Already we have made our weekly picks against the spread for the early Sunday games now in Week 11 of the 2011 NFL season. We were successful in our Thursday night pick of the Broncos to cover the six points they were given. Now we move on to the Sunday afternoon games, as well as the Sunday Night Football NFC East battle between the New York Giants and the Philadelphia Eagles and the Monday Night game between the New England Patriots and the Kansas City Chiefs.
Again, We are using the spread on our Yahoo Pick'em group. You can join here (ID: 55411, PW: arizona) if you want to try and outdo our picks. Then you could have bragging rights and could trash talk us during the week.
Seattle Seahawks at St. Louis Rams (-1.5): Both teams have struggled quite a bit this season, but both have big wins under their belts. The Rams beat the Saints at home, while just last week, the Ravens were sent home with a loss in Seattle. Seattle plays significantly worse on the road. With Sam Bradford now healthy, the edge goes to the 2-7 Rams. Pick: Rams, -2.5.
Arizona Cardinals at San Francisco 49ers (-9.5): In the second of two NFC West divisional battles, the 49ers attempt to continue with their surprising and dominating season. The Cardinals have won two straight games on the backs of their defense that seems to have figured things out after looking terrible the first half of the season. The Cardinals have only allowed 19 offensive points in the past two games. San Fran is physical, so don't expect a lot of points scored. This should be one of those games considered pretty only by those who love low-scoring, defensive battles. In the end, the points are too many to give up. Pick: Cardinals +9.5.
Tennessee Titans at Atlanta Falcons (-6.0): Two 5-4 teams face off. The Falcons lost a heartbreaker to the Saints in overtime. Tennessee has been inconsistent, but they have been doing it almost with no production from Chris Johnson. Combine Johnson's struggles with the Falcons' number three rushing defense and the fact that Matt Ryan rarely loses at home. Plus, they will want to take the sting (and stink) away from the loss. Pick: Atlanta, -6.0
San Diego Chargers at Chicago Bears (-3.5): The Chargers are reeling. The Bears are charging. Both have four-game streaks -- Chargers losing four straight and the Bears on a winning streak. Chicago feasts on turnovers. Philip Rivers has been throwing picks like candy on Halloween. Giving away 3.5 points is nothing. Pick: Bears, -3.5.
Philadelphia Eagles at New York Giants (-4.5): Philly is struggling. They allowed 300+ yards and three TDs to John Skelton. Now they face Eli Manning, and do so probably without Michael Vick, Jeremy Maclin or Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie. This doesn't bode well. Pick: Giants, -4.5.
Kansas City Chiefs at New England Patriots (-14.5): New England put a hurting on the Jets a week ago. The Chiefs lost to Tim Tebow and the Broncos and also lost starting QB Matt Cassel to injury indefinitely. Also, the New England defense is finally coming together. It doesn't look good for the Chiefs. ESPN probably wishes they could have flex scheduling and change the game, but alas they cannot. Pick: New England, -14.5.