Week 12 NFL PIcks (Abridged Version): Plus Chargers Talk!

I don't have much time to write tonight, so I will give a quick sentence or two about all of the Week 12 games, and then my pick for the week.  I finally had a good week last week, so I'm due for a rough one.  Time will tell!

As for the Broncos-Chargers game, it was everything that a Chargers fan would want to see with very few exceptions.  The Broncos did go directly down the field and score on their first possession.  Nate Kaeding missed a field goal, albeit a long one.  Finally, Patrick Crayton injured his wrist and Malcom Floyd retweaked his hamstring.  Other than that, it was a great night for the Bolts!

With Thanksgiving for me happening the next two days, and three games taking place on Thursday, I figure I'd better just get down to business.  Here are this week's picks! 

Enjoy the games!

Last Week: 13 - 3

Total:  92 - 68

New England Patriots @ Detroit Lions

Jim Rogash/Getty Images

FOXBORO, MA - JANUARY 10: Fans of the New England Patriots support their team against the Baltimore Ravens during the 2010 AFC wild-card playoff game at Gillette Stadium on January 10, 2010 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images)

I actually believe that the Lions could compete in this game.  That being said, I'm crazy, not insane.

Patriots 31   Lions  24

New Orleans Saints @ Dallas Cowboys

Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

NEW ORLEANS - NOVEMBER 21: A fan of the New Orleans Saints holds up a sign for 'Saintsgiving' during the sign against the Seattle Seahawks at Louisiana Superdome on November 21, 2010 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Coach's motivation is nice, but it only goes so far.  Look for the Cowboys to come back to earth this week.

Saints  37    Cowboys  20

Cincinnati Bengals @ New York Jets

Andrew Burton/Getty Images

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - OCTOBER 31: A Jets fan dressed as Cartman, a character from the television show 'South Park' puts his hands on his head during the fourth quarter of a game against the Green Bay Packers on October 31, 2010 at the New Meadowlands Stad

I'm not sold on the Jets, but they should have more than enough to trounce the Bengals at home (or anywhere else).

Bengals  17   Jets  30

Green Bay Packers @ Atlanta Falcons

Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

ATLANTA - SEPTEMBER 19: A fan of the Atlanta Falcons cheers during the game against the Arizona Cardinals at Georgia Dome on September 19, 2010 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

This could be the game of the week!  I have to go with Matty Ice and the home record of the Falcons.  Then again, the Packers defense could shut them down.

Packers  18   Falcons  20

Pittsburgh Steelers @ Buffalo Bills

Karl Walter/Getty Images

NEW ORLEANS - OCTOBER 31: A fan dressed as the Terrible Towel is seen before the Pittsburgh Steelers versus New Orleans Saints game at Louisiana Superdome on October 31, 2010 in New Orleans, Louisiana. The Saints won 20-10 over the Steelers. (Photo by

Although the Bills have an up-and-coming quarterback in Ryan Fitzpatrick, I have to go with the Steelers on the road in this one.  The throttling that they gave the Raiders last week was quite impressive.

Steelers 34    Bills 24

Carolina Panthers @ Cleveland Browns

Justin K. Aller/Getty Images

CLEVELAND - SEPTEMBER 2: A young Cleveland Browns fan looks on during the preseason game against the Chicago Bears on September 2, 2010 at Cleveland Browns Stadium in Cleveland, Ohio. The Browns defeated the Bears 13-10. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty

It's not often the Browns have an easy game, but Carolina will make anyone look like a world beater.

Panthers  17   Browns  28

Jacksonville Jaguars @ New York Giants

Jeff Zelevansky/Getty Images

NEW YORK - APRIL 22: New York Giants fan Karim Simmions of the Bronx attends the 2010 NFL Draft at Radio City Music Hall on April 22, 2010 in New York City. (Photo by Jeff Zelevansky/Getty Images)

There could be an upset here as Jacksonville has been working some magic lately....but I doubt it.  Not on the road.

Jaguars  24   Giants  30

Minnesota Vikings @ Washington Redskins

Larry French/Getty Images

LANDOVER - SEPTEMBER 19: A fan of the Washington Redskins cheers against the Houston Texans at FedExField on September 19, 2010 in Landover, Maryland. The Texans defeated the Redskins in overtime 30-27. (Photo by Larry French/Getty Images)

The only reason that I have any doubt on this game is because the Vikings are hoping to pull a Cowboys and play inspired football for their new coach.  They will either blow out the Skins, or lose like normal.

Vikings  20   Redskins  27

Tennessee Titans @ Houston Texans

Ronald Martinez/Getty Images

HOUSTON - SEPTEMBER 12: A Houston Texans fan shows his support during the NFL season opener against the Indianapolis Colts at Reliant Stadium on September 12, 2010 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

Tennessee may be fired up to get rid of the cancer who is Vince Young.  Or, they could be deflated after losing the one quarterback they have who has a winning record. 

Texans are due.

Titans 18   Texans  31

Kansas City Chiefs @ Seattle Seahawks

Jamie Squire/Getty Images

KANSAS CITY, MO - SEPTEMBER 13: A Kansas City Chiefs fan cheers during the game against the San Diego Chargers on September 13, 2010 at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

I want sooooo badly to pick the Seahawks.  I mean after all, the Seahawks are still in the hunt for the NFC West and their crowd makes things rough on the other team.  Also, the Chiefs are only 1-4 on the road this year.  Sorry, that's just not enough to make me pick the Seahawks.

Chiefs  24   Seahawks  21

Miami Dolphins @ Oakland Raiders

Christian Petersen/Getty Images

GLENDALE, AZ - SEPTEMBER 26: Fans of the Oakland Raiders cheer during the NFL game against the Arizona Cardinals at the University of Phoenix Stadium on September 26, 2010 in Glendale, Arizona. The Cardinals defeated the Raiders 24-23. (Photo by Christ

Again, I wish I could pick Miami here. I think if Miami had a better quarterback situation, they would have an excellent chance of winning.  I just don't see them outscoring the Raiders this week, especially after a very long flight across country.

Also, the Raiders will be looking to save face after that thrashing in Pittsburgh last week.

Dolphins  13   Raiders 28

Philidelphia Eagles @ Chicago Bears

Stephen Dunn/Getty Images

SAN DIEGO - AUGUST 14: A Bears fan attends the game between the San Diego Chargers and the Chicago Bears on August 14, 2010 at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego, California. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)

I know that Philly, led by Michael Vick, should be able to win this game.  I am banking on the Bears tough defense getting to Vick and throwing him off his game for the first time this season.

Eagles  20   Bears 31

Tampa Bay Buccaneers @ Baltimore Ravens

Larry French/Getty Images

BALTIMORE, MD - NOVEMBER 7: A fan of the Baltimore Ravens cheers against the Miami Dolphins at M&T Bank Stadium on November 7, 2010 in Baltimore, Maryland. The Ravens defeated the Dolphins 26-10. (Photo by Larry French/Getty Images)

Tampa has been playing very well this year, but there has to be a learning curve for their young QB when it comes to playing defenses like Baltimore.

Bucs  13   Ravens  24

St. Louis Rams @ Denver Broncos

Larry French/Getty Images

BALTIMORE, MD - OCTOBER 10: A fan of the Baltimore Ravens hangs a Bronco doll during the game against the Denver Broncos at M&T Bank Stadium on October 10, 2010 in Baltimore, Maryland. Players wore pink in recognition of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Th

I don't like either team here.  Since the Rams are a perfect 0-4 on the road, I'll go with the Broncos.

Rams  20   Broncos  30

San Diego Chargers @ Indianapolis Colts

Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images

SAN DIEGO - NOVEMBER 22: Fans of San Diego Chargers during the NFL football game against Denver Broncos at Qualcomm Stadium on November 22, 2010 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)

Here we go! A great Sunday night matchup between bitter rivals.  For whatever reason, the Chargers have become the thorn in Peyton Manning's side.  In their last five meetings, the Chargers have won four times, including two playoff games!  The Bolts have not blown out the Colts. In fact, the games are always tight.  Somehow, the Chargers have won out in the end in most of these meetings.

The best part of this matchup are the amazing similarities between the two teams.  Let's take a look:

1.  Average score for both teams:  Chargers 27.4; Colts 26.8

2.  Average points allowed:  Chargers 21.1; Colts 21.6

3.  Home record: Chargers 4-1; Colts 4-0 (4-1 with a loss to SD)

4.  Both teams have had a bunch of injuries, especially to their receiving corp.

5.  Both teams have a quarterback who should wear a cape like Superman.

There are a few more comparisons, but like I said, I'm pressed for time.  Don't worry, I'm not looking past the Colts, nor am I overconfident.  I just know that the Chargers defense has always given Manning fits.  Also, Philip Rivers is playing at a level like he has never played before.  Should be a great game.

Chargers 38   Colts  31

San Francisco 49ers @ Arizona Cardinals

Warren Little/Getty Images

LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 31: San Francisco 49ers fans waves flags in support of their team during the NFL International Series match between Denver Broncos and San Francisco 49ers at Wembley Stadium on October 31, 2010 in London, England. This is the fo

This game stinks.  Both teams stink. However, the Niners have won three of their last five (although they got shutout last week) and the Cardinals have lost five straight.  I guess that is enough to pick the Niners.

Niners  20  Cardinals  17

That's it for another week in the NFL!  Enjoy the games and have a great Thanksgiving!