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Sports Guy vs. Sports Dog
By Bill Simmons and Bailey
Page 2 staff



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Bill Simmons, continued his hot streak by correctly guessing the winners in all four games this weekend.

Bill vs. Bailey
Seems like everybody thinks they can handicap NFL games, so Page 2 has decided to turn to its two experts in the field of prognostication. Each week we'll have Page 2 columnist Bill Simmons, the Sports Guy, go head-to-head with Bailey the Sports Dog.

Simmons is a die-hard Boston sports nut who represents the common fan.

Bailey is a Samoyed husky-black Labrador cross with a nose for pigskin. He's lived in Colorado, Chicago and Seattle while loyally following college and pro football for the past 14 years.

Each week, Bill and Bailey will select their four best choices against the spread. We'll also keep a running score throughout the season.

Simmons will use his extensive football knowledge, the Internet and key newspapers to come up with his can't-miss picks. Bailey will choose between two dog treats representing teams in each matchup.

Of course, these are only predictions and not recommendations for wagering.
But the Sports Guy only picked up a game on the Sports Dog as Bailey went 3-1 on his predictions.

The difference was the Packers-Lions Thanksgiving Day game in which Detroit nearly upset Green Bay, but lost 29-27 to beat the 7-point spread. Simmons was on the nose, predicting a narrow Packers victory, while Bailey thought the Pack would manhandle the Lions.

Simmons was 2-0 on the holiday as he predicted the Cowboys would cover against the Broncos. The Sports Guy also correctly chose the Patriots to beat the Saints and the Raiders to defeat the Giants.

Bailey rebounded from his holiday disappointment to correctly guess Cleveland over Cincinnati, San Francisco over Indianapolis and New England over New Orleans.

Here are their Week 11 picks:

Bill Simmons' Week 11 NFL predictions
Season record: 22-21-1; this week: 4-0
Green Bay at Detroit
Three Thanksgiving traditions happen every year: 1.) The Lions (7-point underdogs) either winning or keeping the game close; 2.) somebody getting carried off the Silverdome field on a stretcher; 3.) John Madden getting way too excited about somebody eating a turkey.
-- The pick: Packers 31, Lions 30 (Detroit covers)

Denver at Dallas
You always like loading up on the home teams on Thanksgiving, if only because the road teams are bummed out to be playing on a holiday. Of course, taking the seven-point underdog Cowboys here violates the "One close game/one blowout" rule -- a Thanksgiving tradition -- unless you pick the Cowboys for a surprising blowout win ... so I'm doing that. Can't you see Broncos coach Mike Shanahan standing on the sidelines with the vein on his forehead pulsating, as Phil Simms says, "Well, I can't remember things being this bad for the Broncos in a long time"?
-- The pick: Cowboys 27, Broncos 10

New Orleans at New England
When will Vegas start showing the Patsies some respect? They made this game a pick 'em, for God's sake. Aaron Brooks on the road, on grass, in cold weather, against a quality defense ... and it's a pick'em? Mark my words: The Patriots will make the playoffs. And the Ewing Theory shall lead them.
-- The pick: Patriots 24, Saints 17

Oakland at New York Giants
Jim Fassel, whose Giants are 2½-point underdogs, put his chips on the table again ... his back is to the wall ... anyone wants to ante in, they better ante in ... you want out, get out ... it's gut-check time ...
-- The pick: Raiders 70, Giants 0

Bailey's Week 11 NFL predictions
Season record: 26-17-1; last week: 3-1
(As told to Jim Wilkie, editor for Page 2.)

Green Bay at Detroit
The Packers (minus-7) are going to knock the stuffing out of the hapless Lions.
-- The pick: Packers 36, Lions 9

Cincinnati at Cleveland
The Bengals will need more than the 5½ points when they visit the Dawg Pound.
-- The pick: Browns 27, Bengals 13

San Francisco at Indianapolis
The Niners offense will be unstoppable as they get three points against the Colts.
-- The pick: 49ers 38, Colts 24

New Orleans at New England
In a pick 'em game, the Patriots will stop barking enough to beat the Saints.
-- The pick: Patriots 23, Saints 21




ALSO SEE:
ESPN experts' picks for Week 11





 
    
 
 
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