NFL Week 12 Predictions
Minnesota vs Detroit
Both teams come in at 6-4 and the winner will take sole possession of first place in the NFC North. The Vikings stopped the bleeding last week with a win vs Arizona after a 4 game losing streak. But was that more about the Cardinals or the Vikings? The Lions seem to have at least an idea of who they are and are competitive each week and the home crowd will make the difference along with the Vikings kicking woes. Vikings 18 Lions 20.
Washington vs Dallas
It feels like I am a kid again with the NFC East being the best division in the NFC, and I'm 32 by the way. Washington is playing very well and if not for early season red zone woes they could be coming in at 8-2 or 9-1 themselves. As long as the Cowboys o-line is healthy they will be competitive. Zeke is a dual threat and Dak just hasn't made any rookie mistakes consistently. As usual, Dallas controls the clock and runs the football to seal the victory. Washington DC 17 Cowboys 18.
Pittsburgh vs Indianapolis
The Steelers offense has been pretty good the last couple of weeks with mix results, a loss to Dallas and a win over Cleveland. They should continue their surge against the Colts but their inconsistency leaves you a little hesitant to get behind them 100%. No Luck this week for the Colts and they were starting to figure things out offensively. This Thanksgiving night cap could get ugly. Steelers 31 Colts 19.
Tennessee vs Chicago
Mike Mularkey has the Titans looking like a playoff contender this season and a potential division champ. They are a year or two and a player or two away from being a legit Super Bowl contender. The Bears are headed in the opposite direction and are in serious need of a quarterback, the time to move on from Jay Cutler has come and gone. Titans should roll. Titans 33 Bears 24.
Jacksonville vs Buffalo
What is the problem with Jags? The running game was bad last year they were much better and more competitive. Blake Bortles has taken a step back and the entire team went with him. Buffalo has to win this if they want to be taken seriously. A home game against one of the worse teams in football is a must win for a team looking to make the playoffs. Jaguars 18 Bills 27.
Cincinnati vs Baltimore
No AJ Green is a big blow to a team that has been virtually one dimensional all season. The Bengals biggest threat and Andy Dalton's favorite target is gone and the change of pace back, Giovanni Benard, is down too. Not a good time to be Marvin Lewis who some think was already on the hot seat. The Ravens have to win this game to keep pace with the Steelers. They hold the tie breaker with Pittsburgh and a home loss to a team trending downward would be a huge setback. Bengals 16 Ravens 17.
Arizona vs Atlanta
To say the Cardinals have been disappointing would be an understatement. At 4-5-1 they pretty much need to win out to get a wild card spot and make the playoffs. Last week's loss to the Vikings was probably their worse performance of the season considering the Vikings had loss 4 straight. Will the real Falcons please stand up? The team in Philly last week won't make the playoffs but when you look at their wins the Broncos is the only team with a winning record. Cardinals 31 Falcons 34.
New York Giants vs Cleveland
At 7-3 the Giants are still in excellent position to win the NFC East because the Cowboys only loss came in week one vs the G-men. Their defense has been what they paid for and the offense has been good with Eli leading the charge. Just don't be the team the Browns get their first win against. Giants 31 Browns 10.
Los Angles vs New Orleans
I love this game. This to me is the most interesting game of the week. It's strength vs strength and weakness vs weakness. First the high flying Saints offense will try to score points against one of the league's best defenses. Brees plays well at home and usually scores points even against the best defenses, but the story will be about Jared Goff. The Rams offense is horrible but they get one of the league's worse defenses but in front of one of the league's loudest crowds. Todd Gurley shows up and breaks out, while the Rams defense also shines. Rams 16 Saints 13.
San Francisco vs Miami
After what happened last year in Philly and this year in San Fran, Chip Kelly might just be a great college football coach. His style of football just isn't for the NFL and we will see what free agents if any will decide to come out to the Bay Area this off season. The Dolphins are the same position as the Bills, a home game against a team they should beat in order to stay in the wild card race. 49ers 17 Dolphins 23.
San Diego vs Houston
Coming of the bye the Chargers should want to get the bad taste out of their mouth after the loss to the Dolphins. Melvin Gordon has been spectacular and should continue to play well against the Texans. Could you imagine this offense with a healthy Keenan Allen? For the Texans, they have to move on mentally after the Monday Night loss to the Raiders. They felt like the refs won the game more than the Raiders. They are undefeated at home and should remain that way. Chargers 24 Texans 28.
Seattle vs Tampa
Russell Wilson is healthy and the Seahawks offense is looking like what we expected it to. CJ Prosise has emerged as a potential featured back and the defense is slowly getting all their horses back as well. The Buccs are coming off their biggest win of the season after beating the Chiefs in Kansas City. Winston has accounted for a touchdown in every game so far of his pro career and they should continue but it won't be enough. Seahawks 32 Buccaneers 24.
Carolina vs Oakland
For as bad as the panthers have been they are only two games back in the loss column behind Atlanta. That has to be encouraging and some late turnovers have cost them some games recently. They will be without their defensive quarterback Luke Kuechly and will need Cam Newton to play lights out to win this week. The Raiders won despite their outstanding receiver duo having a major impact statistically last week. The Panthers secondary hasn't been good and Cooper and Crabtree should get back on track. Panthers 27 Raiders 31.
New England vs New York Jets
Tom Brady loves to play the Jets but will do so without Gronk potentially. The Patriots know what's at stake down the stretch and know they only have to take care of their own business if they want to get home field advantage throughout the AFC playoffs. The Jets are in need of a confidence boost and something to ignite the fan base because the season has been a disaster and one to forget, too bad it won't be this week. Patriots 37 Jets 15.
Kansas City vs Denver
Coming off a shocking loss to Tampa the Chiefs will look to get on track in Mile High. A tough place to play for most teams but this veteran group and coach will be up to the challenge. It will have a playoff like atmosphere Alex Smith is the key. He threw a key interception last week and will need to avoid that mistake this week because the Broncos defense turns turnovers to points. Denver is rested coming off a bye and the don't have to travel for Sunday night's game. They have to run the ball effectively and the defense has to get off the field on third down. Chiefs 16 Broncos 18.
Green Bay vs Philadelphia
The injuries have been too much for the Packers to overcome especially on defense. The secondary has been really bad and everyone is taking full advantage of their misfortune. The defensive woes have forced Aaron Rodgers to have to play gun slinger and that's not what he is. The lack of a running game has taken the play action threat completely out of the game plan. The Eagles come off and impressive win vs Atlanta and will look to build on that against Green Bay. Wentz should have his way against the Packers secondary but his o-line has to protect him vs the Packers pass rush. Packers 27 Eagles 31.
