NFL Picks Week 12: The Chosen

Week Eleven 12-4 Season prediction tally: 107-53

Thursday

Green Bay at Detroit —Matthew Stafford may have just begun his portfolio of legendary finishes, with the way he finished the game versus Cleveland. If he goes on to be a great QB, we will all be watching that highlight reel 10 years from now.

Unfortunately for him, he separated his shoulder on the second to last play of the game before his touchdown throw with no time left with his left arm out of socket, and is unlikely to play in this contest.
Pick: Packers

Oakland at Dallas —It is ridiculous that this one feels like a toss-up, but Bruce Gradkowski might be better equipped to run the Oakland offense than the benched Jamarcus Russell, and Dallas is the worst 7-3 team I have ever seen.

Then again, are the Raiders the worst 3-7 team I have seen?
Pick: Cowboys

N.Y. Giants at Denver —Denver just allowed the worst rushing team in the league (Chargers) to pile up over 200 yards on them. I like Brandon Jacobs' and Ahmad Bradshaw's chances. Or at least Jacobs'. Bradshaw is now also on crutches along with his usual mid-week walking boot .

Pick: Giants

Sunday

Seattle at St. Louis —Marc Bulger was starting to have some chemistry with his receivers, but now he is out 3-6 weeks. Neither team is very good but at least Seattle is fielding their No.1 QB Matt Hasselbeck.
Pick: Seahawks

Carolina at N.Y. Jets —The Jets are suddenly in disarray, and I still believe in DeAngelo And Stewart.
Pick: Panthers

Tampa Bay at Atlanta —Tampa Bay fell back down to Earth versus the Saints and revealed their true identity after two promising games.
Pick: Falcons

Miami at Buffalo —Buffalo is not as bad as there record indicates, and always seem to play teams tough.

Miami is surprisingly content with playing less wildcat and more conventional offense without Ronnie Brown, and I think they have too many weapons for Buffalo to stop.
Pick: Dolphins

Washington at Philadelphia —Philly has too many weapons.
Pick: Eagles

Cleveland at Cincinnati —The Browns and Brady Quinn looked great—versus the Lions. The Browns simply refuse to win .
Pick: Bengals

Indianapolis at Houston —Alright this is the one, the game the Colts finally lose. Houston has lost two in a row by a field goal, including the last time these teams met. They have the Colts figured out and will get over the hump.

Bernard Pollard really has brought an intensity to the Texans defensive backfield they lacked before they signed him after being waived by Kansas City.
Pick: Texans

Jacksonville at San Francisco —I like the 49ers to play spoiler in this one since they are No.6 against the run.
Pick: 49ers

Kansas City at San Diego —I think this one will be closer than their last affair, 37-7 Chargers. KC is really coming on strong, winners of their last two in a row and now 3 out of 5.

San Diego's defense is balling now though and they have their running game back on track.
Pick: Chargers

Chicago at Minnesota —The Vikings are every bit as good as the Colts and the Saints. The Bears are every bit as bad as the Redskins and Bills.
Pick: Vikings

Arizona at Tennessee —Arizona may be forced to start Matt Leinart, who kills the Arizona offense.

Even if Kurt Warner plays, Tennessee's defense has been much more effective, and I think Vince Young and Chris Johnson will present match up problems for the Cardinals. I like the sense of urgency the Titans are playing with right now.
Pick: Titans

Pittsburgh at Baltimore —It could be that neither of these teams are going to be all that great this year. Sorry fans, you can't expect them to be every year.

I like Joe Flacco to bounce back from the late game interception versus the Colts and regain his moxy.
Pick: Ravens

Monday

New England at New Orleans —Instant classic? I sure hope so. Looks like it on paper. I'm taking the Saints because I think the tandem of Pierre Thomas and Mike Bell might be the hardest running duo in the game this year—and that is saying something.
Pick: Saints