot better but also my fantasy team will be back in the running.

Indianapolis Colts (9-0) at Dallas Cowboys (5-4)

Josh says: Romo stays fryin', but Peyton will bake the Cowboys.

Abe says: There is no chance the Cowboys win this game. Peyton Manning is just too good. His ability to pick apart a defense makes him one of the best QBs in NFL history, and he is on his way to another 10-0 start and a possible MVP award.

Pia says: Another one bites the dust.

Phil says: The Colts aren't falling yet.

San Diego Chargers (7-2) at Denver Broncos (7-2)

Josh says: I almost can't pick against LT, I mean the Chargers, but the Broncos are just better all around. LT for MVP though.

Abe says: Game of the Week alert! Philip Rivers is maturing faster than anyone expected, and with LT by his side he can do no wrong. Hey, at least Real World Denver will be a winner.

Pia says: The first showdown between these AFC West rivals will determine who is on top of the division. Both teams are 7-2 and looking towards playoff contention. Denver's home field advantage and strong defense isn't going to be enough to topple superhuman Chargers RB LaDainian Tomlinson, however.

Phil says: How good is LT. No seriously he's amazing.

Monday, November 20, 2006

New York Giants (6-3) at Jacksonville Jaguars (5-4)

Josh says: Both teams lost last week, but the Jags lost looking really ugly while the Giants only looked mildly ugly in their loss. The less ugly team wins this one.

Abe says: I get the feeling the Jags get up for primetime matchups, and I hope to see the Jags' D of the early season return against the Giants. If not, my SB pick is looking like a no-go.

Pia says: Unfortunately, injuries and missed opportunities caused the Giants to blow a ten point lead last week against Chicago. New York can hope to restart their climb to the top of NFC against mediocre and inconsistent Jacksonville.

Phil says: The Jags always seem to win the big games and, well, it's a big game.