Week 12 Picks

12:30 PM Thursday, November 22, 2012

History says that Detroit always plays one of their best games of the year on U.S. Thanksgiving, problem is they are playing one of the best teams in football that had a Jacksonville Jaguars team score 37 on the defence that is one of the best. Houston had 36 first downs and 640 total yards in that game, but they will perform on a short week of preparation. But I am sure Wade Phillips will also expect more from his defence and get it. NFL players do not have two poor games in a row. Houston covers the 3.

4:15 PM Thursday, November 22, 2012

The Cowboys are a frustrating team to watch as you see the talent but you don't see consistency. Dallas is the home team here on a short week playing a division game against a true rival. Robert Griffin III will play his first game in the new $1.2 billion Cowboys Stadium. He will have no problem with the short week when he walks into the structure. The Cowboys will, so I'll take the Redskins to keep it close. Redskins.

8:20 PM Thursday, November 22, 2012

The Patriots have scored 358 points in 10 games. Denver is is second best, but are well back with 301. The injury to Rob Gronkowski is important, but if one team has the depth to recover it would be the Patriots. The Jets beat a good Rams team due to the time of possession with 33 minutes but only had 165 passing yards. New England with their running attack will not lose time of possession. The first Jets/Pats game was won by New York, but I just can't see two in one year. Pats cover the six.

1:00 PM Sunday, November 25, 2012

The Bears are coming off a pair of very tough games. First was a 13-6 loss to the Houston Texans, then a 32-7 defeat to San Francisco and Colin Kaepernick who looked great. The Vikings are the opposite, as they are coming off a bye with a red hot Adrian Peterson. Jay Cutler still has a second test to pass until he is cleared for game day. It's a divisional game with the Vikings one game behind the Bears. Someone will win by a field goal.

1:00 PM Sunday, November 25, 2012

The Raiders defense has allowed 38, 55 and 42 points the last three games. Cincinnati has allowed only 13 and six points in their last two contests, and the Bengals are only one game behind the Steelers in the division. This game marks the return of Carson Palmer to Paul Brown Stadium.

1:00 PM Sunday, November 25, 2012

The Steelers are on their third QB as Charlie Batch has been named the starter. The Steelers have not allowed an opposition QB to pass for more than 177 yards in the past five games. Steelers win, but by three.

1:00 PM Sunday, November 25, 2012

The Bills played the Patriots two weeks ago and lost 37-31, but could have won late. Last week, the Colts lost to New England 59-24 but Andrew Luck threw for a lot of yards. With those games in mind, logic says the Bills, coming off the Thursday night win, will be ready.

1:00 PM Sunday, November 25, 2012

The loss of Willis Mcgahee is a blow, but Denver will run the ball with two or more backs. The Chiefs are 0-5 at home and have lost by an average of 13 points. Denver has the second best offense in football and can win by more than 10.

1:00 PM Sunday, November 25, 2012

Tough one in that you are never sure how a team responds after three consecutive losses as the Dolphins have. Seattle is in tough because you never know how a team reacts when they have to travel across the country. But the Seahawks are 1-4 on the road and know to make the playoffs they have to win on the road.

1:00 PM Sunday, November 25, 2012

The Falcons are 9-1 but it's not like the Texans, Patriots or even the Ravens. They never blow anyone out and win on last possessions or game winning field goals. The Bucs are the most improved team in football and have scored 27, 34, 42 and 36 points over their last four games. Both Matt Ryan and Josh Freeman have 21 touchdown passes so far. I think the Bucs are for real.

1:00 PM Sunday, November 25, 2012

The Titans are coming off their bye week, while the Jaguars are coming off a 43-37 loss to Houston. Quarterback Chad Henne was outstanding taking over for the injured Blaine Gabbert and he'll start again against the Dolphins. Five of the Titans six losses have been by at least 21 points. Yes, they did beat Miami 37-3, but 37 points on Houston is not a fluke.

4:05 PM Sunday, November 25, 2012

Just the fact that it is Baltimore by one, even though they are 8-2 and San Diego is 4-6 makes me take notice. Trap game? Those Steelers games take their toll.

4:25 PM Sunday, November 25, 2012

The Cardinals benefited from five Matt Ryan interceptions, but still lost, 23-19 in Atlanta. The Rams lost to the Jets due to two fourth quarter touchdowns. Jeff Fisher is building something. Ken Whisenhunt's Cardinals have lost six straight after a 4-0 start.

4:25 PM Sunday, November 25, 2012

The Saints are on a roll. They have won five of their last six, scoring 30 points or more in four of their last five wins. Drew Brees is also clicking and his 28 touchdown passes is one more than the Packers' Aaron Rogers. But this will be the best team that the Saints have played all season and the 49ers may have found a future star in QB Colin Kaepernick.

8:20 PM Sunday, November 25, 2012

The Giants are coming off their bye week and they needed it after two straight losses to the Steelers and Bengals. All of a sudden they are not a lock to win the NFC East. The Packers love New York; the sights the sounds and even the shopping. They also have won in New York four straight times over the Giants. Did you know Eli Manning has not thrown a touchdown pass in three straight games? Aaron Rogers last one beat Detroit 24-20.

8:30 PM Monday, November 26, 2012

Tough one to assess because it is more about focus and emotional energy reserves than talent versus talent. Cam Newton is a lot farther along than young Nick Foles. In the last four games opposing quarterbacks have a passer rating of 143.5 against Philadelphia; good enough to offset home field on Monday night.

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