NFL Power Rankings - Week 11
I'm starting to feel a little better about my picks after having a couple of decent weeks and I'm not going to lie, I feel really good about this week's picks. That and The Sandlot's on right now, so I'm in a good mood. Hamilton Porter is in the movie character hall of fame if you ask me. But I digress . . . on to the Rankings.
32. Detroit Lions (0-9)
I can't believe I picked Detroit last week. I am beyond embarrassed. They're horrible and they started Daunte Culpepper who had no idea what was going on out there. It won't happen again. I promise.
31. Kansas City Chefs (1-8)
Almost got their name back. Edwards boldly, and correctly in my opinion, chose to go for two to win the game. Hey, Herm, why do you play the game? (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IMk5sMHj58I&feature=related)
30. Oakland Raiders (2-7)
Can't we have another bye week? The Raiders threatened to cover last week with a field goal to cut it to 8. It actually was a great coaching move. Down 11 with 0:09. You need two scores. That at least gives you time to kick the field goal, recover the kick, then attempt the hail mary. I hate when teams just try to get the TD to end the game. Congrats, you lost by 4. See you next week. It's a bad sign when you're congratulating a coach for making the right move with 9 seconds left and down by 11 at home. We won't mention the fumbling of the opening kickoff.
29. San Francisco 49ers (2-7)
I think I beat this one into the ground enough yesterday. I don't care who they're playing. They should never be favored.
28. St. Louis Rams (2-7)
Wait, the Niners are playing the Rams? Someone has to be favored? I'm almost upset that I have Directv for a week if only because I could accidentally stumble onto this game this week. With these two teams playing each other, my automatic two picks go out the window and I'm only left with the Lions. Not fair.
27. Cincinnati Bengals (1-8)
I don't know if having an extra week to prepare is a good or bad thing for Marvin Lewis. The Bengals have Philly coming to town and Ocho Cinco publicly attributed his change in attitude to Donovan McNabb. Thanks Donovan, you contributed to the death of Ocho Cinco. Now all I have left is Randy Moss.
26. Seattle Seahawks (2-7)
The Seahawks finally showed a little bit of spine on the road in Miami last week. Now they come back home to face an Arizona team that proved it's willing to try and lose games. Could be interesting. Or not, come to think of it, the Seahawks still stink. Disregard the previous three sentences.
25. Houston Texans (3-6)
Maybe Sage Rosenfels is not the answer. I'm just about ready to quit on the Texans and something tells me that a road game in Indy is not what the doctor ordered.
24. Cleveland Browns (3-6)
I am thoroughly unimpressed by Cleveland. Watching that game last week I was way too excited to bet against both teams. Let's see how Brady Quinn does against a team that doesn't have the worst defense in the league when his own defense can't get off the field.
23. San Diego Chargers (4-5)
Yup, one of my fantasy seasons is done because the Chargers couldn't stop Tyler Thigpen at home. How do you almost lose to the Chefs at home? How are they only 5.5-point underdogs in Pittsburgh now? I have no answers, only questions.
22. Jacksonville Jaguars (4-5)
I don't know if beating up on Detroit qualifies as building momentum. Jack Del Rio sure did look happy on the sideline though and I know MJD fantasy owners got their money's worth. We'll see if it carries over when Tennessee comes to town.
21. Denver Broncos (5-4)
I am way too excited to bet against this team. They have absolutely no defense and no real will to stop anyone once they have the ball. Michael Turner may run a marathon against them this week. I really hope they make the playoffs so I can clean up against them.
20. Minnesota Vikings (5-4)
That was a big win at home, but they were the beneficiaries of some questionable play-calling by Mike McCarthy that led to a 52-yard try for Mason Crosby instead of a more makable attempt. We'll see how well they move the ball in Tampa Bay with Tampa keying on AP.
19. New Orleans Saints (4-5)
The good news is that Drew Brees is going to break the single season passing yards record and that may lead to Dan Marino punching through a glass table. The bad news is that the Saints still can't stop anyone, except maybe the Chefs this weekend.
18. Buffalo Bills (5-4)
I'm quitting you Bills. If you weren't playing against the Browns this week then I'd be picking against you. You're dead to me. You're Fredo.
17. Chicago Bears (5-4)
You know you're bad when Kyle Orton is a huge upgrade at your position. Rex Grossman is just trrble. I couldn't get over how many passes he missed. Bad things could be in store this week in Green Bay.
16. Green Bay Packers (4-5)
I really think that the Packers are better than this slot but I can't move them much higher until they get back over .500, which I foresee happening after a win this week against Chicago and then another in New Orleans next week.
15. Miami Dolphins (5-4)
That was a close call and I don't think it's a good thing when you have close calls against Seattle at home. Thankfully for the Dolphins, I don't think it'll be a close call game this week with Oakland coming to town.
14. New York Jets (6-3)
Normally I don't weigh a win over the Rams too heavily, but that was a demolition, warranting a six-spot jump in the Rankings.
13. Arizona Cardinals (6-3)
That was pa-the-tic. One of the worst wins I've ever seen. Shaun Hill almost beat them because he completed a pass here and there between all of the penalties. Good thing they don't play anyone, ever.
12. Dallas Cowboys (5-4)
Their season starts now with Romo back. They can get everybody back on the bandwagon with a primetime win in Washington on Sunday. I'm not going to bet against them.
11. Baltimore Ravens (6-3)
The defense may be lacking at times, but the offense is scoring at will. What were the odds at the beginning of the season that the previous sentence would be attributed to the Baltimore Ravens? Things get a little tougher this week when they travel to New York. It should be a close game, but I don't think their defense is up to the task.
10. Indianapolis Colts (5-4)
They're making an Ali-like return to the ring ("Rounders" reference). The healthier they get, the more I'm buying. Another week of good football and all of a sudden I'm ready to call them a wildcard team that I wouldn't want to play in the first round.
9. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6-3)
They have a relatively tall order with Minnesota coming to town. I'm positive that I don't trust their offense and I'm not totally convinced that they can stop AP. Although, all they have to do is slow him down enough to force Gus Frerotte to be the QB we all know him to be.
8. Washington Redskins (6-3)
This could be a season-defining game. They limped into their bye week and now they have a hungry and mildly healthy Dallas team ahead of them. They stopped them once in Dallas. Can they do it again? Jason Campbell will need to be better then he has been of late.
7. New England Patriots (6-3)
Bill Belichick really bothers me. He has that smugness thing going for him again and I'm almost positive that I'm 0-9 picking his team's games this season. You've got to figure that he really wants to get the sweep of the Jets this year between the Mangini and Favre angles.
6. Atlanta Falcons (6-3)
You buying yet? You should be. Remember when we thought there about a dozen very good teams and about another ten solid teams? I don't think that's the case anymore. There are a lot of bad teams and even more mediocre teams with about two teams I'm counting on week in and week out.
5. Philadelphia Eagles (5-4)
The Eagles really could have used that win. I used to think that they could go to the Super Bowl, but they just can't overcome Andy Reid in a close game. They should be at worst 7-2 even with the Westbrook injury.
4. Pittsburgh Steelers (6-3)
Protecting the QB would really help at some point for the Steelers. Losing a close game to Indy may not turn out to be such a blemish on the record when all is said and done. They need a good performance against San Diego this weekend.
3. Carolina Panthers (7-2)
One more week of the cake-walk but at 8-2 after the Lions come to town, they'll have some breathing room. They could use a better performance than the one they turned in at Oakland last week though.
2. New York Giants (8-1)
Another solid win for the G-Men. At some point though, someone is going to expose that secondary. Nobody's really talking about it, but it's the Achilles heal for this team. Otherwise, they look like a sure shot to make it back to the Super Bowl.
1. Tennessee (9-0)
I'm not sure what's left to say about Tennessee. They're not exciting and nobody wants to play them. As long as Albert Haynesworth doesn't try to take someone's face off with his cleats again, they should cruise.
WEEK 11 PICKS
New England -3.5 vs. New York Jets
Carolina -14 vs. Detroit
Atlanta -6.5 vs. Denver
Indianapolis -8 vs. Houston
Miami -10 vs. Oakland
Minnesota +4 at Tampa Bay
New Orleans -5.5 at Kansas City
Green Bay -3.5 vs. Chicago
Cincinnati +9 vs. Philadelphia
Baltimore +7 at New York Giants
San Francisco -6.5 vs. St. Louis
Arizona -3 at Seattle
Pittsburgh -5.5 vs. San Diego
Tennessee -3 at Jacksonville
Dallas -1.5 at Washington
Buffalo -5 vs. Cleveland
Season: 68-71-5
32. Detroit Lions (0-9)
I can't believe I picked Detroit last week. I am beyond embarrassed. They're horrible and they started Daunte Culpepper who had no idea what was going on out there. It won't happen again. I promise.
31. Kansas City Chefs (1-8)
Almost got their name back. Edwards boldly, and correctly in my opinion, chose to go for two to win the game. Hey, Herm, why do you play the game? (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IMk5sMHj58I&feature=related)
30. Oakland Raiders (2-7)
Can't we have another bye week? The Raiders threatened to cover last week with a field goal to cut it to 8. It actually was a great coaching move. Down 11 with 0:09. You need two scores. That at least gives you time to kick the field goal, recover the kick, then attempt the hail mary. I hate when teams just try to get the TD to end the game. Congrats, you lost by 4. See you next week. It's a bad sign when you're congratulating a coach for making the right move with 9 seconds left and down by 11 at home. We won't mention the fumbling of the opening kickoff.
29. San Francisco 49ers (2-7)
I think I beat this one into the ground enough yesterday. I don't care who they're playing. They should never be favored.
28. St. Louis Rams (2-7)
Wait, the Niners are playing the Rams? Someone has to be favored? I'm almost upset that I have Directv for a week if only because I could accidentally stumble onto this game this week. With these two teams playing each other, my automatic two picks go out the window and I'm only left with the Lions. Not fair.
27. Cincinnati Bengals (1-8)
I don't know if having an extra week to prepare is a good or bad thing for Marvin Lewis. The Bengals have Philly coming to town and Ocho Cinco publicly attributed his change in attitude to Donovan McNabb. Thanks Donovan, you contributed to the death of Ocho Cinco. Now all I have left is Randy Moss.
26. Seattle Seahawks (2-7)
The Seahawks finally showed a little bit of spine on the road in Miami last week. Now they come back home to face an Arizona team that proved it's willing to try and lose games. Could be interesting. Or not, come to think of it, the Seahawks still stink. Disregard the previous three sentences.
25. Houston Texans (3-6)
Maybe Sage Rosenfels is not the answer. I'm just about ready to quit on the Texans and something tells me that a road game in Indy is not what the doctor ordered.
24. Cleveland Browns (3-6)
I am thoroughly unimpressed by Cleveland. Watching that game last week I was way too excited to bet against both teams. Let's see how Brady Quinn does against a team that doesn't have the worst defense in the league when his own defense can't get off the field.
23. San Diego Chargers (4-5)
Yup, one of my fantasy seasons is done because the Chargers couldn't stop Tyler Thigpen at home. How do you almost lose to the Chefs at home? How are they only 5.5-point underdogs in Pittsburgh now? I have no answers, only questions.
22. Jacksonville Jaguars (4-5)
I don't know if beating up on Detroit qualifies as building momentum. Jack Del Rio sure did look happy on the sideline though and I know MJD fantasy owners got their money's worth. We'll see if it carries over when Tennessee comes to town.
21. Denver Broncos (5-4)
I am way too excited to bet against this team. They have absolutely no defense and no real will to stop anyone once they have the ball. Michael Turner may run a marathon against them this week. I really hope they make the playoffs so I can clean up against them.
20. Minnesota Vikings (5-4)
That was a big win at home, but they were the beneficiaries of some questionable play-calling by Mike McCarthy that led to a 52-yard try for Mason Crosby instead of a more makable attempt. We'll see how well they move the ball in Tampa Bay with Tampa keying on AP.
19. New Orleans Saints (4-5)
The good news is that Drew Brees is going to break the single season passing yards record and that may lead to Dan Marino punching through a glass table. The bad news is that the Saints still can't stop anyone, except maybe the Chefs this weekend.
18. Buffalo Bills (5-4)
I'm quitting you Bills. If you weren't playing against the Browns this week then I'd be picking against you. You're dead to me. You're Fredo.
17. Chicago Bears (5-4)
You know you're bad when Kyle Orton is a huge upgrade at your position. Rex Grossman is just trrble. I couldn't get over how many passes he missed. Bad things could be in store this week in Green Bay.
16. Green Bay Packers (4-5)
I really think that the Packers are better than this slot but I can't move them much higher until they get back over .500, which I foresee happening after a win this week against Chicago and then another in New Orleans next week.
15. Miami Dolphins (5-4)
That was a close call and I don't think it's a good thing when you have close calls against Seattle at home. Thankfully for the Dolphins, I don't think it'll be a close call game this week with Oakland coming to town.
14. New York Jets (6-3)
Normally I don't weigh a win over the Rams too heavily, but that was a demolition, warranting a six-spot jump in the Rankings.
13. Arizona Cardinals (6-3)
That was pa-the-tic. One of the worst wins I've ever seen. Shaun Hill almost beat them because he completed a pass here and there between all of the penalties. Good thing they don't play anyone, ever.
12. Dallas Cowboys (5-4)
Their season starts now with Romo back. They can get everybody back on the bandwagon with a primetime win in Washington on Sunday. I'm not going to bet against them.
11. Baltimore Ravens (6-3)
The defense may be lacking at times, but the offense is scoring at will. What were the odds at the beginning of the season that the previous sentence would be attributed to the Baltimore Ravens? Things get a little tougher this week when they travel to New York. It should be a close game, but I don't think their defense is up to the task.
10. Indianapolis Colts (5-4)
They're making an Ali-like return to the ring ("Rounders" reference). The healthier they get, the more I'm buying. Another week of good football and all of a sudden I'm ready to call them a wildcard team that I wouldn't want to play in the first round.
9. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6-3)
They have a relatively tall order with Minnesota coming to town. I'm positive that I don't trust their offense and I'm not totally convinced that they can stop AP. Although, all they have to do is slow him down enough to force Gus Frerotte to be the QB we all know him to be.
8. Washington Redskins (6-3)
This could be a season-defining game. They limped into their bye week and now they have a hungry and mildly healthy Dallas team ahead of them. They stopped them once in Dallas. Can they do it again? Jason Campbell will need to be better then he has been of late.
7. New England Patriots (6-3)
Bill Belichick really bothers me. He has that smugness thing going for him again and I'm almost positive that I'm 0-9 picking his team's games this season. You've got to figure that he really wants to get the sweep of the Jets this year between the Mangini and Favre angles.
6. Atlanta Falcons (6-3)
You buying yet? You should be. Remember when we thought there about a dozen very good teams and about another ten solid teams? I don't think that's the case anymore. There are a lot of bad teams and even more mediocre teams with about two teams I'm counting on week in and week out.
5. Philadelphia Eagles (5-4)
The Eagles really could have used that win. I used to think that they could go to the Super Bowl, but they just can't overcome Andy Reid in a close game. They should be at worst 7-2 even with the Westbrook injury.
4. Pittsburgh Steelers (6-3)
Protecting the QB would really help at some point for the Steelers. Losing a close game to Indy may not turn out to be such a blemish on the record when all is said and done. They need a good performance against San Diego this weekend.
3. Carolina Panthers (7-2)
One more week of the cake-walk but at 8-2 after the Lions come to town, they'll have some breathing room. They could use a better performance than the one they turned in at Oakland last week though.
2. New York Giants (8-1)
Another solid win for the G-Men. At some point though, someone is going to expose that secondary. Nobody's really talking about it, but it's the Achilles heal for this team. Otherwise, they look like a sure shot to make it back to the Super Bowl.
1. Tennessee (9-0)
I'm not sure what's left to say about Tennessee. They're not exciting and nobody wants to play them. As long as Albert Haynesworth doesn't try to take someone's face off with his cleats again, they should cruise.
WEEK 11 PICKS
New England -3.5 vs. New York Jets
Carolina -14 vs. Detroit
Atlanta -6.5 vs. Denver
Indianapolis -8 vs. Houston
Miami -10 vs. Oakland
Minnesota +4 at Tampa Bay
New Orleans -5.5 at Kansas City
Green Bay -3.5 vs. Chicago
Cincinnati +9 vs. Philadelphia
Baltimore +7 at New York Giants
San Francisco -6.5 vs. St. Louis
Arizona -3 at Seattle
Pittsburgh -5.5 vs. San Diego
Tennessee -3 at Jacksonville
Dallas -1.5 at Washington
Buffalo -5 vs. Cleveland
Season: 68-71-5
One of my proudest moments as a Bruin was having Ham Porter as a judge at Spring Sing.
Reply to this
After going 7-9 which would have helped me make money if I bet against you like I am supposed to, what did you think about the bad call that hurt your Steelers pick? What do you think Vegas should do, allow all the SD fans to win or refund everyone their money since the NFL has admitted that a mistake was made?
Reply to this