Week 11 Preview:

Hoo-rah! No more bye weeks going forward! We hated to go against the hometown team on Thursday, but the Patriots gave the Jets everything they could possibly handle despite an injury-depleted lineup. That the offense was able to amass over 500 yards tells the football world everything about the Jets’ playoff hopes. Give credit to Brett Favre, as every time he needed to make a play he delivered. Matt Cassel must surely be disappointed that the offense’s tremendous comeback performance fell just shy. Randy Moss’ spectacular catch as regulation time expired was something to be fondly remember. Despite a few miscues, in the end it came down to the flip of a coin.

At Atlanta -5.5 Denver 51

The Falcons continue to amaze the football world with their sudden rise from the ashes. After knocking off the ‘Aints last week, this week they’ll graciously host the sideways-moving Broncos (who come in with an extra three days with which to prepare). To Denver’s credit, so far they’ve been able to win some games with virtually no run support. Every time a running back stepped in so far, boom—out he went with a torn ACL. Cutler had a big second half against the Browns then again, that’s not saying much. This game lines up perfectly for an up and coming team who’s looking to make some noise.

Projected Final Score: Atlanta 31, Denver 24

At Miami -10.5 Oakland 39

The Dolphins were big favorites last week (8 ½) at home against Seattle and were lucky to come away with a win, as a failed two-point conversion at the end ultimately decided the outcome. They’re now favored by even more against a bad team as the faded Silver & Black come to South Florida for what will likely be another ass whipping. Their offensive coordinator has been relieved of his play-calling duties since the Raiders have scored only seven points in their last two outings.

Projected Final Score: Miami 23, Oakland 10

At NY Giants -5* Ravens 40.5

When Brandon Jacobs and Ray Lewis meet on Sunday will the force of the collision be measured on the Richter scale? It’s not every week where the game’s most punishing runner and hardest hitter have an opportunity to exchange greetings. It should be something really special to see. The G-Men face a tough challenge with the Ravens coming to town, as they didn’t set the world on fire winning in Philadelphia last week and Manning’s play in recent weeks has been uneven. The Ravens had a big day in Houston, putting 41 on the board against the rapidly falling Texans. Joe Flacco has an impressive start to his NFL career and has been aided immeasurably but the effectiveness of the running game. While the defense remains the team’s strong suit, the Ravens have injury issues in their secondary that will enable Manning to find some holes. In the end, Flacco’s inexperience will be the difference.

Projected Final Score: NY Giants 21, Ravens 14

At Indianapolis -8.5 Houston 49

One cannot be but impressed with the job that Indy has done in recent weeks. Their defense has capitalized on opposing offenses’ mistakes and Manning has burned them as a result. Now Indy is in their run for the Wild Card and building momentum for January. It looks as though the Texans have thrown in the proverbial towel and going on the road to a divisional rival is precisely the wrong place to be…

Projected Final Score: Indianapolis 31, Houston 20

Tennessee -2.5 At Jacksonville 39.5

The Jags regained a measure of respect with their drubbing of winless Detroit last week as it was just the tonic that a team coming apart at the seams needed. How much of that good vibe will carry over into this week remains to be seen. If they harbor any postseason hopes, the Jags need to deliver. The unbeaten Titans return to conference play after two weeks with the NFC Central. Yes, they’re 9-0 but just as easily could’ve lost both games. They were fortunate that King Rex was lining up under center last week. They still have a terrific defense and a quarterback who won’t mess things up.

Projected Final Score: Tennessee 20, Jacksonville 17

At Green Bay -3.5 Chicago 43.5

The NFL’s oldest rivalry is renewed at Lambeau on Sunday as the Pack are looking to rebound after a heartbreaking road loss and get back into the divisional fight. The Bears are in the same boat as Green Bay and really need a victory to keep pace. Orton will be back and that ought to help the offense, but this is a big game and the Pack will deliver.

Projected Final Score: Green Bay 24, Chicago 20

Philadelphia -8.5 At Cincinnati 41

So the Eagles aren’t going to win the NFC East, yet they’re very much alive in the Wild Card race. Getting in depends on the number of bad teams they’ll face coming down the stretch. Fortunately, this week they visit the 1-8 Bungles, who had a week to recover from their only win. Who knows, maybe they’re on a roll. Chances are that’s wishful thinking…

Projected Final Score: Philadelphia 27, Cincinnati 16

New Orleans -4.5 At Kansas City 47.5

Give credit to Coach Herm for having the stones for going for the win last week. Maybe it wasn’t the smart move as he could’ve kicked the extra point and have taken the game into overtime. At least he was true to his credo, “we play to win the game.” Tyler Thigpen may be causing the front office to cancel any plans to draft a quarterback as he’s played well with increased playing time, much like Matt Cassel. For the Saints, it’s now or never. They played so well in London only to stink in Atlanta. Such inconsistent play generally dooms any playoff hopes. And what’s with Shockey, anyhow? He seems like another in the long line of million dollar bodies and ten-cent heads. You would’ve thought that he learned the lesson about keeping his mouth shut last year, but idiots of his ilk never seem to get it. Coach Payton needs to nip this reprobate in the bud right now.

Projected Final Score: New Orleans 24, Kansas City 17

At Carolina -13.5 Detroit 39

“Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me.” There will no longer be any gratuitous plays on the Lions this year. It doesn’t matter if they’re four touchdown underdogs going forward. It doesn’t matter if they’re lining up against the Little Sisters of the Poor. They should be regarded like radioactive waste. Last week, Coach Marinelli rushed Culpepper into the lineup and he was fed to the wolves. As in past weeks, the Lions have shown themselves capable of playing competitively for a quarter before packing it in right about the time the players start breaking a sweat. Nothing will change so long as the lame-duck “brain trust” is calling the shots. The Fords are simply holding their collective breath waiting for the sands to run out on this year. Even though Delhomme had a horrible game in Oakland, the Panthers still prevailed in Oakland, and are looking at this opportunity to dominate another patsy en route to a division title.

Projected Final Score: Carolina 27, Detroit 13

At Tampa Bay -3.5 Minnesota 39.5

Last week, AP single handedly carried the Vikes to a come from behind win at home and will be sporting a large bull’s eye on his back when the team arrives in Tampa. Let’s hope that AP is blessed with good health because he’s as dynamic a ball carrier as the game has seen. Coach Chucky gave the team a week off in their bye, so they’ll come into the game refreshed and ready to kick ass…

Projected Final Score: Tampa Bay 24, Minnesota 20

At San Francisco -3.5 St. Louis 43.5

It looks like Coach Singletary’s first win is in the offing, as his ‘Niners played a whale of a game in Arizona, having been denied a winning touchdown on the last play of the game. If only the refs spotted the ball where it was supposed to be placed (“My kingdom for a nail…”). There was some regrettable Tuesday morning fingerpointing back at 49’er headquarters. The good news for the ‘Niners is the team played an inspired 60 minutes on Monday night and the coach didn’t have to drop his pants or kick anyone off the field. Shaun Hill will get another crack under center this week and (provided the turnovers are limited) should have a good day against a defense that was shredded last Sunday. It may be a new era as football players are concerned, but we still highly regard intelligent, old-school disciplinarians and we’re rooting for Coach Singletary to succeed as he would represent the next link in the chain from Halas to Ditka. Meanwhile, the air in Haslett’s balloon exploded last Sunday, as whatever chance he had for retaining his job next season has plummeted more precipitously than the stock exchange in recent weeks. Losing is one thing, but the 47-3 variety is difficult, if not impossible from which to recover in a week or two. This was a team of alleged professionals that demonstrated no fight, no commitment, no heart and no spirit.

Projected Final Score: San Francisco 27, St. Louis 13

Arizona -3 At Seattle 47.5

The Cardinals had it all last week, a raucous crowd and a national audience to showcase their talents and nearly blew it all. Were it not for the fortuitous placement of the ball with :04 left on the clock and an ill-advised rush up the middle, it would’ve been yet another embarrassing Cardinal Moment. They were lucky, not good on Monday night, and the nature of the NFL rarely rewards such mediocre efforts moving forward. This game represents a chance to put a stamp on the division and they can’t fritter it away as nearly happened last week. Hasselbeck returns to the lineup after an assortment of injuries sidelined him for several weeks, and Seattle’s defense played well in Miami, so this ought to be an interesting matchup.

Projected Final Score: Arizona 27, Seattle 20

At Pittsburgh -3.5 San Diego 43

The one disturbing quality that has continued unabated between Cowher and Tomlin is the Steelers’ occasional lapse in good football sense. Case in point: It’s apparent to the football world that Rothlisberger is hurt and his poor throws cost the Steelers a win at home last week. Leftwich has proven that he can capably lead the offense yet Tomlin left Big Ben in the game way too long and refused to change gears when necessary. When healthy, the Steelers have every reasonable chance to contend for the AFC Championship (after 10 weeks the list of legitimate candidates “has dwindled down to a precious few”), and they need a healthy Rothlisberger in January, not November. We’ll see how Tomlin manages this situation on Sunday. The Chargers may have walked off the field victoriously last week, though barely so. The division is theirs for the taking, yet they continue to be notorious underperformers. Coach Norv simply inspires no confidence. Though talented, his Oakland and Washington teams failed to deliver. Perhaps the third time around isn’t a charm. This is a game where the home team shouldn’t be underdogs; there’s no reason why San Diego can’t knock off a quality opponent.

Projected Final Score: Pittsburgh 24, San Diego 20

At Washington +1 Dallas 43

If “America’s Team” doesn’t prevail on Sunday against their greatest rival, they can kiss off any playoff hopes, and the clock will be winding down on Son of Bum’s watch. Both teams are coming of a bye and Romo’s a go even though his throwing hand isn’t 100%. In Romo’s absence, neither of his backups reminded anyone of Roger the Dodger. They’re a talented team that was supposed to duke it out with the Giants for King of the Hill in the NFC. What went wrong? Start with the meddling fraud of an owner and work down from there. The Redskins are poster boys for today’s NFL: One week they suck, while another they play like a team possessed. They’re just too inconsistent, and this week they’ll have to make do without Portis.

Projected Final Score: Dallas 24, Washington 23