The New Orleans Saints finally won their first road game of the season and look to win back to back games for the first time this season. Now they get that chance, followings last week’s bye, against none
other than their arch-rivals, the hated Atlanta Falcons. Last week, the Falcons lost their top receiver for this game, in Drake London, and lost their starting quarterback, Michael Penix Jr, for the season. This week enters the Saints’ old foe, Kirk Cousins, who regains the starting quarterback spot he lost in Atlanta last season. As the holidays quickly approach, the Saints will gladly host Cousins and his Falcons to an NFC South showdown in the Superdome.
Let’s take a look at this and all of the matchups in the NFL in Week 12.
Last week I went 12-3
I told you so: Broncos over Chiefs!
What do I know: Chargers over Jaguars?
***
WEEK 12
Thursday, November 2oth – Thursday Night Football
Bills(7-3) at Texans(5-5)
Buffalo showed and impressive offensive output last week against a Tampa Bay team that at one point this season fancied itself among the NFC’s elite. They will continue to impress on offense against a Houston team that has clawed its way back to a .500 record. Buffalo wins 30-24.
Pick: Bills
***
Sunday, November 23rd – Early Games
Jets(2-8) at Ravens(5-5)
The eternal questions at quarterback continue for the Jets while Baltimore has their answer at quarterback returning back to his elite level, and Lamar Jackson has his team primed to strike at a vulnerable top of the AFC North. Baltimore wins 32-14.
Pick: Ravens
***
Steelers(6-4) at Bears(7-3)
That vulnerable team at the top of the AFC North is Pittsburgh, and a loss here in Chicago will find them tied at the top of a division they once led comfortably. This will be a close one, but the home team pulls it out in the end. Chicago wins 25-23.
Pick: Bears
***
Patriots(9-2) at Bengals(3-7)
Joe Burrow is still unlikely to return for Cincinnati until their Thanksgiving Night game next Thursday, making the likelihood of this game close even less likely. New England, along with Denver, is the class of the AFC, and they will easily dispatch of a Cincy team that hoped they would sit in that position not long ago. New England wins 34-17.
Pick: Patriots
***
Giants(2-9) at Lions(6-4)
Detroit had been extremely shaky since mid-October, especially against Philly last week. Thankfully for them, the Giants aren’t in the same stratosphere as Philly. Detroit wins 31-20.
Pick: Lions
***
Vikings(4-6) at Packers(6-3-1)
This NFC North matchup will be closer than most expect. Trailing by a point, late in the fourth quarter, the Packers hit the game-winning field goal as time expires. Green Bay wins 29-27.
Pick: Packers
***
Colts(8-2) at Chiefs(5-5)
Following a whirlwind first half of the season, Indianapolis is coming fresh off their bye to face a Kansas City team that is reeling from an absolutely devastating loss at Denver last week. This one will be close throughout, but Indy scores the go-ahead touchdown in the fourth that they will never relinquish. Indianapolis wins 21-14.
Pick: Colts
***
Seahawks(7-3) at Titans(1-9)
Seattle has beaten every team they are supposed to beat this season, while also losing to every team they should probably have lost to, including last week against the Rams. Thankfully for them, they are back against a team they should certainly beat, and they will. Seattle wins 28-13.
Pick: Seahawks
***
Sunday, November 23rd – Late Games
Jaguars(6-4) at Cardinals(3-7)
Arizona has been deceptively horrible this season, losing 7 of their last 8 games, including two-consecutive 40+ point losses over the last two weeks. While other teams have gotten more attention for their terrible seasons, Arizona is making their case, and that case will continue against the Jags. Jacksonville wins 24-13.
Pick: Jaguars
***
Browns(2-8) at Raiders(2-7)
Speaking of terrible seasons, both of these franchises knows something about that. Which team wants to secure a top-three pick more? Las Vegas wins 20-14.
Pick: Raiders
***
Eagles(8-2) at Cowboys(3-5-1)
Philly has reasserted themselves as the class of the NFC, alongside the Rams, with back-to-back dominant defensive performances against NFC playoff contenders. This week, their offense will get to show what they have in Dallas. Philadelphia wins 31-21.
Pick: Eagles
***
Falcons(3-7) at Saints(2-8)
Atlanta, in typical Atlanta fashion, set themselves up with false hope, thanks to a 3-2 start, featuring three wins against playoff teams from a season ago. Since then, they have rattled off an impressive five-straight losses, a dubious feat even this season’s Saints haven’t completed. Now they enter the Superdome, with a chance to find themselves in last place in the NFC South with a loss.
The Saints will be thrilled to put the Falcons in their place by beating their arch-rivals in Tyler Shough’s first start at home in the Caesars Superdome. For the first time in a while, the Dome should really be rocking, as the Saints are playing for something other than draft position, they are playing for real stake, pride, and to beat their biggest rival. This one should be fun. Saints win 20-17.
Pick: Saints
***
Sunday Night Football
Buccaneers(6-4) at Rams(8-2) – Game of the Week
After a remarkable start to their season, the Bucs have now lost 3 of their last 4 games, with all three losses coming against contenders they once thought they were. Now they face the biggest contender of the group in Los Angeles. This game will be close, but the Rams are in the midst of a Super season, while the Bucs have become super disappointing. Los Angeles wins 26-21.
Pick: Rams
***
Monday, November 24th – Monday Night Football
Panthers(6-5) at 49ers(7-4)
San Francisco has been lost behind Seattle’s surprising season and the dominance of the Rams in the NFC West, but the Niners are in the second week of what should be four-consecutive easy victories. They’ll make short work of Carolina at home in primetime. San Francisco wins 30-14.
Pick: 49ers
***
There it is Week 12 of the NFL season. Leave us your picks, comments, and insight below!
