2008 NFL ATS Pick 'Em: Week 11

What up peeps. Matt Barnes here. For those who I have not yet met, your loss. No, I'm kidding. Glad to take this off the hands of Luke for a week as he celebrates his final weekend as an undergraduate student. It has to feel pretty good, considering the guy has attended two universities, had three different majors, and six different residences. Too bad he has no real future in life huh?

But enough potshots at my friend Luke, time to get to business. The ATS season is heading to the stretch run. No more bye weeks so a full slate of 16 games each week. Some started out strong with the solid Jets pick. Others, like myself, already find themselves in the hole.

After ten weeks, Josh is our leader. Justin was at the top but after a Detroit Lions-like 3-11 performance last week, he is now in fifth. Meanwhile, you know the saying that if you're not the lead dog, the view stays the same? Well, right now, I have 19 white asses in front of my face. (Yeah, I can say that cause I'm the only black guy, hell, just call me token).

But enough chit chat, on to the picks. Some of the usual special sections are extinct this week. Why? I don't know. Maybe because I'm not worthy of such hilarity. Plus, comments were scarce, even from "Mr. Reliable" Jake. Regardless, the post must go on...

New York Jets @ New England Patriots (-3)

Maxine Hunt Pick of the Week -- Almost 1 p.m. when making the pick, so she took the first game. "Benny and the Jets" -- and she was singing it. You bet, Maxine Hunt singing "Benny and the Jets." Suddenly I flashed forward to some kind of family reunion. I guess I'm having LOST withdrawal or something.

NYJ: Chewy, Hunt, Jeff, Polito, Braves, Bursa, Sara, Luke, Josh
NE: Barnes, Lucius, Brian, Devin, Rapking, Jake, Shane, Justin, Grothaus, Curtis, Bart

Denver Broncos @ Atlanta Falcons (-6)

When I look at this game, all I can think of is that Super Bowl game between the two just 10 years ago. But even more memorable, that damn dirty bird dance that swept a nation. For the love of God, I hope someone brings that back. My Pick: ATL (-6)

Devin: "Good things are happening in Atlanta. Denver probably wont throw for 450 yds this week" Well, considering Denver has no run game, it's possible.

Hunt: "Originally went with the Falcons on this one, but then changed to the Broncos after finding out the Falcons have a worse passing defense than the Browns do. And that's counting the Browns' game against the Broncos last week, when Cleveland KNEW the running game would be absent." Oh to be a Browns fan...

Luke: "Jay Cutler > Matt Ryan. It's that simple" Denver run game <>

DEN: Lucius, Hunt, Bursa, Luke, Chewy, Jake, Shane
ATL: Barnes, Jeff, Devin, Rapking, Polito, Justin, Bart, Sara, Josh, Braves, Brian

Oakland Raiders @ Miami Dolphins (-10.5)

Another West Coast team traveling to the East Coast for an early start. So far, West Coast has yet to win so Raiders will lose. And since they are the Raiders, they probably lose bad. My Pick: MIA (-10.5)

Devin: "Please lose by less than 10. Please." Sounds like someone is begging.

Kevin: "Wildcats offense jumps out from behind the couch in this game. Yeah, you have to be a loyal reader of my comments to get that one (see: Dallas-St. Louis pick from Week 7)."

Luke: 'Too many points for a Miami team I don't trust. Wouldn't surprise me if the Raiders won straight up. Actually, on second thought, it probably would." Yeah, that would be a huge surprise. Quick, name 3 players on the Raiders defense!

OAK: Lucius, Devin, Sara, Josh, Braves, Luke, Chewy, Brian
MIA: Barnes, Hunt, Jeff, Polito, Bursa, Bart, Sara, Jake, Shane

Baltimore Ravens @ New York Giants (-6.5)

Yet another Super Bowl rematch from the past 10 years. This Super Bowl sucked though. In fact, the most exciting thing about his Super Bowl was the halftime show. Aerosmith, Britney Spears, N'Sync, Nelly and Mary J. Blige. Now that's a halftime show. My Pick: NYG (-6.5)

Devin: "I know they are going to lose one of these games." Not sure which team you're even talking about.

Kevin: "Q: Why wouldn't you want to be a receiver for the Ravens?
A: You'd always be catching Flacco.

OK, so it was a bad joke (but don't be surprised to see that as a headline somewhere eventually). If you want another reason for my pick, I just remembered my last night in Australia, we went to a bar with some random band thrown together on stage. It was more of a DJ rapping out to random mixes. His shirt said Zoo York and I remember simply yelling it. A lot. So I'm taking Zoo York." As if the joke wasn't bad enough, the story and reasoning for the pick take it a step further

Luke: "I should be a fan of the Ravens for knocking out Derek Anderson from my life, but they still have Ray Lewis." Yeah, and he killed a guy

BAL: Lucius, Justin, Jake
NYG: Everyone Else

Houston Texans @ Indianapolis Colts (-8.5)

Just going to point out one thing. The first name of the quarterback of the Texans is Sage. That's the same name as an herb used for seasoning of food. 'Nuff said. My Pick: IND (-8.5)

Devin: "I hate Peyton. Has worked so far." Do you hate Peyton the QB or Peyton the commercial whore? Cause those are two different people. I prefer the QB.

Kevin: "Too bad the Texans couldn't keep Sage Rosenfels out of the lineup more often this season. Same goes for Ahman Green. There was a Ron Dayne sighting in Madison this week. Did you know he supposedly talked with the Titans before this season started? Tennessee was worried about Lendale White coming off a knee injury. I guess all the right choices were made in that scenario. Including the part that sent Ron Dayne back to the home of his alma mater. Life is good.

This was a close, amazing game when these teams played earlier this season. This could be a much higher margin of defeat for the Colts as long as Marvin Harrison is all there and not concussed." God, Ron Dayne has to be pushing 400 lbs these days
HOU: Lucius, Devin, Rapking, Polito, Josh
IND: Barnes, Hunt, Jeff, Justin, Bursa, Bart, Sara, Braves, Luke, Chewy, Jake, Brian, Shane

Chicago Bears @ Green Bay Packers (-4)

I feel bad for Jake. So just for him and his sanity, I'm gonna take the Packers. That and I just can't believe Rex Grossman is starting another game in the NFL. My Pick: GB (-4)

Kevin: "Back the Pack cause the Pack is Back! How was this line formulated? Anyone? Anyone? Bueller?" Sounds like a job for Wikipedia

Luke: "REX GROSSMAN ON THE ROAD!" LOUD NOISES!

CHI: Jeff, Devin, Rapking, Sara, Braves, Chewy, Jake
GB: Matt, Lucius, Hunt, Polito, Justin, Bursa, Bart, Josh, Luke, Brian, Shane

Philadelphia Eagles (-9) @ Cincinnati Bengals

The final 7 games of Marvin Lewis' run with the Bengals start. Unless he pulls out a miracle and wins them all. My Pick: CIN (+9)

Devin: "Now that the Bengals won one they can go back to losing by 30pts per game." That or they keep winning. Haha, yeah, that's not happening.

Kevin: "You said you wanted Luke to end his college career with a bang, so I'm taking the Bang-als. If I lose this pick, I blame Luke. And Corey Taylor. And Bursa." Pressure is on boys. Even on Corey who isn't even in the league. Ouch.

PHI: Lucius, Devin, Sara, Josh, Chewy, Jake, Brian, Shane
CIN: Barnes, Hunt, Jeff, Rapking, Polito, Justin, Bursa, Bart, Braves, Luke

New Orleans Saints (-5) @ Kansas City Chiefs

Anyone else disappointed that Herm hasn't gone crazy yet? He's due for a press conference meltdown soon. Maybe after Drew Brees throws for 450 yds this week, it'll finally come. My Pick: NO (-5)

Devin: "KC is due for a 30pt beat down. Herm is due for some great quotes and a new job." Amen brother. This could be really ugly

Kevin: "Ballbuster Pick of the Week: Picking the 8th game because I had a sweeps piece that was 8 minutes long tonight. It was a one-on-one interview with the Madison Police Chief, who's starting his 25th year in Madison PD. So I'm taking the team whose #25 has been around longer. Reggie Bush? Or rookie Jamaal Charles? Saints it is. (Side note: I can't seem to remember too much about the USC vs. Notre Dame game from 2005 -- the one some called, "The Game of the Century" -- and what was written after that game. I was glad to find out that at least wikipedia called the final scoring play, "The Bush Push." If not, I would have been highly disappointed that no one came up with it earlier. No, I haven't forgiven him for it to this day, though I was glad that it was an incredible game -- at the time, the most watched college football game in nine years. Reggie, you can at least make up for SOME of it by getting me a win this week... in a game picked randomly... based off an NBC 15 sweeps piece.)"

Luke: "Have to love Herm going for two last week. Meanwhile, this spread seems suspiciously too low" Almost as good as them going for two is the fact that they missed an XP earlier. This team is miserable.

NO: Barnes, Lucius, Hunt, Jeff, Devin, Rapking, Polito, Bursa, Sara, Josh, Luke, Chewy, Jake, Shane
KC: Justin, Bart, Braves, Brian

Detroit Lions @ Carolina Panthers (-14)

I'm the lucky one who gets this dandy of a game at 1pm on FOX. Only thing that could make this game worth watching is Gus Johnson. My Pick: CAR (-14)

Devin: "Does Detroit get any points because Marinelli is trying hard. Come back and coach the d-line anytime you want coach." Yeah, he may have be in over his head

Kevin: "15 was too many points for the Chargers last week over the Chiefs (and, oddly enough, I'm listening to the song, "Fifteen" by Taylor Swift as I type this). 14, however, will be just fine for the Panthers. Don't be that surprised by the lack of passing game for Carolina last week -- the Raiders are the 13th ranked passing defense in the league and hold opposing QBs to the 12th lowest passer rating. But the Panthers rank 6th and 4th in those same categories, respectively. And they will face JaMarcus Russell (doubtful) or Andrew Walter (more likely) at home." Stop reading this when I read Taylor Swift

DET: Lucius, Polito, Justin, Bursa, Sara, Josh, Luke, Chewy, Shane
CAR: Barnes, Hunt, Jeff, Devin, Rapking, Bart, Sara, Jake, Braves, Brian

Minnesota Vikings @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers (-3.5)

Tough one to pick. The Vikings are playing good football finally. The Bucs are coming off a bye week so who knows what the hell to expect. I do like the mascot matchup though of Vikings vs. Buccaneers. Sounds like a good movie to me. My Pick: TB (-3.5)

Kevin: "And commence all of the automotive puns dealing with Cadillac Williams's return to the roster this week. Hopefully his partial season doesn't end up like the real-life automotive industry. Somewhere Henry Ford just took a straight shot of Wild Turkey (or the personal favorite of Lucius, Old Fitzgerald. If you ever have the opportunity to have some of that stuff, don't do it. Believe me, don't.)." Yea, Old Fitzgerald is no joke

Luke: "Yep, Adrian Peterson would have looked pretty good in a Browns uniform. Nice pick Phil." Correction: No one looks good in a Browns jersey.

MIN: Jeff, Devin, Polito, Braves, Luke, Brian, Shane
TB: Barnes, Lucius, Hunt, Rapking, Justin, Bursa, Bart, Sara, Josh, Chewy, Jake

St. Louis Rams @ San Francisco 49ers (-6)

When I first saw the Niners were favored, I couldn't believe it. But then I remembered just how bad the Rams defense is and got over it. My Pick: SF (-6)

Devin: "I hope I am wrong. Singletary needs a win and he needs to be the coach of the 49ers." Needs to? Why? So Coors Light has a new coach to make fun of?

Kevin: "I listened in to a conversation of about 20 minutes on Jonathan Taylor Thomas's (JTT) sexuality last week at a friend's apartment. I had no clue what anyone was really talking about or reasoning with and decided the only thing I could add would be a snide remark about how it must be something with the three-initial names, like JTO, or the quarterback formerly known as John Tremain.

Part of me wants to change this pick depending on Steven Jackson's status for the game. But seeing as how I'll probably forget, let this be a testament to all the work that I don't really put into these picks." Truly confused

STL: Hunt, Devin, Rapking, Justin, Josh, Braves, Brian
SF: Barnes, Lucius, Jeff, Polito, Bursa, Bart, Sara, Luke, Chewy, Jake, Shane

Arizona Cardinals (-3) @ Seattle Seahawks

Any other week, this is an easy pick. Cardinals are clearly the better team on paper but the impact of Matt Hasselback coming back and playing his first game at home in chilly Seattle makes this pick a toss-up. And for me, that means I'll make the wrong one. My Pick: AZ (-3)

Devin: "Arizona is good. Seattle sucks. Warner is MVPish. I cant name Seattle's QB." I call your bluff Frank

Kevin: "If the Cardinals decide to take the Broncos playbook and let Kurt Warner throw all day, it could be the worst thing ever for opposing defenses. Plus, the most exciting offense in the NFL to watch

Luke: "MVP for Kurt Warner. Get ready for Canton." Kurt Warner in the Hall of Fame? Say it ain't so
AZ: Barnes, Hunt, Lucius, Devin, Rapking, Polito, Braves, Luke, Chewy, Brian, Shane
SEA: Jeff, Justin, Bursa, Bart, Sara, Josh, Jake

Tennessee Titans (-3) @ Jacksonville Jaguars

The Jags were my Super Bowl pick. Yeah, laugh it up all you want. But you won't be laughing when they beat the Titans today. Maybe Jack Del Rio will lighten up after this win too. My Pick: JAX (+3)

Devin: "At 3 points I pick em till they lose. Unless apparently they are playing wyoming." Nice college football reference

Luke: "They just don't lose. It's that simple." Another bad use of the word "simple".

TEN: Lucius, Devin, Sara, Josh, Braves, Luke, Chewy, Jake, Shane
JAX: Barnes, Hunt, Jeff, Rapking, Polito, Justin, Bursa, Bart, Brian

San Diego Chargers @ Pittsburgh Steelers (-4.5)

Since it is a 4:15 start, the Chargers have a legit shot to win this game. But seriously, if they could barely put away the Chiefs in 4 quarters, what makes you think they can handle the Steelers? My Pick: PIT (-4.5)

Devin: "Who are the San Diego Chargers? Seriously. Any input would be greatly appreciated." Wikipedia says they are an NFL team

Kevin: "I'd like to take this opportunity to thank odds-makers for the half-point spread. Anything that doesn't end in a .5 means there can be ties. These scenarios enrage Lucius, who once told me that tying a game is worse than losing -- and that it was like kissing your sister.

This got me thinking -- what if you don't have a sister? Would you ever really, truly understand the meaning of that phrase? I motion to change the phrase to something else. I'll probably spend the rest of the NFL season trying to think one up." I'm on the edge of my seat

Luke: "No way am I backing Norv Turner on the road." I wouldn't back Norv Turner anywhere

SD: Lucius, Hunt, Jeff, Justin, Sara, Braves, Brian, Shane
PIT: Barnes, Devin, Rapking, Polito, Bursa, Bart, Josh, Luke, Chewy, Jake

Dallas Cowboys (-1) @ Washington Redskins

I'm looking at this game politically. I want Dallas (Dubya) to lose and Washington (our govt/economy) to recover from the Steelers loss. Plus, I don't think Tony Romo is the savior for this team. My Pick: WAS (+1)

Kevin: "Romo may be back. Portis may be out. That, and the next guy to go to Washington, Barack Obama, screwed me over on my picks last week. But whatever, he can do what he wants now. And that includes reminding me of the Dave Chappelle Racial Draft and thinking it's going to be Barack saying "For Shizzle" next (I fully expect the government to seek out this e-mail and arrest me by the end of next week). Bonus points for bringing up the Racial Draft

Luke: "Starting to get healthy ... I think." Well, according to Jessica Simpson in the latest US weekly...

DAL: Lucius, Hunt, Jeff, devin, Rapking, Polito, Braves, Luke, Shane
WAS: Barnes, Justin, Bursa, Bart, Sara, Josh, Chewy, Jake, Brian

Cleveland Browns @ Buffalo Bills (-5.5)

Browns on national TV again? Hasn't America suffered enough with the economy and all? Oh well, maybe we can another defensive collapse. Though this time, I'm thinking it's the Bills that do it. Curveballed ya huh? My Pick: CLE (+5.5)

Devin: "Still riding the Brady Quinn high. Maybe I should be riding the Browns defense low?" That doesn't sound like a fun ride at all

Kevin: I may be done-skis before this game even starts. I fully plan on needing to drink before, during and after this game. I'm sure that'll make for a pleasant Tuesday morning to start off my work week. But we all know I'll need it to get through this one." Not to mention the random rambling from Kornheiser in the booth are enough to make your head hurt

Luke: "So in one week I am backing the Browns, Lions, Raiders and the Bengals. This is not good." But you know what is good. You not taking anymore college classes

CLE: Barnes, Lucius, Hunt, Devin, Justin, Bursa, Sara, Josh, Luke, Chewy, Brian, Shane
BUF: Jeff, Rapking, Polito, Bart, Braves, Jake


Alright, if I screwed up, my bad. Check your picks to make sure. Enjoy the games everyone.