Week 11...A Week I'd Like To Forget...

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WOW...what a week...If only my picks were as good as my fantasy team!  So...what went wrong?

Jets vs. Tebow (Broncos) Read my article on Tebow.  We all know how this story ends.
Jets (-6) LOSS

Titans vs. Falcons
As i predicted, a lack of Julio Jones meant an explosive game from Roddy White, complimented by Tony Gonzalez.  White, 7 for 147, and Gonzalez, 5 for 74 and a TD. 
Falcons (-5.5)  WIN

Bills vs. Dolphins
Wow...goodbye to the Bills.  I gave them credit and thought maybe it was just a couple bad losses, and this is what I get in return?  Matt Moore is trying to prove they never needed Luck.
Bills (+2) LOSS

Bengals vs. Ravens
This game could have ended very differently had the refs not, in my mind, blown a call.  An originally ruled TD on the field was overturned to an incomplete pass...I understand why, but don't agree with the rule.  The receiver carried the ball across the end zone and then fell out of bounds and dropped it.  The ball already crossed.  The whole ruling gets me angry.  It is common since that it was a TD...Cincy settled for a field goal, instead of the TD with 5 min left, and came up just short.  Two weeks in a row though taking on a tough divisional opponent, and falling just short.  Shows a lot about the Bengals, they are for real.
Bengals (+7) PUSH

Jaguars vs. Browns
Held my breath here...after Cleveland missed a field goal, the Jags got down the field and had a 4th and goal and 1 second left on the 1 yard line...and they couldn't get it in. Too close for me. 
Browns (-1.5) WIN

Raiders vs. Vikings
Raiders almost gave this one away, but held on.  Bush continued to fill in nicely for McFadden, going 30 for 109.
Raiders (+1)  WIN

Panthers vs. Lions
This was just a crazy game and the game of the day for me.  Cam led the Panthers to a 17 point second quarter lead, and held a 27-14 lead at halftime.  Then came the collapse of the Panthers, as I come to expect.  21 straight points by the Lions, and a 35-27 lead in the fourth quarter, before Cam did it again.  He stormed down field, and got a 6 yard rushing TD, followed by a 2-point conversion to Steve Smith.  35-35. Then a pick by Cam and a quick 2 TDs later, and the Panthers lose again and the Lions cover.  And Stafford, who started the game with 2 picks, ended up throwing 5 TD's after the picks.  What a game.
Panthers (+7) LOSS

Buccaneers vs. Packers
Bucs kept fighting, and kept it closer than I thought it would be.  Had it not been for a very rare pick by Rodgers in the fourth, then it was looking like a 15 point game.
Packers (-14) LOSS

Cowboys vs. Redskins
Skins put on a show here and wouldn't go down easy, pushing it to OT, and turning my push, into a loss.  Another impressive game out of Murray, rushing 25 times for 73 yards and catching 6 passes for 32 yards.  Felix Jones returned, but for only 5 carries and 18 yards.  Murray has ignited this team and although they didn't blow the Skins out, they continue to roll.
Dallas (-7) LOSS

Cardinals vs. 49ers
49er's were too dominant on defense, limiting Beanie Wells to 33 yards and forcing him to fumble.  Skelton got forced out of the game after a 6 for 19 performance, for 99 yards and 3 INT's.
Cardinals (+10) LOSS

Seahawks vs. Rams
Nothing from the Rams in this one, a weak performance against a bad team, one that I thought was worse than the Rams.
Rams (-3)  LOSS

Chargers vs. Bears
Bears continue to dominate, although Cutler looks like he needs season ending surgery on his broken thumb.  They dominated the second half of this one and take away another huge win and continue roll, as the Chargers are in full collapse mode.  They did this without gaudy numbers from Forte (20 for 57), but without Cutler going forward, Forte will have to resume what he had been doing all season.
Bears (-4.5) WIN

Eagles vs. Giants
Giants continue to do what they can to give away the NFC East.  Giants could not find any offense in this one.  And when they were still given a chance in the final minutes, Eli coughed it up to pretty much end the game.  A terrible loss for them and now they have to deal with the Cowboys for the division.  They needed this game at home against a hurt Eagles team, but tonight, the Eagles had more heart.  This was their must win game, against their rivals, and they showed up.
Giants (-5.5) LOSS

Chiefs vs. PatriotsPats dominate the second half at home, like they should against a depleted Chiefs team.  In the process, increase their lead in the AFC East.
Patriots (-14.5) WIN

My Week 11 picks: 5-8-1

Jets Got Tebow'd!

http://i926.photobucket.com/albums/ad104/BigBlueCowboy/NFL%202011/TT.jpg

     Well…Tebow might just be the new Tom Brady.  I believe it.  Give the guy 2 minutes, a game in which his team is losing or tied, and he will give the Denver Broncos the W.  This guy is great.  All game he is kept in check, mostly because the Broncos decided to hand the ball off, instead of having Tebow take it himself.  The Jets defense was stellar for 58 minutes, but I believe that Tebow could have exploited them earlier if the Broncos pushed the issue a little more.  With the Broncos down by 3 though with just over 2 minutes left, and 95 yards to the end zone...it was Tebow time.  He went 3 for 5 and passed for 35 yards, while running 6 times for 57 yards and running twice for first downs on third down conversions.  Unbelievable.  This guy is something else.  He beat a defense that dominated all night, and won yet another game.  If you didn’t believe before tonight, I think you do now.  And a side not here...All the criticism he has endured for simply praying is ridiculous and uncalled for...if you want to mock him, he's probably just going to beat you, so do whatever helps you sleep after losing to this guy.  Props to the Jets for not "Tebowing".  But back to the game tonight...it was an amazing performance by Tebow, leading the Broncos to another win in a game where the Broncos continued to climb in their division, and the Jets playoff chances continue to fade fast.

Week 11 Preview and Picks

Each week I will make picks for every NFL game.  Be sure to check before Thursday Night Football and before kickoff on Sundays.

 WEEK 11
Thursday Night Football  
Jets vs. Broncos    
I've toiled over this game for days...it intrigues me in so many ways.  The Jets are coming off a tough loss at home and are looking for redemption.  But it is Tim Tebow they are up against.  All Tebow knows is how to win football games...after all, he did teach Charlie Sheen everything he knows about "WINNING".  If the Jets start this game off strong, get an early lead with a TD or two, then it will force Tebow to throw more which could lead to some turnovers.  I wouldn't be surprised by defensive TD from the Jets as well in this one.  Denver's offense is simple...it is all based on the option play.  The option has been opening up the field for Tebow and McGahee...but McGahee is hobbled by a bad hamstring and can not be expected to be 100% against a physical Jets defense.  Rex Ryan preaches defense and is very familiar with defending the option.  In his 1999 book, Coaching Football's 46 Defense, he dedicated a 20 page section to the option play itself. All this adds up to me taking the Jets to cover.
Jets (-6)

Titans vs. Falcons
Questionable Julio Jones does not look good for the Falcons, but I expect Roddy White to have a huge second half of the season, and without Jones, this gives him the opportunity.  Not to mention, Tony Gonzalez still looks great.  Leave out their losses against New Orleans, Atlanta is 19-2 in their last 21 games at home. 
Falcons (-5.5)

Bills vs. Dolphins
Buffalo has been struggling and Miami is starting to find their groove.  Buffalo has to respond after a beating in Dallas, and with their season still fully salvageable, I find it unlikely that they lose their third in a row.  Miami has been streaking, but I think desperation time for Buffalo will mean a heavy dose of Fred Jackson and a win for Buffalo.
Bills (+2)

Bengals vs. Ravens
Bengals were tested last week and probably would have won if A.J Green didn’t get hurt in the first quarter. Still, only lost by a TD against Pittsburgh.  No A.J in this one, but also no Ray Lewis for the Ravens, maybe allowing some lanes to open up here.  I don't like Flacco in this game, and if they could pressure him and limit Rice, then I can see an upset.
Bengals (+7)

Jaguars vs. Browns
Toss up here.  I’ll take the Browns at home.
Browns (-1.5)

Raiders vs. Vikings
Minnesota at home against a Raiders team that does not have McFadden.  But Michael Bush has been filling in nicely, and I think Palmer will be able to exploit the Vikes secondary.
Raiders (+1)

Panthers vs. Lions
I believe in Cam Newton, as for the rest of the team…not so much.  But of their 7 losses, 5 have been by 7 points of fewer, including a couple games they should have won.  The team beside Cam is a 7 loss team, but Cam does so much by himself, that they stay in almost every game.  After Cams first blowout loss last week, I expect a rebound and a close game against a struggling Detroit team.  Cams first road win doesn’t seem out of the question here either.
Panthers (+7)

Buccaneers vs. Packers
Packers at home against a warm weather team.  As hot as the Pack are, that’s how cold the Bucs have been.  I’m taking the Packers to win this game in a blowout.
Packers (-14)

Cowboys vs. Redskins
Dallas is red hot and has been putting up a lot of points lately.  Washington is reeling and although I don’t think it will be easy, Dallas is going to win this game. 
Dallas (-7)

Cardinals vs. 49ers
Cardinals keep things close, but got blown out earlier this year at home against the 49ers.  They have been playing nicely, even without Kolb, as Skelton has been filling in nicely.  I think they will keep it within 10 in San Fran.  Plus, San Fran is due for a bad game. 
Cardinals (+10)

Seahawks vs. Rams
St. Louis at home, hoping Bradford can turn it around and they can pull this one out.
Rams (-3)

Chargers vs. Bears
The Chargers are sinking….fast.  Two teams going in complete opposite directions.  I’ll take Cutler and the Bears.
Bears (-4.5)

Eagles vs. Giants
Giants looking to rebound after losing on the West Coast to the 49ers.  Facing an Eagles team that is collapsing.  No Vick or Maclin means that the Giants have a great opportunity to get an easier win in a division game.  Although it never seems easy against Philly, I think they take this one and cover. Giants (-5.5)

Chiefs vs. Patriots
I’ve never felt confident in the chiefs offense anyways, and with Cassel out, it seems like a pretty lopsided match-up on a cold night in Foxboro. 
Patriots (-14.5)