NFL Picks Week 11

I hope you've had a good week.  It's time to make some picks.

San Diego (4-5) at Chicago (6-3) -3.5
The Chargers come into this game all sorts of banged up.  They have 3 OL starters on the shelf as well as many others.  The extra time off did not help them.  Rivers has zero protection and the Bears are coming in hot having just dismantled the Lions.  The Bears D is playing old school, hit you in the mouth football and the Chargers can't handle that.  If anyone doesn't believe that Jay Cutler tough after last week, then I don't know what to tell you.  Suh tried to take his head clean off and he popped up, no helmet, and got in his face.  One of the stupider things you can do in the league, but showed massive cajones.  I'm still not a big fan, but I respect him a little more than most.  I don't think this game will be a classic blow out, but expect the Bears to extend a lead late in the game with their superior defense and special teams.  Easy cover for the Bears winning in the vicinity of 27-10.
Pick: Bears

Buffalo (5-4) at Miami (2-7) -1.5
I'm not about to make Miami a good team.  But they're certainly better than their record says they are.  They've been in most of the games they've lost and have played a couple solid games in a row here.  The Bills come in a team in peril.  They've been blown out two weeks in a row and it doesn't look like much is going right at the moment.  I see the Dolphins playing ball control offense, utilizing Reggie Bush and rookie Daniel Thomas (for the fantasy folks out there, Thomas could be a nice addition to any team down the stretch if he's available).  Miami should be able to bottle up Fred Jackson and get pressure on Fitzpatrick with Wake.  The Fins are two late 4th quarter collapses away from 4 wins in a row.  I expect them to cover comfortably at home where they've actually been dreadful in the past year and a half. 21-13.
Pick: Dolphins

Oakland (5-4) at Minnesota (2-7) pick em
I thought this was an interesting straight up pick.  Oakland is clearly the better team and Palmer is starting to get into a groove, especially with 1st year player Denarius Moore.  Michael Bush has filled in well with McFadden out.  Even if Seymour doesn't play, I think the Raiders will control this game.  Minnesota is a mess.  They do have Peterson, but I don't think that's going to be enough for them to get a favorable result.  The Raiders have traveled well this year and expect that to continue with a 28-7 victory.
Pick: Oakland