JetNation Week 11 Picks

By Nick Ferraro

Last Week:  Who cares?  — Year to Date: The season starts Sunday!

I’m taking a Mulligan on this season.  It’s time to change tactics, reorganize, and refocus.  No more will I attempt to handicap the unhandicappable.  I think I just created a new word in the English language – unhandicappable.  Feel free to use that one; I’m not copywriting it.   What I’m saying is: I am tired of trying to decode which unpredictable team will play well in a meaningless game. Who knows if teams like the Bills will cover against a team like the Cardinals, or if the enigmatic Texans will cover against a schizophrenic team like the Lions, and more importantly, who cares?   From this point forward you only get the best – a shorter list of picks focused only on the games and teams that can actually be figured out. 

Here are Week Eleven’s best:

Bengals at Saints (-3)
The Bengals have dropped their last three while allowing an average of 35 points per game.  They are now 1-5 after opening the season 3-0.  Their confidence, especially on defense, has to be at rock bottom, and their monumental collapse last week at home against San Diego has to affect them this week in New Orleans.  There is nothing worse than taking your act on the road after a loss like that.  The Saints will find the many holes in the Bengal defense, and the Saint’s 7th-rated defense against the pass will play well enough to hold down Palmer and company. 
Saints 36 Bengals 24

Chargers at Broncos (-2.5)
The Chargers made a historic comeback in Cincinnati last week and have to come into this game on a high.  The comeback, however, hides and important question: where has the Charger’s defense gone?  The Bolts have allowed 30 points per game over their last four contests.  The anemic Brown’s even notched 25 on them at San Diego.  Injuries and suspensions have stripped the Bolts down up front.  Denver has struggled offensively, but they will find running room against the depleted Charger front.  The Broncos have beaten San Diego in six of their last seven matchups.  They have been able to contain Tomlinson, and put the focus on a weak receiving core for the Bolts.  That formula will produce another win in surprisingly easy fashion for the Broncos on Sunday night.
Broncos 28 Chargers 13