Weekly NFL picks - Week 12

Week 11 in the NFL was surely an interesting one.

Philadelphia proved just how it could be by tying the hapless Cincinnati Bengals. Denver tallied an important road victory, Green Bay decimated the Bears and the Giants staked their claim as the NFC's best team after easily handling the Ravens.

Let's get to the picks.

Pittsburgh (7-3) over Cincinnati (1-8-1)

There is almost no chance the Bengals win this game. Cincinnati didn't prove much in last week's tie with the Eagles and the Steelers may be the AFC's second-best team. An act of God may be the only way Cincy trips up the AFC North leaders.

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

I've said it before: Houston cannot win on the road. If they're going to do it, this week is the perfect time. Cleveland has a shaky 1-4 mark at home, but Brady Quinn is getting comfortable with the starters. That equals bad news for the visiting Texans, who continue their underachieving in 2008.

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

The Niners may have looked good last week, but the Rams are a completely different animal than the Cowboys, at Texas Stadium, are. Once upon a time, this would have been the season's marquis match-up. Now it's just an easy victory for the Cowboys.

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

This game may be a beacon of things to come for the Lions. The only franchise to suffer a winless season in the modern era pays a visit to Ford Field. Might history be pointing to the first 0-16 season in NFL history? If any team can do it, the Lions can do it.

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

11-0 v. 0-11 on Thanksgiving Day. What a match-up! The John Madden Game of the Week will be too much for Mr. Madden to watch, as his Bretts won't have enough offensive firepower to get past the Titans. The onus will be on Kerry Collins once again, as the Jets bring in the 28th-ranked pass defense in the league. Collins has proved he can do it already this season and Sunday will be no different.

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

Upset Special! Tyler Thigpen has really impressed me as of late and will continue to do so Sunday afternoon at Arrowhead. The Bills have been shaky over the past few weeks, especially on the road. Couple that with a Chiefs team seeming to jell a bit and you've got the perfect recipe for an upset.

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

The Rams are falling apart. This wasn't any more evident than during last week's embarrassing 35-16 loss to the struggling San Francisco 49ers. Things aren't going to get any better against the Bears this week. Though Chicago's defense was run over, around and through at Lambeau Field last week, Lovie Smith's squad won't let it happen twice.

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

The Patriots haven't been dogs to the Dolphins in years. But as Bob Dylan sang, the times they are a-changin'. The loser of this game may very well find their playoff hopes doused, and for the first time in nearly a decade, we may be watching January football that doesn't involve the New England Patriots.

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

Jacksonville, the Underachievers of the Year, can't stop the run to save their backsides. This is a bit of a problem when you're facing Adrian Peterson and one of the best rushing offenses in the NFL. The advantage in the running game gives the Vikings the edge and keeps them in the race for the NFC North crown.

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

The Eagles proved that they are nothing short of average in last week's 13-13 tie against the pathetic Bengals. Unlike the Bengals, Baltimore actually plays defense - and they do it better than most NFL teams. I said last week that Philly doesn't beat good teams. The Ravens are looking more and more like a playoff team and should get an important home victory.

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

Denver stinks. Oakland is worse. Fairly simple equation for a Denver home victory. Somehow, it appears the Broncos will represent the AFC West in the playoffs.

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

If the Falcons can get the win Sunday in Atlanta, it'd turn the NFC South into a quagmire. Carolina has just enough to push around the Falcons and rookie quarterback Matt Ryan. Last week's home loss was a bit of a stunner for the Falcons but losing to the NFC's second-best squad shouldn't be.

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

The Giants are probably the better all-around team and are built for another deep playoff run that may end in another Super Bowl trip. They didn't win every game last year and won't win the rest this year. Arizona's offense is lethal, their defense is underrated and the Cards are tough at home. In a mild upset, the Cardinals steal one from the defending champs and stay in the race for a first-round playoff bye.

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

This is a must-win for the Redskins. They are 5.5-point favorites on the road and need a victory to keep pace with the Cowboys and Giants in the division. The Seahawks are just plain bad and shouldn't put up a terribly threatening fight against Washington Sunday afternoon.

San Diego (4-6) over Indianapolis (6-4)

The Colts don't really play a lot of solid defense. Phillip Rivers and LaDainian Tomlinson have been underachieving for the past month. The Colts are unreliable on the road and the Bolts are tough to beat at Qualcomm Stadium. The last time San Diego played under the prime time lights, they walked away with a dominating 30-10 victory over the Patriots. Expect much of the same Sunday night.

New Orleans (5-5) over Green Bay (5-5)

For reasons I do not understand, the Packers are favored to win. New Orleans is 4-1 at home and has one of the best offensive attacks in the NFL. The Packers defense is a middle-of-the-road squad that hasn't lived up to preseason expectations. Righting the ship against the Saints is no easy task and the Packers will prove they aren't up to the challenge.

Last week: 10-5-1
Overall record: 104-51-1