Week 12 Picks

So this week I went 13-3 with my picks and overall I am 24-6 since writing the blog. With three games this Thanksgiving lets get to the picks early this week.

-Packers at Lions

The Pack are in the playoff hunt. The d played great the last two weeks (though gave up 3 late tds in week 11) and this team really wants this game.

The Lions usually play well on Thanksgiving. The Lions offense played great last week but showed their defense does not exist.

I see a closer game than people think but I see the Packers winning 27-20.

-Raiders at Cowboys

This is a tough decision. You have two teams that have played inconsistent. The Raiders beat a good Bengals team last week and played much better with Bruce Gradkowski at qb. The defense shows up when it wants. A very weird team.

The Cowboys beat the Eagles in Philly and they look like they will take off. They lose to the Packers in Green Bay and score a late meaningless td. This week they score a late td to win the game.

I see the Cowboys winning pretty easily 27-10.

-Giants at Broncos

The Giants d has let them down the last two weeks. Eli is coming off a great game. With the win against the Falcons the Giants kept their playoff and division title hopes alive.

The Broncos are falling fast. They started 6-0 and now are 6-4. They are struggling on offense with or without an injured Kyle Orton and their defense has been playing well but seems to have lost some of their magic.

I see a back and forth game and I give a slight edge to the Giants with Eli and a team that has won these type of games before. I see a 24-20 Giant win.

-Dolphins at Bills

Another tough division game. The Dolphins find themselves battling for a playoff spot and maybe a division title. The defense has played great. The running game is rolling (can Ricky run 20 times a game the rest of the year?) and Henne looks great but his receivers are not that great.

The Bills played great against the Jaguars but came up short. TO made an appearance. The d played well. Still not a good team though.

I see the Dolphins wanting it more and winning 23-13.

Seahawks at Rams

Two teams that are struggling and are playing for pride the rest of the year. The Seahawks are the better team right now. Many people expected more from the Hawks this year but they have disappointed. The Seahawks seem to win the games they are supposed to win and lose the games they are supposed to lose.

The Rams have played hard the last two weeks and seem to be growing with Steve Spagnola.

I see a hard fought game here but I think the Rams will surprise the Seahawks 17-13.

Colts at Texans

A still undefeated Colts team. The last few weeks they have won some real close games and are flirting with their first loss. Their offense is great. Their defense has been playing real good.

The Texans are fighting for the playoffs and have been playing real well. Their offense is potent and their defense is coming around.

I see another close game between these two teams. I see the Texans finally knocking off the Colts and winning 27-24.

Browns at Bengals

Can the Browns find any other way to lose. It is tough being a Browns fan now. Brady Quinn showed why he was the number 22 pick a few years back last week. Are the Browns allergic to defense though? Boy up 21 and they lose on the last play real bad.

As I said last week be careful getting on the Bengals bandwagon. They showed it last week against the lowly Raiders. Their offense is still good and their defense as well.

I see the Bengals taking their frustrations out on the Browns in a big way. I see a 27-3 Bengals win.

Panthers at Jets

So much was expected of the Panthers. What a disappointing year for them. Their running game has been great but Jake Delhomme has killed this team. Also their defense has had games where they looked great and games where they were run all over.

The Jets are who we thought they were (thank you Dennis Green http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m_N1OjGhIFc). With a rookie qb and a rookie coach they are a 500 team at best. Sanchez has had times when he looked great and like last week times when he looked like a rookie. Depending on which Sanchez plays the Jets play that way too. This team has lost 4 games on the last play. I expect this team to play with pride the rest of the way and play well.

I see a close game but the Jets finally getting one of these close ones 27-24.

Buccaneers at Falcons

The Bucs have been playing better with Freeman as qb but he looked like a rookie against the Saints last week. The defense has played so so at best.

The Falcons have struggled as of late. The running game has been good but Matt Ryan has be ok so far. The defense has not been great either.

I see the Falcons getting back on track and winning 28-13.

Redskins at Eagles

The Skins have been playing much better as of late. They almost got one from the Cowboys last week. The defense has been playing great and Jason Campbell has learned how to play without turning the ball over.

The Eagles have had a tough few weeks. The offense has been playing great but their defense has not helped them out. The d has been getting a little better though. Anytime on offense the Eagles can score from anywhere.

I see a physical battle with the Eagles winning 24-14.

Chiefs at Chargers

The Chiefs have won two in a row and have been playing really well. All year I thought Todd Haley and Matt Cassel would get this team playing and show that they will have a bright future which I think is happening now.

The Chargers have found their stride and are about to run away with the AFC West. The defense has been playing great and Rivers, Jackson, LT and company have been great the last few weeks.

I see the Chargers winning this 31-17.

Jaguars at 49ers

The Jags got away with victories the last tow weeks with last second wins. Maurice Jones-Drew and Mike Sims-Walker have lead this offensive attack. The defense has played well most of the year.

The 49ers are missing a play maker at the qb position as well as the wr position. Frank Gore has played great all year when healthy. Their defense has played well at times and have been smoked at times. The team is just too inconsistent. Mike Singletary is building a team in San Fran just a few more pieces he needs.

I see the Jags playing tough and really wanting this one to keep their playoff chances alive. I see a 24-17 Jaguars win.

Bears at Vikings

Is that another penalty, field goal, or turnover by the Bears. This team has shot themselves in the foot again and again. Jay Cutler is to blame but I also think the coaching staff is too. The defense has not been effective as well. Lovie Smith and the coaching staff is looking over their shoulder.

The Vikings have been great. A great offense lead by Favre and a very solid good defense.

I see the Vikings continuing on their winning ways. I see a Vikings win of 31-20.

Cardinals at Titans

To pick this game I want to see the injury to Kurt Warner play out. With Leinhart at qb this team is a different team. Luckily their running game seems to be coming around.

The Titans have been playing great with Vince Young. He has instilled fight in this team.

I see the Titans winning a close one 31-28.

Steelers at Ravens

This game may change depending on Big Ben's head injury. What a way to end a holiday weekend with a great AFC North match up. These are two teams that hate each other fighting for the playoffs. The Steelers have lost two tough ones in a row. Last week against the Chiefs they had some real bad turnovers and the defense couldn't prevent the Chiefs from scoring. The Steelers are really struggling.

The Ravens lost a tough one to the Colts last week. Ray Rice has really helped the offense and the defense is not what it once was but has been playing better.

I see a slobber knocker. A real close smash mouth game. I see the Steelers taking another step towards a playoff run and winning 17-13.

Patriots at Saints

In the game of the week you have the team that wants to attempt what the Patriots did not accomplish a few years ago and go 18-0. This is the real last challenge the Saints will have in the regular season. The Patriots had a tough loss to the Colts a few weeks ago which people are still talking about 4th and 2. Tom Brady to Welker and Moss is a great group. I see them to continue rolling. The defense isn't what it once was but is playing a little better the last few weeks.

The Saints just continue to roll. Brees has been great and the defense is playing very well.

I see a high scoring barn burner here. I see the Saints pulling it off 38-31.