NFL Picks Week 12: How the Underdogs Could Win Outright

NFL Picks Week 12: How the Underdogs Could Win Outright

In a crazy NFL season, Week 12 started with no real favorite taking the reigns of the playoff picture.

The Thanksgiving day games saw the three favorites all win, but no one played a complete game.

In this slideshow, we will be examining the rest of the weekend games and see what it would take for the underdog to win each game.

Who is the most likely to be upset? Who are your favorites this weekend? Let us know!

13. Pittsburgh at Buffalo

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PITTSBURGH - NOVEMBER 21: Mike Wallace #17 of the Pittsburgh Steelers celebrates after catching a pass for a first down against the Oakland Raiders during the game on November 21, 2010 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jared Wickerha

Line: Pittsburgh by 7

Likelihood of Upset: None

Player Who Would Key The Upset: Ryan Fitzpatrick has been a revelation for the Bills. He has led the hapless Bills to two straight wins and looks like he could be the future face of the Bills, if they don't draft a quarterback this year. Fitzpatrick will have to have a big game to even keep the game close against the Steelers. Ultimately, I don't see the Bills staying within 14 points.

Prediction: Pittsburgh 35, Buffalo 10

12. Philadelphia at Chicago

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PHILADELPHIA - NOVEMBER 21: Michael Vick #7 of the Philadelphia Eagles celebrates after defeating the New York Giants at Lincoln Financial Field on November 21, 2010 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Nick Laham/Getty Images)

Line: Philadelphia by 4

Likelihood of Upset: Slim

Player Who Would Key The Upset: For the Bears to beat Michael Vick, the defense will have to keep the MVP candidate in check. Julius Peppers is a star defensive end with speed. If he can prevent VIck from getting comfortable in the pocket and maybe force some turnovers, the Bears could win.

Prediction: Philadelphia 24, Chicago 17

11. Jacksonville at NY Giants

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PHILADELPHIA - NOVEMBER 21: Eli Manning #10 of the New York Giants calls a play at the line of scrimage against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field on November 21, 2010 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Michael Heiman/Getty Images)

Line: NY Giants by 8

Likelihood of Upset: Slim

Player Who Would Key The Upset: The motor that makes makes the Jaguars go is Maurice Jones-Drew. If he has a big game, it means the Jags controlled the game from the outset. If he is quiet it means the Jags are having to come from behind.

Prediction: NY Giants 38, Jacksonville 17

10. Tennessee at Houston

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EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - NOVEMBER 21: Arian Foster #23 of the Houston Texans runs the ball against the New York Jets on November 21, 2010 at the New Meadowlands Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

Line: Even

Likelihood of Upset: N/A

Player Who Would Key The Upset: Because the line is even, it means that Vegas thinks Tennessee is better. For Houston to win this one, Andre Johnson needs to get back to the form that he was in prior to his high ankle sprain. When he is healthy, Johnson is probably the best pass catcher in the NFL. If Johnson can show that he is healthy than the Texans run away with this one against a depleted Titans team.

Prediction: Houston 21, Tennessee 20

9. Minnesota at Washington

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NASHVILLE, TN - NOVEMBER 21: Quarterback Donovan McNabb #5 of the Washington Redskins drops back to pass against the Tennessee Titans at LP Field on November 21, 2010 in Nashville, Tennessee. The Redskins won 19-16 in overtime. (Photo by Grant Halverson

Line: Washington by 2

Likelihood of Upset: Possible

Player Who Would Key The Upset: For the Vikings to get back in the win column, the defense needs to key the upset. Jarred Allen has not had nearly the same successful season as last year for the Vikings. He needs to really be the All-Pro that we all remember for the Vikings to pull this one out.

Prediction: Washington 27, Minnesota 24

8. Kansas City at Seattle

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KANSAS CITY, MO - NOVEMBER 21: Jamaal Charles #25 of the Kansas City Chiefs carries the ball as Joey Porter #55 of the Arizona Cardinals defends during the game against on November 21, 2010 at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie

Line: Kansas City by 1

Likelihood of Upset: Possible

Player Who Would Key The Upset: Seattle playing at home is a different team than on the road. Same goes for Kansas City. For the Seahawks to pull out this one, they need consistent quarterback play from Matt Hasselbeck. At points during the season, Hasselbeck has shown the skills that made him one of the best quarterbacks in the country. If he doesn't turn the ball over against the young Chiefs, then the Seahawks could win this one.

Prediction: Kansas City 20, Seattle 14

7.Tampa Bay at Baltimore

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CHARLOTTE, NC - NOVEMBER 21: Ed Reed #20 of the Baltimore Ravens against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium on November 21, 2010 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)

Line: Baltimore by 8

Likelihood of Upset: Possible

Player Who Would Key The Upset: Josh Freeman is the key to everything Tampa Bay does. He has been unstoppable in the fourth quarter this season, and if he is able to play against Baltimore without turning the ball over and the Bucs are close to the Ravens in the scoring margin, I like Freeman's chances to pull an upset.

Prediction: Baltimore 24, Tampa Bay 13

6. Green Bay at Atlanta

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MINNEAPOLIS - NOVEMBER 21: Quarterback Aaron Rodgers #12 of the Green Bay Packers throws against the Minnesota Vikings at the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome on November 21, 2010 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)

Line: Atlanta by 2

Likelihood of Upset: Great

Player Who Would Key The Upset: The Green Bay Packers have overcome all sorts of injuries this season and have been playing great football the last few weeks. For them to beat the impressive Falcons in Atlanta, Aaron Rodgers will need to have a big game avoiding pressure and finding his receivers.

Prediction: Green Bay 28, Atlanta 24

5. St. Louis at Denver

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ST. LOUIS - NOVEMBER 21: Sam Bradford #8 of the St. Louis Rams passes against the Atlanta Falcons at the Edward Jones Dome on November 21, 2010 in St. Louis, Missouri. The Falcons beat the Rams 34-17. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images)

Line: Denver by 4

Likelihood of Upset: Great

Player Who Would Key The Upset: Denver has looked really good some weeks and absolutely atrocious at some points. Meanwhile, the Rams have had a hard time playing on the road. For the Rams to win this one and put themselves back into the NFC West race, it will come down to how the secondary slows down Denver's passing attack. Ronald Bartell will likely be matched up with Brandon Lloyd for a lot of the game. Bartell will need to slow down Lloyd to ensure the Rams keep it close.

Prediction: St. Louis 21, Denver 20

4. Miami at Oakland

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PITTSBURGH - NOVEMBER 21: Jason Campbell #8 of the Oakland Raiders readies himself behind center during the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers on November 21, 2010 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)

Line: Even

Likelihood of Upset: N/A

Player Who Would Key The Upset: As was the case with Tennessee at Houston, there is no real favorite in this game. However, Vegas thinks that Miami is a little bit better than the Raiders who are at home. For the Raiders to put their Pittsburgh loss behind them, Darren McFadden needs to bounce back from a subpar performance.

Prediction: Oakland 17, Miami 10

3. San Francisco at Atlanta

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GLENDALE, AZ - OCTOBER 31: Portrait of Larry Fitzgerald #11 of the Arizona Cardinals during warm up before the game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at University of Phoenix Stadium on October 31, 2010 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Ima

Line: San Francisco by 1

Likelihood of Upset: Great

Player Who Would Key The Upset: Arizona looks nothing like the team they were with Kurt Warner. Derek Anderson has struggled a ton this season, but he is still a better option at this point than Max Hall. For the Cardinals to pull the upset Anderson needs to play like a starting quarterback. Stop forcing the ball into Larry Fitzgerald, stop throwing interceptions and make good decisions. A tall order for Anderson, but against the 49ers, it seems possible.

Prediction: Arizona 17, San Francisco 14

2. San Diego at Indianapolis

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SAN DIEGO - NOVEMBER 22: Quarterback Philip Rivers #17 of the San Diego Chargers waits to be introduced prior to the start of the NFL football game against Denver Broncos at Qualcomm Stadium on November 22, 2010 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Kevor

Line: Indianapolis by 3

Likelihood of Upset: Great

Player Who Would Key The Upset: Philip Rivers is on pace to break Dan Marino's record for passing yards in a season, and he is doing so without LaDainian Tomlinson to rely on or a full compliment of receivers to catch his passes. For the Chargers to beat the Colts, Rivers needs to do what Rivers does. Find the open man, play loose and get rid of the ball. It is November in San Diego, and the Chargers have played well against the Colts in recent history.

Prediction: San Diego 38, Indianapolis 35

1. Carolina at Cleveland

Jared Wickerham/Getty Images

PITTSBURGH - OCTOBER 17: Colt McCoy #12 of the Cleveland Browns hands the ball off to Peyton Hillis #40 during the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers on October 17, 2010 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Image

Line: Even

Likelihood of Upset: N/A

Player Who Would Key The Upset: How Vegas thinks Carolina is better than Cleveland is beyond me. Yes the line is even, but the Browns are playing at home. They should at least be favored by three, points for the home field advantage. At the end of this game when Peyton Hillis has obliterated the Panther's defense, people will finally start to give the Browns credit for being an up-and-coming team.

Prediction: Cleveland 45, Carolina 20