NFL Week 12 Picks

Well last week I said that anything less that double digits in the win column would be unacceptable, looks like I barely passed the mark on my straight picks as I finished the week 10-5-1. However I wasn’t so lucky with my picks against the spread, which finished below .500 at 7-9. Can you say ‘Ouch’? Well, no need to beat around the bush this week; let’s just get right to it.

Season Stats:

94-65-1 / 94 of 160(.588) Straight Picks

84-73-3(.525) Against the Spread

----Picks against the spread in red----

ALL TIMES ARE EASTERN

Thursday, November 20^th, 2008

Cincinnati Bengals(1-8-1) at Pittsburgh Steelers(7-3) 8:15PM

It would seem to me that they Bengals have already received all their gifts for the season. They’ve been simply awful, but have somehow managed to pull off an upset victory over Jacksonville and forced the first tie in six years against the Eagles. At this point I think that it would be asking too much for them to achieve a second upset in Pittsburgh.

Steelers remain perfect against division rivals

(Steelers -11)

Sunday, November 23^rd, 2008

Tampa Bay Buccaneers(7-3) at Detroit Lions(0-10) 1:00PM

We’re going to make this game Detroit’s upset special. All season Detroit has managed to put up points, and get into some fairly close games against some decent teams. I’ve got to say that this week, winless in ten games, and playing at home, this team simply lay’s it all out on the line, shocking everyone with an upset.

Lions finally pull off an upset.

(Lions +8.5)

Philadelphia Eagles(5-4-1) at Baltimore Ravens(6-4) 1:00PM

One can only wonder what happened to Philadelphia last week when they allowed the Bengals to hold on for the first tie in six years. Now they will have to step over to Baltimore and take on a Raven who are 3-1 at home. If Joe Flacco can shake off last weeks Giants game and allow the Ravens defense to play with a lead, this could be a tough game for the Eagles.

Ravens continue stay in the chase for the AFC North

(Ravens -1.5)

Houston Texans(3-7) at Cleveland Browns(4-6) 1:00PM

Texans may have a losing record on the season this year, but they still have some talent on their roster and although Sage Rosenfels still makes me nerves when he stands behind center, I can’t help but feel that Steve Slaton is going to run wild on the Browns defense. This could open up some big plays from Rosenfels to Andre Johnson.

Texans win first road game of their season

(Texans No Line)

San Francisco 49ers(3-7) at Dallas Cowboys(6-4) 1:00PM

While I’m not completely sold that the return of Tony Romo has brought the Cowboys back to ‘Great team’ status, but I am sold that the 49ers have been faced with a few struggles this season. Now to think that they would travel to Dallas and achieve an upset could prove to be a bit of a stretch.

Cowboys hold it together and mark up another win

(Cowboys No Line)

New York Jets(7-3) at Tennessee Titans(10-0) 1:00PM

While I think most people are about ready to pick just about any game in which the Titans fall from grace, I simply don’t think that it will come in a game as possibly predictable as this one. Sure Brett Favre has the arm to gun sling his way to a victory, but he also has the risk factor to feed the Titans turnover ratio. I’m calling for a tight game, multiple lead changes, and another Titan finish.

Titans continue to defy their critics

(Jets +5)

Minnesota Vikings(5-5) at Jacksonville Jaguars(4-6) 1:00PM

The Jaguars have been on and off this year, and based on their record, more off than on. Now they will have to host the Vikings defense on their own field in Jacksonville where they are 1-4 for the season. This may not work out well for the home team.

Vikings grab a small lead early and hold on

(Vikings No Line)

Buffalo Bills(5-5) at Kansas City Chiefs(1-9) 1:00PM

Lately the Chiefs have been knocking on everyone’s door, only no one has let them in. The Jets beat them by only 4, the Buccaneers by 3, the Chargers by 1, and although last week they lost by 10 to New Orleans, I still think Tyler Thigpen is managing the game and the return of Larry Johnson can’t hurt either. So what happens when we bring a spiraling Buffalo team into Arrowhead stadium to face off against a Chiefs team with nothing left to lose?

Chiefs take hold of a second victory at home

(Chiefs No Line)

New England Patriots(6-4) at Miami Dolphins(6-4) 1:00PM

Now I don’t have any stats in front of me, but correct me if I’m wrong. Don’t teams usually split their match ups by winning at home? Earlier this season, the Dolphins traveled to New England, unveiled the Wildcat offense to an unprepared Bradyless team, and shocked the NFL with a huge upset. Chances are, Matt Cassel will be more comfortable, and the Patriots defense better prepared when they enter Dolphin stadium this Sunday. Are we going to see a season split?

Patriots win and even up the series with Miami

(Patriots +2)

Chicago Bears(5-5) at St. Louis Rams(2-8) 1:00PM

While the Rams may have looked like they were going to turn things around for two straight wins, they’ve proven to do anything but since. They would have to come out of the gate with some more surprises to win in this match up.

Bears win on the road

(Bears No Line)

Oakland Raiders(2-8) at Denver Broncos(6-4) 4:05PM

As a Bronco fan I am ashamed for having picked against my team two weeks in a row and then watch them win. I thought their run game was over, but Hillis and the reacquisition of Tatum Bell has managed to move the ball. I thought their injury laden defense was a lost cause, but last week they did enough to hold down the Falcons. I’ve always believed in Cutler and now he’s shown he can shoulder the load. I’m not making this mistake a third time.

Broncos sweep the series against the Raiders

(Broncos -10)

Carolina Panthers(8-2) at Atlanta Falcons(6-4) 4:15PM

I expect this game to be an excellent match up. I also expect this game to be anything but one sided. Rookie Matt Ryan has been leading his team like a veteran this season and Atlanta has got to be celebrating the turn around from last season’s fiascos. I don’t know that anyone expects the Falcons to pull off the win here, but I think the Falcons take advantage of home field and put up one hell of a show.

Falcons make a move to stay in the race for the NFC South

(Falcons -1)

Washington Redskins(6-4) at Seattle Seahawks(2-8) 4:15PM

Seahawks have struggled this season and they can’t hide the fact that they are just as bad at home as they are on the road. That’s 1-4 on the road and 1-4 at home. The Redskins on the other hand need this win to keep their place above Dallas in the NFC East. We’ll have to wait and see if Portis continues to play, but either way I don’t know if the Seahawks have what it takes.

Redskins travel cross the country to pick up a win

(Redskins No Line)

New York Giants(9-1) at Arizona Cardinals(7-3) 4:15PM

While it’s tempting to want to pick Warner and Boldin…or should it be Warner and Fitzgerald…to lead the Cardinals to a huge win over the Giants, I just can’t do it. This Giants team has simply been solid and efficient throughout the season while the Cardinals have lead a winning season against a lot of sub .500 teams.

Giants enjoy the warmth of Arizona…along with a win

(Giants -3.5)

Sunday, November 23^rd, 2008, Sunday Night Football

Indianapolis Colts(6-4) at San Diego Chargers(4-6) 8:15PM

It’s time to stop holding on to the Chargers of last season. This team simply isn’t the team they were last year. Yes they have talent, and yes they could still pull it together in the second half of the season, but until they do I’m going to have question whether they are going to be able to fend off Peyton Manning and the Colts. The Colts have been regaining their hold on this season, but can the Chargers still regain theirs?

Colts win at Qualcomm Stadium

(Colts +3)

Monday, November 24^th, 2008, Monday Night Football

Green Bay Packers(5-5) at New Orleans Saints(5-5) 8:30PM

This should turn out to be a fantastic Monday Night match up with high scoring possibilities. Between the arms of Aaron Rodgers and Drew Brees I can’t imagine this game to be lacking in highlights. But the question still remains. Who finishes the game on top? Both teams are 5-5 and both teams are coming off a Sunday win. This one could end with whoever has the ball last.

Packers comes out ahead in a shootout

(Packers No Line)

Looks like even Vegas is having a hard time picking games with so many games missing a line. It’ll just have to be updated later this week. And with that, Week 12 is concluded! Temperatures are dropping around the country and winter is calling, time to fire up the grill, warm your favorite liquor or crack open that bottle of brew and settling in for another weekend packed full of football!