NFL Week 12 Preview
Fantasy Football Start Em’ Sit Em
Quarterback Start: Marcus Mariota, Derek Carr, Russell Wilson, Eli Manning
Quarterback Sit: Carson Palmer, Jameis Winston, Andy Dalton, Alex Smith
Running Back Start: Jay Ajayi, Thomas Rawls, Terrence West, Robert Kelly
Running Back Sit: Doug Martin, Jeremy Hill, James Starks, Mark Ingram
Wide Receiver Start: Michael Crabtree, Larry Fitzgerald, Doug Baldwin, Julian Edelman
Wide Receive Sit: Terrelle Pryor Sr., Tyrell Williams, Golden Tate, Donte Moncrief
Tight End Start: Greg Olsen, Kyle Randolph, Zach Ertz, Jason Witten
Tight End Sit: Travis Kelce, Cameron Brate, Jared Cook, Austin Hooper
Defense/ST Start: Bills, Giants, Titans
Defense/ST Sit: Panthers, Cowboys, Packers
Week 12 Game Picks
Vikings vs. Lions: Last week’s Vikings looked like the team that started the season 5-0. Their offense did enough while their defense and special teams produced. Against the Lions, they’re basically guaranteed to have a fourth quarter lead (no seriously, the Lions have trailed in the fourth in each game this season). So it’s only a matter of if they can close the deal this time instead of blowing it in OT like the first meeting. With Blair Walsh not kicking this game, the Vikings have a great chance to avenge their previous defeat. So I’ll pick them to win a close game.
Redskins vs. Cowboys: There’s been a lot of talk coming out of Washington lately. After their victory over the Packers, Kirk Cousins claimed he heard “We Want Dallas!” chants while leaving the field. Running Back Rob Kelly referred to the 9-1 team as the Cowgirls. The problem here is the Cowboys are built to beat a team like Washington. Yes, the Redskins offense has looked good recently and have found a groove. But what good can they do on the sidelines? That’s right, the Great Wall of Dallas is still in tact and Ezekiel Elliot is still running the ball and controlling the clock. Dak Prescott isn’t a turnover prone rookie. All signs point to a Cowboys victory.
Steelers vs. Colts: The Steelers haven’t looked like themselves even with Big Ben back from injury. Fortunately, they played the Browns last week and face a Colts team who may be led by Scott Tolzein on Thanksgiving. Andrew Luck is still in the concussion protocol for now, but there’s a slight chance he may play. Even if Luck plays, Roethlisberger should have no problem throwing the ball on the Colts secondary even if he isn’t 100%. Steelers should win this one.
Rams vs. Saints: Rams fans wanted Jared Goff and got him. Problem is their offense is still terrible because their offensive line can’t open many lanes for Todd Gurley. So the only way the Rams can win this game is if their defense can somehow hold the Saints offense under 17 points. Not going to happen. Saints win.
Titans vs. Bears: Jay Cutler has played his last game in a Bears uniform for what it’s worth. The Titans can still win the AFC South, but they need to start by winning games they’re supposed to win. Last week’s loss to a concussed Andrew Luck and company cannot be replicated here. Expect the Titans to go to the run early and often and pull away late against Chicago.
Cardinals vs. Falcons: This just doesn’t seem to be the Cardinals season. Coming off of a setback against the Vikings, Arizona now has to travel to Atlanta to face the Falcons fresh off of a bye week. Going up against the best total defense in the league, we’ll get to see how good this Falcons attack can be. More importantly, this will be a test for their defense. The falcons have the 28th ranked defense in the league and are a little bare in the secondary. The Cardinals enjoy taking shots down the field. I’ll pick the Cardinals to win the game with a balance attack on offense and a more reliable defense.
Giants vs. Browns: Out of their final five games, the Browns may have one last chance to avoid going 0-16 in 2016. This week is not that chance. They’ll lose against the Giants.
Chargers vs. Texans: The Chargers are coming off of a bye week to face a familiar foe. The last time they saw Brock Osweiler, they forced him to the bench which gave Peyton Manning his final run at the Super Bowl. Osweiler will have his chances to prove himself. With the fifth-ranked run defense in the league, the Chargers should have little trouble containing the Texans running game. So expect the Texans offense to be skewed more towards passing. The question of who will win this game comes down to which quarterback turns the ball over less. When we last saw Philip Rivers, he was throwing four interceptions in the fourth quarter to destroy any chance his team had of winning. The Texans are flying back from Mexico on a short week and Osweiler hasn’t lived up to his contract. If Rivers can stop throwing the ball away, expect a Chargers victory.
Jaguars vs. Bills: Jaguars Head Coach Gus Bradley is likely done after this season and the Jaguars are done in this game if LeSean McCoy can play. Blake Bortles has regressed to Blake Chortles when you watch him play. So expect the Bills to win this game.
Bengals vs. Ravens: Speaking of coaches on the hot seat, you’ve gotta take a look at Marvin Lewis and the Bengals. The bare minimum for Coach Lewis to keep his job was a playoff win. Now, the Bengals don’t look like they’re going to the playoffs at all. With A.J. Green and Gio Bernard out, the Bengals offense looks like a shell of itself going up against one of the league’s best defenses. Expect them to lose to the Ravens
49ers vs. Dolphins: The Niners are awful and the Dolphins are hot. Miami will win.
Seahawks vs. Buccaneers: Tampa Bay has won two-straight games, but this game against Seattle will be a big set up. It’s a long way to travel for the Seahawks, but they’re on a roll as well. Jameis Winston is playing well, but all he has to combat the Legion of Boom with is Mike Evans. That’s enough against some teams in the NFL, but not against Seattle. Look for the Seahawks to win.
Patriots vs. Jets: Before the season started, this looked like a good game. Not any more. With Tom Brady rolling, it’s hard to see the Jets winning this one.
Panthers vs. Raiders: At 4-6, Carolina will be fighting for their playoff lives every week. They cannot afford another loss. The bad news for them is they have to head to the black hole to play the raiders without their leader on defense and no secondary to speak of. So the Panthers offense needs to be ready to play big this week if they have any chance of winning. Ultimately, I don’t think they will have much success stopping the Raiders attack. I’m picking Oakland to win this game.
Chiefs vs. Broncos: Coming off of a bye, the Broncos should be well rested for their divisional matchup with the Chiefs. On top of that, the Chiefs haven’t been playing their best lately. I might have to put one foot off the Chiefs bandwagon for now. I don’t see them moving the ball much on a rested Broncos defense. Look for Denver to win at home.
Packers vs. Eagles: The Packers will be playing their second straight on the road. Their defense has completely fallen off the map and their offense is Aaron Rodgers or bust. The margin for error for Rodgers is easily the smallest in the league. If he doesn’t play excellent, the Packers lose. The Eagles haven’t lost at home all season and I expect them to go after the Packers weak defense. Look for the Eagles to win if Rogers is anything less than excellent.
