NFL Week 11 Picks November 20 2005

Last week wasn’t such a great week to pick games. But really, did anyone expect the Bucs, Vikings and the Packers to win on the road? It sure made for a great week of football watching. We’ve got some upsets baked in this week so let’s see if the trend continues.

As always we have a podcast to go along with the picks this week. If you enjoy the podcast, please go to the yahoo directory and vote for us.

If you want to see how well we did last week against the experts from ESPN, Fox, Sportsline, etc, check out this great spreadsheet from Tokar.

Week 11 Picks

Locks of the Week

Vegas Vinny: I’m riding the Seattle train again this week. Shaun Alexander wants to get paid and he’s playing like an MVP right now. The Niners have given up the most rushing touchdowns in the league this year. I expect Shaun Alexander and the strong offensive line to get a few more against them. After their win against the Rams last week, the Seahawks have basically wrapped up the division. You would expect a letdown this week against the lowly Niners but no one can have that much of a let down. I still can’t believe Trevor took the Niners this week. That’s like taking Temple against Penn State. The line scares me a little bit but I’ll give the points. Seahawks (-12.5)

Teri Berg: I’m taking Washington, but I think Oakland can keep it closer than the six points the ‘Skins are getting — if only because Kerry Collins continues to rank high among the league’s best passers (he’s No. 3 after last week’s loss to Denver) and it looks as if Washington’s pass defense continues to be TOO aggressive. That is, Sean Taylor and Co. are still getting burned by going after INTs instead of tackles. Also, Moss was b**ching on ESPN this week about the Raiders’ offense, so one imagines offensive coordinator Jimmy Raye will try to get him the ball more. That’s what Moss is getting the big bucks for, right?

BostonMac: I’ve been saying all year that the Redskins are a fraud team, and they are finally starting to prove it. Last week they got slapped around by Chris Simms and Joey Galloway, so how are they expecting to put the clamps on a real NFL QB-WR tandem such as Kerry Collins and Randy Moss? Granted that the Silver and Black did not look up to par against the Broncos, but Denver is a legit super bowl contender while Washington is finally starting their annual October swoon, albeit a month late. (By the way, I noticed how much effect the crazy, super-tailgating Raiders fans in the Black Hole had on the outcome of that game, Trevor.) The Raiders have won the last two times they’ve played in our nation’s capital, and I think they come to the East Coast and knock Washington’s fraudulent defense for a loop. Plus, they’re getting six points. I’m going with OAKLAND (+6) to win outright against the Skins.

Trevor F: Carolina covers that three against Chicago. Chicago is not as good as their record would have you believe. If Nathan Vasher doesn’t return that field goal for a touchdown last week, the 49ers probably win the game. Carolina is a legitimate Super Bowl contender. The weather won’t affect them and I think they will pound the Bears into submission. Look for Kyle Orton to possibly throw Chris Gamble a touchdown.