NFL Week 12 Picks

In week 9 I made my NFL picks and went 10-3. So again for week 12, I will be doing my picks for the NFL. I will start with the Thursday game this time, although I don't usually prefer to pick for Thursday games. It's a quick turnaround for the teams, not a lot of time to recover, and divisional games are tough to diagnose. However, with this game featuring the lowly Oakland Raiders, I feel confident of the pick. Just picks and no attempted wizardry on scores.

Kansas City Chiefs (7-3) @ Oakland Raiders (0-10)

Kansas City is on a 5 game win streak with an impressive win last week over the Seattle Seahawks. While Oakland has yet to win a game this year and have lost 16 in a row dating back to last year. While Oakland has improved, they fail to close games late. Largely in part to their inexperience, particularly at quarterback with Derek Carr. It's tough, and for my twin brothers sake I do hope the Raiders can pull a win at some point rest of the year, but I don't think that's this week.

Winner: Kansas City Chiefs

Cleveland Browns (6-4) @ Atlanta Falcons (4-6)

This is a tough one this week. Cleveland went from 1^st place in their division to last with a bad loss last week to Houston. Atlanta, 2 games under .500, are tied for first in their division. Atlanta hasn't looked good as season but their division has been even worse. Cleveland's defense is marginally better than the defense Atlanta played last week.

Winner: Cleveland Browns

Tennessee Titans (2-8) @ Philadelphia Eagles (7-3)

Tennessee can't stop the run and they can't score. Philadelphia will look for redemption after losing to arguably the best team in the NFC last week. Mark Sanchez will look to not turn the ball over as he is prone to doing.

Winner: Philadelphia Eagles

Detroit Lions (7-3) @ New England Patriots (8-2)

Two of the best teams in the league this year in what should be a great game. Detroit lost to Arizona last week for the battle for the best record in the NFC. New England has been a different team since Rob Gronkowski has returned from injury. Gronk is my dark horse MVP pick this point in the season. Unlikely as that is, he'll have to settle for leading the team to the 1 seed in the AFC.

Winner: New England Patriots

Green Bay Packers (7-3) @ Minnesota Vikings (4-6)

Divisional game. Best team in the NFC traveling to play a dysfunctional Viking team. Aaron Rodgers plays three quarters in this one.

Winner: Green Bay Packers

Jacksonville Jaguars (1-9) @ Indianapolis Colts (6-4)

Jacksonville cannot defend the pass and will have trouble against the number 1 ranked passing team in the Colts. Too much offense for the Jaguars to handle as Indy looks to stay among the top in the AFC.

Winner: Indianapolis Colts

Cincinnati Bengals (6-3-1) @ Houston Texans (5-5)

Ryan Mallet seems to give Houston a different dynamic on offense that they need to compliment their run game. Cincinnati's defense has not been what it was last year and it's shown. Andy Dalton has been inconsistent this year to say the least and J.J. Watt can do anything he wants on a football field for the Texans. I don't see another touchdown this week for Watt, but I see him getting acquainted with Andy Dalton in the back field often.

Winner: Houston Texans

New York Jets (2-8) @ Buffalo Bills (5-5)

Another divisional contest. But this one has fans saying J-E-T-S... Just End The Season.

Winner: Buffalo Bills

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-8) @ Chicago Bears (4-6)

Da Bears have played cubs this year. My upset of the week is going to be in this game. Matt Forte won't be able to do enough to save the Bears this week.

Winner: Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Arizona Cardinals (9-1) @ Seattle Seahawks (6-4)

Best division in football is the NFC West. These two teams are both looking to prove something this game. Seattle came off a tight loss to KC last week but at home, will look to rebound against the team they are looking up at in the division standings. A MILD upset call this game as the defending champion Seahawks are difficult to consider underdogs at home.

Winner: Seattle Seahawks

St. Louis Rams (4-6) @ San Diego Chargers (6-4)

How the Chargers have a 6-4 record is surprising to me. They seem broken most of the time this year. Philip Rivers doesn't seem right and he can't rely on the run game for any help. Meanwhile the Rams have found the defense they were hoping would carry over from last year.

Winner: St. Louis Rams

Miami Dolphins (6-4) @ Denver Broncos (7-3)

It's hot in Miami and cold in Denver. Much like how these two teams have been playing. Miami can take a page from the Rams and pressure Peyton Manning all game long with their elite pass rushers. The Denver defense needs to find itself and there is no better place to do that than at home. This has the makings of an upset and my heart wants to say Miami but my head is saying Denver. I do think Miami can win this game. My youngest, and only other brother, will be furious for a Miami win, and I hope they do for him.

Winner: Denver Broncos

Washington (3-7) @ San Francisco 49ers (6-4)

Every week is a do or die game for the 49ers. They need to win to stay alive in the play off picture. While Washington is just bad. San Francisco got a boost to their defense last week with Aldon Smith returning and this week he'll rack up a few sacks. Too much defense for Washington to handle.

Winner: San Francisco 49ers

Dallas Cowboys (7-3) @ New York Giants (3-7)

Any hope of saving their season has to start this week for the Giants. However, Dallas has won the last three meetings and their coming back from a bye week.

Winner: Dallas Cowboys

Monday Night Football

Baltimore Ravens (6-4) @ New Orleans Saints (4-6)

New Orleans sit atop the dismal NFC South with a 4-6 record. They are tied with the Falcons to seemed all but out of any contention from week 1. The Saints need to rebound and they need it to happen last week. Unfortunately they are playing a solid defense coming off a bye week. I don't see a shoot out or a high scoring affair. And their won't be many chances for grumpy Saints fans to steal footballs from opposing fans.

Winner: Baltimore Ravens