Week 12 NFL Picks: Last Minute Predictions for Every Game

Welcome to the last week of November action in the 2012 NFL season.

Playoff races are heating up fast, and teams like the Green Bay Packers are vying to repeat as division champions.

Interestingly enough, the Packers face NFC rival the New York Giants on the road. As we know, Big Blue ruined Green Bay's Super Bowl hopes last season. New York is looking to just make the postseason for another shot at the trophy.

Well, the NFC East is closing fast, so the Giants can't afford to flop now.

Elsewhere, other big matchups include the Atlanta Falcons vs. the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the San Francisco 49ers vs. the New Orleans Saints. To that end, let's check out some updated score picks for Week 12.

Also, be sure to check back as the games conclude as final scores will be added.

Pittsburgh Steelers at Cleveland Browns

Don't expect the Pittsburgh Steelers to crush the Cleveland Browns.

Cleveland possesses the offensive balance to move the ball on Dick LeBeau's defense, courtesy of Trent Richardson and Brandon Weeden. The Browns have moved the rock more consistently as the season has progressed, and we've seen Pittsburgh's vulnerabilities against inferior opponents such as Kansas City.

Defensively, Cleveland must stop the run, which has been a problem in 2012. And expect Pittsburgh to run a lot with a backup under center. According to ESPN.com, "Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin confirmed Tuesday that Byron Leftwich is out Sunday and that Charlie Batch will start against the Cleveland Browns."

The ground has greatly improved for the Steelers, though, so ball control and limited turnovers will result in Pittsburgh squeaking out a win. 

Steelers 13, Browns 9

Final Score: Browns 20, Steelers 14

Denver Broncos at Kansas City Chiefs

Although Arrowhead Stadium can be a tough place to win, the Denver Broncos won't have any trouble against the Kansas City Chiefs.

The Broncos present too much control at the line of scrimmage, as they stuff the run and apply consistent quarterback pressure. In turn, anticipate the box being stacked to stop Jamaal Charles.

As for Denver's ground game, per Jay Glazer of FOX Sports:

"

Broncos are putting Willis McGahee on IR, ending his season. Tough, tough blow

— Jay Glazer (@JayGlazer) November 21, 2012"

Nonetheless, with Peyton Manning at the helm, Denver will move the ball. Include K.C. allowing 4.5 yards per carry, and the Broncos control the clock throughout.

Broncos 24, Chiefs 7

Final Score: Broncos 17, Chiefs 9

Minnesota Vikings at Chicago Bears

Entering Week 12, the Chicago Bears allow an average of 4.2 yards per carry.

Although that's not terrible, visiting the Windy City this week are Adrian Peterson and the Minnesota Vikings. Peterson averages 5.8 yards per carry, and the Vikings enter off a bye week as well.

There is good news for Bears fans, according to Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports:

"

Jay Cutler passing all concussion protocols, will start Sunday for the Bears against the Vikings.

— Jason La Canfora (@JasonLaCanfora) November 24, 2012"

The bad news is that the unreliable pass protection remains.

Now, Chicago caught a break as well. According to Ben Goessling of the Pioneer Press, "Vikings receiver Percy Harvin will miss his second consecutive game because of a sprained left ankle, the team announced Saturday, Nov. 24."

Still, Minnesota's offense has more consistent quarterback protection and will feed Peterson to a key road win.

Vikings 16, Bears 14

Final Score: Bears 28, Vikings 10

Oakland Raiders at Cincinnati Bengals

Welcome to the Carson Palmer Bowl.

Or, just the Oakland Raiders against the Cincinnati Bengals.

Unfortunately for Palmer, though, Oakland is banged up entering the state of Ohio. Per Vic Tafur of the San Francisco Gate:

"

Safety Tyvon Branch is at practice but McFadden, Goodson and Seymour still out

— Vic Tafur (@VicTafur) November 21, 2012"

This obviously takes pressure off the Bengals defense, because it has struggled against the run in allowing 4.4 yards per carry. Also, the Raiders defense has yet to stop anyone; it has given up 375 total yards and 32 points per game.

Unless Oakland somehow manages to slow down A.J. Green, Cincy wins the Carson Palmer Bowl.

Bengals 34, Raiders 21

Final Score: Bengals 34, Raiders 10

Buffalo Bills at Indianapolis Colts

The Buffalo Bills at Indianapolis Colts is arguably the most intriguing matchup for Week 12.

Buffalo's strength resides in running the ball, which is Indy's defensive weakness. On the other side, the Colts' strength is giving Andrew Luck the green light, and the Bills are vulnerable to the pass.

If anything, the Colts present stronger offensive balance but are weak enough defensively for Buffalo to move the rock. The concerns are whether Indy can stop the run and whether Ryan Fitzpatrick can minimize turnovers in key situations.

The Bills possess the ability to be explosive when needed. And thanks to a strong ground attack, Buffalo shortens the game to limit Luck's opportunities.

Bills 20, Colts 17

Final Score: Colts 20, Bills 13

Seattle Seahawks at Miami Dolphins

The Miami Dolphins have slightly declined at stopping the run in recent weeks—at least by comparison to the beginning of the season.

On the flip side, the Seattle Seahawks remain dominant in the trenches with Marshawn Lynch and present a more suffocating defense. Seattle allows fewer than 300 total yards per game, while Miami's offense lacks consistency—fewer than 20 points scored in five of 10 games this season.

In short, Seattle wins the battle at the line with a better ground game to set up the pass.

Seahawks 21, Dolphins 10

Final Score: Dolphins 24, Seahawks 21

Atlanta Falcons at Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Despite being divisional rivals, the Atlanta Falcons and Tampa Bay Buccaneers are almost one another's reciprocal.

The Falcons are a pass-oriented offense and stronger in coverage when defending the pass.

Tampa Bay fields more balance offensively, albeit stronger on the ground, and is immensely better at stopping the run defensively.

One aspect that cannot go overlooked is the Bucs' No. 32 pass defense ranking. And only because Tampa has recorded 17 picks this season, and Matt Ryan is coming off a five-pick game in Week 11.

It will be rather high-scoring, but the winner of the trenches goes to Tampa for more balance and generating turnovers.

Buccaneers 31, Falcons 27

Final Score: Falcons 24, Buccaneers 23

Tennessee Titans at Jacksonville Jaguars

It appears the Jacksonville Jaguars have found their quarterback.

Per Mark Long of the Associated Press:

"

Mularkey says if Henne plays well over final 6 games, he will be starter going into next season. #Jaguars

— Mark Long (@APMarkLong) November 21, 2012"

That said, the Tennessee Titans are in for one nail-biter after Chad Henne's evisceration of the Texans. The Titans allow an average of 31 points and just under 400 total yards per game.

Despite that consistent ineptitude, the Jaguars are even worse defensively. They give up 415 total yards and nearly 29 points per contest, so expect an offensive explosion between these AFC South foes.

The winner presents the more reliable rushing attack, and Chris Johnson is currently rolling quite well.

Titans 35, Jaguars 31

Final Score: Jaguars 24, Titans 19

Baltimore Ravens at San Diego Chargers

The Baltimore Ravens have underachieved defensively in 2012, even when healthy, and the San Diego Chargers have underachieved offensively.

So in this crucial AFC cross-division matchup, something has to give.

Baltimore has at least shown signs of improvement in recent weeks by allowing only 45 combined points in the previous three games. San Diego, though, continues to struggle inside the red zone and with pass protection.

Even worse, according to Scott Bair of the San Diego Union-Tribune:

"

Norv on Gaither: "We gave Jared every opportunity to be a part of this team, and it just hasn't worked out." discuss.

— Scott Bair (@dscottbair) November 23, 2012"

As a result, the Ravens get even more quarterback pressure, and the Bolts see additional ill-advised throws from Philip Rivers. In turn, Ed Reed has a field day.

Ravens 27, Chargers 0

Final Score: Ravens 16, Chargers 13 (OT)

St. Louis Rams at Arizona Cardinals

At a quick first glance, the St. Louis Rams and Arizona Cardinals appear to be similar teams.

They feature solid defenses capable of stopping the run, creating decent coverage downfield, generating some turnovers and applying some quarterback pressure.

Offensively, both teams desperately need to improve at pocket protection to allow time for the receivers to develop routes and for the quarterbacks to survey the field.

One major difference, however, resides in Arizona being extremely incompetent at pass protection in comparison to St. Louis.

Through 10 games, the Cardinals have allowed 44 sacks and get only 3.6 yards per rush. St. Louis has allowed only 26 sacks and averages 4.4 yards per carry. The Rams win the point of attack and sweep Arizona in 2012.

Rams 14, Cardinals 10

Final Score: Rams 31, Cardinals 17

San Francisco 49ers at New Orleans Saints

The key between the New Orleans Saints and San Francisco 49ers will be Jim Harbaugh's ground game.

And it's solely because the impact of Frank Gore and Kendall Hunter is needed to keep Drew Brees and the Saints offense off the field. Also, as Jim Trotter of Sports Illustrated reported last week:

"

BREAKING: Jim Harbaugh has informed Alex Smith that Colin Kaepernick will start Sunday, per source. Said decision not based on health.

— Jim Trotter (@SI_JimTrotter) November 22, 2012"

Hitting on the ground is what takes great pressure off of a young quarterback. Factor in the Saints defense allowing tons of yards per game, and the 49ers will take advantage.

Not to mention that Patrick Willis and Co. will be the best defense that Brees has faced all season.

49ers 24, Saints 20

Final Score: 49ers 31, Saints 21

Green Bay Packers at New York Giants

The Green Bay Packers are rolling with confidence, whereas the New York Giants need to find their confidence once again.

On the downside, Green Bay is without Clay Matthews per Mike Spofford of the Packers' official website:

"

Receiver Greg Jennings was listed as questionable on the injury report Friday and has a chance to play for the first time since Week 4, but outside linebacker Clay Matthews has officially been ruled out for the second straight game.

"

Still, the Packers can rush the passer and cover fairly well behind it.

Will that be enough to slow the Giants? Well, likely not as Eli Manning can burn up a stat sheet any given week.

New York hasn't been dominant defensively, however. The end result comes in the form of Aaron Rodgers dicing, and the Packers moving the ball consistently. Big Blue may have a pass rush, although the coverage remains a concern as we saw against the Steelers and Bengals.

Packers 26, Giants 21

Final Score: Giants 38, Packers 10

Carolina Panthers at Philadelphia Eagles

Don't be surprised if the Carolina Panthers pull the Week 12 Monday night road upset against the Philadelphia Eagles.

According to Patrick Wall of the Eagles' official website:

"

Head coach Andy Reid met the media Friday and updated the team’s injury report. Both quarterback Michael Vick and running back LeSean McCoy will be out for Monday’s game with concussions. Also out for the Eagles will be wide receiver Jason Avant (hamstring) and running back Chris Polk (toe).

"

That's quite of bit of offensive talent to be out against Carolina. Also, the Eagles have been underachieving defensively in coverage and at applying quarterback pressure.

Therefore, until Philly proves to tackle better and create some turnovers, Cam Newton and the Panthers will get a win. Plus, Carolina has lost six of its eight games by six points or less.

This week is time to turn a corner for the better.

Panthers 21, Eagles 13

Final Score: Panthers 30, Eagles 22

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