Week 12 NFL Picks: Predictions for Every Major Showdown on the Schedule

We are treated to some tremendous football on Thanksgiving this year.

The Packers face the Lions in Detroit and we get a brothers Harbaugh duel in Baltimore when the Ravens battle the 49ers in the night cap on Thursday.

Monday Night Football doesn't have a bad matchup, either.

The Saints come off the bye to host the Giants in a critical NFC contest. Looks like the NFL got the prime-time schedule right this week.  

Here's how I see these games playing out.

Green Bay at Detroit 

What a way to kick off Thanksgiving. Both teams have obvious faults on defense, and the Packers are easily the more efficient and consistent offensive club. 

However, with Kevin Smith adding a new, punishing dimension to the Lions attack, they'll finally have the balance they've been looking for all season. 

The Packers have one of the worst secondaries in football, and even if they limit Matthew Stafford and Calvin Johnson—which is no easy task—Smith should have a good enough day on the ground and in the check-down game to keep pace with Aaron Rodgers and Green Bay's offense. 

Detroit will create frequent pressure on Rodgers—he's been sacked 25 times this year—and their defense will make the one big play it needs to win this game in the final minutes.

Lions by a field goal.

San Francisco at Baltimore

The Ravens have shown that they play at the level of their competition—see games against the Steelers, Jaguars and Seahawks.

That means they'll play the 49ers tough, right?

While I don't see them falling flat like they did in all of their three loses this season, in this battle of defenses, I'm giving the upper hand to the road team.

When Ray Rice doesn't produce, which is usually only when he doesn't get a good deal of carries, Baltimore struggles. The 49ers have the best run defense in the league and one of the best linebacking tandems in the league in Patrick Willis and NaVorro Bowman.

Joe Flacco is more comfortable at home, but I think San Fran is more efficient on defense and Frank Gore leads the 49ers to their 10th win of the season.

Bragging rights for Jim.

New York Giants at New Orleans 

The Saints are one of the best teams at home and typically put on a show in prime time.

Drew Brees is on pace to break Dan Marino's single-season passing yards record, and although the Giants have proven to have a solid secondary, they're no match for all the weapons at Brees' disposal.

Without any semblance of a run game, the Giants will be one dimensional, which will benefit a vulnerable Saints secondary.

With all eyes on Brees and Eli Manning in this one, don't forget about the potency of New Orleans' running game.

Teams have a difficult time stopping Pierre Thomas, Mark Ingram and especially Darren Sproles this year.

The Saints by 10.