NFL Week 12 Picks: Colts, Chargers All Set For Sunday Night Showdown

Mark Jones's Weekly NFL Picks - Week 12

Last week, I went 10-5-1 and my Upset of the Week nearly came through (Oakland vs. Miami), though my Lock of the Week ended in a tie! That record puts me at 74-41-1 (.644) for the season and 41-15-1 (.732) in the last month.

NFL Week 12 Games Already Finished - Thursday Night Football

Pittsburgh 27, Cincinnati 10

NFL Week 12 Picks

Philadelphia (5-4-1) @ Baltimore (6-4)

What an interesting game this is. Two teams coming off dreadful performances back in Week 11, as the Eagles tied with the Bengals and the Ravens were routed by the Giants, playing in a game that has a large effect on both the NFC and AFC Wild Card races.

This should be a good close game, but the Eagles will rebound off their awful game last week to win by having Donovan McNabb exploit the Ravens secondary now that is has been struck with several injuries, just like their division rival New York did.

Pick...Eagles 20, Ravens 16

Houston (3-7) @ Cleveland (4-6)

The Texans did better than I thought they'd do last week vs. Indy, but they couldn't manage to win. But on the other hand, Cleveland came out and had an impressive performance in their slim 29-27 win over Buffalo to give the Browns new hope.

I doubt either of these teams will come very close to making a wild-card push, but I think the Browns will keep their hope alive with a win at home.

Pick...Texans 20, Browns 30

Tampa Bay (7-3) @ Detroit (0-10)

The Lions may be getting closer to their first win of the season, but I don't think it is going to come here. However, the Buccaneers have been kind of quiet the past few weeks, and haven't yet had a standout performance this month. But Cadillac and his Bucs can just cruise right through the Lions in this game

Pick...Buccaneers 38, Lions 13

Buffalo (5-5) @ Kansas City (1-9)

Just when the Chiefs are showing some spark, they come out and lose a downright ugly game to the Saints. But the Bills have looked terrible for the last several games and are currently on a four-game losing streak after starting 5-1. The way they're playing right now, who knows how much of a lock this is after all!

Pick...Bills 31, Chiefs 24

Chicago (5-5) @ St. Louis (2-8)

Who cares about Rexxy! Did you see how TERRIBLE the Rams where last week?! They looked more like a losing high school team than a collection of professional football players! The Bears might not have the best QB in the league, but they should cruise through this one!

Pick...Lock of the Week (LOTW)...Bears 28, Rams 3

New York Jets (7-3) @ Tennessee (10-0)

All the stats seem to point to the Titans; win percentage, wins, points allowed, etc., but I have faith in the Jets. In fact, I pick Brett Favre and his Jets to finally end Tennessee's winning streak! Jeez, have the Jets ever had a turnaround. GB is wishing they never let Brett leave!

Pick...Upset of the Week (UOTW)...Jets 28, Titans 27

New England (6-4) @ Miami (6-4)

A big divisional match between two equal-record teams that both have wild-card and division-title possibilities brewing. A win here will launch the winner to 7-4 and make them look like a good candidate for the AFC Wild Card as well as even the AFC East division champion. The loser, well, will need to extra help to get into the playoffs.

I would have picked the Dolphins, but last week's dismal performance vs. the Raiders, despite the win, discouraged me.

Pick...Dolphins 20, Patriots 27

Minnesota (5-5) @ Jacksonville (4-6)

This game should be an extremely close, back-and-forth game between two subpar teams.

The Vikings are fighting to get through a major logjam of three 5-5 teams in the NFC North and win the tight division.

However, the Jaguars stand in their way, despite having little hope for a playoff berth remaining. It is worth noting, though, that Jacksonville made a very good effort vs. Tennessee last week, and led 14-3 and the half (even though they were shut out 21-0 in the second half in their 24-14 loss).

Pick........Vikings 24, Jaguars 21

San Francisco (3-7) @ Dallas (6-4)

Last week versus Washington was a big game for the Cowboys, and they pulled through, 14-10. Now Dallas is looking fairly good for the an NFC Wild Card, though they will still have to fight through Tampa Bay, Green Bay, Philadelphia, and Washington to get one.

But first they have to look to the 49ers, who, despite their unimpressive 3-7 record, really put it together in their rout of St. Louis last week.

Pick...In a closer game than most think, Cowboys 27, 49ers 17

Oakland (2-8) @ Denver (6-4)

Oakland almost sneaked out with a win in Miami last week, but couldn't keep the Dolphins down long enough and let a late FG through to give away the game, 17-15. But I'll bet they can't even come close to matching that performance this week. There are three reasons why:

1. Denver's offense is playing really well right now after their win in Atlanta last week.
2. Oakland has really, really struggled to score, and especially get touchdowns, in their last few games.
3. I doubt the sea-folks in Oakland are used to playing a football game in the Mile High City too often.

Pick...Raiders 10, Broncos 35

Carolina (8-2) @ Atlanta (6-4)

I'm partially puzzled why this East Coast game is at 4:15, but whatever. The Panthers are playing like a team right now, and that has helped them recover from back-to-back disappointing performances against two easy teams, Oakland and Detroit.

But somehow, the running game has managed to keep them alive and winning by putting up two huge games, the first by running over 150 yards and the second by running over 200 yards and three touchdowns.

Another thing also going for the Panthers: Atlanta is probably still reeling from their close loss last week in the Georgia Dome to Denver. Plus, the Panthers have already beaten the Falcons earlier in the year, 24-9.

Pick...Carolina 27, Atlanta 14

New York Giants (9-1) @ Arizona (7-3)

I think the Cards are a bit overrated. They've barely came through with games against two two-win teams, 29-24 over the 49ers and 26-20 over the 'Hawks. The Giants are also coming into Week 12 with a huge blowout of the creditable Ravens last week.

In a high-scoring offensive battle, look for the Giants to put up plenty of points and have a fairly easy win.

Pick...Giants 41, Cardinals 28

Washington (6-4) @ Seattle (2-8)

The Redskin's close loss to rival Dallas last week was a crusher, and their confidence will be way down coming into this game. The Seattle Seahawks have also been playing better recently, so Washington better not get ahead of themselves, or else they could be in for another shocking loss to an NFC West team, like their loss earlier in the year to St. Louis.

Pick...In OT, Redskins 27, Seahawks 24

Indianapolis (6-4) @ San  Diego (4-6)         Game of the Week

You might be surprised I think this is the Game of the Week, but I do. It is a battle between two previous-dynasties who have both been slightly struggling this year, especially San Diego.

But I thought the Chargers looked better against Pittsburgh last week, so don't be surprised if the 'Bolts make this into a close game.

Pick...Colts 31, Chargers 21

Green Bay (5-5) @ New Orleans (5-5)        *MNF*

This should be a high scoring, back and forth game. The home team, the New Orleans Saints, have to be completely focusing on their offense, because that is the only obvious way they can beat Aaron Rodgers and company.

I think last week's rout of Chicago will inspire the Packers enough to win this game, too, and possibly shoot them to the top of their division.

Pick...Packers 28, Saints 24

Lock of the Week:  Chicago OVER St. Louis

Upset of the Week:  Jets OVER Titans

Record Last Week:  10-5-1

Record this Season:  74-41-1

Have any opinions or questions you want to share? Feel free to comment openly on this article!