Showing posts with label Daunte Culpepper. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Daunte Culpepper. Show all posts

Sunday, November 18, 2007

Week 11 NFL picks

ON FOOTBALL

My picks were so defective last week, I hopped on a plane and spent two days in Philadelphia without cable TV or the internet to recuperate.

OK, that's a partial lie. The trip to Philly was a planned visit to see my grandma, but it did serve to help me kind of forget about the sports world for a couple days. Instead, I read an entire Walter Mosley novel and dined in some fine Northeast Philly restaurants.

It was a good time.

But now it's back to business. Coming off that dismal 6-6 showing, which put me at 78-48 overall, I have to reprove myself as an adequate picker of NFL games. With that said, I'm going to stop blabbering and make my picks.

Here goes:

At Green Bay (8-1) 28, Carolina (4-5) 10: I can't wait until a Thanksgiving Day game involving the Lions that actually means something when they host these Packers.

At Detroit (6-3) 24, N.Y. Giants (6-3) 21: Speaking of the Lions, this is a statement game. They have to show, after their flop in Arizona last week, that they're a playoff team. A loss here and a loss to the Packers, and they're just 6-5.

Tampa Bay (5-4) 17, at Atlanta (3-6) 13: As hard as it is to believe, if the Falcons win, they'd be just a game back of the Bucs in the division. But, no, I'm not picking a Joey Harrington-led team in a big game.

Cleveland (5-4) 26, at Baltimore (4-5) 12: Despite the loss to Pittsburgh last week, I was impressed with the way the Browns kept fighting back. That will help them this week.

At Cincinnati (3-6) 20, Arizona (4-5) 14: I know, I know. I said last week I'd never pick the Bengals again. But the Cardinals can't win on the road. Seriously, it's a proven fact.

At Jacksonville (6-3) 19, San Diego (5-4) 16: This is a pure guess. I have no idea who'll win. This could be the best game of the day.

At Seattle (5-4) 17, Chicago (4-5) 12: Even minus Shaun Alexander, the Seahawks are tough to beat at home.

At Minnesota (3-6) 18, Oakland (2-7) 13: Even minus Adrian Peterson, the Vikings have enough to dispose of the lowly Raiders in Daunte Culpepper's return to Minnesota.

At Houston (4-5) 28, New Orleans (4-5) 27: Huge game for both teams. The Texans need it a little more and make a statement at home.

At Indianapolis (7-2) 27, Kansas City (4-5) 10: Even without Dwight Freeney, the Colts will harass Brodie Croyle, who makes his first start of the season for the Chiefs.

At Philadelphia (4-5) 28, Miami (0-9) 14: The Eagles have been up-and-down, but even their worst showing won't equal a win for the Dolphins.

Pittsburgh (7-2) 24, at N.Y. Jets (1-8) 16: Could there be a letdown after the comeback win over the Browns last week? Don't bet on it. Still this will be tougher than expected.

St. Louis (1-8) 28, at San Francisco (2-7) 11: Battle of the morbid. I'll go with the Rams to up their winning streak to two games.

At Dallas (8-1) 31, Washington (5-4) 20: The more I watch the Cowboys offense, the more I'm impressed. Expect more of the same today.

New England (9-0) 28, at Buffalo (5-4) 18: The ingredients are there for an upset. Night game in cold weather on the road. Crazy upper-state New York fans. But, alas, these Patriots are immune to anything, including poisonous snakes (most likely).

Tennessee (6-3) 20, at Denver (4-5) 16: After being dismantled at home by the Jaguars last week, this is a statement game for Vince Young and his mates on national TV.

I'm out. Enjoy all the games except, well, that one in the Bay Area.