Thursday
Game: Philadelphia at Detroit
Prediction: Philadelphia - Philadelphia looked awful in their home loss to Tampa Bay on Sunday. Detroit, meanwhile, managed to win their second straight. While the Lions offense continues failing to impress, their defense has stepped it up since its embarrassing showing in London against the Kansas City Chiefs. I don't think the Lions are as bad as their record would suggest, but the Eagles have a lot more to play for in this game, will likely be inspired to place their horrendous showing against the Bucs behind them, and I like for them to bounce back in a big way in this Thanksgiving Day game. I'll take the Eagles by 4.
Result: Detroit 45 Philadelphia 14
Record: 0-1
Game: Carolina at Dallas
Prediction: Carolina - Dallas may have snapped their 7-game losing streak on Sunday against the Miami Dolphins, but Tony Romo did appear a bit rusty, and I have a difficult time seeing him shake that rust against this Carolina Panthers defense. The game should be close, but I like the Panthers to prevail in the end by a field goal.
Result: Carolina 33 Dallas 14
Record: 1-1
Game: Chicago at Green Bay
Prediction: Green Bay - No, I can't figure these two teams out right now either. Chicago looked like a team ready to make a top 5 draft pick after starting the year 2-5, before winning two straight and in impressive fashion, and then laying an egg against a Peyton Manning-less Denver Broncos squad. Green Bay appeared to be the NFC Super Bowl frontrunner, before losing three straight, and then beating 7-2 Minnesota on the road. With this game in Lambeau on a shortened week, I'll give the edge to the Packers, but not by much. I'll go with Green Bay by 6.
Result: Chicago 17 Green Bay 13
Record: 1-2
Sunday
Game: Oakland at Tennessee
Prediction: Oakland - Oakland's struggling on offense right now, but should be able to put things back together against this sad Tennessee Titans team. I'll go with the Raiders by 10.
Result: Oakland 24 Tennessee 21
Record: 2-2
Game: Buffalo at Kansas City
Prediction: Kansas City - These two teams appear to be pretty even. Coming off a game against New England on Monday night, though, and with this game at Arrowhead, I'm going to have to give the slight edge to the suddenly resurgent Chiefs, who have won four straight after starting the year a disappointing 1-5. I'll go with Kansas City by 4.
Result: Kansas City 30 Buffalo 22
Record: 3-2
Game: Tampa Bay at Indianapolis
Prediction: Tampa Bay - If, before the season started, you told me the Colts and Buccaneers would both be 5-5 entering this contest, I would likely have given you a skeptical look. Tampa, a surprising 5-5, is coming off their most impressive showing of the season, dominating Philadelphia on the road 45-17. Indianapolis, now led by 40-year-old Matt Hasselbeck, pulled a rabbit out of the hat in their 24-21 win against Atlanta, which improved them to 5-5 as well. While I haven't been too high up on either team to this point in the season, I like how Tampa is playing right now. It seems as though Lovie Smith is finally getting the team to believe in his system and are executing the play-calling at a higher level than at any other point in his two years with the team. I like for that trend to continue as Tampa improves to 6-5 with a tough 3-point victory on the road in Indianapolis.
Result: Indianapolis 25 Tampa Bay 12
Record: 3-3
Game: NY Giants at Washington
Prediction: NY Giants - In the NFC East, nothing is for certain. The Giants lead the way at 5-5, while both Philadelphia and Washington are at 4-6, and Dallas trails the lot at 3-7. Having said that, the Giants are coming off a bye week, have shown some signs of improving with their pass rush, and I like for them to improve to 6-5 with a 7-point win against NFC East-rival Washington.
Result: Washington 20 NY Giants 14
Record: 3-4
Game: New Orleans at Houston
Prediction: New Orleans - Houston has been showing some life in recent weeks, especially on defense. New Orleans has appeared dead, on defense anyway. With a bye week to prepare for the Texans, though, I think I like for the Saints to get back on track with a 7-point win on the road to improve to 5-6 on the season.
Result: Houston 24 New Orleans 6
Record: 3-5
Game: Minnesota at Atlanta
Prediction: Minnesota - After starting the year 5-0, Atlanta has lost four of five, and more times than not in that span, they've appeared to give the game away in the 4th quarter. The Falcons are playing incredibly sloppy on offense, Matt Ryan in particular, and I have a difficult time seeing them break that trend against a stingy Minnesota Vikings defense, motivated to bounce back from their disappointing showing against the Packers on Sunday. I'll take the Vikings on the road by 4.
Result: Minnesota 20 Atlanta 10
Record: 4-5
Game: St. Louis at Cincinnati
Prediction: Cincinnati - Speaking of struggling offenses, there's the St. Louis Rams, who found a way to lose 16-13 to the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday. It was a game where starting quarterback, Nick Foles, was benched, in favor of Case Keenum, who appeared to suffer a concussion late in the contest, yet remained in the game. No matter how good the Rams' defense might be, I have a difficult time seeing their offense outscore Andy Dalton, A.J. Green, and company. I'll go with the Bengals at home by 10.
Result: Cincinnati 31 St. Louis 7
Record: 5-5
Game: San Diego at Jacksonville
Prediction: San Diego - The way things have been going for San Diego, I should probably go with the Jaguars. However, whether it be denial or something else, I have an incredibly difficult time seeing Philip Rivers allowing this losing streak to continue, especially in Jacksonville. I'll tentatively go with the Chargers by a touchdown.
Result: San Diego 31 Jacksonville 25
Record: 6-5
Game: Miami at NY Jets
Prediction: NY Jets - After showing signs of life and potential for a Wild Card spot at times during this season, both the Miami Dolphins and New York Jets appear to have come back down to earth. With Miami entering the game at 4-6 and the Jets coming in at an even 5-5, this could very well be an elimination game, especially if the Dolphins lose. With the game at home, I'm going to give the slight advantage to the Jets to improve them to 6-5 on the season. I'll take New York by a field goal.
Result: NY Jets 38 Miami 20
Record: 7-5
Game: Arizona at San Francisco
Prediction: Arizona - San Francisco has played much better at home than on the road this year, but that was with Colin Kaepernick at quarterback and not Blaine Gabbert. Unless Arizona plays incredibly sloppy, I like for the Cardinals to improve to 9-2 with a two-touchdown victory on the road.
Result: Arizona 19 San Francisco 13
Record: 8-5
Game: Pittsburgh at Seattle
Prediction: Seattle - This is an incredibly intriguing match-up for me. Pittsburgh has been banged up on offense for most of the season, but is coming off a bye week to hopefully get Ben Roethlisberger back close to 100%. Seattle has been floundering around the .500 mark all year and things just haven't clicked yet, offensively or defensively. With the game at home, though, I'm going to give the slightest of advantages to the Seahawks. No matter who's in at quarterback for the Steelers, Seattle defenders will let him know they're there, and I look for Russell Wilson to give Steelers' defenders headaches with his scrambling and running ability. I'll go with Seattle by a field goal.
Result: Seattle 39 Pittsburgh 30
Record: 9-5
Game: New England at Denver
Prediction: New England - In my opinion, it doesn't matter whether Peyton Manning or Brock Osweiler start behind center for the Broncos. I just can't see the Broncos outscoring the Patriots in this game, especially with New England's ever improving defense. I'll go with the Pats on the road by 10.
Result: Denver 30 New England 24 OT
Record: 9-6
Monday
Game: Baltimore at Cleveland
Prediction: Baltimore - Entering the season, we had a match-up featuring Joe Flacco and Josh McCown. Now it's going to be Matt Schaub and Johnny Manziel. Manziel's shown a great deal of improvement from last season to this season, but Baltimore's defense has also shown some improvement during the course of this season, and for whatever reason, I'm going to trust veteran quarterback Matt Schaub over the newcomer, Manziel. I'll take the Ravens by a field goal in what may be one of the worst Monday Night match-ups in recent memory.
Result: Baltimore 33 Cleveland 27
Record: 10-6
Week 12 Record: 10-6 (.625)
Overall Record: 98-78 (.557)
Game: Philadelphia at Detroit
Prediction: Philadelphia - Philadelphia looked awful in their home loss to Tampa Bay on Sunday. Detroit, meanwhile, managed to win their second straight. While the Lions offense continues failing to impress, their defense has stepped it up since its embarrassing showing in London against the Kansas City Chiefs. I don't think the Lions are as bad as their record would suggest, but the Eagles have a lot more to play for in this game, will likely be inspired to place their horrendous showing against the Bucs behind them, and I like for them to bounce back in a big way in this Thanksgiving Day game. I'll take the Eagles by 4.
Result: Detroit 45 Philadelphia 14
Record: 0-1
Game: Carolina at Dallas
Prediction: Carolina - Dallas may have snapped their 7-game losing streak on Sunday against the Miami Dolphins, but Tony Romo did appear a bit rusty, and I have a difficult time seeing him shake that rust against this Carolina Panthers defense. The game should be close, but I like the Panthers to prevail in the end by a field goal.
Result: Carolina 33 Dallas 14
Record: 1-1
Game: Chicago at Green Bay
Prediction: Green Bay - No, I can't figure these two teams out right now either. Chicago looked like a team ready to make a top 5 draft pick after starting the year 2-5, before winning two straight and in impressive fashion, and then laying an egg against a Peyton Manning-less Denver Broncos squad. Green Bay appeared to be the NFC Super Bowl frontrunner, before losing three straight, and then beating 7-2 Minnesota on the road. With this game in Lambeau on a shortened week, I'll give the edge to the Packers, but not by much. I'll go with Green Bay by 6.
Result: Chicago 17 Green Bay 13
Record: 1-2
Sunday
Game: Oakland at Tennessee
Prediction: Oakland - Oakland's struggling on offense right now, but should be able to put things back together against this sad Tennessee Titans team. I'll go with the Raiders by 10.
Result: Oakland 24 Tennessee 21
Record: 2-2
Game: Buffalo at Kansas City
Prediction: Kansas City - These two teams appear to be pretty even. Coming off a game against New England on Monday night, though, and with this game at Arrowhead, I'm going to have to give the slight edge to the suddenly resurgent Chiefs, who have won four straight after starting the year a disappointing 1-5. I'll go with Kansas City by 4.
Result: Kansas City 30 Buffalo 22
Record: 3-2
Game: Tampa Bay at Indianapolis
Prediction: Tampa Bay - If, before the season started, you told me the Colts and Buccaneers would both be 5-5 entering this contest, I would likely have given you a skeptical look. Tampa, a surprising 5-5, is coming off their most impressive showing of the season, dominating Philadelphia on the road 45-17. Indianapolis, now led by 40-year-old Matt Hasselbeck, pulled a rabbit out of the hat in their 24-21 win against Atlanta, which improved them to 5-5 as well. While I haven't been too high up on either team to this point in the season, I like how Tampa is playing right now. It seems as though Lovie Smith is finally getting the team to believe in his system and are executing the play-calling at a higher level than at any other point in his two years with the team. I like for that trend to continue as Tampa improves to 6-5 with a tough 3-point victory on the road in Indianapolis.
Result: Indianapolis 25 Tampa Bay 12
Record: 3-3
Game: NY Giants at Washington
Prediction: NY Giants - In the NFC East, nothing is for certain. The Giants lead the way at 5-5, while both Philadelphia and Washington are at 4-6, and Dallas trails the lot at 3-7. Having said that, the Giants are coming off a bye week, have shown some signs of improving with their pass rush, and I like for them to improve to 6-5 with a 7-point win against NFC East-rival Washington.
Result: Washington 20 NY Giants 14
Record: 3-4
Game: New Orleans at Houston
Prediction: New Orleans - Houston has been showing some life in recent weeks, especially on defense. New Orleans has appeared dead, on defense anyway. With a bye week to prepare for the Texans, though, I think I like for the Saints to get back on track with a 7-point win on the road to improve to 5-6 on the season.
Result: Houston 24 New Orleans 6
Record: 3-5
Game: Minnesota at Atlanta
Prediction: Minnesota - After starting the year 5-0, Atlanta has lost four of five, and more times than not in that span, they've appeared to give the game away in the 4th quarter. The Falcons are playing incredibly sloppy on offense, Matt Ryan in particular, and I have a difficult time seeing them break that trend against a stingy Minnesota Vikings defense, motivated to bounce back from their disappointing showing against the Packers on Sunday. I'll take the Vikings on the road by 4.
Result: Minnesota 20 Atlanta 10
Record: 4-5
Game: St. Louis at Cincinnati
Prediction: Cincinnati - Speaking of struggling offenses, there's the St. Louis Rams, who found a way to lose 16-13 to the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday. It was a game where starting quarterback, Nick Foles, was benched, in favor of Case Keenum, who appeared to suffer a concussion late in the contest, yet remained in the game. No matter how good the Rams' defense might be, I have a difficult time seeing their offense outscore Andy Dalton, A.J. Green, and company. I'll go with the Bengals at home by 10.
Result: Cincinnati 31 St. Louis 7
Record: 5-5
Game: San Diego at Jacksonville
Prediction: San Diego - The way things have been going for San Diego, I should probably go with the Jaguars. However, whether it be denial or something else, I have an incredibly difficult time seeing Philip Rivers allowing this losing streak to continue, especially in Jacksonville. I'll tentatively go with the Chargers by a touchdown.
Result: San Diego 31 Jacksonville 25
Record: 6-5
Game: Miami at NY Jets
Prediction: NY Jets - After showing signs of life and potential for a Wild Card spot at times during this season, both the Miami Dolphins and New York Jets appear to have come back down to earth. With Miami entering the game at 4-6 and the Jets coming in at an even 5-5, this could very well be an elimination game, especially if the Dolphins lose. With the game at home, I'm going to give the slight advantage to the Jets to improve them to 6-5 on the season. I'll take New York by a field goal.
Result: NY Jets 38 Miami 20
Record: 7-5
Game: Arizona at San Francisco
Prediction: Arizona - San Francisco has played much better at home than on the road this year, but that was with Colin Kaepernick at quarterback and not Blaine Gabbert. Unless Arizona plays incredibly sloppy, I like for the Cardinals to improve to 9-2 with a two-touchdown victory on the road.
Result: Arizona 19 San Francisco 13
Record: 8-5
Game: Pittsburgh at Seattle
Prediction: Seattle - This is an incredibly intriguing match-up for me. Pittsburgh has been banged up on offense for most of the season, but is coming off a bye week to hopefully get Ben Roethlisberger back close to 100%. Seattle has been floundering around the .500 mark all year and things just haven't clicked yet, offensively or defensively. With the game at home, though, I'm going to give the slightest of advantages to the Seahawks. No matter who's in at quarterback for the Steelers, Seattle defenders will let him know they're there, and I look for Russell Wilson to give Steelers' defenders headaches with his scrambling and running ability. I'll go with Seattle by a field goal.
Result: Seattle 39 Pittsburgh 30
Record: 9-5
Game: New England at Denver
Prediction: New England - In my opinion, it doesn't matter whether Peyton Manning or Brock Osweiler start behind center for the Broncos. I just can't see the Broncos outscoring the Patriots in this game, especially with New England's ever improving defense. I'll go with the Pats on the road by 10.
Result: Denver 30 New England 24 OT
Record: 9-6
Monday
Game: Baltimore at Cleveland
Prediction: Baltimore - Entering the season, we had a match-up featuring Joe Flacco and Josh McCown. Now it's going to be Matt Schaub and Johnny Manziel. Manziel's shown a great deal of improvement from last season to this season, but Baltimore's defense has also shown some improvement during the course of this season, and for whatever reason, I'm going to trust veteran quarterback Matt Schaub over the newcomer, Manziel. I'll take the Ravens by a field goal in what may be one of the worst Monday Night match-ups in recent memory.
Result: Baltimore 33 Cleveland 27
Record: 10-6
Week 12 Record: 10-6 (.625)
Overall Record: 98-78 (.557)
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