NFL Week 12 Picks: Falcons and the No-Brainer Picks of the Week

Sometimes it’s easy to overthink games in the NFL.

There are a handful of games every year that result in shocking upsets, but more often than not the big boys take care of business, especially as the snow begins to hit the ground. Letdown games and a loss of focus don’t fly this late into the season.

Here are the three easiest games to pick in Week 12:

(Spreads courtesy of Covers.com.)

Minnesota Vikings @ Atlanta Falcons

This is a mismatch with a healthy Adrian Peterson. Without him, this is going to be an unconditional blowout.

Toby Gerhart is going to start for Minnesota against a stout Falcons front four that is allowing 85 yards per game on the ground, good enough for second in the NFL. All of the pressure will fall on rookie Christian Ponder to throw the ball downfield to his horrific receiving corps.

Offensively, the Falcons have terrific balance, ranking 10th in passing yards (248) and 11th in rushing yards (120). Michael Turner’s early-season swoon is in the past and his ability to keep the chains and clock moving has really opened up the passing game for QB Matt Ryan.

It’s highly unlikely the 28th-ranked Vikings pass defense will be able to do much of anything to stop it.

Prediction: Falcons 41, Vikings 17

Buffalo Bills @ New York Jets

The Bills are in free-fall mode as it looks like a repeat of 2008.

The defense isn’t getting the turnovers it did early in the season, which means all of the yardage it gives up is turning into big points for the opponent. The defense has given up a combined 106 points in the last three games as teams shred the 24th-ranked pass defense.

The Jets will have had 11 days to think about their shocking loss to the Denver Broncos and will be rested and fully prepared to take out their anger on a reeling team that features banged-up RB Fred Jackson.

Remember, it was only three weeks ago when the Jets thrashed the Bills 27-11 at Buffalo.

Prediction: Jets 23, Bills 10

Pittsburgh Steelers @ Kansas City Chiefs

Not a whole lot to say here.

The Steelers are coming off a bye while the Chiefs are coming off a Monday night game.

Ben Roethlisberger vs. Tyler Palko—this is too easy.

Prediction: Steelers 31, Chiefs 13