Sunday, November 18, 2012

Week 11 NFL Pigskin Predictions

NOON GAMES

FALCONS over cards
Falcons TE Tony Gonzalez

Atlanta’s gonna rock Arizona today. The Falcons return to their beloved Georgia Dome nest after falling for its first time this season last week at New Orleans. The Cardinals, meanwhile, have lost five in a row and an offense that resembles the strength of a cardboard box. Atlanta wins handily.
PREDICTION: FALCONS 31, cards 10

BOYS over browns
This game is a must-win for Dallas if it wants to make the playoffs. The Cowboys are only 1-2 at home this season, but that playoff carrot combined with a meager opponent lead to a win and a .500 record for Big D.
 
PREDICTION: COWBOYS 27, browns 10

pack over LIONS
Much like the Cowboys, the Lions will need a home win today any shot at the playoffs. And, they certainly have the offense to do so. Detroit QB Matthew Stafford throws for 300 yards and 3 TDs today, connect with Calvin Johnson for two of those scores. But Packers’ Aaron Rodgers is just a little more hot than Stafford, other any other quarterback in the league right now, and Discount Double-Check gives Green Bay the edge in a highly entertaining shootout.

PREDICTION: PACK 34, LIONS 30

Chiefs RB Jamal Charles
CHIEFS over bengals
Having lost six straight games and seeking its first home win, Kansas City is poised to pull an upset today. Chiefs running back Jamal Charles picks apart a mediocre Cincinnati run defense, bursting for a 150 yards and two scores to lead his team by the Bengals.

PREDICTION: CHIEFS 20, bengals 16

RAMS over jets
Stephen Jackson turned in a warrior-like performance in San Francisco last week. This week, against a far weaker rush defense, he picks up his game another notch. Jackson, combined with St. Louis’ impressive possession receiver Danny Amendola, leads the host Rams past the sinking Jets today.  

PREDICTION: RAMS 24, jets 14

Eagles QB Nick Foles
eagles over SKINS
With Michael Vick out, Eagles quarterback Nick Foles gets his chance to make a name for himself today. And facing a porous Redskins pass defense helps his cause. Foles passes for a pair of touchdowns as Philadelphia downs the Skins in DC.

PREDICTION: eagles 27, SKINS 20


bucs over PANTHERS
Whether it be lack of confidence, lack of receivers, or both, Cam Newton is clearly not lived up to his Super Cam trademark. Tampa Bay has a hot quarterback, an impressive rookie running back and legitimate playoff homes. The Bucs defeat the Panthers in Carolina today, raising its record to 6-4 with its fifth win in six games.

PREDICTION: bucs, 27, PANTHERS 20

TEXANS over jags
This game – between an 8-1 home team and a 1-8 visitor – is definitely a poor matchup on paper. It’s also a poor matchup on the field. The Texans stomp the Jags in south Texas today.

PREDICTION: TEXANS 37, jags 6
Saints TE Jimmy Graham
LATE GAMES
saints over RAIDERS
New Orleans hopes to turn its 0-4 record into a playoff berth. Riding its hot offense and improving defense, the Saints take another step toward doing so today. Drew Brees airs it out once again, as he and star tight end Jimmy Graham lead their team to a road win in Oakland.

PREDICTION: saints 34, RAIDERS 24 

BRONCOS over chargers
The Broncos are currently favored by nine to win this game. But this rivalry game will be closer than many expect. At home today, Denver sneaks by San Diego in overtime.

PREDICTION: BRONCOS 27, chargers 24 (in OT)

PATS over colts
An intriguing matchup takes place in New England this afternoon, where the 6-3 Colts take on the 6-3 Patriots. For a team that was 2-14 a year ago, Indy has been quite an endearing success story this season. In an exciting game between a highly-acclaimed veteran quarterback and a super sensational rookie quarterback, Tom Brady and his team’s home-field advantage sway the decision over Andrew Luck and the Colts in the end.

PREDICTION: PATS 34, colts 31

SNF
STEELERS over ravens
Pittsburgh’s stable of running backs are rounding back into good health. And with Ben Roethlisberger out, this comes at just the right time. The Steelers D pins down the Ravens, while its RB trio of Rashard Mendenhall, Isaac Redman and Jonathan Dwyer lead the O, as host Pittsburgh ekes out an important win against archrival Baltimore.

PREDICTION: STEELERS 16, ravens 13

MNF
NINERS over bears

49ers QB Colin Kaepernick
Jason Campbell versus Colin Kaepernick. Which backup is better? The key in this game will be Kapernick against the pick-happy Bears. Colin keeps the turnovers at a minimum while handing the ball to Frank Gore to pace the 49ers past the Bears at home tomorrow night.

PREDICTION: NINERS 20, bears 17