NFL

Week 11 Picks

Rick Reilly and Dan Patrick will be essentially changing jobs in the near future, which is far smaller news than people may make it seem.

Both have become caricatures of themselves—Reilly with his inane storytelling and media blitz and Patrick with his self-promotion and glibness. And neither will make as much of a difference working for Sports Illustrated or ESPN as it might appear.

Reilly’s latest column was an odd comparison of how poor a homeless person has it compared to a scholarship athlete at Ohio State. Oh, the indignity! If this is the kind of stuff that he’ll bring to ESPN the Magazine (and it will be), then he’s just going to be keeping Dan LeBatard company on the pages I don’t care to read.

Patrick took things one step further by allowing himself to be interviewed in the interview space he used to interview people. Confused? I was more ambivalent.

The last thing ESPN the Mag needs is more heavy stories with meaning, and the last thing SI needs is someone trying to be funny.

Yet, I’m afraid that is what we are going to get.

***

Bucs 40, Falcons 14

Joey Harrington starts throwing touchdowns to the other team in protest of his impending demotion from starter. Byron Leftwich wonders what he did to deserve a coach’s trust.

Cardinals 21, Bengals 20

A missed extra-point in the final minutes gives the Cards the close win. Marvin Lewis pays Chris Henry to plant something illegal in Shayne Graham’s locker and make it look like an accident.

Colts 34, Chiefs 3

Although the Colts still have a majority of starters injured, the Chiefs have starter Brodie Croyle. The rest is pretty obvious.

Raiders 12, Vikings 9

Sebastian Janikowski’s 64-yard field goal wins it in overtime. Brad Childress tries to call a timeout after the fact, horribly botching the icing-the-kicker strategy.

Browns 28, Ravens 23

Brian Billick sticks with Steve McNair until he fumbles for the fourth consecutive play to start the game and his left arm falls off. Kyle Boller is allowed to play begrudgingly.

Packers 31, Panthers 13

Vinny Testaverde and Brett Favre starting in the same game prompts Don Majowski and Steve Beuerlein to start throwing again.

Saints 24, Texans 17

In a nice gesture, Reggie Bush hands the ball from his third 70-yard rushing touchdown to Mario Williams to say, “Thanks for letting me not be a Texan.”

Eagles 48, Dolphins 13

A John Beck sighting gives Dolphin fans hope until they remember the score is 48-13.

Giants 17, Lions 13

Detroit elects not to run the ball at all so as to avoid a second consecutive week of negative rushing yards. As such, they are unable to hold their 13-3 fourth quarter lead.

Steelers 28, Jets 7

Ben Roethlisberger throws four touchdowns and is sainted at halftime by Jim Nantz and Phil Simms.

Cowboys 44, Redskins 30

Late in the broadcast of the Dallas-Washington game, things turn ugly when Troy Aikman starts calling Tony Romo names. Aikman leaves the booth in tears right before Romo’s fifth TD pass.

Rams 7, 49ers 6

Trent Dilfer fails to spark the Niners offense. Predictably.

Bears 30, Seahawks 20

Rex Grossman’s time on the bench was well spent, as he tears up the Seahawks in a win. Still, Bears fans clamor for Brian Griese.

Patriots 44, Bills 10

The Patriots unveil their new secret weapon of short yardage running back Vince Wilfork, who they perfected during their bye week. Wilfork runs for a touchdown and catches three from Tom Brady.

Titans 14, Broncos 10

Vince Young further muddies the Madden Curse by playing poorly in a Titan win. Does the Madden Curse include regression as a starting quarterback?

Last week: 7-6
Season: 91-51

© 2007 KevanLee.com.