NFL Week 12: Quick Previews and Predictions for Turkey Week Matchups

New England Patriots over Detroit Lions

The Patriots are riding the momentum of their 31-28 victory over the Indianapolis Colts in Week 11, and that momentum rush will be more than enough to carry the Patriots to a victory over the Lions in this one.

Detroit has been very competitive this season and is clearly moving in the right direction, but without Matt Stafford, they have virtually no chance against a hot New England team.

The Patriots seem to have gotten a wake-up call from their beatdown at the hands of Cleveland a couple of weeks back, and I can't see any way the Lions can hand them another upset.

New Orleans Saints over Dallas Cowboys

Jason Garrett has done an impressive job leading the Cowboys since taking over after Wade Phillips' dismissal, and has taken them to a 2-0 record so far as head coach.

However, I don't see his streak continuing in this one. Drew Brees has struggled somewhat this season statistically, but the Saints are still extremely dangerous offensively and have still been one of the top teams in the NFC.

With Reggie Bush likely returning, I expect him to have a fairly big day depending on the number of carries he receives in his return to action.

New York Jets over Cincinnati Bengals

The Bengals are in shambles and are in the midst of a complete collapse. They are falling apart on the field and on the sidelines, and I expect it to only get worse this week.

The Jets have been hot lately and there's no reason to think they can't come out of this one with a victory. Mark Sanchez has been playing extremely well in recent weeks, and I think that will continue in this one.

This game is almost a must-win for Marvin Lewis and/or Carson Palmer. There are many questions swirling around about their futures in Cincinnati, but a big win against New York wouldn't hurt their cause.

Green Bay Packers over Atlanta Falcons

Although the Falcons, and more specifically Matt Ryan, are amazing at home, I think the Packers will steal this one in a close game.

Ryan will likely have pretty good numbers against a depleted Green Bay defense; however, he may not have Roddy White open very often if the Packers put Charles Woodson on him on a majority of plays.

This could be one of the best games of the week, and I expect both teams to score in the mid-20s. While Atlanta won't get blown out, Green Bay is riding too much momentum after smoking Brett Favre and Minnesota last week for the second time this season.

Pittsburgh Steelers over Buffalo Bills

The Bills have been playing some great football in recent weeks, but the competition is a little too stiff in this one for them to stretch their winning streak to three games.

Pittsburgh will likely have a huge day on both sides of the ball, and I wouldn't be surprised to see some huge stats put up by some of their players.

Ryan Fitzpatrick seems to have undergone some sort of transformation, as he has been on fire recently. If he can have another massive performance, his team will have an outside chance to steal one here, but don't expect the upset here.

Cleveland Browns over Carolina Panthers

With all due respect to both fanbases, this could be one of the worst games in a long time in the NFL. Now that Colt McCoy has been ruled out for the game, there is about a three percent chance this game is a memorable one.

The Browns have looked great at times this season, and they have beaten some great teams, which is why I give them the edge here, even without McCoy.

Carolina...Well, honestly, there's not much to say except they have an excellent shot at the top pick in the 2011 draft.

Jacksonville Jaguars over New York Giants

Even though the Jaguars have stolen two consecutive victories, they were wins nonetheless. Jacksonville has looked good recently, and I think they have a great chance of beating the Giants in a close one.

New York is in trouble for the short term without Hakeem Nicks, who has been one of the best receivers in the NFL this season. With him expected to miss the next three games, the Giants could go on a small losing skid starting here.

David Garrard is doing that thing where he plays he like a top-level NFL quarterback, but throughout his career, those peak moments have come in very short bursts, for the most part. If he can keep up the high level of play, the Jaguars will continue their trend of close wins.

Washington Redskins over Minnesota Vikings

The only reason I have enough faith to pick the 'Skins in this one is the fact that Favre & Co. are 0-5 on the road this season, and I can't picture Favre playing too well in the cold with that bad foot.

If Adrian Peterson can have a big game against a sketchy Washington defense, then the Vikings will have a great chance to pull out the victory. Their defense also needs to show up and keep the game within reach.

Donovan McNabb will need to have a good game in this one, as he has clearly been playing some very up-and-down football recently. He has been great in the last few weeks, so expect him to bounce back in this one.

Houston Texans over Tennessee Titans

The Titans are teetering on the edge of a collapse, and with Rusty Smith now apparently the quarterback for now, I don't see them having much of a chance here.

Although the Texans are also in the middle of the their annual collapse, they match up perfectly for this one, as their suspect secondary likely won't be carved by Smith. If he does have a huge day on them, hitting the panic button might be a worthy option for Houston to consider.

Matt Schaub and the rest of Houston's offense will need to have a great game and put it out of reach early if they want to avoid a last-second collapse, which they have witnessed more than once recently.

Miami Dolphins over Oakland Raiders

These are practically the same teams, so this is one of the hardest games of the week to call. In all honesty, Miami only catches my pick because they are my favorite team.

Both teams flip-flop between quarterbacks, although Miami is running mighty thin these days. Both teams have moderate receiving corps, although neither team is deep at the position, in my opinion. Both have multiple, solid options at running back. You see where this is going.

The Dolphins will need a huge day on the ground, a decent game from Tyler Thigpen and some improved play-calling on the sidelines if they want to grab this win.

Quick Hits

Kansas City Chiefs over Seattle Seahawks

Expect a big day on the ground for Kansas City to be the difference here. 

Philadelphia Eagles Over Chicago Bears

The Michael Vick Show will continue against the Bears, although his numbers won't be out of this world against a great defense. 

St. Louis Rams over Denver Broncos

Sam Bradford and Steven Jackson will both have great games in this one, and I wouldn't be shocked to see a rout. 

Baltimore Ravens over Tampa Bay Buccaneers

While Tampa Bay has been very impressive this season, the Ravens are clearly one of the best teams in the NFL and will show why here.

Indianapolis Colts over San Diego Chargers

Peyton Manning won't fail two weeks in a row, and will have a great game against the Chargers. 

San Francisco 49ers over Arizona Cardinals

The Niners are playing well overall with Troy Smith under center, and I expect them to win convincingly against Arizona in an integral divisional game for them.