NFL Week 12 Pick 'Em
Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY SportsAnother week is in the books, and all of the byes are in the rearview mirror. We're heading down the home stretch of the 2015 NFL season, and it's already been quite the adventure. We've seen numerous upsets, outstanding performances and mind-blowing plays.
Luckily, we still have six more weeks of action, which are sure to offer up even more madness before the postseason arrives. For now, here are my picks for Week 12.
Another week is in the books, and all of the byes are in the rearview mirror. We're heading down the home stretch of the 2015 NFL season, and it's already been quite the adventure. We've seen numerous upsets, outstanding performances and mind-blowing plays.
Luckily, we still have six more weeks of action, which are sure to offer up even more madness before the postseason arrives. For now, here are my picks for Week 12.
Philadelphia Eagles (4-6) at Detroit Lions (3-7)
Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports
Pick: Lions
Two weeks ago, there’s no way I would have picked the Lions. But now they’ve won two in a row, and the offense is playing like a semi-capable squad. Meanwhile, the Eagles have been playing pitiful football and having Mark Sanchez as the starter isn’t helping. The Lions’ win streak continues in Week 12.
Pick: Lions
Two weeks ago, there’s no way I would have picked the Lions. But now they’ve won two in a row, and the offense is playing like a semi-capable squad. Meanwhile, the Eagles have been playing pitiful football and having Mark Sanchez as the starter isn’t helping. The Lions’ win streak continues in Week 12.
Carolina Panthers (10-0) at Dallas Cowboys (3-7)
Bob Donnan-USA TODAY SportsPick: Panthers
As great as it is for the Cowboys to have Tony Romo back in the mix, they don’t have the firepower to keep up with Carolina’s offense. Cam Newton and Co. will make enough plays, while the Panthers defense keeps Dallas in check on the scoreboard.
Pick: Panthers
As great as it is for the Cowboys to have Tony Romo back in the mix, they don’t have the firepower to keep up with Carolina’s offense. Cam Newton and Co. will make enough plays, while the Panthers defense keeps Dallas in check on the scoreboard.
Chicago Bears (4-6) at Green Bay Packers (7-3)
Benny Sieu-USA TODAY SportsPick: Packers
The Packers are coming off a big win against the Vikings, and need to keep their momentum rolling if they want to maintain their lead in the division. While the Bears have proven capable this season, they don’t have the defensive fortitude to slow Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay offense.
Pick: Packers
The Packers are coming off a big win against the Vikings, and need to keep their momentum rolling if they want to maintain their lead in the division. While the Bears have proven capable this season, they don’t have the defensive fortitude to slow Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay offense.
New Orleans Saints (4-6) at Houston Texans (5-5)
Aaron Doster-USA TODAY SportsPick: Texans
Over the last few weeks, the Texans have been outstanding, largely led by their impressive defensive unit. And now with Brian Hoyer back under center, they should have no trouble putting up big points against a New Orleans defense that is one of the worst we’ve seen in some time.
Pick: Texans
Over the last few weeks, the Texans have been outstanding, largely led by their impressive defensive unit. And now with Brian Hoyer back under center, they should have no trouble putting up big points against a New Orleans defense that is one of the worst we’ve seen in some time.
St. Louis Rams (4-6) at Cincinnati Bengals (8-2)
Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY SportsPick: Rams
The Bengals – specifically their offense – appear to be caught in a downward spiral right now. They’ve lost two in a row, and the offense isn’t scoring at will like it was earlier in the season. The Rams’ defense isn’t going to make that any easier, and Cincinnati won’t be able to slow Todd Gurley enough.
Pick: Rams
The Bengals – specifically their offense – appear to be caught in a downward spiral right now. They’ve lost two in a row, and the offense isn’t scoring at will like it was earlier in the season. The Rams’ defense isn’t going to make that any easier, and Cincinnati won’t be able to slow Todd Gurley enough.
Minnesota Vikings (7-3) at Atlanta Falcons (6-4)
Getty ImagesPick: Vikings
Last week’s loss was a humbling one for the Vikings, who watched their five-game winning streak end at the hands of a division rival. Going up against a slumping Falcons team should provide an excellent opportunity to bounce back and keep the pressure on the Packers as the postseason nears.
Pick: Vikings
Last week’s loss was a humbling one for the Vikings, who watched their five-game winning streak end at the hands of a division rival. Going up against a slumping Falcons team should provide an excellent opportunity to bounce back and keep the pressure on the Packers as the postseason nears.
New York Giants (5-5) at Washington Redskins (4-6)
Getty ImagesPick: Redskins
Someone has to take control of this division eventually, and I think this is the week the Redskins assert themselves as serious contenders. The Giants are giving up a ton of points, which bodes well for Kirk Cousins’ chances of shredding the New York secondary.
Pick: Redskins
Someone has to take control of this division eventually, and I think this is the week the Redskins assert themselves as serious contenders. The Giants are giving up a ton of points, which bodes well for Kirk Cousins’ chances of shredding the New York secondary.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (5-5) at Indianapolis Colts (5-5)
Getty ImagesPick: Buccaneers
I’m starting to believe in Jameis Winston, as much as I’m not a fan of him. He has the Tampa Bay offense firing on all cylinders, and the defense is coming up with big plays when they’re needed. While the Colts need this win badly, the Buccaneers will come away with another huge win on the road.
Pick: Buccaneers
I’m starting to believe in Jameis Winston, as much as I’m not a fan of him. He has the Tampa Bay offense firing on all cylinders, and the defense is coming up with big plays when they’re needed. While the Colts need this win badly, the Buccaneers will come away with another huge win on the road.
Buffalo Bills (5-5) at Kansas City Chiefs (5-5)
Getty ImagesPick: Chiefs
After a strong start to the season, the Bills just haven’t been able to win consistently. The offense is hot one game and cold the next, and there are too many injuries. Meanwhile, the Chiefs are one of the hottest teams in the NFL and shouldn’t have too much trouble keeping Tyrod Taylor under wraps.
Pick: Chiefs
After a strong start to the season, the Bills just haven’t been able to win consistently. The offense is hot one game and cold the next, and there are too many injuries. Meanwhile, the Chiefs are one of the hottest teams in the NFL and shouldn’t have too much trouble keeping Tyrod Taylor under wraps.
Oakland Raiders (4-6) at Tennessee Titans (2-8)
Getty ImagesPick: Raiders
As much as I expected the Titans to compete this year, it just hasn’t happened. Marcus Mariota has played well, but there have been too many turnovers and the running game has been a mess. As average as the Raiders have looked as of late, Tennessee won’t get it done this week either.
Pick: Raiders
As much as I expected the Titans to compete this year, it just hasn’t happened. Marcus Mariota has played well, but there have been too many turnovers and the running game has been a mess. As average as the Raiders have looked as of late, Tennessee won’t get it done this week either.
San Diego Chargers (2-8) at Jacksonville Jaguars (4-6)
Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY SportsPick: Jaguars
At this point in the season, the Chargers are an unmitigated disaster. The offense has slowed, and the defense can’t seem to stop anyone. On the other hand, the Jaguars are starting to look like a semi-competent team after winning their last two. Home-field advantage should give Jacksonville the edge.
Pick: Jaguars
At this point in the season, the Chargers are an unmitigated disaster. The offense has slowed, and the defense can’t seem to stop anyone. On the other hand, the Jaguars are starting to look like a semi-competent team after winning their last two. Home-field advantage should give Jacksonville the edge.
Miami Dolphins (4-6) at New York Jets (5-5)
Getty ImagesPick: Jets
Neither of these teams have shown much as we head into the stretch run, as the Jets’ offense has wilted and the Miami defense has struggled to keep teams out of the end zone. Still, someone has to win, and the home-field advantage (and a capable defense) gives Gang Green the edge in this one.
Pick: Jets
Neither of these teams have shown much as we head into the stretch run, as the Jets’ offense has wilted and the Miami defense has struggled to keep teams out of the end zone. Still, someone has to win, and the home-field advantage (and a capable defense) gives Gang Green the edge in this one.
Arizona Cardinals (8-2) at San Francisco 49ers (3-7)
Getty ImagesPick: Cardinals
Let’s not pretend like the 49ers aren’t one of the worst teams in the NFL. They’ve been plain bad this year apart from Week 1, and aren’t going to win many with Blaine Gabbert at the helm. There’s no way the San Francisco defense is going to slow what’s become a juggernaut of an offense in Arizona.
Pick: Cardinals
Let’s not pretend like the 49ers aren’t one of the worst teams in the NFL. They’ve been plain bad this year apart from Week 1, and aren’t going to win many with Blaine Gabbert at the helm. There’s no way the San Francisco defense is going to slow what’s become a juggernaut of an offense in Arizona.
Pittsburgh Steelers (6-4) at Seattle Seahawks (5-5)
Getty ImagesPick: Steelers
I thought the Seahawks had the talent to go the distance again in 2015, but I was wrong. This team can’t find its footing on offense, and the defense isn’t the elite group it used to be. With Ben Roethlisberger healthy and Antonio Brown playing like a superhuman, the Steelers come away victorious in this one.
Pick: Steelers
I thought the Seahawks had the talent to go the distance again in 2015, but I was wrong. This team can’t find its footing on offense, and the defense isn’t the elite group it used to be. With Ben Roethlisberger healthy and Antonio Brown playing like a superhuman, the Steelers come away victorious in this one.
New England Patriots (10-0) at Denver Broncos (8-2)
Getty ImagesPick: Broncos
On Monday night, the Patriots looked extremely vulnerable against the Bills. The injuries are piling up, and Tom Brady can only carry so much of the workload. Against an outstanding Denver defense, New England’s porous offensive line will be exposed and Brock Osweiler will squeak out another win.
Pick: Broncos
On Monday night, the Patriots looked extremely vulnerable against the Bills. The injuries are piling up, and Tom Brady can only carry so much of the workload. Against an outstanding Denver defense, New England’s porous offensive line will be exposed and Brock Osweiler will squeak out another win.
Baltimore Ravens (3-7) at Cleveland Browns (2-8)
James Lang-USA TODAY SportsPick: Browns
As bad as the Browns have been, the Ravens are in serious trouble with Joe Flacco and Justin Forsett both out for the foreseeable future. With Josh McCown now starting and the Baltimore offense deteriorating, I expect Cleveland to sneak away with a win they might not even want at this point.
Pick: Browns
As bad as the Browns have been, the Ravens are in serious trouble with Joe Flacco and Justin Forsett both out for the foreseeable future. With Josh McCown now starting and the Baltimore offense deteriorating, I expect Cleveland to sneak away with a win they might not even want at this point.
