NFL Pick 'em 2011: Week 11 (THURSDAY NIGHT GAME!)

[Park Kraken]

I'll let Dragon post the updated stats and streaks, but this needs to get put up so people can post their Thursday picks.

Thu
NYJ @ DEN

Sun
CAR @ DET
OAK @ MIN
BUF @ MIA
DAL @ WAS
TB @ GB
JAX @ CLE
CIN @ BAL

SEA @ STL
ARI @ SF
TEN @ ATL
SD @ CHI

PHI @ NYG

Mon
KC @ NE

Byes: Texans, Colts, Saints, Steelers.

[Figrin D'an]

NYJ (W) @ DEN - If Sanchez can't outduel Tebow, there's no hope for the Jets QB.

[Dragon]

Thank goodness the Steelers finally get their bye. I hope Lamar Woodley and Emmanuel Sanders will be healthy on the other end of it, and Ben and the offensive line certainly could use the rest.

NYJ WIN @ DEN - I'd love to pick the Broncos here, but unfortunately they're not playing another horrible AFC West opponent this time.

[Kyran O'Hurn]

Thu
NYJ W @ DEN

Sun
CAR @ DET W
OAK W @ MIN
BUF W @ MIA
DAL W @ WAS - Though it would be like DAL to choke this one after last week's big win
TB @ GB W
JAX @ W CLE
CIN @ W BAL

SEA @ W STL
ARI @ W SF
TEN @ W ATL
SD @ W CHI
PHI @ W NYG

Mon
KC @ NE W

Survivor: NE

[Miranda Tarkin]

Thu
NYJ (W) @ DEN

[Nathanial K'cansce]

Thu
(W) NYJ @ DEN

Sun
CAR @ DET (W)
(W) OAK @ MIN
(W) BUF @ MIA
(W) DAL @ WAS
TB @ GB (W)
JAX @ CLE (W)
CIN @ BAL (W)

SEA @ STL (W)
ARI @ SF (W)
TEN @ ATL (W)
SD @ CHI (W)

PHI @ NYG (W)

Mon
KC @ NE (W)

[Morgan Evanar]

NYJ WIN @ DEN - Denver isn't good.

Sun
CAR @ DET WIN - Detroit, despite their recent struggles, will pour over Carolina's defense.
OAK WIN @ MIN - Carson Palmer plays well.
BUF WIN@ MIA - Yeah, no.
DAL WIN@ WAS - Washington is dreadful.
TB @ GB WIN - Tampa has regressed badly this year.
JAX WIN@ CLE - flip a coin.
CIN WIN@ BAL - damminit.

SEA WIN@ STL - As bad as Seattle can be I can't see them losing to STL, unless SJax murders them.
ARI @ SF WIN - San Fran keeps rolling.
TEN @ ATL WIN - Ten isn't as dangerous as New Orleans.
SD @ CHI WIN - San Diego has been iffy, and Da Bears are rolling again.

PHI @ NYG WIN - Paragons of inconsistency.

Mon
KC @ NE WIN - blerghghgh NE has been inconsistent but Tawm Bwady.

[Park Kraken]

Thu
NYJ (W) @ DEN

Sun
CAR (W) @ DET
OAK (W) @ MIN
BUF @ MIA (W)
DAL (W) @ WAS
TB (W) @ GB
JAX (W) @ CLE
CIN @ BAL (W)

SEA (W) @ STL
ARI @ SF (W)
TEN @ ATL (W)
SD @ CHI (W)

PHI @ NYG (W)

Mon
KC @ NE (W)

Seppu: KC

[Rutabaga]

Thu
NYJ WIN @ DEN

[Yog]

NYJ (W) @ DEN

Broncos are terrible.

[Jedi Master Carr]

Thu
W NYJ @ DEN

Sun
CAR @ DET W
W OAK @ MIN
BUF @ MIA W
W DAL @ WAS
TB @ GB W
JAX @ CLE W
CIN @ BAL w

SEA @ STL W
ARI @ SF W
TEN @ ATL W
SD @ CHI W

PHI @ NYG W

Mon
KC @ NE W

[Mu Satach]

NYJ WIN @ DEN - Denver isn't good.


Wot 'e said.

[Aurelias Kazaar]

DEN will do rest later

[Ryan Pode]

NYJ. Rest later.

[Lykaios]

Jets. Rest to come later

[Liam Jinn]

Jets, rest later

[jjwr]

Denver for tonight

[Dragon]

Wow. I thought going into this game that the Broncos matched up well against the Jets' weaknesses, but I also thought the Broncos had enough weaknesses to do them in. I was sure Mark Sanchez would find a way to overpower the Denver defense with the likes of Santonio Holmes, Plaxico Burress, and Shonn Greene.

I didn't count on the Broncos defense playing well enough to keep Sanchez from finding any semblance of a rhythm. They pressured Sanchez, stifled the running game, and came up with a huge pick-six to keep the Broncos in the game while the offense puttered around ineffectively. And then on the last possible drive, Tebow came alive like he's done in the final stretch in each of his four wins as a starter. It looks like this is the model for success for this Broncos team right now. They're not going to dominate anyone, but if the defense can keep them in the game until deep in the fourth quarter, Tebow will put his offense in position to win. They may not be a complete team, but they're a dangerous one right now.

[Jedi Master Carr]

I still don't think Tebow is that good. His passing numbers were horrible. You can't win consistently in the NFL while passing that bad.

[CMJ]

Kid just wins.

[Jedi Master Carr]

Well i don't think he will make it int this league. His body is taking a beating and the NFL is a passing a league. I guess I am a hater but a lot of it is I hate the Broncos. I hated Elway when he played.

[CMJ]

This story is kinda how I feel about the guy. I used to hate the way the press pumped him up in college (even when he was a backup as a freshman and only came in as a change of pace), but by the end of his junior season I kinda grew to love the kid. I don't really follow the NFL much, but I have been keeping up with how Tebow has done. There's just something about the him.

http://spikeeskin.com/2011/11/18/ive-finally-given-in-to-the-tim-tebow-story/

[Figrin D'an]

Tim Tebow, the person, I really don't have any issue with. I think his 'praise Jebus always' antics have taken the whole religious athlete stereotype to a whole new hilarious level, but that's just my opinion. I think he's genuinely a nice guy, with really good leadership qualities and a hell of a competitive drive.

Tim Tebow, the NFL football player, is not going to last, at least not as a QB. It's impossible to have long term success as a sub 50% passer. His throwing mechanics are terrible: he misses wide open receivers, he has a slow delivery, he often throws off his back foot, he doesn't step up into the pocket to make throws down field because he knows he can take off and run.

Tebow will get all the credit for making a game-winning drive late in the 4th quarter, but the real reason Denver won the game was their defense. The Broncos pass rush harassed Sanchez all night and forced a lot of bad throws. Tebow had a chance to tie or win the game late because the defense kept Denver in the game.

I don't doubt Tebow's heart and will power, and because of that, I'll at least give the kid a chance to improve as a legit passer over the next season or so. But without major improvement, he'll be done as an NFL QB by the end of next season.

[Figrin D'an]

Sun
CAR @ DET (W) - Detroit is banged up, very tempted to take Carolina as Cam Newton could give the Lions pass rush fits.
OAK (W) @ MIN
BUF (W) @ MIA
DAL (W) @ WAS
TB @ GB (W)
JAX (W) @ CLE
CIN @ BAL (W)

SEA @ STL (W)
ARI (W) @ SF - Upset special... the Niners aren't running the table, and will lose a game which they shouldn't. Will take a chance that it's this one, as maybe they're looking ahead to Harbaugh Bowl I.
TEN @ ATL (W)
SD @ CHI (W)

PHI @ NYG (W) - Playoffs start Sunday night for the Eagles. Playoffs will end Sunday night for the Eagles.

Mon
KC @ NE (W)

[CMJ]

Tebow actually kind of reminds me of when Steve McNair started playing and the Oilers/Titans won a lot of games. He had a decent record as a starter...won about 2 thirds of his games. And he rarely had good stats - especially early in his career. They didn't know what to do with him for quite awhile. I actually think his completion percentages were just around 50% - and seemed to "smoke and mirrors" his teams to victory than anything. But over time he became a much better passer.

I think Tebow can similarly succeed. Now, will he ever lead his team to a Super Bowl? Probably not. But who knows.

[Jedi Master Carr]

Tim Tebow, the person, I really don't have any issue with. I think his 'praise Jebus always' antics have taken the whole religious athlete stereotype to a whole new hilarious level, but that's just my opinion. I think he's genuinely a nice guy, with really good leadership qualities and a hell of a competitive drive.

Tim Tebow, the NFL football player, is not going to last, at least not as a QB. It's impossible to have long term success as a sub 50% passer. His throwing mechanics are terrible: he misses wide open receivers, he has a slow delivery, he often throws off his back foot, he doesn't step up into the pocket to make throws down field because he knows he can take off and run.

Tebow will get all the credit for making a game-winning drive late in the 4th quarter, but the real reason Denver won the game was their defense. The Broncos pass rush harassed Sanchez all night and forced a lot of bad throws. Tebow had a chance to tie or win the game late because the defense kept Denver in the game.

I don't doubt Tebow's heart and will power, and because of that, I'll at least give the kid a chance to improve as a legit passer over the next season or so. But without major improvement, he'll be done as an NFL QB by the end of next season.

The Jets also can't run the ball this year. They are in the bottom 5 in rushing and that is why they aren't making the playoffs. I think a lot of it is Tomlinson is done and they have nobody who can pick up the slack.
I agree with you about Tebow. His passing mechanics are awful and he will have trouble if he has to run 15 times a game and can only complete around 50% of his passes. I can't see him making it in the long term.

[Dragon]

Tebow will get all the credit for making a game-winning drive late in the 4th quarter, but the real reason Denver won the game was their defense. The Broncos pass rush harassed Sanchez all night and forced a lot of bad throws. Tebow had a chance to tie or win the game late because the defense kept Denver in the game.

I don't doubt Tebow's heart and will power, and because of that, I'll at least give the kid a chance to improve as a legit passer over the next season or so. But without major improvement, he'll be done as an NFL QB by the end of next season.

This. We make a big deal of a quarterback who's able to will his team down the field for a fourth-quarter comeback drive, and Tebow's done it three times already in his short career. He reminds me of Jake Plummer, Jeff Garcia, or Doug Flutie, all scrappy quarterbacks who didn't have elite skillsets but were still good for one clutch drive when everything else had broken down around them. Tebow is not nearly as good a passer as any of those guys yet, but I think he could be. He's not going to take Denver to the Super Bowl, but he could become good enough to give a struggling team a few magical moments in a season, or to push a marginal team into the first round of the playoffs. That's special, and he's worth watching because of it.

[Dragon]

Thu
<strike>NYJ WIN @ DEN</strike> - Denver's defense earned this win even more than Tebow did.

Sun
CAR @ DET WIN - Detroit's talented enough to overcome the pasting they got last week.
OAK @ MIN WIN - Carson Palmer, like the rest of the Raiders, is hard to figure out. He can make enough plays to win the game, but he can also make enough plays to lose it.
BUF WIN @ MIA - Miami's winning streak comes to an end.
DAL WIN @ WAS - Dallas will really have to be trying hard to lose this one.
TB @ GB WIN - Whenever Green Bay loses, it'll be unexpected, but I don't expect them to lose this wee- er... well, shoot.
JAX WIN @ CLE - How many safeties can you score in a game? Let's find out!
CIN @ BAL WIN - Baltimore and Cincinnati will split. I'm just not sure who gets which game.

SEA WIN @ STL - Seattle has the better defense. Let's see if Tarvaris Jackson can build on his momentum from last week.
ARI @ SF WIN - The 49ers won't run the table, but they'll run this one.
TEN @ ATL WIN - If Atlanta's defense isn't on track, this could be a close one.
SD @ CHI WIN - Chicago's peaking, San Diego's choking.

PHI @ NYG WIN - Curse you, Eagles, for ending my survivor streak!

Mon
KC @ NE WIN - Kansas City has been more consistent than New England, but not in a good way.

Survivor pick: New England

[Morgan Evanar]

The real reason the Jets can't run the ball is because Brian Schottenheimer is a moron. God awful play calling on the level of Cam Cameron bad.

[Rutabaga]

Sun
CAR @ DET WIN
OAK @ MIN WIN this is actually one of the harder games to pick this weekend
BUF WIN @ MIA
DAL WIN @ WAS
TB @ GB WIN
JAX WIN @ CLE
CIN @ BAL WIN

SEA @ STL WIN
ARI @ SF WIN my Niners are rockin' :eee
TEN @ ATL WIN
SD @ CHI WIN my Chargers are toast :cry

PHI @ NYG WIN

Mon
KC @ NE WIN

Survivor: Bellijerk's Patriots

[Rutabaga]

Now, as for Tim Tebow...I'm not a fan. I just don't like the religious hoopla. But I thought you guys might enjoy this post I saw at Buzzfeed today. :)

http://www.buzzfeed.com/jpmoore/10-things-that-prove-god-must-favor-tim-tebow

[Miranda Tarkin]

Sun
CAR @ DET (W)
OAK (W) @ MIN
BUF (W) @ MIA
DAL (W) @ WAS
TB @ GB (W)
JAX @ CLE (W)
CIN @ BAL (W)

SEA @ STL (W)
ARI @ SF (W)
TEN @ ATL (W)
SD @ CHI (W)

PHI @ NYG (W)

Mon
KC @ NE (W)

[Aurelias Kazaar]

CAR @ DET w
OAK w @ MIN
BUF w @ MIA
DAL @ WAS w
TB @ GB w
JAX @ CLE w
CIN @ BAL w

SEA w @ STL
ARI @ SF w
TEN W @ ATL
SD @ CHI w

PHI @ NYG w

Mon
KC @ NE w

[Liam Jinn]

Sun
CAR (W) @ DET
OAK (W) @ MIN
BUF (W) @ MIA
DAL (W) @ WAS
TB @ GB (W)
JAX (W) @ CLE
CIN @ BAL (W)

SEA @ STL (W)
ARI @ SF (W)
TEN @ ATL (W)
SD (W) @ CHI

PHI @ NYG (W)

Mon
KC @ NE (W)

Survivor: Falcons

[Yog]

Sun
CAR @ DET (W)
OAK @ MIN (W)
BUF @ MIA (W)
DAL (W) @ WAS
TB @ GB (W)
JAX @ CLE (W)
CIN @ BAL (W)

SEA @ STL (W)
ARI @ SF (W)
TEN @ ATL (W)
SD @ CHI (W)

PHI @ NYG (W)

Mon
KC @ NE (W)

[jjwr]

Sun
CAR @ DET (W)
OAK (W) @ MIN
BUF (W) @ MIA
DAL (W) @ WAS
TB @ GB (W)
JAX @ CLE (W)
CIN @ BAL (W)

SEA (W) @ STL
ARI @ SF (W)
TEN @ ATL (W)
SD @ CHI (W)

PHI @ NYG (W)

Mon
KC @ NE (W)

Survivor: SEA

[Lykaios]

Lions
Vikes
Bills
Boys
Pack
Jags
Cincy
Rams
Niners
Falcons
Bears
G-men
Pats

Survivor pick: Bengals

[Ryan Pode]

Sun
DET
OAK
BUF
DAL
GB
JAX
BAL

STL
SF
ATL
CHI

NYG

Mon
NE

Sur- NE

[Park Kraken]

I'm pleasently suprised by the lack of penalties on the Bucs offense which has kept them in the game so far, although I didn't like the ruling on that kick, they never showed the public a replay where conclusive overturning evidence was present.

Fins are blowing out the Bills, while Carolina and Oakland have at least two score leads. A lot of close games so far in the first series.

[Nathanial K'cansce]

Throwing in the towel for the Bills this season. :(

[Jedi Master Carr]

The Chiefs offense sucks. I know Cassel isn't a great QB but it worse now. This is a loss season for the Chiefs considering all the injuries. Still, think they need two new OL (especially LT) and a better QB.

[Dragon]

Time for the weekly tally! The weekly cojones award goes to jjwr, who not only was one of two players to pick the Broncos on Thursday but also put his survivor pick on Seattle.


Week 11 Tally

jjwr: 12-2
Miranda Tarkin: 11-3
Jedi Master Carr: 11-3
Aurelias Kazaar: 10-4
Kyran O'Hurn: 10-4
Nathanial K'cansce: 10-4
Yog: 10-4
Dragon: 9-5
Morgan Evanar: 9-5
Park Kraken: 9-5
Figrin D'an: 8-6
Rutabaga: 8-6
Ryan Pode: 8-6
Liam Jinn: 7-7
Lykaios: 7-7
Mu Satach: 6-8 (did not pick)


Total Tally

1. jjwr: 109-51
1. Kyran O'Hurn: 109-51

3. Rutabaga: 108-52
4. Morgan Evanar: 104-56
5. Dragon: 103-57
5. Yog: 103-57
7. Figrin D'an: 100-60
7. Ryan Pode: 100-60
7. Miranda Tarkin: 100-60
10. Jedi Master Carr: 99-61
11. Nathanial K'cansce: 98-62
11. Park Kraken: 98-62
13. Liam Jinn: 95-65
14. Aurelias Kazaar: 90-70
15. Mu Satach: 88-72
15. Lykaios: 87-73


Survivor Pool

10
Kyran O'Hurn: BUF, TEN, NO, SD, NYJ, DAL, SF, ATL, GB, NE

9
Dragon: ARI, DET, SD, ATL, NO, PIT, DAL, TEN, HOU, PHI, NE

7
Liam Jinn: SF, DAL, PIT, GB, BUF, NYJ, CAR, NO, NE, BAL, ATL
jjwr: HOU, BAL, CHI, NO, PIT, DAL, SF, KC, MIA, SEA

3
Ryan Pode: GB, TEN, TB, NYG, NYJ, NO, CAR, SF, MIA, NE
Rutabaga: GB, SD, NO, NYG, DAL, SF, OAK, JAX, NE
Yog: DEN, PIT, SD, GB, NYG, DET, DAL, SF, PHI, JAX, NO PICK
Jedi Master Carr: GB, PIT, TB, NYG, JAX, NO PICK
Lykaios: PIT, SD, TB, NYG, BAL, DET, OAK, SF, CIN
Mu Satach: DET, SD, GB, ARI, BUF, BAL, SF, NO, NO PICK

Seppuku x9
Park Kraken: TB, PHI, HOU, JAX, CAR, STL, ARI, CLE, WAS, SEA, KC