NFL 2018 Week 12 picks

It's Thanksgiving week, and the NFL gives us a feast of games on Turkey Day.  This year, we get a trio of divisional contests, a situation rarely seen on Thanksgiving.

Thanksgiving Day
Chicago Bears at Detroit Lions:  Bears QB Mitch Trubisky is treating a sore shoulder, but the Bears won't need him in top shape to overwhelm the Lions.  They just need to have their defense pressure fragile Lions QB Matthew Stafford.  A couple of interceptions and several drop balls will plague the Lions offense and ensure a Bears win.  BEARS, 28-20

Washington Redskins at Dallas Cowboys:  With Alex Smith gone for the season, the Redskins bring in journeyman Colt McCoy (a native Texan) to battle the Cowboys.  Nice try, but the infusion of hometown blood won't help the Redskins escape Dallas with a win.  COWBOYS, 24-16

Atlanta Falcons at New Orleans Saints:  What would it take to slow the record-setting Drew Brees and his dynamic Saints offense?  More than the Falcons have got.  SAINTS, 34-24

Sunday early games
Cleveland Browns at Cincinnati Bengals:  It has not been a great season for the Bengals, and the Browns are definitely improving, but this game will finish like most contests between these two have been.  A close game, and a bit lackluster in performance.  BENGALS, 27-23

Jacksonville Jaguars at Buffalo Bills:  The Bills have the lowest-producing offense in the league, now that the Giants have woken up.  The Jags offense isn't much better.  Where the Jags ARE better, though, is defense.  The Bills will have a tough time moving up the field in this game. JAGS, 23-16

New England Patriots at New York Jets:  The Jets think QB Sam Darnold will be ready to play in this game.  Truthfully, they might be better to let him sit.  I don't think the Jets will beat the Patriots with him, and that feisty Patriots defense might aggravate Darnold's condition.  Let him sit one out.  PATS, 27-17

New York Giants at Philadelphia Eagles:  Who lit the fire under the Giants' butt?  Oh yeah, it was Odell Beckham, Junior. Since he announced that the Giants were equipped to win all of their remaining eight games, they have gone out and won two in a row.  Great accomplishment!  Can they keep that going?  God knows the Eagles have done everything in their power to diminish themselves, pushing their record to 4-6 and so far on track to be the second-worst performing Super Bowl Champion defender in league history.  The Eagles are suffering from some of the same in-fighting the Giants faced before Beckham got them motivated.  The question is, will motivation alone get them past the Eagles?  It shouldn't, but it might.  I'll pick the Eagles, but watch out for the Giants streak to continue.  EAGLES, 23-20

Oakland Raiders at Baltimore Ravens:  Could Lamar Jackson have been the spark the Ravens needed?  He certainly rejuvenated the offense last week.  Of course, against the struggling Raiders, even washout Johnny Manziel could succeed.  RAVENS, 28-17

San Francisco 49ers at Tampa Bay Bucs:  The Bucs have flipped back to Jameis Winston to start this week.  I guess they forgot what caused them to switch quarterbacks three weeks ago.  Ah well, this is likely a lost season for the Bucs, so give Winston some extended practice time.  The Bucs might actually win this game, only because the 49ers are forced to play a third-string QB who had played a total of two games before this season.  Remember, a Nick Mullins-led 49ers squad losing to the Giants is what started them on their two-game streak.  The Giants other victory?  Against a Winston-led Bucs team.  Call this the"Battle of the teams worse than the Giants".  BUCS, 26-23

Seattle Seahawks at Carolina Panthers:  The Panthers lost to Detroit due to problems with kicker Graham Gano and a missed 2-point conversion.  Could Gano get himself back on track?  He might have to, as these two teams are evenly-matched enough that it could down to a field goal difference. I give the Seahawks the edge there, but watch to see if Gano saves the day at the end of the game.  SEAHAWKS, 24-23

Sunday late games
Arizona Cardinals at Los Angeles Chargers:  Let's consider last week an aberration.  The Chargers should maul the Cardinals pretty easily.  CHARGERS, 27-16

Miami Dolphins at Indianapolis Colts:  Andrew Luck has gotten fired up, and that has resulted in a rejuvenated Colts team.  Aside from the Saints, nobody has looked better on offense the past two weeks.  That should continue here, as the Dolphins are not the strongest on defense.  COLTS, 28-23

Pittsburgh Steelers at Denver Broncos:  Denver should be able to score against the bruised Steelers defense, but Big Ben will drive the Steelers just a little bit better.  Both teams like to run the ball, so expect a big ground attack.  STEELERS, 26-23

Sunday night
Green Bay Packers at Minnesota Vikings:  Kurt Cousins hasn't been as beneficial to the Vikings as they hoped, but injuries are dragging down the Pack.  While this one will be close, it won't end in a tie, like their first meeting this season.  VIKINGS, 24-23

Monday Night Football
Tennessee Titans at Houston Texans:  While attention has been shown other teams, Houston has quietly amassed a 7-3 record and lead the AFC South.  The Texans aren't flashy, but they get the job done.  TEXANS, 20-17