NFL Week 11 picks

Some interesting matchups this week, but this week's slate looks pretty easy to pick.  Of course, I've barely broken .500 the past two weeks, so that might not be saying much :-)

Thursday - Miami Dolphins at Carolina Panthers:  I don't think the Panthers will be puzzled too much by the Dolphins wildcat offense.  Considering that they don't have much else that's effective in their arsenal, that gives the edge to the Panthers.  PANTHERS, 23-13

Sunday early games
Atlanta Falcons at New York Giants:  It's possible that the Giants pulled things together during the bye week.  I mean, injuries haven't really been their problem - they just seemed to lose focus.  Team meetings and intense practices might have corrected that.  However, I haven't heard about a strict refocusing during the off-week, so I have pick the Falcons, who are picking up their intensity.  FALCONS, 24-20

Buffalo Bills at Jacksonville Jaguars:  The Jags are on the way up and the Bills are floundering.  This one doesn't seem too difficult.  JAGS, 20-16

Cleveland Browns at Detroit Lions:  Brady Quinn is no better than Derek Anderson, while Matthew Stafford seems to have worked out some of his rookie anxieties.  While postseason is all but mathematically removed for these two teams, pride is on the line here.  I actually like Detroit's chances to get their second win of the season.  LIONS, 16-13

Indianapolis Colts at Baltimore Ravens:  The Ravens defense will make things touch for Manning and company, but this team has shown an excellent propensity for halftime corrections.  They'll turn things around in the second half and snatch another victory from the jaws of defeat.  COLTS, 24-16

New Orleans Saints at Tampa Bay Bucs:  The Saints are track to beat the Vikings' all-time regular season scoring record, and Tampa's defense won't slow that trend this week.  SAINTS, 45-10

Pittsburgh Steelers at Kansas City Chiefs:  Pittsburgh needs a strong victory to help remove the sting of last week's defeat to the Bengals.  The Chiefs should be a great punching bag.  STEELERS, 24-9

San Francisco 49ers at Green Bay Packers:  Mike Singeltary wants his team to crush the NFC North, but I think the Pack might be a bit too much.  This is late November in Wisconsin - those cushy southern California guys can't take the cold.  PACK, 26-20

Seattle Seahawks at Minnesota Vikings:  Brett Favre is throwing better than he has in years - that off-season surgery really seems to have made a difference!  With better protection than he had in three previous seasons and a slate of talented hands, the Vikings are a tough team to stop.  The Seahawks' defense isn't up to it.  VIKINGS, 34-17

Washington Redskins at Dallas Cowboys:  Washington may have beaten Denver last week, but that was probably a fluke, or an indication of the Broncos' decline.  Until last week, the Redskins hadn't been impressive all season, even in their two previous victories.  Dallas should prevail.  COWBOYS, 27-16

Sunday late games
Arizona Cardinals at St Louis Rams:  Pity the hapless Rams; they really don't have much going for them this season.  CARDS, 31-13

Cincinnati Bengals at Oakland Raiders:  JaMarcus Russell has been benched, but don't expect Bruce Gradkowski to turn things around immediately.  He has sputtered in relief roles this season, and his one start last season as a Brown had a QB rating of 1.0.  BENGALS, 17-0

New York Jets at New England Patriots:  These games are frequently close, and I think it'll be that way again, but don't expect the same kind of late game plays that Belichick used last week against the Colts.  This time, the Patriots will protect their lead.  PATS, 24-17

San Diego Chargers at Denver Broncos:  The Broncos are hoping to reverse their slide, but they may have to wait a week.  The Chargers are high-powered and looking to take control in the AFC West.  That incentive, and a fiercely physical attitude, should derail the Broncos once more.  CHARGERS, 27-23

Sunday night - Philadelphia Eagles at Chicago Bears:  Until Jay Cutler starts making smarter decisions, the Bears will be destroyed by any team with a decent secondary, like the Eagles.  EAGLES, 23-13

Monday - Tennessee Titans at Houston Texans:  Look at this!  Vince Young has led the Titans to three consecutive victories.  It looks like he's straightened himself out after his emotional meltdown two seasons ago.  He's looking for four in a row, but he has to get past the Texans.  This is a balanced team that is finally doing something with their talent.  This will be a close battle, and I usually pick the better defense in those -- that's Houston.  TEXANS, 27-23