NFL Week 11 Predictions and Picks

NY Jets @ New England (-4):First place in the AFC East rides on the outcome of Thursday night’s Jets/Patriots showdown, a game in which quarterbacks Brett Favre and Matt Cassel will take center stage. While Favre’s status as a “gunslinger” is legendary, Cassel is known as a mostly conservative quarterback, and if there’s a knock against the Pats’ offense, it’s that it lacks big-play capability with Cassel. “I pride myself on taking chances,” says Favre. “There’s not a throw I don’t think I can make, or a phone call. I’m as free with my passes as I am with Packer game plans. Cassel is strictly by the book. His idea of ‘taking a chance’ is changing the snap count from ‘one’ to ‘two. ‘ Lately, though, Cassel has shown some Tom Brady-like qualities. He’s looking for Randy Moss more, and he’s dating a hand model, whom I’m believe goes by the name ‘Lefty. ‘” While the Cassel-to-Moss connection hasn’t produced nearly the same numbers as the Brady-to-Moss hookup did, Moss hasn’t complained at all, and he remained the consummate professional. “I’m not sure what you’re implying,” says Moss, “but regardless of how comfortable I get with Matt, I don’t plan to ‘consummate’ anything with him. Oh, you mean the other’consummate. ‘ You threw me. It’s not often I’m called the ‘consummate professional. ‘ You know it’s a pretty sad state of affairs for wide receivers when I’m the poster boy for good behavior. While other receivers are criticizing quarterbacks and coaches, or doing cocaine in public, or planning ill-conceived praise for our president-elect, or making out with their coach, I’m going about my business. I’m living proof that the most humbling experience in football is a flight out of Oakland. ” The Jets signed former cornerback Ty Law, not for his “picks,” but to “pick” his brain for Patriot tendencies. It’s proof that Eric Mangini will go to any lengths to get a jump on his former boss, Bill Belichick, who will also go to any length, particularly 8 millimeters, for a competitive edge. If you like semi-unethical information gathering methods, this is the game for you – “The Ice” Mangini versus “The Fantastic Voyeur” Belichick. Favre throws for 2 short touchdowns, and the Jets win, 24-21. After the game, Belichick coldly congratulates Mangini with the most awkward chest bump in NFL history. Denver @ Atlanta (-4