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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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