NFL Picks Week 12: Late-Game Upsets Waiting To Happen

With the first slate of Sunday games already underway, the only thing that is left for us to ponder are the results of the late games. It is sad because that means Week 12 is almost over, but it is an exciting time because the postseason picture is starting to take shape. 

As is always the case with the NFL in late November and early December, there are going to be major upsets that throw a monkey wrench into everything. It is torture for the teams and fans of those teams that lose, but it is does provide us with a lot more to talk about. 

There is not the usual number of late games this week due to three games having already been played on Thursday, so there won't be as many upsets to choose from as there normally would be. Even so, they are sitting there and demand your attention. 

Chicago Bears at Oakland Raiders (-3)

A lot of people are down on the Bears now that Jay Cutler is out for the season, and I admit that I don't like them as much as I did a week ago. But there seems to be this myth floating around that the team was winning because of what he was doing. 

The reason that the Bears are winning had more to do with the way the defense was forcing turnovers, Devin Hester returning kicks and punts for touchdowns and Matt Forte running wild than anything Cutler was doing. 

Now, the Bears get to play the Raiders and Carson Palmer, who has thrown seven interceptions in just four games. Not even Michael Bush, who has run for at least 96 yards in the last four games, will be enough to contain Julius Peppers, Brian Urlacher and co. 

Bears 27, Raiders 21

Denver Broncos at San Diego Chargers (-5)

I may be taking some liberties calling this an upset because the Broncos have been playing so well and the Chargers have...well, they have been the Chargers. 

However, the oddsmakers are giving the Chargers all kinds of love, and it is kind of depressing. 

Even Tim Tebow—who has been terrible, but that gets masked because the team is winning—will have a good day throwing the ball because the Chargers don't get out of their own way long enough to make a play on defense. 

Who would have thought that at this point in the season the Broncos would be playing for a chance to the the Raiders for the AFC West lead?

Broncos 24, Chargers 20

New England Patriots (-3.5) at Philadelphia Eagles

Before you break down laughing, allow me an opportunity to explain myself. 

First, the Eagles' defense finally showed up to play last week against the Giants and they looked unstoppable. Perhaps it was just a one-time occurrence, but I am willing to give them some benefit of the doubt. 

Second, with Michael Vick out again and Vince Young leading the offense, LeSean McCoy is going to be featured in the game plan a lot more than usual. There are very few running backs that can carry a team on their own, but "Shady" is definitely one of them. 

Plus, the Patriots are softer than a new roll of Charmin up front, so McCoy will have his way with them. 

DeSean Jackson, who had 88 yards receiving last week with Young leading the charge, will be ready to go tonight, and he has the explosiveness to exploit a weak New England secondary. 

Scoff if you must, but the Eagles are going to find the win column again. 

Eagles 27, Patriots 24