NFL 2011 Week 12 picks

Top Ten Teams
1.  Green Bay Packers (10-0) : They show no signs of slowing down
2.  San Francisco 49ers (9-1) : Fiercest D in the league
3.  Houston Texans (7-3) : Enjoy the top five while you can, Houston, because with Leinhart under center, it won't last
4.  New Orleans Saints (7-3) : 2nd best offense, behind Green Bay
5.  New England Patriots (7-3) : Best offense in the AFC
6.  Detroit Lions (7-3) : They're stumbling recently, but they're still a threat
7.  Chicago Bears (7-3) : This team has it together!
8.  Baltimore Ravens (7-3) : They just proved that they rule the AFC North
9.  Dallas Cowboys (6-4) : In a reversal of recent years, the Cowboys IMPROVED in November!
10 (tie). Pittsburgh Steelers (7-3)
10 (tie). Cincinnati Bengals (6-4)

Division rankings
1.  NFC North : Three teams in the top ten?  This division is clearly the most impressive in the league
2.  AFC North : This division ALSO has three teams in the top ten, but we expected the type of power we are seeing; expected it from Baltimore and Pittsburgh, at least
3.  AFC East : Buffalo's offense is collapsing, but Miami is improving
4.  NFC East : Dallas and the Giants are strong
5.  NFC South : Atlanta's looking good, and the Saints offense crush opponents
6.  AFC South : Tennessee is improving, but the Texans are on the verge of collapse under Matt Leinhart
7.  NFC West : San Fran is the only worthwhile team in this division
8.  AFC West : No team with a positive point differential and no team ranked in the top half of the league; this division is a joke

This week's games - Thanksgiving Day games:
Green Bay Packers (10-0) at Detroit Lions (7-3) : You have to pity the Lions.  After years of hosting Thanksgiving games when the team stunk, they have a strong enough team to win one this year.  Unfortunately, the cruelty of NFL league scheduling pits them against the unbeaten Packers.  What a Thanksgiving Day present!  PACK, 31-24

Miami Dolphins (3-7) at Dallas Cowboys (6-4):  Dallas, on the other hand, gets a nice favor.  While Miami is improving, the Cowboys are a hot team right now.  They always give something extra on the Thanksgiving Day game, and this year they don't even need it.  COWBOYS, 27-17

San Francisco 49ers (9-1) at Baltimore Ravens (7-3): The Harbaugh brothers face each other.   Baltimore is known for their stout defense, but the 49ers have the better defense.  Jim Harbaugh is an offensive guru (which is why Alex Smith is having a banner year), so this defense must be a legacy of his predecessor, former Bear defensive front-runner Mike Singletary.  Wherever it came from, it's yielding results.  49ERS, 24-20

Sunday early games:
Arizona Cardinals (3-7) at St Louis Rams (2-8): Arizona is having offensive problems.  The Rams haven't been stellar, but they seem in better shape than the stumbling Cardinals.  RAMS, 17-13

Buffalo Bills (5-5) at New York Jets (5-5):  Okay, I'm convinced.  The Bills' offense, the squad that propelled them to their excellent start, has officially proven that they have collapsed.  Facing a defense like the Jets, that's bad news.  JETS, 23-13

Carolina Panthers (2-8) at Indianapolis Colts (0-10): The key to this game is offense:  the Panthers can move the ball and the Colts cannot.  The weak Colts defense doesn't help them, either.  PANTHERS, 28-13

Cleveland Browns (4-6) at Cincinnati Bengals (6-4): Cincy may have problems beating Pitt and Baltimore, but the Browns are a divisional opponent they CAN overpower.  BENGALS, 24-17

Houston Texans (7-3) at Jacksonville Jaguars (3-7):  The Texans will tumble with Leinhart under center, but they don't have to worry too much for this game.  The Jags offense sputters against a weaker defense; the Texans will stuff them.  The defense will likely cause a score through a turnover, which will be needed.  TEXANS, 13-10

Minnesota Vikings (2-8) at Atlanta Falcons (6-4): Atlanta is rising, as their offense finds their wings again.  Christian Ponder is still learning the ropes in Minnesota, so the Falcons prevail here.  FALCONS, 27-17

Tampa Bay Bucs (3-7) at Tennessee Titans (5-5):  With Houston's anticipated decline, the Titans know they have a chance to win the division.  They know they need to win to do that, and this game is the start.  TITANS, 23-17

Sunday late games:
Chicago Bears (7-3) at Oakland Raiders (6-4): With Cutler out, the Bears are in a dangerous situation.  However, they still have a defense that forces turnovers, a stout offensive line to protect their new QB, a running back with one of the top yardage totals of the league, and a dangerous special teams threat in Devin Hester.  I think the Bears will win, but it'll be a tough one.  BEARS, 23-20

Denver Broncos (5-5) at San Diego Chargers (4-6): Tim Tebow is moving the team, even if his numbers aren't impressive.  He has breathed life into the team.  Philip Rivers, on the other hand, is bringing his team down.  His interceptions and lackluster performance brings down the team.  Since the defense isn't strong enough to carry the Chargers, I have to favor the surging Broncos.  BRONCOS, 23-20

New England Patriots (7-3) at Philadelphia Eagles (4-6):  Well, all talk about a "Dream Team" has evaporated as the Eagles have failed to live up to that bill.  With Vick out, it is now up to Vince Young to lead the team.  He had some decent drives last week, but fell short.  I expect a similar performance this week.  PATS, 27-13

Washington Redskins (3-7) at Seattle Seahawks (4-6):  Truthfully, either team could reasonably win this one.  I had to pick against a spread, I wouldn't.  However, since I'm not a betting man, I'll throw out a guess.  Washington is having QB problems and has a lackluster running game.  Without much offense, that might give the Seahawks, whose offense is limited but works (sometimes), a chance to win.  SEAHAWKS, 17-16

Sunday night:
Pittsburgh Steelers (7-3) at Kansas City Chiefs (4-6): Coming off a bye, the Steelers are well rested and well prepared for this game, not that they'll need it.  The Chiefs are struggling with a new QB, and Big Ben is having one of the best years of his career.  STEELERS, 24-13

MONDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL:  New York Giants (6-4) at New Orleans Saints (7-3):  The Giants offense is okay; they should score against the Saints defense.  The key will be how well the Giants defense plays.  Normally a strong point of this team, the defense is down this season, and that's a problem when you're facing an offense as potent as New Orleans'.  SAINTS, 30-23