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As
you well know, I was 6-8 last week
putting me dead even at 68-68-5 for
the season. I made some good bets, and some
bets that didn't turn out so well. Another
week, another set of predictions. This boat
continues to sail. We're back to a league
without bye weeks, which means... More games
to win!
SUPER
DUPER PICKS:
Chargers(-4)
@ Raiders - This is my game of the week.
That doesn't always mean good things, but
this one looks like a no-brainer. The Chargers
have looked like a contender week in and
week out. The Raiders have looked like a
team without a go-to-guy, and without leadership.
Drew Brees has been awesome, and there's
no reason that should stop this week against
one of the leagues worst defenses. Brees
has been on fire, and with the health of
Ladainian Tomlinson getting better and better,
he should have tons of open field to work
with. Tomlinson should be big, but Brees
will shred the Raider D. Four points is
nothing in this one.
Game Date: 11/21/04 16:05 ET
Falcons(-2.5)
@ Giants - The Giants are without Michael
Strahand, and are starting rookie Eli Manning.
That should be enough to take the 7-2 Falcons
right there. But, there is more. Aside from
the game against The Chiefs in week 7, the
Falcons D has stymied opposing rushers.
If all The Giants have going for them is
Tiki Barbar, what should happen this week?
Obviously, with the benching of Warner,
The Giants have decided that Eli is the
future, and if the now has to suffer, then
so be it. It's either that, or they are
real jealous of what Big Ben has done for
his team in Pittsburgh, and want to give
their rookie a shot to do the same. Eli
should have trouble against Atlanta. The
NY D should have trouble against Vick. This
is also a no-brainer.
Game Date: 11/21/04 16:15 ET
Steelers(-4)
@ Bengals - The Steelers are much better
than the Bengals. They have an offense that
can beat you in multiple ways, and a defense
that can shut any team down. Big Ben has
gone 7-0 in his first 7 starts. He hasn't
been perfect, but he is in an offense where
he doesn't have to throw 30 times to win.
He just gets the job done week after week
and has proven to be a leader. I expect
Roethlisberger to air it out against the
Bengals who will try to load up against
the run. Then watch Bettis pound his way
through a sub par run defense anyway. The
Bengals have done all right of late, winning
two in a row. But, the Cowboys and the Redskins
aren't the Steelers, lets make that clear
right now. Game Date: 11/21/04 13:00
ET
Packers(-3)
@ Texans - I've been taking The Texans all
year. I don't know if they've convinced
me to go with someone else, lately, or if
Brett Favre is just playing too good. Either
way, I'm taking the Packers. Brett and Ahman
have looked like a couple of Super Heroes
in recent weeks, and David Carr has looked
a lot like the rookie he was three years
ago. There is always a chance for an upset
here, but three points is too close not
to take the Packers. The Pack broke my balls
last week, but a win this week will at least
pay for the doctor bills.
Game Date: 11/21/04 20:35 ET
Patriots(-3)
@ Chiefs - The Patriots defense isn't The
Saints defense. Derrick Blaylock will find
that out this Sunday. The Chiefs will also
realize that Derrick Blaylock is no Priest
Holmes. He was damn good last week, but
like I said, those were The Saints. Even
against The Saints, and with over 200 yards
of offense from Blaylock, the Chiefs still
couldn't win. I don't know what makes anybody
think they'll stay in a game with a championship
team like The Pats. I sure don't. Take the
Patriots here. They should obliterate an
inferior defense.
Game Date: 11/22/04 21:05 ET
Lucky
Lester's Picks For Week Eleven
Redskins
@ Eagles(-10.5) - The Redskins against
anybody right now would look good if you
took the anybody. I've got to be honest,
if the Eagles were favored by 20 in this
one, I would have a hell of a time going
with The Skins. They are horrible offensively.
Although they play tough on the other side
of the ball, their offense gives up too
much to ever give the D a chance. The Eagles
are too good and The Redskins are too bad
to go any other way with this game. 10.5
points is a lot, but the game is in Philly.
They are at least that much better then
the Redskins.
Game Date: 11/21/04 16:15 ET
Rams(-1.5)
@ Bills - The Rams took the W against the
Seahawks last week. Although they are bad
away from the fast turf in St. Louis, and
have been known to be off and on, they are
still much better than The Bills. Buffalo
was shown up by The Patriots last week,
when Cory Dillon rushed for 144 yards against
them. Drew Bledsoe got the hook late, but
this week it could be early. I'm rooting
for The Bills here, not because I like them,
but because they are giving their #1 draft
pick to the Cowboys next year. With that
said, I don't give them an honest chance
this weekend. They are bad, and The Rams
are decent, at least. I predict a Rams victory.
I also predict a JP Losman sighting early.
I also predict Losman will gain more rushing
yards than Bledsoe has in his career. I'm
not sure how many yards that is, but if
it's more than 40 I'd be flabbergasted!
Game Date: 11/21/04 13:00 ET
Cowboys@
Ravens(- 8) - We all know how I feel
about The Cowboys, but I'm not sure The
Ravens can handle the 8 point spread. Then
I realize that even Kyle Boller will have
a field day against the Cowboy's beleaguered
secondary. Couple that with an angry Jamal
Lewis and, hey, the Ravens should actually
move the ball this week. Even more lopsided
is the prospect of Vinnie Testaverde and
Eddie George coping with the lethal Raven
defense in Baltimore. Bill Parcells has
aged visibly trying to coach this "stupid"
Cowboy team. Don't expect them to get smart
this week against the Ravens. Game Date:
11/21/04 13:00 ET
Jets(even)
@ Browns - The Jets showed that they can
perform last week against a tough Ravens
team. Their D was tight, holding Jamal Lewis
to 70 yards on 30 rushes. They also held
Kyle Boller to low numbers... okay, okay,
who cares about that last one, but they
were tough. Quincy Carter let it be known
that he is no slouch. He can handle the
Jets while Pennington is out, especially
with Curtis Martin in the backfield. Curtis
ran for 110 yards last week against the
Ravens. He's a stud! The Browns should help
the Jets end their slide. NY is the better
team here.
Game Date: 11/21/04 13:00 ET
Lions
@ Vikings(-7.5) - The Vikings have
had trouble winning ball games lately, but
they've been in every one besides the Giants
game in week 8. The Lions had a terrible
game last week, and if it weren't for punt
returns they wouldn't have produced a touchdown.
They also lost to the Redskins two weeks
ago, and the Cowboys the week before that.
I can't see them playing tight with a Vikings
team that has something to prove this week.
The Lions are still a year away, and the
Vikings should demonstrate that to them
on Sunday. Culpepper will win without Moss
this week, and it should be by a large margin.
Game Date: 11/21/04 13:00 ET
Colts(-7.5)
@ Bears - The Colts stuck it to The Texans
last week. But where has Marvin Harrison
gone? He had 22 yards last week, for God's
sake. Those aren't numbers a number one
receiver gets, (unless you're David Terrell),
and especially not receivers who have been
the best in the league for the last three
years. Look for Peyton to utilize Marvin
a little more against The Bears this week.
I'd bet he posts more touchdowns than the
Bears manage as a team. The Bears can't
ride Craig Krenzel another week. They will
lose this week, and I'm guessing the game
is a laugher. If The Bears win this game,
I will be tempted to scream at Grandma!
Game Date: 11/21/04 13:00 ET
49ers
@ Buccaneers(-8) - I've said the
Buccaneers aren't good enough to be 7 point
favorites against anybody... but I forgot
about the Niners. The Bucs should shred
a defense that has only gotten worse as
the season has progressed. Neither Tim Rattay
nor Ken Dorsey (especially not Ken Dorsey)
should be able to do jack against the Bucs
D that still brings it on Sunday. The Bucs
got beat by a good Falcons team last week,
but should find life easier in week 11.
Pittman will be back to gaining big yards,
and Griese (yes Brian Griese) will be tossing
the pigskin to rookie Mark Clayton. Game
Date: 11/21/04 13:00 ET
Broncos(-4) @ Saints - The Broncos
beat the crap out of Houston before their
bye week. Although they have been inconsistent
at times this season, Denver should be able
to take advantage of quite possibly the
worst defense in football. (That counts
college) The Saints gave up 225 yards of
offense to a backup running back last week.
Reuben Droughns should rush for upwards
of 175 yards in week 11. Jake Plummer will
finally have a good game on the road. The
Saints, well, my guess is they underachieve,
disappoint fans, and make plans to do the
same thing again next year. But hey…
I'm only going by their history. Game
Date: 11/21/04 13:00 ET
Dolphins
@ Seahawks(-10) - Last week, The
Seahawks looked as bad as they have looked
in years. Hasselbeck brought me back to
the days when I was asking why Holmgren
brought him to Seattle in the first place.
Last year he was great near the end, and
almost beat a good Green Bay team in the
playoffs. He was oozing with confidence,
and leading his team. This year, at least
lately, has been a little different. He
has looked pathetic. My thinking is, he
can only go up from here. He's a competitor,
and he's playing against the definition
of a lost team. Miami's defense is horrid
against the run, which will allow the leagues
leading rusher, Shaun Alexander, to be the
man on Sunday. This will only help Matt
and The Hawks. Look for a winning streak
to start on Sunday. Game Date: 11/21/04
16:05 ET
Tennessee
@ Jacksonville (no line) - Last week
against The Bears, Tennessee gave up virtually
nothing as far as yardage is concerned.
Keith Bullock said himself, "The defense
only gave up 3 points." That wasn't
all. They held Craig Krenzel to a 17 quarterback
rating. They also limited The Bears to only
160 yards of total offense. But, they still
found a way to lose. (An overtime safety…
ouch) So, with this in mind, and the fact
that Jacksonville always seems to find a
way to win, I have to take The Jags. Fred
Taylor looked awesome last week, and David
Garrard looked good as well. The Titans
have found ways to lose all season; I see
that trend continuing on Sunday. Game
Date: 11/21/04 13:00 ET
Arizona
(no line) @ Carolina - Carolina finally
got a win last week. It was against a pathetic
49er squad, but it was a win. I guess someone
has to win those games. Arizona has played
pretty well all season. By giving the ball
to "The Emmitt Smith" they have
gotten some W's and with a late season surge
could stumble into the playoffs. Anquan
Boldin is back, and things are looking pretty
good. They are 4-5, and look tough under
Dennis Green. Carolina has no running back,
their top receiver is out, their o-line
is depleted, and their defense is only a
splinter of the solid unit they were a year
ago. Look for Arizona to squeak this one
out.
Game Date: 11/21/04 13:00 ET
WAGERING
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Luck with your NFL Football Wagering!
Lucky Lester
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