NFL Week 12 Picks: Playoff Hopefuls Doomed to Disappointment

Week 12 of the NFL schedule has already handed out losses to a pair of teams likely headed to the postseason, but Detroit and San Francisco won’t be the last entries on that list. These three wild-card contenders will find themselves on the wrong side of the scoreboard this weekend.

Tennessee Titans (vs. Tampa Bay)

The big story around this game has been the health of Tennessee QB Matt Hasselbeck, who left last week’s loss to Atlanta with an elbow injury. With or without Hasselbeck, though, the Titans won’t have enough offense to outscore Josh Freeman and the Buccaneers.

Tennessee’s once-feared defense is now in the bottom half of the league, and with Chris Johnson posing no rushing threat, the offense isn’t looking all that sharp either. Look for a big game from Tampa’s LeGarrette Blount in a much-needed road win.

Buffalo Bills (at New York Jets)

No player was more important to Buffalo’s hot start than star halfback Fred Jackson. Accordingly, Jackson’s season-ending broken leg becomes as devastating an injury as any this side of Peyton Manning.

With Jackson out, QB Ryan Fitzpatrick will be hard pressed to put enough points on the board to make up for Buffalo’s iffy defense. Expect the mighty Jets defense to feast on Fitzpatrick and hand the Bills their fourth straight loss.

New York Giants (at New Orleans)

Despite two straight losses and the second-worst running game in football, Eli Manning’s Giants are still in the hunt for both the NFC East title and a wild-card berth. Unfortunately, they’ll face a passing game even Manning can’t trade punches with on Monday night in New Orleans.

The Giants’ pass defense isn’t terrible (18th in the NFL), but it’s no match for Drew Brees’ loaded offense. Victor Cruz and Hakeem Nicks will make some big plays of their own, but look for Darren Sproles, Marques Colston and the Saints to run away with a high-scoring victory.