Top 5 NFL Underdog Picks: Papas Picks Week 11 2010

Papas Picks: Top 5 2010 NFL Week 10 Underdogs

Should have been 3-2 this last week, but the freaking Jets basically scored a touchdown as overtime ran out – Santonio Holmes took that slant the distance, and my seemingly sure cover from the Browns turned into a loss. Lucky says, “I told you so.” That punk! Ha. I had that game on the nose, but sometimes, that pointy egg-shaped ball takes a bounce the other way and I just have to cope. I’ve had some good bounces this year as well. And we have a favorite family saying that goes against my “should have been” theory for last week’s games. If grandma had ball she’d be grandpa” and “If ifs and buts were cocks and nuts then grandma would be grandpa” – write those down. Better bounces this week!

Week 11 Free Picks

St. Louis Rams (+3.5) @ HOME VS. Atlanta Falcons:  I know, I know, the Falcons are one of the best teams in football, and this is a stupid bet on my part – but how can I go against one of my favorite teams this season, playing at home where they are a very solid team, sporting a good defense that doesn’t give up many points, as better than a 3 point underdog? Plus, Atlanta was very good last week against Baltimore – they’re ready for a return to earth.

Detroit Lions (+7) @ Dallas Cowboys: Dallas beat the Giants, hurry, everything change back to what it would be like if the Cowboys weren’t 2-7… Please. They need to do more than win one freaking game without Romo for me to even think about considering them as a 7 point favorite. Ridiculous.

Denver Broncos (+11) @ San Diego Chargers: Really? The Chargers have what, 4 wins? They’ve played all but a couple very close games that come right down to the wire. The Broncos throw the ball as well as any team. This spread is dumb.

New York Giants (+3) @ Philadelphia Eagles: I’m enjoying Mike Vick’s play as much as the next guy, but the Giants are a very good football team, and the Eagles are coming off of one of the best single game performances of the season – they’re bound to slow down a bit, and the Giants have to feel a sense of anger after getting slammed by the Cowboys last week. Seems like the perfect storm for a Giants win in Philly.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (+3.5) @ San Francisco 49ers:  Again, where do these guys get off? Tampa Bay wins football games, even when they get out-played. San Francisco finds way to lose games, even when they outplay their opponent. Troy Smith is undefeated since taking over at QB – but that’s got to change sooner or later.

Major League Baseball Picks: Thursday MLB Predictions

Well, I lost both of my Tuesday picks in baseball, and while I can’t argue too much with the outcomes, those that watched Boston beat the Angels know that Ervin Santana came to play, and left with a tie game in the 8th inning. And Wainwright pitched a hell of a game for St. Louis, but Cole Hamels had his best outing of the year to grab a win for Philadelphia. I’ll try to get those two losses back on Thursday.

San Francisco Giants @ Florida Marlins (-117) (5-6: 7:10 PM ET) (Cain vs. Nolasco): The Giants can’t hit and Ricky Nolasco is about as accurate around the strike zone as any pitcher in baseball. Now, he doesn’t have unhittable stuff, but against San Francisco you’d have to give him the benefit of the doubt. Then you have to add in Matt Cain, a guy that can’t buy a run from his line-up in 80% of the games he pitches in. Hanley Ramirez has been hot for Florida, and he often stays hot for long stretches. I like Florida to win at home.

Arizona Diamondbacks (-130) @ Houston Astros (5-6: 8:05 PM ET) (Haren vs. Rodriquez): Houston is borderline the worst team in baseball. It’s between them and those idiots in your beer league that take all the crap talking personal because they are so damn bad they have rabbit ears. And I think I’ll give the nod to Houston, because at least those beer league guys are drunk – who knows how they’d do if they were sober. Wandy Rodriguez was supposed to be the ace in Houston, with Oswalt getting older, and, well, the rest of the staff being who they are – a guy names Wandy (not to be confused with Randy) was supposed to take the next step after a solid season. Nope. Not even a real-life guy named Wandy can put on his super-hero outfit and save the Astros from a .333 win-percentage. Enter Dan Haren and this one is almost a guarantee. Haren doesn’t have great numbers early, and since his first half stats are always amazing, it’s about time he starts picking up the slack and striking entire teams out. Houston, step right up. I like Arizona.