I picked the Bears last week. Let’s address this waterfall of sadness out of the gate.

Take these rotten vegetables and hand them out. I want you to throw them at me until they are all gone, or until I’m no longer standing. Whatever comes first. (Let’s assume I fall first.)

My respectable two-week run in Westgate SuperContest feels like ancient history. My first go-around in the contest—courtesy of Odds Shark—has been an avalanche of errors with the occasional positive here and there.

After solid back-to-back showing, including my first 5-0 week, things turned south. I lost with the Bears (gross), the Bills (gross, especially given their love of punting) and the Buccaneers, which can happen when you bet Tampa Bay. I won with the 49ers and the Lions, which pushed the overall results to 2-3.

Turning our attention toward Week 11, we are reminded that it is in fact Week 11. There are not many of these left, which is why—regardless of standing—we’re hoping to remain competitive. Oh, and we’re certainly hoping to beat Odds Shark’s super computer, which remains the primary objective.

Bills +5 vs. Dolphins: Buffalo’s offense decided—again—that it was not going to make the trip. As a result, here’s an 0-1 start on the week.

Texans +3 vs. Browns: Let’s assume Arian Foster doesn’t play, which means it will come down to Ryan Mallett in his very first start. So why is this line only three? I’m efforting to find out here, apparently, and I think Houston surprises.

Chiefs -1.5 vs. Seahawks: Seattle playing out of its building is a much different animal, and the same could be said about Kansas City at home versus away. Ultimately, I think you’ll get an ugly, low-scoring matchup, one that KC will finish ahead in.

Cardinals -2.5 vs. Lions: The loss of Carson Palmer is significant, although Drew Stanton should come in—weapons at his disposal—and play well. The adjustment shouldn’t be all that significant; Arizona is still a really quality team.

Colts -3 vs. Patriots: I’ve gone against New England a handful of times this season—in this contest—and lost each time. Here, however, I expect the Pats to be the popular pick given how they’ve looked, and I’m going the other way to back the bearded wonder instead.

It was shaping up to be a 9-1 run, and it came down to Peyton Manning and the Broncos at New England. Then, the Michael Bay ‘splosions came and the Broncos were dismantled by the Pats, halting the *hot streak.

*Please note: “Hot” is relative. “Luke warm” seems more appropriate.

The overall result isn’t terrible. Over the past two weeks in the SuperContest, I’ve trudged my way to an 8-2 overall record. Our first appearance, courtesy of Odds Shark, hasn’t always been rainbows and candy and fun, but it has gotten better.

Last week the good featured the Dolphins, the Buccaneers and the Vikings. The not-so-good included Carolina against the Saints and, well, the Broncos, of course. Oh, the Broncos.

Turning the attention to this week—one of the most difficult batch of games to select from thus far—here is where I’m going with my five selections. As always, the goals are somewhat simple: Don’t embarrass myself and beat Odds Shark’s super computer into tech oblivion.

Good luck. Fade accordingly.

Bills (+2) vs. Chiefs: I’m higher on Buffalo than most, especially at home. Kansas City at 5-3 only giving two seems like a promising sign in the Bills’ favor. I look for them to win this outright.

Lions (-2.5) vs. Dolphins: Following its destruction of San Diego, many might assume that Miami is on track to repeat such efforts this week. The return of Calvin Johnson is enormous, however, and I like the Lions to sneak past in a close one.

Bears (+7) vs. Packers: Chicago has very quickly garnered the reputation of being completely inadequate. Some of this is based purely on results, of course, although the abandoning of the Bears seems a bit premature. They don’t win this game, but they stay close.

Buccaneers (+1.5) vs. Falcons: We’re back on the Tampa Bay wagon, picking a team that is the opposite of settled on its quarterback. And yet, Atlanta remains a mystery—especially outside the dome—which is why we’re taking the short dog.

49ers (+5) vs. New Orleans: It is not particularly fun picking against the Saints in the dome, although San Francisco, coming off tremendous disappointment, might be the team to push this trend. A Saints’ field-goal win will do just fine, thanks.

Finally, after a string of disappointment, unhappy touchdowns and poor selections, our first-ever voyage in the Westgate SuperContest – courtesy of Odds Shark – found stable ground. It did so in a week where nothing was at all stable.

I apologize for the recent silence (if you even noticed). Having a child will do that, although we’re back on the grid now, sleep-deprived and everything. While I was out, a 5-0 week brought my entry from the cellar to, well, a much nicer part of the cellar with couches and a luxury bathroom. The momentum gained, however, is the momentum we so desperately need. It could be a blip of the radar, or, it could serve as a push in the right direction. I suppose we’ll have to wait and see.

The winners from last week included Kansas City (-6.5), Miami (-6), Houston (-2), Atlanta (-3.5) – despite its better effort not to cover – and Minnesota (+2.5). It wasn’t pretty, but it worked. Now it’s about sustainability, which is where the conversation changes tones.

As for this week’s picks, the goal stays the same: Beat the Odds Shark super computer until it sobs microchip tears and avoid embarrassment.

Panthers (+2.5) vs. Saints: Whoops. So this didn’t work out all that well, so at least that first loss is out of the way. The plan was to see New Orleans follow up an impressive showing with a dud on the road; Carolina had other plans. So did NO.

Vikings (-2.5) vs. Redskins: Washington was game against Dallas, although this team is still a rather substantial dumpster fire. Minnesota isn’t exactly a perfect squad, either, although I like the short favorite to take advantage and I really like this line.

Dolphins (-1.5) vs. San Diego: Although the Chargers have done well on the road as an underdog in recent opportunities, Miami—both offensively and defensively—presents an interesting challenge to Rivers and Co.

Buccaneers (+6.5) vs. Browns: Despite its woeful record, Tampa Bay has been competitive in a good majority of its games. With the Cleveland offense struggling, the Bucs will hang around just long enough to get the cover, hopefully.

Broncos (-3) vs. New England: Nothing fancy here; no #hottakes about either quarterback. As good as New England has played, Denver has the personnel to take advantage and win on the road.

Good luck.

Please fade/play accordingly.