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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
SMART MAKES WATCHING NFL GAMES MORE FUN
Good
Luck with your NFL Football Wagering!
Lucky Lester
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