NFL Week 12 Picks

Obviously the game of the week is Broncos at Patriots, better known as Manning vs. Brady XIV. Since when did we start adding roman numerals to these games like it's the friggin Super Bowl? Anyways, that picture makes Peyton look very old and Tommy looks like some sort of creepy evil fashion model.

Last weeks picks were horrible like I expected them to be after a great week 10. I went 1-2-1 for spreads and only 8-6 overall. I have a better feeling about my picks this week though. Onto the games...

Overall: 98-61  Spread: 19-23-2

Steelers 27, Browns 17 --- PIT +2 The Cleveland Browns became a franchise again in 1999, since then they have a 5-23 record against the Steelers. Five wins in 14 seasons. The Brownies have also lost four of five after their three game winning streak earlier this year. I'm not too sure why they are favored in this game other than the fact that it's in Cleveland. The Steelers have won four of their last six and need to keep winning in order to keep their playoff hopes alive. There would be no excuse if the Steelers blow this opportunity to get to 5-6.

Lions 24, Bucs 21 --- In the past three games Mike Glennon has thrown 7 TDs and zero interceptions. The Bucs have won two of those games and lost the other one in overtime to the Seahawks. The Bucs have been playing with a lot of heart recently and I think they will play well again today in Detroit but they are 0-4 on the road and the Lions are a better home team. It could be a close game but the Lions should get the win.

Packers 20, Vikings 17 --- The Packers are reminding me of the 2011 Indianapolis Colts without Peyton Manning. Ever since Aaron Rodgers got hurt the Pack are 0-3. In the past two games they have only scored 26 total points. They are however still in the NFC North divisional race and they get to play the 2-7 Vikings this week, who are 0-5 on the road this season. If the Packers want to keep their playoff hopes alive they need to get this win.

Chiefs 20, Chargers 14 --- The Chargers have lost three games in a row to the Redskins, Broncos, and Dolphins. They were 4-3 before those losses but they are starting to become the team we all expected them to be at the beginning of the year. Which is mediocre at best. The Chiefs suffered their first loss of the year but they are a much better team in Arrowhead so I think they hand the Chargers their fourth straight loss today.

Rams 27, Bears 24 --- I have no idea who wins this game. The Rams had a bye last week but in week 10 they went into Indianapolis and won 38-8. Before that they have lost three games in a row even though Zac Stacy was running for 300 yards. The Bears on the other hand have been alright since Jay Cutler got hurt. They lost to the Redskins and Lions but beat the Packers and Ravens. So, they aren't a bad team but they aren't great either. I'll take the Rams because they are the home team but this one could go either way.

Panthers 21, Dolphins 14 --- This might sound strange but I have less confidence picking the Panthers to win this game then I did when I picked them to beat the 49ers and Patriots. The Panthers are better than the Dolphins but I could easily see them having a let down after two of the bigger wins in franchise history. I'll still pick them to win but it wouldn't shock me if the Dolphins hang around in this one.

Ravens 31, Jets 14 --- BAL -3.5 The Jets have the second worst point differential in the league right now (-85 points). So if the Jets aren't winning they get blown out basically. I think they get crushed again this week. I know they are due for a win because they alternate wins and losses but Geno Smith isn't good on the road (4 TDs, 10 INTs). The Ravens are also a better team at home (3-1 this season), and need to win in order to put them into a better position for the final wild card spot.

Texans 27, Jaguars 14 --- The Texans are currently on an eight game losing streak but they have lost their last four games by a total of 12 points. So even though the Texans are bad they haven't quit. Case Keenum had been good until last week when he got benched against the Raiders. But he's starting today and I think they finally get their third win of the year over the Jaguars because the Jags are dreadful. Other than their win against the Titans, they have lost every game by 10 or more points.

Raiders 24, Titans 20 --- OAK -1.5 The Titans have lost five of six including a loss to the Jaguars so I'm not too sure why they are the favorite in this one. The Raiders are off a win over in the Texans in Matt McGloin's first NFL start. He threw for 284 yards, 3 touchdowns, and no picks. Not a bad debut. The Raiders have been a better team this year at home, posting a 3-2 record. They also rank 6th in the league in rushing defense, so it's possible Chris Johnson will have little to no impact making Ryan Fitzpatrick throw the ball often, which can only mean interceptions. Raiders win.

Colts 26, Cardinals 23 --- The Cardinals three game win streak has been accomplished by beating teams with five total wins (Falcons, Texans, Jaguars). That's not exactly a Panthers resume. Today they get a real test with the Colts, who are 4-1 on the road and haven't played since last Thursday. The Colts haven't been playing great football lately, barely getting wins over the Texans and Titans and getting smoked by the Rams but they won two of those games. They normally win the close ones, so I think Andrew Luck will pull this one out in the end.

Giants 31, Cowboys 27 --- The G-Men have won four in a row, while the Cowboys have lost two of three and are off a beat down from the Saints. It is only late November so Tony Romo shouldn't be playing his worst football just yet but I think the Giants are the better team right now. The Cowboys are 1-4 on the road this year and Giants have won their last three in MetLife. It should be a close one but I can't help but image a late fourth quarter Tony Romo interception costing the Cowboys the game.

Patriots 34, Broncos 30 --- NE +2.5 The only thing I think of when I hear Peyton Manning in Foxboro, is Ty Law intercepting him about ten times during a snowy playoff game (It was the 2003 AFC Championship and Law only had three picks but ten sounded better). Peyton is 2-6 playing in New England against long-time rival Thomas F. Brady. The Patriots are 5-0 at home this season and the temperature at kickoff is going to be about 20 degrees. That's not exactly Peyton Manning weather. The Patriots rarely lose two games in a row and I'm sure TFB doesn't want to lose to Peyton in his building. Patriots win.

49ers 27, Redskins 24 --- In the past two weeks I have said both Colin Kaepernick and Bob Griffin III stink. They have this year. The Redskins season in pretty much finished but a Monday night home game might give them some motivation. The only problem is that the Ninerss have lost two in a row and cannot afford to fall to 6-5. I think the Niners defense will cause RG III trouble in the first half and the Niners will take an early lead and cruise to victory allowing the Redskins to backdoor cover.

Enjoy the games people.