Predictions For Week 11 In The NFL

Welcome back to Touchdowns and Kicks with Jimmy G: Predictions Edition.

How did I do with my predictions last week? Only a 7-7 record, which is a huge comedown from the combined 20-7 the previous 2 weeks. Overall record: 52-30 (63.4%)

Any questions or comments: send them to me at jimmy.garoufalis@team990.com. I will have an e-mailbag with next week’s predictions.

Anyway, here we go with Week 11.

Giants over the Lions: The biggest game of the week. Winner gets to 7-3, one game up on the loser for the first wild card spot, potentially two games up on the 2nd wild card depending on the outcome of the Skins-Cowboys game.

Cowboys over the Redskins: If I cannot trust Joe Gibbs to make the right decisions to pull out a 4th quarter victory over the Giants, Packers and Eagles, how can I trust that Gibbs will prepare his team to compete, let alone win against the powerhouse Cowboys.

Bucs over the Falcons: Believe it or not, the Falcons are still very much alive in the playoff race. They trail the the Buccaneers by two games and they play them twice, this one being the first. The Bucs will win this game though. A week off to heel and prepare should be the difference.

Eagles over the Dolphins: If the Eagles win to get to 5-5, then they would be one game back in the playoff race. Teams that desperately need to win cannot lose to winless teams. Buffalo and the Saints were in the exact same position last week. The Bills won, the Saints lost. Eagles win because they need it more.

Jaguars over the Chargers: The Chargers offense looks horrible, surprising for a Norv Turner team. The Jags cannot throw the ball, although David Garrard is supposed to come back after four weeks on the injured list. He’ll make a huge difference.

Bengals over the Cardinals: The Cards lose when they should win and they win when they should lose. They should win this game, so they’ll lose. Get it. Got it. Good.

Bears over the Seahawks: Simply put, the Bears need to win. Badly. Seattle plays in a weak division, so they can afford to stink up the place and still make the playoffs.

Patriots over the Bills: I’d love to choose the Bills as an upset special, which would make them 6-4 and place them smack dab in the middle of the playoff race. But have you seen the Patriots play?

Rams over the 49ers: The 49ers have given up. What reasons can I give to support my thesis? They played the Seahawks on Monday night, prime time baby, prime time. Their coach stuck with the team even though his dad died. Final score: 49ers lose by 24. If these two factors don’t combine to motivate a team, then what the hell can?

Raiders over the Vikings: The Raiders have blown a 4th quarter lead four times. Imagine if they had held serve just twice, they’d be one game back of the division lead. The Vikes can run the ball, but at quarterback they have to choose between Tarvaris Jackson (not ready for the NFL) Koy Detmer (never ready for the NFL) and Brooks Bollinger (nothing to be said)

Colts over Chiefs: Both teams are on two game losing streaks, both teams are banged up. The difference will be Brodie Croyle: his first game as a starter will be a learning experience. There are easier teams to learn against then the Colts.

Packers over the Panthers: I believe in Brett Favre. Even though he’s made a bunch of rookie mistakes, the Packers continue to win. They are certainly not going to lose to Carolina.

Browns over the Ravens: based on their killer schedule, the Ravens are done for even if they win this game. Steve McNair is not the answer, Kyle Boller has never been the answer.

Texans over the Saints: the Texans need this game more than the Saints do, since they are going after the wild card. The Saints can make the playoffs only as a division winner and their division is weak.

In other games: Titans over Broncos, Steelers over Jets.

That’s it for me. Come back to my blog Monday afternoon when I post my thoughts on Sunday’s games. Any comments or questions: email them to me at jimmy.garoufalis@team990.com