The twelfth week of the NFL regular season has arrived. My Week 11 picks weren’t too shabby. I picked 11 of 15 games correctly. Through eleven weeks I’m now sitting at 109-55 with predictions. Thank you
to a reader who noticed my count was off last week by a game. Let’s see how well I can do with my Week 12 picks.
Thursday Night Football — Buffalo Bills at Houston Texans
Winner: Bills
Both of these teams are coming off big wins. I’m excited to see how Josh Allen, who had a tremendous game last week, goes up against a good Texans defense. Houston needs a win to keep chase in the AFC playoff race, but I have a feeling the Bills will take care of business on the road on TNF.
Sunday Football (Early Game) — Pittsburgh Steelers at Chicago Bears
Winner: Steelers
I wouldn’t have assumed bye Week 12 that the Steelers and Bears would be their respective division leaders. However, that’s the case entering this big-time matchup on Sunday. Chicago was won three in a row and are hoping to keep their spot atop the NFC North. However, I think Aaron Rodgers and the Steelers will be able to squeak this one out and get a big road victory to keep them ahead of the Baltimore Ravens in the AFC North.
Sunday Football (Early Game) — Indianapolis Colts at Kansas City Chiefs
Winner: Chiefs
With the Broncos on a bye, this might be the matchup Broncos Country is most interested in. A win by the Colts would threaten Denver’s top seed in the AFC playoffs. However, it would be crushing blow to the Chiefs’ playoff hopes and send them to 5-6. Nevertheless, I fully expect Andy Reid and Kansas City to rebound after last week’s loss to the Broncos. They really need this win to revitalize their season.
Sunday Football (Early Game) — New York Giants at Detroit Lions
Winner: Lions
The Lions lost in a heartbreaker to the Philadelphia Eagles last weekend. This week, I believe they will easily handle the Giants who have now lost five in a row. This is a big game for Detroit considering how competitive the NFC North is this year. Every game matters from here on out. I’m taking the Lions at home.
Sunday Football (Early Game) — New York Jets at Baltimore Ravens
Winner: Ravens
Don’t look now, but the Ravens are just one game back in the AFC North. While the Jets aren’t the toughest opponent, Lamar Jackson and company need to ensure they take care of business at home. They can’t afford to drop this game and quite frankly, I don’t think they will. Justin Fields has been benched in favor of Tyrod Taylor. Let’s see how that plays out! I’m going with Baltimore at home.
Sunday Football (Early Game) — New England Patriots at Cincinnati Bengals
Winner: Patriots
The Patriots get a bit of a break since Ja’Marr Chase was suspended for this game for spitting on a defender last weekend. That’s one less weapon for their defense to have to account for on Sunday. Speaking of defense, the Cincinnati has one of the worst in the NFL. Ultimately, I believe Drake Maye won’t have any problems carving them up. I’m going with New England on the road in this one.
Sunday Football (Early Game) — Seattle Seahawks at Tennessee Titans
Winner: Seahawks
The Seahawks lost a close one to the Los Angeles Rams last weekend and are now second in the NFC West. Meanwhile, the 1-9 Titans continue their downward spiral. Long story short, I will gladly take Seattle to rebound and get back in the win column this weekend. I don’t see any way they lose this game.
Sunday Football (Early Game) — Green Bay Packers at Minnesota Vikings
Winner: Packers
Division rivalry games are always tough. The Packers haven’t been firing on all cylinders lately but sport a better record than the Vikings. At 4-6, Minnesota can’t afford to drop this game. It would be a crushing blow for their playoff aspirations. Unless J.J. McCarthy is able to figure it out, I think it will be tough sledding for Minnesota at home. Once again, I’m going with another road team here and taking Green Bay.
Sunday Football (Late Game) — Jacksonville Jaguars at Arizona Cardinals
Winner: Jaguars
The Jaguars absolutely throttled the Los Angeles Chargers last weekend which came as a surprise to me, but as a Broncos fan, that made me pretty happy. The Cardinals are struggling and have dropped several games in a row. A win by Jacksonville here would get them to seven on the season and help their case to make the playoffs. With that in mind, I’m taking them this weekend.
Sunday Football (Late Game) — Cleveland Browns at Las Vegas Raiders
Winner: Browns
Both these teams are 2-8 and at the bottom of their divisions. Neither are postseason bound and have a lot of issues. The big difference for me in this one is Myles Garrett as a defensive X-Factor for the Browns. I think he will pose a lot of problems for a struggling Raiders’ offensive line. I’m taking Cleveland.
Sunday Football (Late Game) — Philadelphia Eagles at Dallas Cowboys
Winner: Eagles
This NFC East divisional matchup is one of the better games this weekend. At 4-5-1, the Cowboys are second in the division but need a victory to keep their playoff hopes alive. At 8-2, a win by Philadelphia would help them in their pursuit of the NFC’s top playoff seed. Ultimately, I think the Eagles and Vic Fangio’s defense will be able to limit the high-powered offense of Dallas and earn their ninth win of the season.
Sunday Football (Late Game) — Atlanta Falcons at New Orleans Saints
Winner: Falcons
The Falcons have lost starting quarterback Michael Penix Jr. for the rest of the season. Now it’s up to longtime veteran Kirk Cousins to try and salvage the remainder of their season. None of these teams will make it to the postseason. For now, this game is essentially for last place in the NFC South. It’s been a brutal five game losing streak for Atlanta, but I think they snap that on Sunday against the Saints.
Sunday Night Football — Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Los Angeles Rams
Winner: Rams
At 8-2, the Rams have won five in a row and are one of the hottest teams in the NFL. They are playing good football on offense and defense. Tampa Bay is a good team but have dropped two straight and are in danger of being supplanted by the Carolina Panthers in the NFC South if they don’t find a way to win. I’m excited to watch Baker Mayfield and Matthew Stafford go head-to-head. All things considered, I’m taking the hometown Rams in this one.
Monday Night Football — Carolina Panthers at San Francisco 49ers
Winner: 49ers
The Carolina Panthers can move into a tie with the Buccaneers for the NFC South lead if they find a way to beat Kyle Shanahan and the 49ers. San Francisco’s season has been marred by injuries, but Shanahan and his staff are finding ways to win. I expect that to be the case once again on Monday Night Football to deliver their eighth victory of the season.
