NFL Picks Week 12: Quick Predictions for the Week's Marquee Matchups

With the postseason approaching, it's hard to say that any contest in the NFL isn't extremely important for either of the two teams involved.

However, in Week 12, there are a number of high-profile games on the schedule, starting with two contests on Thursday.

Here are my picks and score predictions for the four biggest games of Week 12.

Green Bay Packers at Detroit Lions

For far too long, the annual Thanksgiving game featuring the Detroit Lions guaranteed that the host team would fail in a most spectacular way.

But now, the Lions are one of the most talented squads in the league and are searching to best the undefeated Green Bay Packers on a national stage.

Though Detroit has the best chance of any team to notch a win over the NFL's best team, I just don't see them pulling it off on Thursday.

The Lions have a powerful defense, truly, but Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers is just far too adept at staying calm and getting the ball to one of his many talented receivers. At the same time, Detroit's offense—while effective—just isn't as consistent as that of the Packers.

The winner of this game will be determined by the team that makes fewer mistakes, and I believe that team will be Green Bay.

Final score: Packers 41, Lions 35

San Francisco 49ers at Baltimore Ravens

Another big game this week takes place on Thursday, with the night game belonging to brothers and head coaches Jim and John Harbaugh and their respective teams, the San Francisco 49ers and Baltimore Ravens.

The 7-3 Ravens, undefeated at home, take on the 9-1 Niners, undefeated on the road. While the Ravens have remained the dominant team they've been known to be in recent years, the 49ers have been one of 2011's biggest surprises after finishing last season at 6-10 and turning it around to become the No. 2 team in the NFL in just one offseason.

Though Baltimore is a tough team, San Francisco has out-Ravens'ed the Ravens thus far this season with its well-balanced offense and consistently bruising defense. The Niners will get the road win in this important game.

Final score: 49ers 24, Ravens 17

Chicago Bears at Oakland Raiders

The Oakland Raiders have grasp of the AFC West lead, while the Chicago Bears are still fighting to reach the postseason without the help of starting quarterback Jay Cutler.

Compelling storylines and two decidedly solid teams makes this West Coast matchup one of the best of the week.

With Caleb Hanie under center for Chicago, head coach Lovie Smith has vowed to up the run game, and Oakland's defense ranks 27th against the run.

Even if the Raiders were stronger against the run, it's not very likely that they'd stop the Bears' Matt Forte, who has a league-leading 1,391 yards from scrimmage so far this year.

Though Oakland has survived the transition from Jason Campbell to Carson Palmer at quarterback, and they've managed a surprising one-game lead in their division, Chicago's strong defense and highly effective running game will prove too difficult for the Raiders to best on Sunday.

Final score: Bears 24, Raiders 20

New York Giants at New Orleans Saints

One of the league's most effective offensive teams comes off of the bye week to host one of the NFL's stronger defenses on Sunday night, when the New Orleans Saints take on the New York Giants.

Unlike the three matchups I profiled earlier in this slide show, both the Giants and Saints are no stranger to high-profile games and expectations of greatness. But, of course, only one team can emerge victorious once this contest is over.

I predict that team will be the Saints.

The Giants, sharing the lead in the NFC East with the Dallas Cowboys (both at 6-4), haven't been consistent this season, following up their impressive Week 9 win over the New England Patriots with two straight losses.

New Orleans has had its issues with consistency, to be sure, but it's not yet scored fewer than 20 points. Though the defense continues to struggle, the number of points the Saints manage to put up game after game will be the their key to victory.

New York just won't be able to match them offensively.

Final score: Saints 37, Giants 24