For week 10 in picking NFL games, I wound up with 8 winners and 6 losers. I counted the tie game between the Rams and 49ers as a loss, figuring that since the game didn’t have a winner, I didn’t pick a winner. I now have picked 77 winners, against 40 losers, for the year. Here are my week 11 choices:
Miami at Buffalo – the Dolphins, like every other AFC East team, have dominated the Bills recently, and will be anxious to redeem themselves after getting thrashed by Tennessee on Sunday. Still, I’ll pick the Bills to take some positive vibes from their close loss to New England and win a division game at home.
Arizona at Atlanta – the Cardinals have been fading for awhile, and they now have to face a Falcon team hurting from its’ first loss of the year. Atlanta wins easily.
Tampa Bay at Carolina – the Buccaneers are a solid team this year, and I’ll pick them to control Cam Newton enough to win a big division game.
Cleveland at Dallas – the Browns have been battling hard all year, but this should be a relatively easy Cowboy win at home, as Dallas climbs back into the playoff race.
Green Bay at Detroit – this has been a disappointing year for the Lions and their disappointment will continue as the Packers win this game.
Jacksonville at Houston – strange things can happen in division games, but the Texans’ defense so far outclasses the weak Jaguar offensive attack that Houston should win this game handily.
Cincinnati at Kansas City – the Chief defense should keep this game close, but the Bengals will scratch out a win on the road, with the Andy Dalton to A.J. Green passing combination playing a key role.
New York Jets at St. Louis – the Jets are reeling, and their Sanchez/Tebow QB controversy isn’t going away any time soon. The young Rams are good enough to beat them, and will at home in a game that may not even be close.
Philadelphia at Washington – neither of these teams has distinguished itself lately, but the Redskins seem to be at least moving forward. Washington wins at home.
New Orleans at Oakland – the Saints, despite their standing of having the overall worst defense in the NFL, are getting a sniff of thinking they have a chance to sneak into the playoff race after a terrible start. They’ll handle a Raider team that has looked disorganized.
San Diego at Denver – the Chargers have the talent to dominate the AFC West, but instead they continue to shoot themselves in the foot and lose games they should win. The Broncos win at home.
Indianapolis at New England – this should be an interesting matchup as Colt rookie QB Andrew Luck faces a Patriot pass defense that has some holes. My guess is that Bill Bellichick will have some surprises prepared for Luck, and New England will win.
Baltimore at Pittsburgh – it looks like Ben Roethlisberger won’t play in this game, so I’ll take the Ravens to win a close one.
Chicago at San Francisco – both of these team’s QBs, Jay Cutler and Alex Smith, have concussion issues, but whether either ot both play won’t mean much to the outcome. I’ll take the 49ers at home.