Thursday
Game: New Orleans at Atlanta
Pick: New Orleans - While the Saints aren't quite as good on the road as they are at home, that fact shouldn't play of any relevance against a 2-8 Atlanta Falcons team who is coming off a blow-out loss at the hands of a then 1-8 Tampa Bay Bucs squad. I like the Saints in this one and by a pretty substantial margin.
Result: New Orleans 17 Atlanta 13
Record: 1-0
Sunday
Game: Pittsburgh at Cleveland
Pick: Pittsburgh - This is a tough pick, but with the two directions the teams appear to be heading, I have to give a very slight edge to Pittsburgh in this one. Ben Roethlisberger is playing great football again. Wideout speedster Antonio Brown is a big reason for this. The Browns defense doesn't appear quite as stingy as they did earlier in the season, and the Browns offense hasn't shown me much promise in what seems like 20 years. The game should be low-scoring and close, but I like the Steelers to win by a field goal.
Result: Pittsburgh 27 Cleveland 11
Record: 2-0
Game: Tampa Bay at Detroit
Pick: Detroit - I'm half-tempted to go with Tampa here, as the Bucs are playing much better football their past couple of games. However, with this game being on the road and the match-ups seeming to favor the Lions both offensively and defensively, unless Matthew Stafford gets careless with the football, I look for the Lions to improve to 7-4 with a 10-point win in this one.
Result: Tampa Bay 24 Detroit 21
Record: 2-1
Game: Minnesota at Green Bay
Pick: Minnesota - If word comes back that Aaron Rodgers will be returning to the lineup for this game, I will go with the Packers at Lambeau. However, since I've yet to hear that bit of news, I look for Adrian Peterson to have a field day on the suddenly soft Packers front-seven. The Pack should keep things fairly close, but I look for the Vikings to win by about 4.
Result: Minnesota 26 Green Bay 26 OT
Record: 2-1-1
Game: San Diego at Kansas City
Pick: Kansas City - Both teams have a knack for playing close games, so I wouldn't expect anything different in this one. However, while San Diego has struggled to win such contests, Kansas City has fared very well this season. With the game at Arrowhead, I give the edge to the Chiefs. Kansas City by a touchdown.
Result: San Diego 41 Kansas City 38
Record: 2-2-1
Game: Chicago at St. Louis
Pick: Chicago - It's difficult to know what to make of the St. Louis Rams. They're coming off a bye week and a 38-8 blowout of Indianapolis, yet are 4-6 overall. Chicago, meanwhile, is 6-4 and tied for first in the NFC North after beating Baltimore in overtime this past Sunday. In liking backup Josh McCown more than backup Kellen Clemens, I'm going to give the slight advantage to Chicago. I like the Bears in a close one.
Result: St. Louis 42 Chicago 21
Record: 2-3-1
Game: Carolina at Miami
Pick: Carolina - I have to give kudos to Miami for sticking together and pulling out a win against San Diego this past Sunday to even their record at 5-5. However, the Chargers aren't known for their defense, and if Miami thought Tampa Bay's defense was tough last Monday, that was nothing compared to what they'll face via the Carolina Panthers. Miami's defense should be able to limit Cam Newton and the Panthers offense somewhat, but not enough to eek out a win. I like the Panthers by a touchdown.
Result: Carolina 20 Miami 16
Record: 3-3-1
Game: NY Jets at Baltimore
Pick: Baltimore - If there's a team which can be labeled as bipolar this year, it's the New York Jets. They won in week 1, lost in week 2, and have followed that trend throughout the course of the season thus far. In their 5 wins, they've outscored their opponents 131-112 (26.2 - 22.4 average). In their 5 losses, they've been outscored 156-52 (31.2 - 10.4). They've beaten the likes of New England and New Orleans and lost to Tennessee, Pittsburgh, and Buffalo. Well, I finally like for the Jets' trend to be broken this coming weekend. Geno Smith has struggled against good defenses this year, which the Ravens present, and with the game at home and Ray Rice getting healthy again, I like Baltimore to win by 7.
Result: Baltimore 19 NY Jets 3
Record: 4-3-1
Game: Jacksonville at Houston
Pick: Houston - Here's a game where I really want to go with neither. However, I have to pick one, so I guess I'll have to go with the 2-8 Houston Texans at home over the 1-9 Jacksonville Jaguars. Jacksonville has been playing better of late, though, and Houston seems to have forgotten how to win, so I wouldn't be completely shocked if the Jaguars nabbed win number two here. I'll go with Houston by about 6, however.
Result: Jacksonville 13 Houston 6
Record: 4-4-1
Game: Tennessee at Oakland
Pick: Tennessee - This pick could potentially change if Terrelle Pryor comes back from injury. While Tennessee's secondary has been fairly solid this season, their front seven has struggled at times. For the time being, though, I'll give the edge to backup Ryan Fitzpatrick and the Tennessee Titans over backup Matt McGloin and the Oakland Raiders. Tennessee by 3.
Result: Tennessee 23 Oakland 19
Record: 5-4-1
Game: Indianapolis at Arizona
Pick: Arizona - Indianapolis has not impressed me in recent weeks, and with their battered offensive line, injuries at wide receiver, and the Cardinals' solid secondary, I don't like how the Colts match-up in this one. Especially if Carson Palmer builds off his great showing this past Sunday, I like for the Cardinals to win yet another in what is becoming a solid season for Arizona. Cardinals by 4.
Result: Arizona 40 Indianapolis 11
Record: 6-4-1
Game: Dallas at NY Giants
Pick: NY Giants - With the Philadelphia Eagles now in sole possession of first place in the NFC East, the pressure is now on the Dallas Cowboys to match them, and no offense to Tony Romo and company, but they haven't fared too well under pressure in recent years. With the Giants coming off their fourth straight win, I like for Tom Coughlin's crew to continue their winning ways with a big inner-divisional win at home. Giants by 3.
Result: Dallas 24 NY Giants 21
Record: 6-5-1
Game: Denver at New England
Pick: Denver - As long as Peyton Manning can stand and throw the football, chances are I'll pick the Denver Broncos. Tom Brady should be able to put up some points against the average, but improving Broncos defense, but not enough to counter Manning and the Broncos offense. I like the Broncos by 10.
Result: New England 34 Denver 31 OT
Record: 6-6-1
Monday
Game: San Francisco at Washington
Pick: San Francisco - The 49ers defense played very well in the team's loss to the New Orleans Saints on the road this past Sunday, which is bad news for the Washington Redskins offense. The Niners offense has been struggling in recent weeks, but the best recipe for a struggling offense is to play the Redskins defense. Look for Colin Kaepernick and company to get back on track, as the Niners improve to 7-4 with a 14-point win on the road.
Result: San Francisco 27 Washington 6
Record: 7-6-1
Week 12: 7-6-1 (.538)
Overall: 108-67-1 (.617)
Game: New Orleans at Atlanta
Pick: New Orleans - While the Saints aren't quite as good on the road as they are at home, that fact shouldn't play of any relevance against a 2-8 Atlanta Falcons team who is coming off a blow-out loss at the hands of a then 1-8 Tampa Bay Bucs squad. I like the Saints in this one and by a pretty substantial margin.
Result: New Orleans 17 Atlanta 13
Record: 1-0
Sunday
Game: Pittsburgh at Cleveland
Pick: Pittsburgh - This is a tough pick, but with the two directions the teams appear to be heading, I have to give a very slight edge to Pittsburgh in this one. Ben Roethlisberger is playing great football again. Wideout speedster Antonio Brown is a big reason for this. The Browns defense doesn't appear quite as stingy as they did earlier in the season, and the Browns offense hasn't shown me much promise in what seems like 20 years. The game should be low-scoring and close, but I like the Steelers to win by a field goal.
Result: Pittsburgh 27 Cleveland 11
Record: 2-0
Game: Tampa Bay at Detroit
Pick: Detroit - I'm half-tempted to go with Tampa here, as the Bucs are playing much better football their past couple of games. However, with this game being on the road and the match-ups seeming to favor the Lions both offensively and defensively, unless Matthew Stafford gets careless with the football, I look for the Lions to improve to 7-4 with a 10-point win in this one.
Result: Tampa Bay 24 Detroit 21
Record: 2-1
Game: Minnesota at Green Bay
Pick: Minnesota - If word comes back that Aaron Rodgers will be returning to the lineup for this game, I will go with the Packers at Lambeau. However, since I've yet to hear that bit of news, I look for Adrian Peterson to have a field day on the suddenly soft Packers front-seven. The Pack should keep things fairly close, but I look for the Vikings to win by about 4.
Result: Minnesota 26 Green Bay 26 OT
Record: 2-1-1
Game: San Diego at Kansas City
Pick: Kansas City - Both teams have a knack for playing close games, so I wouldn't expect anything different in this one. However, while San Diego has struggled to win such contests, Kansas City has fared very well this season. With the game at Arrowhead, I give the edge to the Chiefs. Kansas City by a touchdown.
Result: San Diego 41 Kansas City 38
Record: 2-2-1
Game: Chicago at St. Louis
Pick: Chicago - It's difficult to know what to make of the St. Louis Rams. They're coming off a bye week and a 38-8 blowout of Indianapolis, yet are 4-6 overall. Chicago, meanwhile, is 6-4 and tied for first in the NFC North after beating Baltimore in overtime this past Sunday. In liking backup Josh McCown more than backup Kellen Clemens, I'm going to give the slight advantage to Chicago. I like the Bears in a close one.
Result: St. Louis 42 Chicago 21
Record: 2-3-1
Game: Carolina at Miami
Pick: Carolina - I have to give kudos to Miami for sticking together and pulling out a win against San Diego this past Sunday to even their record at 5-5. However, the Chargers aren't known for their defense, and if Miami thought Tampa Bay's defense was tough last Monday, that was nothing compared to what they'll face via the Carolina Panthers. Miami's defense should be able to limit Cam Newton and the Panthers offense somewhat, but not enough to eek out a win. I like the Panthers by a touchdown.
Result: Carolina 20 Miami 16
Record: 3-3-1
Game: NY Jets at Baltimore
Pick: Baltimore - If there's a team which can be labeled as bipolar this year, it's the New York Jets. They won in week 1, lost in week 2, and have followed that trend throughout the course of the season thus far. In their 5 wins, they've outscored their opponents 131-112 (26.2 - 22.4 average). In their 5 losses, they've been outscored 156-52 (31.2 - 10.4). They've beaten the likes of New England and New Orleans and lost to Tennessee, Pittsburgh, and Buffalo. Well, I finally like for the Jets' trend to be broken this coming weekend. Geno Smith has struggled against good defenses this year, which the Ravens present, and with the game at home and Ray Rice getting healthy again, I like Baltimore to win by 7.
Result: Baltimore 19 NY Jets 3
Record: 4-3-1
Game: Jacksonville at Houston
Pick: Houston - Here's a game where I really want to go with neither. However, I have to pick one, so I guess I'll have to go with the 2-8 Houston Texans at home over the 1-9 Jacksonville Jaguars. Jacksonville has been playing better of late, though, and Houston seems to have forgotten how to win, so I wouldn't be completely shocked if the Jaguars nabbed win number two here. I'll go with Houston by about 6, however.
Result: Jacksonville 13 Houston 6
Record: 4-4-1
Game: Tennessee at Oakland
Pick: Tennessee - This pick could potentially change if Terrelle Pryor comes back from injury. While Tennessee's secondary has been fairly solid this season, their front seven has struggled at times. For the time being, though, I'll give the edge to backup Ryan Fitzpatrick and the Tennessee Titans over backup Matt McGloin and the Oakland Raiders. Tennessee by 3.
Result: Tennessee 23 Oakland 19
Record: 5-4-1
Game: Indianapolis at Arizona
Pick: Arizona - Indianapolis has not impressed me in recent weeks, and with their battered offensive line, injuries at wide receiver, and the Cardinals' solid secondary, I don't like how the Colts match-up in this one. Especially if Carson Palmer builds off his great showing this past Sunday, I like for the Cardinals to win yet another in what is becoming a solid season for Arizona. Cardinals by 4.
Result: Arizona 40 Indianapolis 11
Record: 6-4-1
Game: Dallas at NY Giants
Pick: NY Giants - With the Philadelphia Eagles now in sole possession of first place in the NFC East, the pressure is now on the Dallas Cowboys to match them, and no offense to Tony Romo and company, but they haven't fared too well under pressure in recent years. With the Giants coming off their fourth straight win, I like for Tom Coughlin's crew to continue their winning ways with a big inner-divisional win at home. Giants by 3.
Result: Dallas 24 NY Giants 21
Record: 6-5-1
Game: Denver at New England
Pick: Denver - As long as Peyton Manning can stand and throw the football, chances are I'll pick the Denver Broncos. Tom Brady should be able to put up some points against the average, but improving Broncos defense, but not enough to counter Manning and the Broncos offense. I like the Broncos by 10.
Result: New England 34 Denver 31 OT
Record: 6-6-1
Monday
Game: San Francisco at Washington
Pick: San Francisco - The 49ers defense played very well in the team's loss to the New Orleans Saints on the road this past Sunday, which is bad news for the Washington Redskins offense. The Niners offense has been struggling in recent weeks, but the best recipe for a struggling offense is to play the Redskins defense. Look for Colin Kaepernick and company to get back on track, as the Niners improve to 7-4 with a 14-point win on the road.
Result: San Francisco 27 Washington 6
Record: 7-6-1
Week 12: 7-6-1 (.538)
Overall: 108-67-1 (.617)
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