NFL Predictions Week 12: 10 Teams That Will Improve Their Playoff Positions
There's an unusual amount of parity around the NFL this season.
With 14 of the 32 teams in the league with six wins or more, Week 12 presents a prime opportunity for the real contenders to separate themselves from the postseason pretenders.
With Peyton Manning and the Colts in an unfamiliar spot, how will they hold up against a surging Chargers team this week? Can the Titans stay focused on football in the midst of the Vince Young drama?
These ten teams should all take a big step forward in Week 12, and a victory for each would go a very long way toward securing the sought after playoff berth.
10. New England Patriots
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The only reason that the Patriots check in at the back end of this list is because it should be obvious that they're going to crush the Lions.
Despite Detroit giving the division rival Jets a scare just a few weeks ago, the Lions are without starting QB Matt Stafford and rookie RB Jahvid Best has been hampered by turf toe on both feet over the last few contests.
With the Patriots looking as strong as they have in a while coming off impressive wins against both the Steelers and Colts, Bill Belichick's crew will be ready to roll and further cement their rightful place in the postseason.
9. New York Jets
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Although many think the Jets are the luckiest team in the league, they've got quite a bit of skill, too.
With a quick turnaround and a Thanksgiving matchup against the Bengals on the horizon, the Jets should have no problem tearing through a Cincinnati squad that gave up 35 points to the Buffalo Bills in the second half alone.
With WR Terrell Owens talking trash about CB Darrelle Revis being just an "average corner," odds are the defense will be fired-up and prepared to make a statement on Thursday night.
8. Pittsburgh Steelers
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There aren't many questioning whether the Steelers are a playoff team, but any critics lurking in the shadows were effectively silenced with the team's 35-3 drubbing of the Oakland Raiders.
While the defense has once again been the linchpin of the team, the real story in Pittsburgh is all about WR Mike Wallace. Many had the speedster projected for a breakout season, but nobody saw this emergence coming.
With six touchdowns in his last six games and three straight of over 100 yards receiving, the Buffalo secondary is going to have a tough time matching up with No. 17. And as soon as they begin paying attention to the passing game, RB Rashard Mendenhall will tear them apart.
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7. Baltimore Ravens
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Tied with the Steelers for the division lead, the Ravens are going to have to keep winning if they want to stay in contention.
Although the running game hasn't clicked on all cylinders and the defense has been shaky at times, the Ravens continue to find ways to win ball games. This week, Baltimore will take on the surprising Tampa Bay Buccaneers in a battle of 7-3 teams.
With both teams clamoring for a win to remain in the playoff conversation, the Ravens' experience should be a critical X-factor this week.
6. New York Giants
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Sitting at just 6-4 with an ugly 1-2 record in the division, the Giants need a convincing win this weekend to place themselves back in the circle of contenders.
With starting wide receivers Hakeem Nicks and Steve Smith both out with injuries and backups Ramses Barden and Victor Cruz both on IR, the G-Men will have to rely heavily on the rushing attack in Week 12.
That should do just fine against a mediocre Jags' defense, and the team will look to deflate the confidence of a team that's playing well above what many expected.
5. Houston Texans
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Remember when the Texans were a dark-horse candidate to represent the AFC in the Super Bowl? It sure seems like a long time ago.
Now sitting in last place in the division at just 4-6, the Texans are in a must-win situation if they have any hopes of making it back to the postseason.
Taking on the Titans in the midst of the Vince Young situation, rookie QB Rusty Smith is expected to start in Week 12 and will look to leave his mark against a very vulnerable Houston secondary. If the defense can hold up, the Texans should come out of this one with a very necessary win.
4. Kansas City Chiefs
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This is the crustiest matchup of division leaders in recent memory.
With the 6-4 Chiefs taking on the 5-5 Seahawks, both teams are looking for a win to further separate themselves from the intense heat each squad faces in the division.
The KC defense is much better than most give it credit for, and the rushing attack led by Jamaal Charles and Thomas Jones is one of the most potent in the NFL and should ultimately prove too much for the Seahawks to handle.
3. New Orleans Saints
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This is beginning to look like the team that just won the Super Bowl.
Although the defense hasn't been as stringent as it was during the improbable championship run last season, QB Drew Brees has the offense firing on all cylinders. With explosive weapon RB Reggie Bush also due back in Week 12 for the Saints, it adds yet another dynamic element to an already electric attack.
The Cowboys have been playing much better since interim head coach Jason Garrett took over, but the Saints are the toughest task they're going to face in quite some time.
This one looks good for New Orleans as they continue to try and separate themselves from both Tampa Bay and Atlanta.
2. Philadelphia Eagles
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Is there anything that Michael Vick can't do?
With the Bears looking to be the first team to shut No. 7 down, there's no doubt that DE Julius Peppers will be salivating to get a crack at taking down Vick and the Eagles. Coming off a very impressive 16-0 shutout of the Dolphins, the Chicago defense is beginning to play a very strong brand of football.
Should the Eagles come out on top in this one, they'll be riding high at 8-3 and in firm control of the NFC East.
1. San Diego Chargers
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The Chargers are officially back on the map.
Although the team is just 5-5, the Lightning Bolts are in a prime position to make a strong playoff push as the season winds down. With a very favorable schedule the rest of the way, a victory over Peyton Manning and Indianapolis will go a long way toward the ultimate goal.
With the AFC West anything but settled, the Chargers need to beat the Colts in order to have any hope of leapfrogging to the top with an ugly 1-2 record in the division.
Ethan is a contributing consultant to Bleacher Report. Follow him on Twitter.
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