Welcome to SLICED SPREAD, the place on Inside Pulse Sports for weekly NFL picks against the spread, head to head survivor picks, and score prognostications. For the second straight week, I went 8-6 against the spread and 2-1 in locks / best bets. I also nailed my Survivor Pick because I knew that my hometown favorite New York Jets were going to lose easily out west as they are just in shambles right now at the most important position on the field.
Before I give you my Week 11 picks and predictions, I just want to say thank you again to everyone who showed their support and concern for the Hurricane Sandy victims out here in Long Island. Again, if you can, please donate to the Red Cross, as so many people are displaced in shelters or freezing or hungry or homeless.
Now, onto the picks!
Home teams are shown in CAPs
Thursday Night Football:
BUFFALO (-1.5) over Miami — The Bills showed some life last week, Miami didn’t. The points don’t scare me here, and neither do the Dolphins. Bills win 24-19
Sunday:
Arizona (+9.5) over ATLANTA — The Falcons should bounce back from their first loss of the season, but the question is by how much? Falcons win 31-23
Cleveland (+7.5) over DALLAS — The Cowboys finally found a team on a worse roll than them last week to beat up. I sense a little bit of a letdown here that gives the Browns the cover, and maybe even a chance to win. Cowboys win 28-21
WASHINGTON (-3.5) over Philadelphia — The Eagles burned me last week. Now, their losing streak is entering epic territory, especially with Michael Vick out as QB. Redskins win 27-17
*LOCK IT UP: Green Bay (-3.5) over DETROIT — The Packers will be well-rested and they need this game to gain some ground on the Bears. Packers win 34-24
*LOCK IT UP: Tampa Bay (-0.5) over CAROLINA — The Buccaneers have really played well lately, and Cam Newton still doesn’t know how to win consistently, if at all, in the NFL. Bucs win 23-20
*UNTOUCHABLE SPREAD OF THE WEEK: HOUSTON (-15.5) over Jacksonville — No way I am touching that spread, mismatches or not. But if I had to pick… Texans win 31-10
Cincinnati (-3.5) over KANSAS CITY — The Chiefs played hard against the Steelers on Monday night, but after the Bengals picked apart the Giants I can’t see this game shaking out in any kind of surprising fashion. It will be a little close though against the spread. Bengals win 24-16
Indianapolis (+9.5) over NEW ENGLAND — Andrew Luck is not the kind of guy to be intimidated. Based on what I’ve seen from him this season, I think he relishes this kind of spotlight, rather than runs away from it. And you know what? The Pats aren’t unbeatable anymore as we’ve seen this season. Therefore, I am going with a flat-out upset. Colts win 29-26
*LOCK IT UP:/H2H SURVIVOR PICK: ST. LOUIS (-3.5) over NY Jets — The Jets can’t do or say anything right anymore. Rams win 24-13
New Orleans (-4.5) over OAKLAND — The Saints need every win they can get, so they can’t afford to slack off. Drew Brees wins out west. Saints win 31-23
DENVER (-7.5) over San Diego — Talk about two teams going in opposite directions. Division game scares me enough to not lock this up, but… Broncos win 42-20
Sunday Night Football:
Baltimore (-2.5) over PITTSBURGH — Love the Ravens to step up and take down Pittsburgh while Big Ben is hobbled. Ravens win 26-15
Monday Night Football:
SAN FRANCISCO (-5.5) over Chicago — The Bears are in a tough spot with Jay Cutler concussed. The Niners will show no mercy. Niners win 24-13
That’s all for this week’s edition of SLICED SPREAD.
See you next week — CB.
