Each week, ten correct picks seems to be my cap. I’m hoping to go on a run here as we enter the colder portion of the NFL season. The NFC standings will be interesting watch as we enter the last month
and a half. The Los Angeles Rams have seized sole possession of first place in the NFC West. Now, their eyes are set on grabbing the No. 1 seed from the Philadelphia Eagles. Will the Rams get a win in primetime versus the Buccaneers? Will Philadelphia lose in Dallas? Here are my Week 12 game picks.
Week 11 picks: 10-5, Cumulative picks: 100-62-1 (.616)
Week 12 Matchups & Predictions
(Thursday) Buffalo Bills @ Houston Texans, 8:15 PM EST
The Bills offense compiled 414 yards of offense against the Buccaneers and a significant portion of that came off the arm of Josh Allen. Houston’s defense is going to be stingier but Stroud has already been ruled out.
Pick: Bills 24-12
Pittsburgh Steelers @ Chicago Bears, 1:00 PM EST
Aaron Rodgers left Week 11 with a wrist injury which was later diagnosed as a fracture that will not require surgery. Mason Rudolph served as the replacement. I figure that Pittsburgh will give Aaron Rodgers an extra week before reinserting him in the lineup. Give me da Bears…
Pick: Bears win 23-13
New England Patriots @ Cincinnati Bengals, 1:00 PM EST
I doubt the Bengals bring back Joe Burrow if Ja’Marr Chase is serving a one game suspension. Mike Vrabel’s balanced team: Drake Maye, Tre’Veyon Henderson, and a top 15 defense.
Pick: Patriots win 30-18
New York Giants @ Detroit Lions, 1:00 PM EST
After getting suffocated by the Eagles defense on Sunday Night Football, the Lions get a cupcake matchup with the Giants coming to Detroit. The Giants pass rush might rattle Goff early but I think the Lions will rely on the ground game.
Pick: Lions win 31-16
Minnesota Vikings @ Green Bay Packers, 1:00 PM EST
The Green Bay Packers offense is tough to watch. Their wide receivers drop passes. Jordan Love tries to create too much and throws off his backfoot; leading to dangerous throws. With Minnesota falling out of the playoff picture, I’m going to trust Green Bay one more time at home.
Pick: Packers win 23-20
Seattle Seahawks @ Tennessee Titans, 1:00 PM EST
After coming down to the wire in Los Angeles, Seattle will get a bounce back win against Tennessee with the ‘Hawks define suffocating Cam Ward and a weak offensive line.
Pick: Seahawks 38-10
Indianapolis Colts @ Kansas City Chiefs, 1:00 PM EST
The Colts have an opportunity to deliver a knockout punch to Chiefs who are currently in 9th place in the AFC standings. The Chiefs are not closing out games like they use to when they were back-to-back Super Bowl Champions. I’m factoring the Colts not looking themselves when they played at Pittsburgh a few weeks ago. The cold of Kansas City could be a factor here.
Pick: Chiefs win 27-20
New York Jets @ Baltimore Ravens, 1:00 PM EST
The Ravens did not play great against a 2-8 Cleveland Browns team as Lamar Jackson was sacked five times. The New York Jets don’t have Myles Garrett and Sauce Gardner so Lamar will get back on track.
Pick: Ravens win 27-17
Cleveland Browns @ Las Vegas Raiders, 4:05 PM EST
The Raiders are really bad. Which is awesome because Tom Brady is associated with the franchise. Browns get a win on the road and Myles Garrett gets two more sacks nearing the record.
Pick: Browns win 13-10
Jacksonville Jaguars @ Arizona Cardinals, 4:05 PM EST
Which Jacksonville Jaguars team is going to show up this week? The one that blows out the Chargers or plays down to their opponent.
Pick: Jaguars win 24-22
Philadelphia Eagles @ Dallas Cowboys, 4:25 PM EST
I am very tempted to pick the Cowboys this week with their defense, maybe finding more stability with Quinnen Williams and Logan Wilson. Lane Johnson might be out for this game too. The Cowboys offense has the ability to test the Eagles defense with Dak Prescott, George Pickens, and Cee Dee Lamb.
Pick: Cowboys win 24-20
Atlanta Falcons @ New Orleans Saints, 4:25 PM EST
The Falcons are in free-fall mode and the Saints may take advantage. Michael Pennix Jr. is headed to Injured Reserve and Drake London is week-to-week with a knee injury.
Pick: Saints win 23-16
(Sunday Night Football) Tampa Bay Buccaneers @ Los Angeles Rams, 8:20 PM EST
The NFC South leading Bucs head to SoFi Stadium for a Week 12 primetime game against the Rams. This will be Baker’s first time facing the Rams since he suited up for the team in 2022.
The Rams are just so lethal with the ability to win with the offense or defense. Last week, the defense took the baton and provided a huge divisional win. This week, I envision the offense getting back on track after encountering some resistance with Seattle’s stout defense.
Pick: Rams 28-24
(Monday Night Football) Carolina Panthers @ San Francisco 49ers, 8:15 PM
The Christian McCaffrey game. I have to believe Kyle Shanahan will ensure that McCaffrey sees a large volume of touches in a Monday Night game against McCaffrey’s former team.
But the Panthers will make this at least an interesting game…
Pick: 49ers win 30-23
Teams on Bye: Denver Broncos, Miami Dolphins, Los Angeles Chargers, Washington Commanders
Will the Rams finish Week 12 with possession of the NFC’s No. 1 seed? If so, will they be able to carry that spot through the duration of the NFL season? Add your comments below along with your Week 12 picks!
