For the first time ever (well, at least since I began making my NFL picks public in 1996) I have had three sub .500 weeks. Last week everything went kaput, with a miserable 6-8 effort the result. Now just 86-60 (.589) on the year, if the numbers do not quickly reverse themselves (and with some ooomph) the worst-ever result could be lowered. Yikes.
To make matters worse, this week is chock-full of toss-up games. Swell.
As is standard course, a losing record the prior week creates a “pick the loser” for the current week, so here we go for Week 11 …
Thursday’s Game
TITANS at JAGUARS, 7:25 p.m., NFLN
Just what a guy trying to bounce back needs — a real pick ’em to kick things off. Since both cannot lose, the one who will are the … JAGUARS 23-21.
Sunday’s Games
COLTS at FALCONS, 12 p.m., CBS
Matty Ice needs to get his team back in gear … COLTS 30-20.
RAMS at RAVENS, 12 p.m., FOX
The Sheep cannot decide what kind of team they want to be. Maybe they foresee the trucks backing up to their headquarters to move them back to L.A. That said, they have not been the flop the Crows have turned out to be … RAVENS 22-15.
REDSKINS at PANTHERS, 12 p.m., FOX
Dance on this, Scam … loss number one … PANTHERS 27-20.
BRONCOS at BEARS, 12 p.m., CBS
Chicago has let three wins get away, while Denver has two wins they should not have … BRONCOS 26-21.
RAIDERS at LIONS, 12 p.m., CBS
So Detroit won in Wisconsin last week, ending a streak so long that Karen and I were still Mr. and Mrs. the last time it happened. Guess that means they used up their mojo for awhile … LIONS 24-17.
JETS at TEXANS, 12 p.m., CBS
All the signs put to a Houston win, especially after they held host Cincy to just six points, while New York has been surprisingly suppliant … JETS 16-13.
COWBOYS at DOLPHINS, 12 p.m., FOX
Another toss-up. Great. The loser, I hope, will be the … COWBOYS 27-24.
PACKERS at VIKINGS, 12 p.m., FOX
Make that a two-game lead … PACKERS 23-17.
BUCCANEERS at EAGLES, 12 p.m., FOX
Tampa Bay should not have won last week and Philly should not have lost. These two jokes cost me two wins last week; this week they can only do half the damage — unless the loser is the … BUCCANEERS 21-10.
BENGALS at CARDINALS, 3:05 p.m., CBS
Soul-less Cincy drops their second straight … BENGALS 34-20.
FORTY-NINERS at SEAHAWKS, 3:25 p.m., FOX
Turns out Seattle has a glass jaw. Unfortunately for the millions upon millions who are sick of Petey C. and the over-hyped Legion of Doom, San Fran does not match up … NORTY-FINERS 25-16.
CHIEFS at CHARGERS, 7:30 p.m., NBC *
The second of three prime time yawners this week … CHARGERS 22-18.
Monday’s Game
BILLS at PATRIOTS, 7:30 p.m.
The slow dissolution of the o-line could eventually hurt the Pretty Boy and Buffalo — reputedly — has the defense to make it happen. They won’t … BILLS 26-16.
Byes: Cleveland, New Orleans, NY Giants, Pittsburgh
Last week: 6-8 (!); Season: 86-60 (.589).
