Week 11 NFL picks against the spread: Shake it off, Stanton

So the Detroit Lions are playing the Arizona Cardinals this week for first place in the NFC. As if that's not a big enough storyline, the Cardinals will be quarterbacked by a former Lions QB and a Michigander, Drew Stanton.

Stanton, you know, grew up in Lansing, graduated high school from Farmington Hills Harrison and then college at Michigan State. He was the 43rd overall pick by the Lions in the 2007 NFL Draft. He started four games in his five years with the Lions, including the Lions' first road win in over three years in 2010 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Like I said, you all knew that. Didn't you, Ann Arbor's Finest?

I've got a couple great personal Stanton stories that are unrelated to football, and maybe I'll share them in the comments after these picks:

DOLPHINS (-4.5) over Bills

Thanks for the win last week, Dolphins. Go get yourself one vs. Jim Schwartz this week.

BEARS (-3) over Vikings

Either the Chicago Rochester Jeffersons bounce back at home or they go down again without a whimper like a Roaring Twenties team.

Texans (+3) over BROWNS

Ryan Mallett, Ann Arbor's finest transfer, gets his first career start and win.

Seahawks (+1.5) over CHIEFS

Marshawn Lynch may have another four touchdowns by the time this one is done.

RAMS (+9.5) over Broncos

I was going to go with the Broncos here, but then I remembered that Shaun Hill is starting for the Rams. It's the week of former Lions quarterbacks!

Bengals (+7) over SAINTS

This will be a high-scoring affair that winds up with somebody winning by exactly four.

49ers (-4) over GIANTS

JIM HARBAUGH TO ANN ARBOR! TOM COUGHLIN'S CHEEKS TO TREATMENT!

REDSKINS (-7.5) over Bucs

So many quarterback changes with these two teams I'm getting dizzy. So dizzy I might just puke. Puke game of the week.

Falcons (+1.5) over PANTHERS

These teams each still have a shot at the division. Really. I actually believe the Falcons will end their three-game skid against Carolina.

CHARGERS (-10) over Raiders

Poor Raiders again. The Chargers, fresh off a bye and a three-game losing streak, will take out their frustrations on the winless Waiders. Wah!

Eagles (+6) over PACKERS

The game Mark Sanchez has been waiting for ever since Aaron Rodgers made fun of him for posing in GQ. Wouldn't it be great if Sanchez told Rodgers after the game to r-e-l-a-x?

Lions (+2) over CARDINALS

The game most of the country will not see. Did you know Taylor Swift's Teardrops On My Guitar was written about Drew Stanton? That's what people say. That's what people say!

COLTS (-3) over Patriots

I'm really excited about this SNF game. Luck. Brady. Points!

TITANS (+6) over Steelers

I'm really not excited about this MNF game. Mettenberger. Roethlisberger. Boogers!

LAST WEEK: 8-5

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