We're back for another round of NFL picks against the spread! For the second straight season, I am back for the LVH SuperContest. SB Nation's partners over at Odds Shark are sponsoring my entry again. The contest requires selecting 5 games each week and picking them against the spread. This year's contest is expected to have nearly 1,400 participants, including myself, Matt Ufford and Eric Sollenberger from SB Nation. Everybody picks their own five games and there will be a running leaderboard HERE. You can follow my standings under the name "Fooch".
Last year, I finished 39-45-1. This year, I'm off to a decent start. I put together three straight 4-1 weeks, slipped to 3-2, bounced back to 3-1-1, followed that with back-to-back 3-2 weeks, slipped to 2-2-1, and bounced back with a 4-1 performance. Over the 49ers bye week, I had my first sub-.500 performance, going 2-3 for the week. The Titans, Rams and Bengals all cost me, with the latter two losing outright as favorites. Oh well. I am currently 32-16-2 through ten weeks. Again, the cushion remains for my inevitable fall! I went 4-10 overall ATS with my picks in a week loaded with underdog victories.
Here are my SuperContest picks for Week 11:
PANTHERS (-7) over Washington
DOLPHINS (PK) vs. Cowboys: Dolphins
Packers (+1) over VIKINGS
EAGLES (-5.5) over Buccaneers
Broncos (+1) over BEARS
I did at least ponder the 49ers-Seahawks game, but primarily to take the Seahawks at -12.5. I don't expect Blaine Gabbert to do a whole lot against the Seahawks defense, but after the Seahawks loss to the Cardinals, who knows what to make of that unit. Of course, Carson Palmer and Blaine Gabbert are not quite the same quarterback. I just decided to stay away from the game entirely.
I went with a couple road underdogs in the Packers and Broncos. The Packers have lost three straight, but I think they can bounce back on the road in Minnesota. The Broncos are rolling out Brock Osweiler for his first start against a Bears team playing pretty well right now. This bet is more on the Broncos defense than anything else. I'd like to think Jay Cutler is due for some struggles.
Plenty are picking the Cowboys in Tony Romo's return to action, with 74 percent of public money coming in on Dallas. This is one where I want to go against the public. The Dolphins are not a particularly good team, but I think they can spring the pick 'em win this week.
Here are all my picks for Week 11
JAGUARS vs. Titans (+3): Jaguars - Win
PANTHERS vs. Washington (+7): Panthers
LIONS vs. Raiders (-2): Lions
DOLPHINS vs. Cowboys (PK): Dolphins
FALCONS vs. Colts (+5.5): Falcons
RAVENS vs. Rams (+2): Ravens
TEXANS vs. Jets (-2): Jets
VIKINGS vs. Packers (+1): Packers
EAGLES vs. Buccaneers (+5.5): Eagles
BEARS vs. Broncos (+1): Broncos
CARDINALS vs. Bengals (+5): Bengals
SEAHAWKS vs. 49ers (+12.5): Seahawks
CHARGERS vs. Chiefs (-3): Chargers
PATRIOTS vs. Bills (+7): Patriots