NFL: Week 11
Cincinnati and Baltimore go into Sunday's game tied for second in the AFC North behind the Pittsburgh Steelers as both teams are looking to secure playoff spots. A lot of injuries on both sides of the ball in this one and some very key players could possibly missing the game.
The Bengals will be without CB Leon Hall and possibly WR A.J. Green, DE Carlos Dunlap and CB Adam "Pacman" Jones. As for the Ravens, they may be without LB Ray Lewis, which would certainly even things up. Lewis has started 57 consecutive games and he is not only the face of the franchise, but the heart and soul of the defense. If he doesn't play that gives the Bengals a huge edge on offense.
However, if A.J. Green does not play, somebody is going to have to step up on offense. Whether that be Jerome Simpson, Andre Caldwell, Jermaine Gresham, or YoungBabyHawk, aka Andrew Hawkins. The Ravens are going to bringing some pressure with Terrell Suggs and Haloti Ngata, so Andy Dalton is going to have get rid of the ball quickly.
Hawkins is only 5'7" and the little guy could come up huge as the slot receiver. His quickness, agility, athleticism, and size, make him hard to bring down, and I really think he could have a break out game.
If A.J. Green was for sure playing I would feel a lot more confident about picking the Bengals to win. I still think if the Bengals defense keeps Ravens RB Ray Rice in check, and Dalton does not turn the football over, they can win this game. I just can't pick against the Bengals and I look for them to win a close one. Bengals 20, Ravens 17. Who-Dey!
Week 11 Picks (Home team in CAPS)
NY Jets over DENVER: Tim Tebow continues to amaze, Mark Sanchez continues to disappoint, and for some reason I continue to think the Jets are a good football team. The Broncos offense could not do much of anything for the first 55 minutes of the game, just like they did in Miami a month ago, but that didn't matter. As they say, it's not how you start, but how you finish.
Tim Tebow is far from being an elite quarterback, but I have to say the guy is pretty damn good when the game is on the line, much like team president and former Broncos QB John Elway. Tebow lead a 12 play, 95-yard drive, which ended with him running 20-yds for the game winning touchdown with less than a minute to go. The Broncos don't look like a playoff team, but they are 5-5 and if the Raiders, Chargers, and Chiefs all lose this weekend, they will be in first place come Tuesday morning. "Holy Crap."
Buffalo over MIAMI: The Dolphins are riding a two game winning streak after starting the season 0-7 and Buffalo is in a bit of a funk, losing two straight. Buffalo badly needs a win if they are going to catch up with the Patriots and I think they get one, but not by much.
Jacksonville over CLEVELAND: Both of these teams have struggled all season, they are a combined 6-12, and both could have top ten draft picks come April. Because the Jaguars have the only dynamic player playing in this one on Sunday in Maurice Jones-Drew, I'll take Jacksonville.
Dallas over WASHINGTON: Tony Romo is really hot right now and the Redskins are ice cold. Dallas keeps their playoff hopes alive with a win.
DETROIT over Carolina: Detroit and Carolina were both shellacked last week against Chicago and Tennessee, respectively. The Lions struggled in the very Windy City and the Bears defense, while the Panthers had no answer for the Titans offense. The Lions are much explosive team at home and the Panthers ranked 30th in the league in points allowed with 26.3 per game. I expect a lot of offense, but the Lions defense stop Cam Newton when it matter to get the victory.
GREEN BAY over Tampa Bay: The only question now is will the Packers go undefeated? I don't know if they will or not, but one thing I'm sure of, the Packers go into their Thanksgiving showdown with the Lions, 10-0.
Oakland over MINNESOTA: Carson Palmer has the Raiders in prime position to make the playoffs by winning the AFC West. They control their own destiny and Carson will lead Oakland to a win in Minnesota.
ST. LOUIS over Seattle: Rams win a close one at home against the rival Seahawks. It doesn't really matter though, because neither of these teams has any chance of catching...
SAN FRANCISCO over Arizona: That's right the San Francisco 49ers. Not only will the 49ers win Sunday, but when the Rams defeat the Seahawks, they will have won the division before we have even had Thanksgiving.
ATLANTA over Tennessee: Atlanta and Tennessee sit at 5-4 and both are second in their respective divisions. The Saints and Texans are going to be hard to catch, so getting as many wins as possible for those coveted wild card spots is crucial. I think Atlanta has the better overall team and with them being at home, I'll take the Falcons.
CHICAGO over San Diego: Other than the Packers and 49ers, no one is playing better right now than the Chicago Bears. Winners of four straight, in which they have outscored their opponents 130-65, the Bears look poised to make a serious playoff run come January. Matt Forte is certainly in the MVP discussion and with the turnover prone Chargers coming to town, the Bears opportune defense should have a big day.
NY GIANTS over Philadelphia: Michael Vick is a game time decision with cracked ribs and even if he plays, I have lost all faith in the Eagles. They are a very disappointing 3-6 and the Giants are the best team in the division. Giants get the best of the Eagles at home on Sunday night.
NEW ENGLAND over Kansas City: With Kansas City QB Matt Cassel out indefinitely after hand surgery, Tyler Palko will get the start Monday night in New England. The Chiefs were not able to stop Tim Tebow and the Broncos last week, so they will indeed be in for a long night on Monday against the elite Tom Brady and the Patriots offense. Brady has a big day as the Patriots win big.
This Week: 0-1
Last Week: 8-8
Overall: 95-52
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| For the second straight week, Cedric Benson and the Bengals will be facing a very physical defense in Ed Reed and the Baltimore Ravens. (AP Photo/Gail Burton) |
The Bengals will be without CB Leon Hall and possibly WR A.J. Green, DE Carlos Dunlap and CB Adam "Pacman" Jones. As for the Ravens, they may be without LB Ray Lewis, which would certainly even things up. Lewis has started 57 consecutive games and he is not only the face of the franchise, but the heart and soul of the defense. If he doesn't play that gives the Bengals a huge edge on offense.
However, if A.J. Green does not play, somebody is going to have to step up on offense. Whether that be Jerome Simpson, Andre Caldwell, Jermaine Gresham, or YoungBabyHawk, aka Andrew Hawkins. The Ravens are going to bringing some pressure with Terrell Suggs and Haloti Ngata, so Andy Dalton is going to have get rid of the ball quickly.
Hawkins is only 5'7" and the little guy could come up huge as the slot receiver. His quickness, agility, athleticism, and size, make him hard to bring down, and I really think he could have a break out game.
If A.J. Green was for sure playing I would feel a lot more confident about picking the Bengals to win. I still think if the Bengals defense keeps Ravens RB Ray Rice in check, and Dalton does not turn the football over, they can win this game. I just can't pick against the Bengals and I look for them to win a close one. Bengals 20, Ravens 17. Who-Dey!
Week 11 Picks (Home team in CAPS)
NY Jets over DENVER: Tim Tebow continues to amaze, Mark Sanchez continues to disappoint, and for some reason I continue to think the Jets are a good football team. The Broncos offense could not do much of anything for the first 55 minutes of the game, just like they did in Miami a month ago, but that didn't matter. As they say, it's not how you start, but how you finish.
Tim Tebow is far from being an elite quarterback, but I have to say the guy is pretty damn good when the game is on the line, much like team president and former Broncos QB John Elway. Tebow lead a 12 play, 95-yard drive, which ended with him running 20-yds for the game winning touchdown with less than a minute to go. The Broncos don't look like a playoff team, but they are 5-5 and if the Raiders, Chargers, and Chiefs all lose this weekend, they will be in first place come Tuesday morning. "Holy Crap."
Buffalo over MIAMI: The Dolphins are riding a two game winning streak after starting the season 0-7 and Buffalo is in a bit of a funk, losing two straight. Buffalo badly needs a win if they are going to catch up with the Patriots and I think they get one, but not by much.
Jacksonville over CLEVELAND: Both of these teams have struggled all season, they are a combined 6-12, and both could have top ten draft picks come April. Because the Jaguars have the only dynamic player playing in this one on Sunday in Maurice Jones-Drew, I'll take Jacksonville.
Dallas over WASHINGTON: Tony Romo is really hot right now and the Redskins are ice cold. Dallas keeps their playoff hopes alive with a win.
DETROIT over Carolina: Detroit and Carolina were both shellacked last week against Chicago and Tennessee, respectively. The Lions struggled in the very Windy City and the Bears defense, while the Panthers had no answer for the Titans offense. The Lions are much explosive team at home and the Panthers ranked 30th in the league in points allowed with 26.3 per game. I expect a lot of offense, but the Lions defense stop Cam Newton when it matter to get the victory.
GREEN BAY over Tampa Bay: The only question now is will the Packers go undefeated? I don't know if they will or not, but one thing I'm sure of, the Packers go into their Thanksgiving showdown with the Lions, 10-0.
Oakland over MINNESOTA: Carson Palmer has the Raiders in prime position to make the playoffs by winning the AFC West. They control their own destiny and Carson will lead Oakland to a win in Minnesota.
ST. LOUIS over Seattle: Rams win a close one at home against the rival Seahawks. It doesn't really matter though, because neither of these teams has any chance of catching...
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| Patrick Willis and the 49ers are one the NFL's biggest surprises with an 8-1 record and a five game lead in the NFC West. (Marcio Jose Sanchez/AP) |
ATLANTA over Tennessee: Atlanta and Tennessee sit at 5-4 and both are second in their respective divisions. The Saints and Texans are going to be hard to catch, so getting as many wins as possible for those coveted wild card spots is crucial. I think Atlanta has the better overall team and with them being at home, I'll take the Falcons.
CHICAGO over San Diego: Other than the Packers and 49ers, no one is playing better right now than the Chicago Bears. Winners of four straight, in which they have outscored their opponents 130-65, the Bears look poised to make a serious playoff run come January. Matt Forte is certainly in the MVP discussion and with the turnover prone Chargers coming to town, the Bears opportune defense should have a big day.
NY GIANTS over Philadelphia: Michael Vick is a game time decision with cracked ribs and even if he plays, I have lost all faith in the Eagles. They are a very disappointing 3-6 and the Giants are the best team in the division. Giants get the best of the Eagles at home on Sunday night.
NEW ENGLAND over Kansas City: With Kansas City QB Matt Cassel out indefinitely after hand surgery, Tyler Palko will get the start Monday night in New England. The Chiefs were not able to stop Tim Tebow and the Broncos last week, so they will indeed be in for a long night on Monday against the elite Tom Brady and the Patriots offense. Brady has a big day as the Patriots win big.
This Week: 0-1
Last Week: 8-8
Overall: 95-52
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