Week 11 picks: Will Oakland beat Big Ben again?

By Jeff

The Pittsburgh Steelers play a surprising Oakland Raiders team this week. They're surprising because they are currently 5-4. The Raiders haven't won more than five games in a season since they went to the Super Bowl in 2002. Now just add the fact that Ben Roethlisberger has yet to beat the Raiders in his career, and you have a decent game this weekend. It should be noted that in one of those Raiders wins, they only needed 98 yards of offense. Roethlisberger's poor performance provided them with the rest of their points.

You're not the only one who's surprised
you're 0-2 against the Raiders.

The unpredictability of the Steelers-Raiders game is just another example of how crazy the league is this year. No team has really stood out as the favorite. The New England Patriots are getting stomped by the Cleveland Browns one week, and then turning around and burning the Steelers the next. The New York Giants looked terrible early on, then were looking unstoppable, but went back to suck last weekend. It's one of the craziest seasons I've witnessed. Even the Browns look, dare I say it, good some weeks. It makes the impending 2011 lockout that much more frustrating.

As for my picks, well they are a lot more predictable. By now, you know they are as reliable as Greg Oden's knees (He's out for the season again.). Last week I was 6-8, bringing my season total to 59-79-5. Vegas would own my house if I had one.

The big miss last week was taking Kansas City to beat Denver. The Broncos had a 35-0 lead by the early second quarter and it was never a game. That's why you never bet against Kyle Orton at home!

Week 11's picks are below and the home teams are in all caps.

There was a picture of Thigpen being inappropriate with
a skeleton, but I felt dirty posting it.

Chicago (+1.5) over MIAMI: Let the Tyler Thigpen era begin in Miami! The guy was a fantasy MVP a few years back with Kansas City, but he's not an accurate passer and I expect this to be a low scoring affair. It pains me to side with Jay Cutler.

PITTSBURGH (-7) over Oakland: The Raiders need to run the ball to win, and they won't be able to do it against the Steelers. Nevermind that BenJarvus Green-Ellis had a good game last week. The Steelers were way too worried about Tom Brady picking them apart to pay any attention to the running game. Jason Campbell won't command that kind of respect. By the way, anyone think that Campbell is pissed off that Cam Newton received a better deal at Auburn than Campbell did. Zing!

NEW YORK JETS (-7) over Houston: We really haven't heard Darrelle Revis' name that often this season. We heard all about him and his holdout in the offseason, but not so much once he got on the field. That doesn't matter though, the Texans are struggling, Matt Schaub's knee is bothering him and Santonio Holmes is starting to click with Mark Sanchez. Don't be surprised if Gary Kubiak puts his house up for sale after Sunday.

Baltimore (-10) over CAROLINA: Well, Tony Pike didn't start for Carolina last week, but he might this week. I stand by my statement that a team considering Tony Pike should never be picked to win or cover.

Give me a contract potentially worth $80 million
and I'd be this happy too.

TENNESSEE (-7) over Washington: Donovan McNabb did not have a bad game last week as his three picks might suggest. One bounced off his receiver's hands and a receiver was benched for running the wrong route on another. That doesn't change the fact that the team let Michael Vick do whatever he wanted to them. Vince Young won't be as successful, but he'll do enough to cover.

Detroit (+6.5) over DALLAS: HUGE matchup between Jon Kitna and his former team. Well, not really. Just a meaningless game for two teams with a combined record of 4-14. Moving on.

Green Bay (-3) over MINNESOTA: Why does the media fall for it every time. We're not even done with this season and they are trying to get a scoop on if Brett Favre is coming back next year or not. Why do you keep doing that to yourself, Ed Werder? Why!?!

Buffalo (+5.5) over CINCINNATI: Watch Carson Palmer and T.O. rack up big numbers after the Bills jump out to a big lead.

JACKSONVILLE (-1.5) over Cleveland: Only three teams with winning records have been cumulatively outscored this season. The Jaguars are one of them. So either they win a close one, or they get crushed. They're at home, so I'm picking the former.

Arizona (+8) over KANSAS CITY: No logic here. I Just don't like the way the Chiefs are trending.

Apparently, the key to stopping Bush is tickling.

NEW ORLEANS (-11.5) over Seattle: Reggie Bush vs. his college coach. It's not really much of a storyline, but could you find anything else about this game to get excited about?

Atlanta (-3) over ST. LOUIS: The Falcons are just too balanced for the Rams defense. If they try to take Roddy White out of the game, Michael Turner will beat them. If they stack the box against Turner, Matt Ryan will be happy to toss the ball up to White all day. Anyone else surprised there hasn't been a "Mayne Event" with Ryan "Matty Ice" icing other players around the league? Can we make this happen, please?

Tampa Bay (+3) over SAN FRANCISCO: If you don't play fantasy football, you probably have no idea how good of a season Frank Gore is having. He has almost 1,200 yards from scrimmage and five total touchdowns despite the other team knowing he is the 49ers go-to weapon. Too bad for Gore his team loses another close one this week.

Indianapolis (+3.5) over New England: It was the .5 that did it for me!

New York Giants (+3) over PHILADELPHIA: Going out on a limb here, but I think Michael Vick has an off game here. With all the hype he is receiving following his incredible performance Monday, I think  he is due to have his first turnover (or two). Then again, I have never have any idea what the Giants are going to do.

Denver (+10) over SAN DIEGO: I might be putting too much faith in Champ Bailey.

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