NFL Week 12 Predictions: Cleveland Browns and More Underdogs That Will Cover

With the NFL regular season winding to a close, teams need to find different sources of motivation to survive the final month. Playing the spoiler role or making a late playoff charge are the most common ones for middling teams, like these three underdogs that will cover the spread in Week 12.

All lines courtesy of 5Dimes.com.

Cleveland Browns (+7.5)

Cleveland knocked off Jacksonville for its fourth win of the season last week and now travel downstate to face the Cincinnati Bengals. Cincinnati won the first meeting in Week 1 thanks to a big game from Cedric Benson.

It won't be as easy this time around. Cincinnati is coming off back-to-back emotional losses to Pittsburgh and Baltimore. Following Sunday's game, the Bengals start preparing for the Steelers again. It has trap game written all over it, making Cleveland a wise pick.

Prediction: Bengals by one.

Jacksonville Jaguars (+7.5)

Jacksonville only lost by 10 when the teams played in Houston right before Halloween and that was when the Texans still had a healthy Matt Schaub. Matt Leinart will take over for the injured QB this week, making his first start since 2009.

The Jaguars defense ranks in the top five in both points and yards allowed, so that unit has held up its end of the bargain. As long as they don't let Arian Foster run wild, Jacksonville should keep it close deep into the fourth quarter.

Prediction: Texans by three.

Denver Broncos (+6.5)

Denver faces the San Diego Chargers in a game that showcases two teams that have gone opposite directions since their last meeting. The Broncos have won four of five since Tim Tebow took over under center while the Chargers have lost five in a row.

At some point Tebow will need to become a more efficient passer to survive, but the modified option attack Denver is using now has been successful. And since this game is suddenly pivotal in the AFC playoff race, it's hard to pick a team coached by Norv Turner.

Prediction: Broncos by three.