NFL Week 12 Preview/Predictions

Graphic creds to Brad Stewart

By: Joe Smeltzer
Happy Thanksgiving! The boys are back for some Turkey Day picks, as well as the rest of Week 12. Let's get into it.

1230
Vikings (8-2) at Lions (6-4)

Photo creds to Detroit Lions

When Minnesota and Detroit met Thanksgiving Day last season, the Vikings were in the midst of a stretch where they lost eight of their last 11 games. This year, Minnesota is riding a six-game win streak. As impressive as Case Keenum and the Vikings have been, I think their run is due to end.

Last Turkey Day, Darius Slay picked off Sam Bradford to set up a game-winning field goal in overtime for Detroit, 16-13. While this year's contest might not be as dramatic, the Lions secondary is one of the best in the league, and I think a few mistakes by Keenum will be the difference in another Turkey Day win for Detroit. Both Jeff and Brad think that Minnesota is "the better team." Maybe so, but not today.

Lions 20, Vikings 14. 

4:30

Chargers (4-6) at Cowboys (5-5)

I've lost faith in Dallas. How the Cowboys performed in the second half of Sunday night's game against Philadelphia was embarrassing. Meanwhile, the Chargers are coming off a dominating performance in which they scored 54 points. Expect Casey Heyward to lock down Dez Bryant, and don't expect the Dallas o-line to have an answer for Joey Bosa and Melvin Ingram if Tyron Smith isn't at 100 percent. Both twins have differeing opinions. Brad is picking the Chargers because he is "not an idiot", while Jeff is going with the Cowboys because the Chargers "suck." I'm riding with Brad.
Chargers 24, Cowboys 13

8:30
Giants (2-8) at Redskins (4-6)

As bad as the Redskins are, the Giants aren't winning two in a row. Somebody has to take this one, I guess.
Redskins 21, Giants 17



Sunday 
1:00
Bucs (4-6) at Falcons (6-4) 

Photo creds to SI.Com

After a shaky first half of the Falcons and Matt Ryan in particular, are getting closer to their NFC Title-winning selves. Although Tampa has won two in a row, those were both against AFC East teams that don't play in New England, so it's hard to make too much of that. If Matt Moore can come close to leading a second-half comeback against the Bucs, is I'm sure Ryan will be just fine.

Falcons 34, Bucs 17


Who the Hell Cares?
Browns (0-10) at Bengals (4-6) 

Photo creds to Quick Meme

In the words of Jeff Stewart, being a Browns fan, "is a lot of hope, and a lot of disappointment." You aren't wrong.

Bengals points, Browns fewer points


Titans (6-4) at Colts (3-7)
Although Indy is a bad team without Andrew Luck, they have come close to pulling a few upsets this season. One of those games took place over a month ago in their first meeting with the Titans, where it took four quarters for Tennessee to finish Jacoby Brissett and co. at home on a Monday night. Even though Brissett might not be 100% health wise, I expect him to play his heart out and again give a superior Titans team all it can handle. However, Tennessee will be out for blood after my Steelers did a number on them last Thursday night. The Titans are fighting for a playoff spot, and if they play like a team with something to compete for, they'll survive the pesky Colts.

Titans 24, Colts 21

Bills (5-5) at Chiefs (6-4) 
Kansas City is a good football team in bad form. Buffalo is a bad football team in terrible form. Considering the Bills allowed 55 points last week, and the Chiefs are playing at home, I think Sunday will be a good day for Alex Smith and KC to get back on track, and least temporarily and welcome Darrelle Revis with a win.

Chiefs 28, Bills 14


Dolphins (4-6) at Pats (8-2)
The Dolphins come into this game as 16 point underdogs. They won't cover.


Panthers (7-3) at Jets (4-6)

Cam Newton will dab like it's 2015 (Photo creds to Si.com)

Carolina and New York are similar to Tennessee and Indy. One team is fighting for a division title, while the other has turned in respectable performances in losing efforts. Like the Titans in the AFC South, if the NFC South Panthers play like they're fighting for a playoff spot and a division championship, there's no reason they shouldn't stave off the scrappy Jets.

Panthers 27, Jets 20



Bears (3-7) at Eagles (9-1)
The Bears come into this game as two-touchdown underdogs. They will cover, but not by much.

Eagles 30, Bears 20. 

4:05
Seahawks (6-4) at 49ers (1-9)
Seattle isn't what it once was. The Seahawks are a little old and a tad worn down, which is why they are a meh 6-4 with two losses in their last three games. While Seattle's days of dominance are over, the 49ers flat out stink, and the Seahawks are still talented enough to handle San Fran. My cousin Ryan sees the 'Hawks winning by three scores and says Russell Wilson will "flex his muscles" and throw for three touchdowns and 250 yards.

Seahawks 31, 49ers 21

Broncos (3-7) at Raiders (4-6)

Coming into the season, you would have thought that this would be a marquee matchup. Well, things haven't turned out that way. When the Raiders fell to Denver in the first meeting between these two teams in Week Four, they still held the Broncos to 16 points and lost Derek Carr to a back injury. With Carr back in the fold, and Marshawn Lynch starting to resemble his old self, the Raiders still have pieces to get some wins. If Oakland's defense can play like it did in the first meeting, and if Carr can look like he did for 2015 and '16, the Raiders will add to Denver's misery. Brad doesn't see things my way, predicting that the Broncos defense will "stifle Marshawn Lynch's kneeling butt." We'll see about that, son.

Raiders 23, Broncos 16


Saints (8-2) at Rams (7-3)

The injury bug could keep New Orleans from running its win-streak to nine games. (Photo creds to 600 commerce)

I am the only one who sees LA coming out on top. As much as I love the Saints and what they've done over the past two months, all good things must come to an end. New Orleans wasn't sharp for 57+ minutes at home against the Redskins last week, and the Rams are a much better opponent. The Saints having a shaky performance is one thing, but missing both starting cornerbacks in Ken Crowley and the great Marshon Lattimore this week is a whole different animal. LA's pass-happy offense should be licking its chops, and if it can take advantage of a depleted secondary, I think the Rams will be in good shape to move to 8-3. Jeffery disagrees, saying that Drew Brees will "pick apart the Rams." Well, Jared Goff will pick apart the Saints. It's true.

Rams 34, Saints 24

4:25
Jags (7-3) at Cardinals (4-6)

Photo creds to Sports Talk Florida

Part of me is tempted to pick Arizona. Jacksonville hasn't looked convincing the past two weeks, and although stud corner Jalen Ramsey is expected to play today, the status of his hand injury could open the door for some guy named Larry Fitzgerald. However, the Jags defense is pretty darn good regardless of Ramsey. I expect a fierce, fairly low-scoring battle, but Blake Bortles will make one more big play than Blaine Gabbert, and the Jags will continue their march to a division championship.

Jags 20, Cardinals 17

Sunday Night
Packers (5-5) at Steelers (8-2)

Photo creds to Athlon Sports

One team has Ben Roethlisberger. The other has Brett Hundley. I'll stop right there


Steelers 41, Packers 14

Texans (4-6) at Ravens (5-5) 

Photo creds to Sports Illistrauted

Baltimore's defense has pitched two shutouts in their past three games. If DeShaun Watson we're healthy, this would be an intriguing Monday night clash. But he isn't, so Tom Savage will have to get the job done in Baltimore against a unit that is partying like it's 2000. Houston, we have a problem.

Ravens 24, Texans 10