NFL Week 12 Picks: Can Jason Garrett's Dallas Cowboys Upset New Orleans Saints?
NFL picks Week 12 are in and there are a lot of big games on the slate this weekend. Playoff-caliber teams will be meeting to try and sort out the contenders and pretenders as we head into the final stretch of the season.
We have a full Thanksgiving slate as always and a lot of great games on Sunday. Enjoy the picks, but more importantly, enjoy your Thanksgiving holiday. I hope it's a great one with some great food.
New England Vs. Detroit
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The Patriots are coming off of huge wins against Pittsburgh and Indianapolis and you'd think this could be a slight trap game.
The Lions are usually no pushover and have the type of offense that can keep Detroit in games with Shaun Hill under center. Calvin Johnson is a big threat against a young secondary like New England has but the Patriots have too many weapons.
Look for Tom Brady to carve up the Detroit secondary.
Prediction: New England 34, Detroit 17
New Orleans Vs. Dallas
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It's a rematch from last year where the Cowboys pulled a shocking upset and ended the Saints' bid at an undefeated season.
The Cowboys are rolling with two straight wins but I wouldn't count on there being a repeat of last year's magical upset if I'm a Dallas fan. Drew Brees and company are rolling and it's going to be tough for the Cowboys to slow that offense down.
Look for the Saints to continue their playoff push with a big win.
Prediction: New Orleans 38, Dallas 20
Cincinnati Vs. NY Jets
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It's hard to explain how it keeps happening, but the New York Jets keep winning football games.
Mark Sanchez has helped lead his team back from what seemed like certain defeat the past few weeks, and the Jets are starting to get that vibe around them like the Saints had last year. Meanwhile, the Bengals are just an utter disaster.
I think the Jets finally win in a blowout.
Prediction: New York 41, Cincinnati 24
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Minnesota Vs. Washington
4 of 16
This is a game between two teams that are going nowhere fast.
The Vikings are all but done and now it's time to see what Leslie Frazier has as the head coach of the football team. Brett Favre is the guy and we'll see how he plays without having to deal with Brad Childress as his coach.
I think Washington takes advantage of a bad Vikings team.
Prediction: Washington 27, Minnesota 16
Pittsburgh Vs. Buffalo
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The Buffalo Bills have been circling the wagons like no other team in the league the past few weeks, but all good things must come to an end.
The Steelers are just too good and have too many weapons for Buffalo to be able to keep pace with Pittsburgh in this game. Buffalo will make plays in the passing game but it won't be enough for the Bills to keep pace.
Look for Mike Wallace to have a big game for the Steelers.
Prediction: Pittsburgh 31, Buffalo 13
Tennessee Vs. Houston
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It's just a total mess in Tennessee right now.
The whole sage between Vince Young and Jeff Fisher has turned into a major distraction, and not only that, the Titans have to start Rusty Smith on Sunday. I don't care how bad Houston's defense is, but he can't be productive after being a late draft pick out of Florida Atlantic.
Look for Houston to win this game easily.
Prediction: Houston 38, Tennessee 13
Jacksonville Vs. NY Giants
7 of 16
The Jacksonville Jaguars are leading the AFC South right now. I'm not sure how.
I thought the Tennessee Titans left the Jags for dead after their Monday night matchup a couple of weeks ago, but Jacksonville has rebounded since then and with the win over the Colts earlier in the year, the Jaguars lead the South.
I think the Giants continue to slide as David Garrard plays another solid game.
Prediction: Jacksonville 31, New York 27
Carolina Vs. Cleveland
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The Carolina Panthers are destined for the first pick in the draft. It's really that simple.
Carolina is a total mess right now and the Browns are a scrappy team that has beaten some of the best teams in the league. I think the Browns are going to cruise to an easy win in this game. The Panthers do not have much talent on the roster, but lot of it is banged up.
Look for the Browns to win easy.
Prediction: Cleveland 31, Carolina 10
Baltimore Vs. Tampa Bay
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This is going to be a great game between some of the best teams in the league.
Josh Freeman is playing great football this year, and it's a big reason why the Bucs are playing as well as they are this year. Baltimore is rolling this year as well and the offense has combined with that defense to form a Super Bowl contending team.
Look for the Ravens to pull this one out late though.
Prediction: Baltimore 31, Tampa Bay 27
Philadelphia Vs. Chicago
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Who thought this would be a game between two of the top NFC teams before the season started?
Don't worry, I'll wait.
The Eagles are playing the best football in the NFC right now, and while the Bears do have a surprisingly good record, Chicago will be exposed down the stretch in the NFC, and it will start with this game against Philly.
Prediction: Philadelphia 26, Chicago 13
Green Bay Vs. Atlanta
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This is a possible NFC Championship Game preview as the Falcons and Packers square off.
Matt Ryan is almost unstoppable at home and Aaron Rodgers and the Packers are rolling after beating the Vikings down and rebounding from some injuries earlier in the season. The Falcons have a potent offense and it will be a tough challenge for Green Bay.
I'm not betting against Matt Ryan at home.
Prediction: Atlanta 31, Green Bay 28
Miami Vs. Oakland
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This is an interesting game because the Miami Dolphins' season is all but done after last week's loss to Chicago.
Oakland had a tough loss against Pittsburgh last week, but are still very much alive in the AFC West, where three teams are going to be fighting for one playoff spot. The Raiders struggled last week, but they will rebound and beat the Dolphins.
Look for Darren McFadden to have a good game and set the tempo for the Raiders.
Prediction: Oakland 27, Miami 16
Kansas City Vs. Seattle
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The Seattle Seahawks can be a dangerous team at home, but the Chiefs will find a way to get things done on Sunday.
The Kansas City running game is just too potent for the Seahawks to defend, and I'm not a huge fan of the Seattle offense, even though Mike Williams is having a very strong year and shaking the bust label coming out of USC.
Look for Matt Cassel to keep the Chiefs in first place with a big win.
Prediction: Kansas City 26, Seattle 10
St. Louis Vs. Denver
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The St. Louis Rams are going to be in almost every game they play this year.
Sam Bradford has this team believing and it's clear that there's been a culture change for the Rams after this past year. It's good to see that a proud franchise like the Rams can turn things around and have a shot at a playoff berth.
I think the Rams beat a sputtering Denver team, even if they're going on the road to try and do it.
Prediction: St. Louis 23, Denver 20
San Diego Vs. Indianapolis
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Here come the San Diego Chargers on another late season run, and the next road block is the Indianapolis Colts.
The Colts are banged up and coming off a close loss to the rival New England Patriots. That has to still be stinging as Indy prepares for San Diego. The Chargers are on such a roll right now and Philip Rivers is playing so well that they'll be hard to beat, even with the Colts playing at home.
That's right, I'm betting against Peyton Manning at night.
Prediction: San Diego 31, Indianapolis 28
San Francisco Vs. Arizona
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This is the worst Monday Night Football matchup of the year. It isn't even close.
Nothing says futility like having two NFC West teams go up against each other in the primetime spotlight. That division is by far the worst in football and we may have a division winner with a record below .500. I can just see people betting against them in the playoffs and getting big wins off it.
I'll take San Francisco, but I'm not happy about it.
Prediction: San Francisco 17, Arizona 13
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