Determining The Best In The NFC: Picks and Predictions For Week 12
Week 12 is highlighted with two key games in the NFC. The Packers and the Falcons play, as do Eagles and the Bears. The best team in the NFC is still up in the air, and it will get more clear after this week as to who is the best.
This is a key week for many teams, such as the Texans, Jaguars, and Chiefs. All of these AFC teams have playoff aspirations, but how many people believe in them? The Texans' season is falling apart after two straight heartbreakers, and Gary Kubiak's seat is hot.
Green Bay Packers at Atlanta Falcons
1 of 13
One of the best games, if not the best game of the week is between the Packers and the Falcons, a game that could very well determine who gets home field advantage in the playoffs.
Home field is key for the Falcons. Just ask Matt Ryan, who is 17-1 in his career at the Georgia Dome. The Falcons' offense is lethal with Ryan, Michael Turner, and Roddy White, and they will have to bring it this week because the Packers are on fire.
Aaron Rodgers had his best game of the season last week when they embarrassed the Vikings, and the Packers have overcome their injuries and are playing at a high level.
I like the Falcons in this game, as Matt Ryan improves to 18-1 in games played in Atlanta.
Fearless Forecast: Falcons 31, Packers 28
Pittsburgh Steelers at Buffalo Bills
2 of 13
Can the Bills win their third straight game? Last week, after getting embarrassed in the first half, the Bills scored 35 unanswered to take down the Bengals 49-31. This Bills team competes every week and cannot be taken lightly. They are going to give you everything they have.
After their defense got lit up by the Patriots in week 10, the Steelers bounced back, cruising past the Raiders 35-3 while their defense was dominant. Ben Roethlisberger had his best game of the season, and looks to continue it here.
This is a possible trap game for the Steelers, but I don't see them losing it. The Bills keep it close, but fall to 2-9.
Fearless Forecast: Steelers 20, Bills 17
Carolina Panthers at Cleveland Browns
3 of 13
The biggest storyline in this game between the Panthers and the Browns is Jake Delhomme playing against his former team, the team that he nearly won a Super Bowl with. Can you believe Jake Delhomme almost won a Super Bowl? That sounds weird in itself.
This Panthers team has changed drastically since then. At 1-9, this season is a complete disaster. They have no offense, and nothing to look forward to week in and week out. Jimmy Clausen will return this week from a concussion, and the Panthers are still holding out the hope that he can be their quarterback of the future.
The Browns play hard every week, and should have no problem with the lowly Panthers. Peyton Hillis has been a monster this season, and no defense can seem to stop him.
They cruise to an easy victory, as the Panthers' troubles continue.
Fearless Forecast: Browns 24, Panthers 7
.jpg?w=256 "Colts Jaguars Football")
Tennessee Titans at Houston Texans
4 of 13
No team in the NFL has had a worse two weeks than the Texans. In week ten, the Texans lost on a Hail Mary to the Jaguars, and last week, they lost on a touchdown with ten seconds left to the Jets. Which loss was more painful? You tell me.
Luckily, the Titans come to town this week, and they are reeling. The Titans were the story of the week with Jeff Fisher criticizing Vince Young. It is clear that one of these guys has to go; but who will it be?
The Titans will start Rusty Smith at quarterback, and that has gotta send a smile across Texans' fans faces. If they cannot stop Smith, then their defense really can't stop anybody.
The Texans' playoff hopes are faltering away again, but they will win this week. Book it.
Fearless Forecast: Texans 31, Titans 20
Jacksonville Jaguars at New York Giants
5 of 13
This game is a chance for the Jaguars to show everyone that they are for real. At 6-4, they are currently in first place in the AFC South, but for how long? This will be a big test for them.
The Giants have dropped their last two games, and are banged up on offense. Mario Manningham will have to step up big time with Hakeem Nicks out. The Giants are trying to avoid a collapse like they had last season, and they can start here with a game that they should win.
Which Jaguars team are we going to see? Will we see the team that took down the Colts, or the team that got handled at home against the Titans? I'm tempted to pick the Jaguars here, but my mind tells me the Giants will win it.
Fearless Forecast: Giants 23, Jaguars 21
Minnesota Vikings at Washington Redskins
6 of 13
After their embarrassing loss to the Packers 31-3, Zygi Wilf had enough, and finally fired Brad Childress. What took him so long? At this point, their season is over, and now Leslie Frazier will try to have a similar effect on the Vikings that Jason Garrett has had on the Cowboys.
The Vikings just look like they have no life in them right now. Brett Favre is playing like his age, and their defense has been bad, when it was supposed to be something they could count on.
Switching gears, the Redskins are at 5-5, and very much alive in the playoff picture. They saved their season last week with a win in Tennessee and now have a winnable game to improve to 6-5. The Redskins have struggled with consistency all season long, and need this win.
Donovan McNabb played well last week, and I expect a similar result as the Redskins improve to 6-5.
Fearless Forecast: Redskins 20, Vikings 16
Miami Dolphins at Oakland Raiders
7 of 13
Despite their blow out loss last week in Pittsburgh, you cannot count out the Raiders. At 5-5, they are very much alive in the AFC West playoff race.
That isn't the case with the Dolphins, who at 5-5, trail both the Jets and Patriots.The Dolphins' season is headed in the wrong direction right now with injuries piling up and inconsistency. Last week, Tyler Thigpen filed in for an injured Chad Henne and the Dolphins got shut out, looking sluggish on offense.
Last week was a disaster for the Raiders, but they will rebound in front of their home crowd as they improve to 6-5.
Fearless Forecast: Raiders 23, Dolphins 13
Kansas City Chiefs at Seattle Seahawks
8 of 13
I'm still not sold on the Chiefs, despite their 6-4 record. This is a road test for them, and if they are for real, they will beat teams they should, and the Seahawks classify in that category.
The Seahawks, at 5-5, seem poised to win the worst division in football, the NFC West, simply because there is nobody else. Pete Carroll has done a nice job with this team, but you still don't know what to expect week in and week out with them. They struggled last week in New Orleans as expected, and to win this one, they will need to contain the running attack of Thomas Jones and Jamaal Charles.
I like the Seahawks in this one.
Fearless Forecast: Seahawks 27, Chiefs 13
Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Baltimore Ravens
9 of 13
One of the most interesting games of week 12 is between two 7-3 teams. Nobody expected the Bucs to be 7-3 at this point in the season, but with Josh Freeman, they have a fearless leader who can beat anybody. Raheem Morris has done an amazing job this season with this young Bucs team, and they have a big test in Baltmore.
The Ravens' defense has not looked the same this season, but you still never want to face Ray Lewis, Ed Reed, and company. Joe Flacco still needs to get better if he wants to compete for the AFC crown that features Super Bowl winners such as Tom Brady and Ben Roethlisberger.
I expect the Ravens to win this one as the Bucs drop to 7-4.
Fearless Forecast: Ravens 26, Buccaneers 13
Philadelphia Eagles at Chicago Bears
10 of 13
The Eagles come into this game as one of the hottest teams in football, and should not overlook the Bears. The Bears are quietly 7-3, and have won their last three games. It's their defense that is keeping them in games, and as long as Jay Cutler can take care of the football, the Bears can win games.
Last week, it wasn't Michael Vick who won the game for the Eagles, rather LeSean Mccoy, who broke off two runs to ice the game and secure the victory over the Giants. Michael Vick looked human last week, committed his first turnover of the year with a fumble. Amazingly, he still has yet to throw an interception, and his task is tough this week at Soldier Field against a good Bears defense.
I predict that Michael Vick throws his first interception of the season, but the Eagles will win this one.
Fearless Forecast: Eagles 23, Bears 17
St.Louis Rams at Denver Broncos
11 of 13
Has the Rams' bubble finally burst? Not in the NFC West it hasn't. They can't afford too many other losses though, and they have a tough game in Denver this week.
The Broncos come in with one of the most explosive offenses in the league and a passing attack that is lethal. Kyle Orton is having a career year, and we are slowly starting to see more and more of Tim Tebow. I wrote a few weeks ago that if the Broncos continued to lose, that they should start Tim Tebow for the fun of it. Why not? They used a first round pick on him, and I'm pretty sure they didn't draft him to be a goal line guy.
The Rams will struggle in this one, as they fall to 4-7. The playoffs are around the corner, just not this year.
Fearless Forecast: Broncos 31, Rams 24
San Diego Chargers at Indianapolis Colts
12 of 13
On Sunday Night Football, the Chargers travel to Indianapolis to play the banged up Colts. Both teams have had to cope with injuries all season long and are hanging around because of the play of their quarterbacks. Both Phillip Rivers and Peyton Manning are playing like the MVP this season.
Historically, the Chargers have had the Colts' number, and like their chances against them. Vincent Jackson will make his 2010 debut this week and it could not come at a better time. The Chargers are hurting at receiver with Antonio Gates injured, and Patrick Crayton out for the season. Rivers has done an amazing job this season, and similar to Peyton Manning, whoever is out there at receiver, he will find you.
The Chargers will be a trendy pick here as they have a good history beating the Colts. I'm taking the Chargers as they win their fourth straight.
Fearless Forecast: Chargers 23, Colts 20
San Francisco 49ers at Arizona Cardinals
13 of 13
How many people will actually watch this game on Monday Night Football? This is a showdown in the NFC West between the two worst teams in the division, and that's saying something. I can't think of one intriguing storyline in this game.
I'm picking the Cardinals in this game because of their home field advantage. Derek Anderson has been terrible this season, but is staying at quarterback because the Cardinals have no better options. I'm still trying to figure out how Anderson was so good that one season with the Browns. He will play well in the game as Troy Smith and 49ers lose again.
Fearless Forecast: Cardinals 24, 49ers 23
.jpg?w=480 "Colts Jaguars Football")
.png?w=480)
.jpg?w=600 "Post-June 1 Trade Candidates ☎️")
.JPG?w=600 "TO Talks Cowboys Relationship")
.jpg?w=600 "Taylor Heinicke Retiring")
.jpg?w=600 "49ers OC Hypes Mike Evans 🤩")