NFL Week 11 Picks

Before we get to it, some of you might've heard that there's this pretty huge college football game happening tomorrow. Ohio State and Michigan meet for the first time as #1 and #2 and it's the first time since 1975 that both teams have been undefeaeted heading into the game. Never has there been more at stake in the biggest rivalry in college football than tomorrow. Not often that you'll see a team disappointed to be playing in the Rose Bowl. The Wolverines are definite underdogs heading into Columbus, but they may have just received some devine, albeit tragic, inspiration. Bo Schembechler has died during the same week that ESPN.com ran a story about an Ohio State punk band called "The Dead Schembechlers." I don't know about all of you, but that spells a lot of bad karma for the Buckeyes. Can Troy Smith & Co. ward off the voodoo? Well, facing Lloyd Carr, I think they do it just barely. I'll be pulling for Michigan, but my pick is Ohio State 24 Michigan 23.

While on the topic, here's a great piece from Dan Wetzel about how USC (assuming they win out) should unquestionably be in the national title game. All due respect to possibly undefeated Rutgers and Boise State, but I'm with Wetzel on this all the way.

Okay. Let's see what the pros have in store, playing the rare role of afterthought on this football weekend. 8-8 v the spread last week and it doesn't get any easier this go around. Silver and Black...

Oakland at Kansas City (-9.5) - The Raiders nearly caught Denver napping last weekend, but clock management proved to be a mighty downfall. That and, um, Andrew Walter. Back-to-back rivalry games might be asking too much of this team's energy level. Especially playing on the road against a KC squad that'll be inspired by Trent Green's return and desperate to keep in the playoff race. Chiefs 24 Raiders 10

San Diego at Denver (-2.5) - The game of the week has to be Broncos/Chargers. No doubt. The first of two clashes to decide the AFC West. Both teams coming in 7-2. San Diego is the highest scoring team in the league, while Denver boasts one of the stingiest defenses. The Chargers don't have a particularly good history of playing in Denver, though, and the fact that this is the Sunday Night game only makes matters worse for SD. I love Superman, LDT, but I'm not picking against Denver at home. The return contest will likely be a different story. Broncos 20 Chargers 17

Cincinnati at New Orleans (-3.5) - I said after last Sunday that the Bengals are dead and buried after that collapse against the Chargers and I'm sticking to it. Cincy is in too fragile a mental state after devastating back-to-back losses to overcome playing on the road against America's Team. Saints 31 Bengals 21

Buffalo at Houston (-2.5) - Can't really say that you "like" either team, here, but they both played tough last week. Bills nearly clipped the sleeping Colts and Houston did the double of Jacksonville. Texans have more momentum and the home crowd to boost them over the McGahee-less Bills. Texans 27 Bills 16

New England (-5.5) at Green Bay - Patriots have lost two in a row? Is someone slipping me crazy pills or is that actually true? Must win for the Pats who are only too happy to play in the frozen tundra against mistake-happy Brett Favre. Patriots 30 Packers 17

Atlanta at Baltimore (-4.5) - I'm making this one my lock of the week. Vick has looked flat out bad in back-to-back losses against the Lions and Browns. How do you think he'll fare against the Baltimore D, Ray Lewis or not? Ravens 26 Falcons 13

Chicago at New York Jets (+6.5) - Doesn't get any easier for the Bears as they hook up with an overachieving Jets team that has Chad Pennington looking like a Pro Bowler. The Jets are opportunistic and hungry, but Chicago's D will be the difference. Bears 22 Jets 20

Pittsburgh (-3.5) at Cleveland - Steelers showed a lot of heart, hanging on to beat the Saints last week. No QB likes the look of Romeo Crennell's defense, these days, but this could be a momentum builder for the champs. They need to go on a major run if they're to salvage some pride from this season. Steelers 20 Browns 14

St. Louis (+6.5) at Carolina - Despite covering against the Bucs on Monday, the Panthers still haven't proven that they can be consistent. Rams are on a slide, though. Panthers 28 Rams 24

Tennessee at Philadelphia (-13.5) - Nothing would spark this Eagles team like back-to-back blowout victories over crappy teams. Titans have had a few gut punches this season and I think they're due for a bit of a letdown this weekend. Eagles 35 Titans 13

Washington at Tampa Bay (-2.5) - Would you watch this game? Me neither. Buccaneers 10 Redskins 6

Minnesota at Miami (-3.5) - Don't look now, but these two teams are racing in opposite directions. Dolphins are making a lot of progress and the Vikings are going in the tank. Dolphins 27 Vikings 15

Seattle at San Francisco (+6.5) - 49ers are playing tough at home and are looking for three on the bounce. This should be the upset special. But... Seahawks 23 49ers 21

Detroit at Arizona (-2.5) - I can't believe I'm being forced to pick AZ. Cardinals 38 Lions 31

Indianapolis (-1.5) at Dallas - This is the game that people think will be good, but really won't be. Colts still can't stop the run, though, so it'll be interesting... if the Cowboys can exploit that. Colts 34 Cowboys 26

New York Giants (-3.5) at Jacksonville - Maybe the most difficult matchup to call of the season. Both teams have the talent, yet seem to have letdowns at the most inopportune times. Over/under on references Tony Kornholer makes about his stupid fantasy team: 10. Giants 23 Jaguars 17