NFL Week 12 picks

Welcome to Thanksgiving weekend!  That usually denotes the start of the final leg of the regular season, and a couple of divisional races can be sealed (or close to it) this weekend.

Thanksgiving Day
Green Bay Packers at Detroit Lions:  The Thanksgiving Day games have become indigestible for the Lions fans over the past couple of decades, and this one won't be an exception.  Green Bay comes in with momentum and smooth communication between Rodgers and his receivers.  Detroit gained their second win of the season last week, but it was a close game against pathetic Cleveland.  This one won't be pretty.  PACK, 34-13

Oakland Raiders at Dallas Cowboys:  With the Giants halting their decline and the Eagles always dangerous, the Cowboys know they need this game to maintain their divisional lead.  The Raiders are having problems, and the Cowboys seem to have worked out their early season kinks, so I think Dallas will gain this victory.  COWBOYS, 23-16

New York Giants at Denver Broncos:  These teams have followed similar paths, starting unbeaten then hitting sudden skids.  The Giants pulled out of their freefall last week.  Can Denver do it this week?  The Bronocos have the right tools, and they could, but with the Giants breathing life back into their team, they seem poised to win again.  This one could come down to a late fourth quarter field goal, though.  GIANTS, 27-24

Sunday early games:
Carolina Panthers at New York Jets:  Whoa, could both New York (New Jersey) teams win in the same week?  That seems possible, as the Panthers are certainly a team in disarray right now.  Sanchez has experienced rookie bumps after a great start, but he's got a good head on his shoulders, and he's been learning from everything.  With Rex Ryan's defense still hungry, I think the Jets will get this one, though it'll be a squeaker.  JETS, 19-16

Cleveland Browns at Cincinnati Bengals:  The Browns have serious offensive problems, and the Bengals have the best defense in the division.  Throw in the Bengals push to go unbeaten in the division, and I smell a shutout possibility.  BENGALS, 17-0

Indianapolis Colts at Houston Texans:  The Colts come in with a four-game lead in the division.  A win here, and a Jacksonville loss later in the day, practically gives them the division.  Houston wants to erase a tough loss on Monday night, but Indy has been able to pull out games in the fourth quarter this year.  I think they'll do it again here, and win yet another close one.  COLTS, 24-20

Miami Dolphins at Buffalo Bills:  The wildcard is working, and the Bills offense is struggling immensely.  I like the Fish stay in the division hunt while simultaneously putting Buffalo's postseason hopes in jeopardy.  DOLPHINS, 20-13

Seattle Seahawks at St Louis Rams:  I'm not sure how many people are still interested in these two teams, but someone will attend (Free Beer promo, maybe?).  The Rams have the most ineffective offense in the league, even worse than Cleveland, and have scored TDs on less than 15% of their trips into the red zone.  Seattle isn't having a good year, but they're more reliable to score in the red zone.  If the Seahawks can prevent turning over the ball, they should beat the Rams.  SEAHAWKS, 23-13

Tampa Bay Bucs at Atlanta Falcons:  QB Josh Freeman has the Bucs looking better, but this young team still doesn't have the knowledge or experience to consistently do well.  Atlanta has experienced some bumps, but their offense is still a major threat, and that offense will be on display in this game.  FALCONS, 27-10

Washington Redskins at Philadelphia Eagles:  Washington's defense came alive last week, but can they do it for a second week?  I don't think so.  The Eagles offense will be alive and moving, and that will break the back of the Redskins.  EAGLES, 27-13

Sunday late games:
Arizona Cardinals at Tennessee Titans:  The Cards lead their division, but Vince Young has kept Tennessee on a winning streak.  The Cards have more tools on offense than Tennessee, but the Titans aren't without talent.  This game will see plenty of lead changes, and the last team inside the 30 yard line will win the game.  I like the Cards chances to do that, but without a capable running game to maintain drives, the Titans may have the last possession.  CARDS, 24-23

Chicago Bears at Minnesota Vikings:  The Vikings offense is too powerful for the Bears to stop, only to slow.  The Vikings secondary will confuse Cutler, so he'll produce at least two interceptions.  Those will kill the Bears.  VIKINGS, 31-17

Jacksonville Jaguars at San Francisco 49ers:  The 49ers are certainly capable of winning this game, and practically handing the AFC South title to the Colts, but I think the Jags will pull this one out.  It'll be a hard-fought defensive battle, I can guarantee that.  JAGS, 20-17

Kansas City Chiefs at San Diego Chargers:  The Chargers are taking advantage of the Broncos' losing streak.  They captured the division lead last week, and now look to stretch their lead to two games.  Unless the Broncos get back to their winning ways, San Diego will capture this crown.  CHARGERS, 30-17

Sunday night - Pittsburgh Steelers at Baltimore Ravens:  The Steelers need to get back to winning football games.  The Ravens are inconsistent, but they are strong enough to beat the Steelers.  Pittsburgh seems to play better when they are nationally televised, so I'll pick them, but the Ravens could pull off the upset and knock Pitt to third place in the division.  STEELERS, 17-13

Monday Night Football - New England Patriots at New Orleans Saints:  If there is an opponent who could hand the Saints their first loss, it's New England.  Despite a 7-3 record, the Pats are a powerful team, and they have one of the best defenses in the league.  However, they've allowed teams late scores in each of their losses, and the Saints can score quickly.  I think the Saints will win on a late touchdown.  SAINTS, 30-26