Week 10 Recap/Week 11 Preview:

For The Week/Season
vs. W/L: (9-6)/ (100-44)
vs. ATS: (7-8)/ (82-62)
vs. Aggregate: (7-8)/ (65-79)

ATS vs. “Sportsline Experts”:

Richard 83-61-0
PFN: 82-62-0
Harmon 71-73-0
Judge 76-68-0
Urbano 69-75-0
Prisco 67-77-0
Madden 61-83-0

W/L vs. “USA Today Experts”

PFN: 100-44
Jarrett Bell 94-50
Jim Corbett 89-55
Nate Davis 98-46
Sean Leahy 98-46
Gary Mihoces 94-50
Pete O'Brien 98-46
Tom Pedulla 94-50
Skip Wood 84-60


At Detroit -2.5 Cleveland 38.5

Can it get any worse than this? Each week there seems to be at least one “Battle of the Terribles”, but this may be an all-time low for the NFL. A horrific offense (Cleveland) goes toe to toe with an equally horrific defense (Detroit). Who wins? Who cares?

Projected Final Score: Detroit 17, Cleveland 14

At Jacksonville -8.5 Buffalo 43

Coach Jauron was made to walk the plank after the Bills’ drubbing in Nashville last week and that’s a real shame for a good and decent guy (even though he’s a Yalie) who tried to do his best with the limited tools he was provided. This week, the Bills travel to sunny Florida to meet the surprisingly competitive Jaguars, who are fresh off a big win in the Meadowlands. Look for the Jags to ram the ball down Buffalo’s throat as Jones-Drew will have a big afternoon. This is not going to be a good week for the Bills or their new coach.

Projected Final Score: Jacksonville 23, Buffalo 10

Pittsburgh -10 At Kansas City 40.5

The truth hurts, but the Steelers were punked out at home (no less!) by the Bengals and will travel to KC in a most foul frame of mind. At least the Chiefs aren’t as bad as the Raiders, then again that’s not saying much. But they’ll be without Dwayne Bowe for the next four weeks, so it’ll be up to Charles and a cast of thousands to move the ball. They should savor last week’s win on the Coast because they’ll be few and far between…starting this Sunday.

Projected Final Score: Pittsburgh 31, Kansas City 10

At Ravens -PK Indianapolis 44.5

The whole fourth-and-two debacle from Sunday night has been beaten to a miserable death around these parts, enough! Manning was the beneficiary of Belichick’s bad throw of the dice and did what he always does, although some of his receivers weren’t exactly too “crisp” out there against New England. This week, Indianapolis returns to their former home to face the Ravens, who coolly dispatched Cleveland on Monday night. Will Indy come out flat after such an emotional win? The Ravens’ defense (especially their secondary) is seriously banged up, otherwise this game would be a barnburner. In the end, it’s the Ravens’ D that gets toasted.

Projected Final Score: Indianapolis 27, Ravens 21

At NY Giants -6.5 Atlanta 46

The Falcons have to feel somewhat stung after last week’s blowout loss to Carolina. Maybe they’re just not as good a team as last year, and Turner is doubtful coming in to this one. The Giants got a welcome break last week with the bye and maybe with the rest they’ll come back healthy and raring to go for the second half as they’ve played poorly in recent weeks. This is a game that the G-Men really need to win if they want to seriously entertain playoff hopes. All that said, in light of having lost four in a row, the Giants shouldn’t be favored by a touchdown. It should be closer than that.

Projected Final Score: NY Giants 24, Atlanta 23

At Green Bay -6.5 San Francisco 42.5

The Pack are coming off a big win against the Cowboys and now face a rested ‘Niners crew, who squeaked by the Bears on Thursday night (courtesy of a bazillion turnovers). The question is whether the Pack can perform well in successive weeks (something they haven’t yet proven capable of doing). This week should be a much tougher test for Coach Singletary’s team as (1) they’re on the road; and (2) Rodgers does not have a reputation as a turnover machine. Gore will have a tough afternoon pounding the rock this week.

Projected Final Score: Green Bay 24, San Francisco 13

At Minnesota -11 Seattle 46

The Vikes are coming off an easy blowout win and the cupcakes just keep on a-comin’ as the dismal Seahawks roll into the BaggieDome. This ought to be some compelling football, no? The Seahawks O-Line will be torn to shreds by the Vikings’ D and look for AP to have a humongous afternoon.

Projected Final Score: Minnesota 28, Seattle 13

At Dallas -10.5 Washington 41.5

The Redskins are coming off an impressive home win at home last week, made even more so that Cooley and Portis were out of the lineup while the Cowboys suffered a case of Lombardi’s Revenge last week at Lambeau. The question is whether the performance by both teams last week were anomalies or indicative of a trend. Chances are that it’s hard to see Washington playing as well as they did and the Cowboys playing as poorly as they did, but the teams are arch rivals so one never knows. Haynesworth may be out of this game with a bad ankle and his absence will hurt. Despite the fact that the ‘Skins are an awful team, what exactly have the Cowboys done of late to be installed as such heavy favorites?

Projected Final Score: Dallas 23, Washington 13

New Orleans -10.5 At Tampa Bay 51

Give credit to the Bucs as they went down to Miami last week and led all the way to the end while the Saints did not play well in St. Louis, but did walk away with the win. This week they have another gift put in their lap, but Coach Morris’ team has shown that they’re not leaving anything on the field at the end of the day. In recent weeks, the Saints have lacked the edge that they had in the early stages of the season. Maybe it’s a case of too many injuries on defense, but this will be another close call for New Orleans.

Projected Final Score: New Orleans 27, Tampa Bay 20

Arizona -8.5 At St. Louis 47

Yet another thrilling NFC West matchup for millions of viewers out there as the Cardinals travel to their other hometown for a date with the Rams. It’s a homecoming of sorts for Kurt Warner as well as he will be sending warm greetings through the air all afternoon. Unfortunately for Rams’ fans, the “Greatest Show On Turf” packed up their tent years ago.

Projected Final Score: Arizona 27, St. Louis 16

At New England -10.5 NY Jets 45

The Jets lost on the last play of the game last week, purportedly reducing their coach to tears in the aftermath. This week, they travel to Foxboro looking to duplicate the effort they put forth in Week 2, when the defense completely shut down Brady and the Patriots’ offense. Back in Week 2, the Jets and Mark Sanchez were the darlings of the football world, but the wheels came off in a hurry. The Patriots have issues of their own to worry about as Manning blew through their paper-thin defense last Sunday. People in New England keep replaying Belichick’s critical blunder as if it was Game 6 of the ’86 Series all over again, but it never should’ve come to that point. “Fumbles” Maroney coughed up a game-sealing touchdown in the end zone. Belichick rolled the dice and lost, so now the media makes him out to be an idiot. However, if Faulk picked up the first down he would’ve been hailed as a genius. Some people simply have way too much free time on their minds. In light of New England’s issues on defense combined with the fact that the Jets have effectively countered Brady in the past, this should be a close, hard-fought game.

Projected Final Score: New England 24, NY Jets 23

Cincinnati -9.5 At Oakland 36

Man, things are rolling hot and heavy in the Queen City these days with the Bengals. It happens that way once every twenty years or so. The NFL’s most surprising team goes west to the Black Hole to face the abominable Raiders, but it looks like Benson will be out with a hip injury. Does the newly-signed LJ come to the rescue? (Probably not). Who will be the quarterback for Oakland this week? Will it be the All-World Bust or Gradkowski? Does it matter? This is probably been the most dysfunctional crew that the Dead Man Walking has assembled, but at least the guys from the ‘70’s and ‘80’s knew how to win football games.

Projected Final Score: Cincinnati 21, Oakland 10

San Diego -2.5 At Denver 44.5

The Broncos have a chance to forestall the inevitable rise of the Chargers this week, but after their dreadful showing in Washington last week it’s hard to see how they’ll be able to hold back the tide. Orton is doubtful after an ankle sprain, so the Broncos’ offense may sputter under Chris Simms, The Chargers are finally on a roll in the AFC West, having two straight wins over quality opponents and barring a lack of oxygen from the Mile High air, they ought to be looking to put a stomping on the Broncos this week.

Projected Final Score: San Diego 27, Denver 20

Philadelphia -2.5 At Chicago 45

The Bears should be hanging their heads in shame after Thursday night’s awful showing in San Francisco, then again, maybe they’re just a lousy football team. Cutler had an awful game and should hope that that’s a one-time deal or he’ll be eaten alive by the angry Bears’ fans. The Eagles were on a roll before hitting a brick wall in San Diego and now they have to rebound to keep their hopes alive in the NFC East chase. McNabb comes back home and puts on a show for the Soldier Field crowd.

Projected Final Score: Philadelphia 24, Chicago 20