NFL Picks Week 12: Gauging the Least Likely Upset Scenarios

The Kansas City Chiefs and Minnesota Vikings are both reeling from injuries suffered to key players. In Week 12 of the NFL season, they will not be able to overcome those absences and will not be able to upset their opponents. 

Kansas City Chiefs

The 4-6 Chiefs face the 7-3 Steelers on Sunday and I don't expect this to be the week they get things on track. Kansas City lost quarterback Matt Cassel, likely for the season, and though the Chiefs added Kyle Orton off waivers on Wednesday, he's unlike to see the field against Pittsburgh. Instead, Tyler Palko will be under center for Kansas City and that shouldn't encourage anyone.

Palko was horrendous in Monday night's 34-3 loss to the New England Patriots. He threw three interceptions and failed to lead the team on a single touchdown drive. Against Pittsburgh's second-ranked defense, Palko is as good as toast. And so are the Chiefs.

Kansas City will have home field advantage and it will be a night game, which means Arrowhead Stadium should be rocking. But that won't phase the Steelers, who are used to hostile environments and big-game atmospheres. Expect Ben Roethlisberger to guide them to a solid win on Sunday.

Minnesota Vikings

While the Chiefs are without Cassel, the 2-8 Vikings will likely be missing stud running back Adrian Peterson who will probably be out thanks to a Grade 1 ankle sprain. That means it will fall on the shoulders of rookie quarterback Christian Ponder to try and navigate the Vikings through a tough matchup with the 6-4 Atlanta Falcons.

Without Peterson carrying the ball and eating up yards, I just don't see a way the Vikings can possibly control the clock and keep the ball away from the Falcons. Atlanta's offense has gotten going with Matt Ryan and Michael Turner leading their arsenal of playmakers. 

The Vikings just simply won't be able to keep pace with the Falcons on Sunday.