NFL 2012 Week 12 picks

I'm in the midst of a great streak of successful picks, but I put my prognosticative skills to the test this week.  I'm picking plenty of visiting teams, which is always a risk.

Thanksgiving Day games
Houston Texans at Detroit Lions:  Detroit has lost the last eight Thanksgiving Day games. While they have improved since that streak began, they face the strongest team in the league.  I don't foresee an upset here.  TEXANS, 27-20

Washington Redskins at Dallas Cowboys:  The Cowboys are devastating on Thanksgiving Day; it is often the best day of the season for Tony Romo.  The Redskins have never won in the new Dallas Stadium, and they've never beaten the Cowboys on Thanksgiving.  It all spells disaster for Washington.  Thus, I am picking... the Redskins.  HUH?  Look, all streaks have to end sometime, and I think the magical element of RGIII is just the spark Washington needs to break their losing streak in Dallas Stadium, and break their losing streak against Dallas on Thanksgiving Day.  Yes, it's a risky upset pick, but I have a gut feeling on this one.  REDSKINS, 26-23

New England Patriots at New York Jets:  The Pats offense is flying high, and the Jets defense just isn't up to snuff this season.  Easy pick, and easy win.  PATRIOTS, 31-20

Sunday early games
Atlanta Falcons at Tampa Bay Bucs:  Atltanta has a three-game lead over Tampa Bay.  This sounds like a lock, doesn't it?  I'm not so sure.  Atlanta has been fortunate to win games this season, so I'll still pick them, but watch out for that Bucs defense.  If Matt Ryan throws more than two interceptions this game, they aren't coming back from that.  FALCONS, 26-23

Buffalo Bills at Indianapolis Colts:  Hey, my first home team pick!  Buffalo's offense can get hot, and for Indy they might, but their defense allows too many points, and too many opportunities, to give them a real shot.  COLTS, 30-24

Denver Broncos at Kansas City Chiefs:  With the Chiefs' wimpy defense, Peyton will have another banner day.  I predict four touchdowns and over 300 yards in a crushing loss.  BRONCOS, 35-20

Minnesota Vikings at Chicago Bears:  The Bears defense can fluster Christian Ponder.  The question is whether they can stop Adrian Peterson, who is having one of his best seasons ever.  The Bears had trouble with Peterson when he first came into the league, but when injuries slowed him, the Bears crushed him.  Peterson looks 100% now, so winning this game will depend upon stopping him.  I think they can, but the Vikes will make it close.  BEARS, 16-13

Oakland Raiders at Cincinnati Bengals:  The Raiders know one more loss basically takes them out of the playoff race (although I think at least one 8-8 team will make it from the AFC, perhaps two), so they'll be a scrappy bunch.  They'll keep it close, but I think Cincy will maintain an early lead.  BENGALS, 27-23

Pittsburgh Steelers at Cleveland Browns:  The Steelers will not want to drop below .500.  Charlie Batch may not have played for a long time, but he was always a capable backup.  The Browns can be dangerous, but the Steelers know their tendencies, so they can defend against them.  STEELERS, 23-16

Seattle Seahawks at Miami Dolphins:  This is not a good week for the AFC East also-rans, as New England should expand their lead to four games with five to play.  Seattle can have an inconsistent offense (although Ruseell Wilson is improving), but their defense is solid.  SEAHAWKS, 20-17

Tennessee Titans at Jacksonville Jaguars  Chad Henne has given the Jags new life.  With Blaine Gabbert on permanent injured reserve, the front office is giving him free rein to try and revive their season.  Last week could have just been a lucky game, considering how long it had been since Henne played, so I won't pick Jacksonville.  Watch out for them, however.  TITANS, 26-23

Sunday late games
Baltimore Ravens at San Diego Chargers:  The Ravens defense will be tested against the Chargers offense.  Fortunately the Ravens offense has been producing, which will maintain an edge in the game.  RAVENS, 24-23

San Francisco 49ers at New Orleans Saints:  This game will be a barn-burner, and will truly test the arm strength of whichever quarterback starts the game.  If it's Kaepernick, I definitely give the edge to the Saints.  If Smith starts, they might pull off just enough to surpass the Saints, who will be held back somewhat by the 49ers defense.  49ERS, 26-23 (Smith) or SAINTS, 23-20 (Kaepernick)

St Louis Rams at Arizona Cardinals:  St Louis has been improving of late, but the Cardinals are always an unpredictable team.  I think they'll bring it on for this game, especially knowing this might be their best shot to start a winning streak.  They nearly beat Atlanta last week, which gives them an emotional boost, too.  CARDS, 20-17

Sunday night:  Green Bay Packers at New York Giants:  The Giants had a bye week and a players-only team meeting, so we'll see if they're prepared for this.  Their offense has sputtered recently and the defense isn't quick, which can be a recipe for disaster playing the Pack.  It might be close, but I like the Packers' chances.  PACKERS, 27-20

MONDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL:
Carolina Panthers at Philadelphia Eagles:  Time for another upset pick as rookie Nick Foles has to lead the error-prone Eagles against Cam Newton and the Panthers.  The Panthers' defense sucks, but so does the Eagles offense, so they offset.  Given the strength of the Panthers offense, I don't think the Eagles can win this one.  PANTHERS, 30-20