NFL Predictions: Week Eleven

Sorry I missed last week, but more important issues arose. On a season scale, I'm still going with New Orleans to win the NFC but am more aghast by the Bengals (I thought they had been run out of Cincinnati years ago!). Also, Peyton Manning for MVP.

Indianapolis at Baltimore (even)
Ever notice how in ten years, the Colts have never needed a "rebuilding" year? Manning could elevate the play of a team made up entirely of second-graders--as is getting damn close if the Colts can't have 206 healed bones in the backfield. I still don't think the Colts are strong enough as a team to win the Superbowl but they are strong enough to beat Baltimore. I would not have said that three weeks ago. Or two weeks ago. In fact, Baltimore's watered-down win against Cleveland on Monday hurt them even more in my eyes. The Ravens are going to need to score more than 16 points on the Colts to win this game. I don't think the Colts will go undefeated but I'm also tired of overselling the Ravens. Colts win.

Atlanta at New York (Giants) (-6.5)
Here's two teams I've lost a lot of hypothetical money on. In fact these teams are incredibly equal at every position and come from equal divisions (the NFC East can jump off a bridge). I suppose most people are even considering this game to be on a neutral field after the Giants' 2-2 home record. Problem is: it's not. It's a grass field 1000 miles north of the Falcons' indoor, bouncy rubber field. Also, the Falcons get collectively car sick as seen with their 1-4 road record. Maybe Matt Ryan needs to learn some fun road games or needs to stop feeding the team truckstop sandwiches. Whatever they do, they need to do it fast to save their season because the Giants are just competent enough to win this game with some dignity. Giants cover.

San Diego at Denver (even)
Another game Vegas odd-makers are considering a toss up. But I called it, Denver found away to completely blow another division title that was in their frosty little hands. I made the prediction and Denver has now dropped 3 in a row. Meanwhile the Chargers remembered they are a talented football team and won 4 in a row. Three weeks ago, the spread would have been seven points for Denver. Three weeks ago, everyone was high on Coach Josh McDaniel's charisma. If this was week one, the spread would have been seven in the Chargers favor. Both teams are 6-3. Oh god! We've traveled back in time to Week One! Chargers win.

New York (Jets) at New England (-10.5)
The Jets beat the Patriots earlier this year but since then the Jets have dropped 5 of 6 and the Patriots showed flashes of their 18-1 year. Belicheck made the wrong 4th quarter call against the Colts last Sunday and has something to prove because the Patriots aren't weak in any on-field personnel. I'd expect Belicheck to be as aggressive as ever and really "out-coach" Rex Ryan; in the way that I would get "out-coached" in a 1-on-1 basketball game with Lebron James. The Patriots'll pound the Jets so hard into the ground they just might strike oil. Look more for a score of 35-10. Or 45-3 if the paperboy threw Belicheck's Sunday read into the birdbath again. Patriots cover.