Week 12 Picks!

Another Thanksgiving has come and gone, and we now head into the weekend with some big games on tap for Week 12. Before we get to the picks, there are a few things about Thanksgiving Day games and following weekend that I would like to address. First, I have no problem keeping the tradition of the Lions and Cowboys both hosting the day games on Turkey Day. There are so many traditions that get thrown out, so we should be able to keep some traditions around. You need tradition on Thanksgiving-especially with football. It is sad to see a traditional Thanksgiving game in college like Texas-Texas A&M disappear because of the ridiculous conference realignment in the NCAA. I'm happy that the NFL has been able to keep the Lions and Cowboys as hosts during the day. I hope the league doesn't every decide to stray away from that. Also, the Thanksgiving Night game that was added in 2006 is a brilliant move. There is so much hustle and bustle going on during the day, and it is great to come home and look forward to a primetime game to finish off the holiday. Obviously, this year's game between the Pats and Jets was a blowout, but I loved the matchup going into the night. My only suggestion for Thanksgiving Night and the rest of the NFL games on that weekend is that the NFL should do everything in their power to have all divisional matchups, and to try and schedule as many rivalry games as possible that week. For example, this year we had Pats-Jets as the night game, so next year make it Steelers-Ravens. The year after that make it Broncos-Raiders, the next year could feature Philly-Giants and so on. Make that primetime game a big time rivalry game every year. Then, continue that divisional/rivalry setup for the games on Sunday. Include all division games and try to pit games involving those great rivalries every year. How great would it be to know that Thanksgiving weekend meant the Broncos and Chiefs would be playing every year? I know it hard to do because of the fact that one AFC team has to play the Cowboys or Lions every year on Thanksgiving, but you can still schedule at least 90% of the slate with divisional rivalries. It is definitely something that the league needs to look into. We need to insert more tradition back into a great football weekend. Now, onto the picks for Week 12.....

Last Week's Record: 7-5-2
Thanksgiving Record: 0-2-1
Overall Record: 70-83-8
(HOME TEAMS IN CAPS)

Oakland (+9) over CINCY: The Bengals have gotten themselves back into the playoff picture after winning two games in a row and are 5-5. They are definitely becoming a trendy pick to get the sixth seed in the AFC. This week the Raiders have come to town. Oakland is limping in at 3-7, and they have given up 55 and 38 points the last two weeks. How pumped are the Bengals fans after their recent resurgence and a chance to get revenge on Carson Palmer? They must be so excited because they didn't even sell out the game, and it will be blacked out in Cincy. The Raiders are a mess right now, and the Bengals will win, but I'm not laying nine points with them.

Pittsburgh (-1) over CLEVELAND: The Steelers are down to their third string quarterback as they have to dust off Charlie Batch for this week's game. I know the Browns could be dangerous in this one, but I can't shake the image of Brandon Weeden and Pat Shurmur trying to solve this Steelers defense. I'll take the Steelers laying only one point.

Buffalo (+3) over INDY: The Bills could actually make a move in this AFC playoff picture, and they can really get it going with a win over the Colts this week. The Bills moved the ball at will on the Pats two weeks ago, and I think they can exploit the Colts pass defense. Andrew Luck will move the ball on the Bills too, but look for a close game and a late win by the Bills on the road.

JACKSONVILLE (+4) over Tennessee: The Jags might have caught a break last week when Blaine Gabbert got hurt, and Chad Henne came in and light up the Texans for four touchdowns. The Jags are a hapless 1-9, but I have a feeling that they pull off the upset at home over the Titans.

CHICAGO (-3) over Minnesota: This is a tough game to call because it is unsure if Jay Cutler will play this week. The Bears offense was a non factor last week against the 49ers, but I don't think they will be that inept this week at home. The Vikings are dangerous, but take the Bears defense at home over the Vikes.

Atlanta (-1) over TAMPA BAY: The Bucs are red hot, and are now 6-4 and on the cusp of a wildcard berth. The Bucs are legitimate, but the Falcons will be able to find a way to win this game. Look for a late drive by Matt Ryan to win it by a field goal at the end.

Seattle (-3) over MIAMI: The Dolphins had faded badly, and now stand at 4-6. The book on Seattle is that they are great at home and bad on the road. This is the week that they shake off their road woes, and the Seahawks get a huge win on the road to get to 7-4.

Baltimore (-1) over SAN DIEGO: Normally, you would take the Chargers at this point because at 4-6 this is the week that they play well and beat a quality team. It has happened in the past, but this Chargers team is just not the same as it was in years past. The Ravens have been spotty at times this season, but they will take care of business on the road this week.

NEW ORLEANS (+1) over San Francisco: The Saints have battled their way to 5-5, and this game is fascinating. The Niners looked so good in their rout of the Bears last week, and they did it with backup QB Colin Kaepernick. He gets the start again this week, and I know that the Saints defense has been really bad at times this year, but I can see Kaepernick having a rough day. Tough game to call, but I see the Saints winning a close one in the dome.

St.Louis (+2) over ARIZONA: The Cards have completely fallen apart after their 4-0 start, and at 4-6 they now turn to QB Ryan Lindley. The Rams were really bad last week against the Jets, but look for Jeff Fisher and his team to rebound this week and take down the Cards on the road.

NY GIANTS (-3) over Green Bay: Great game for Sunday Night Football this week. The Packers come in red-hot at 7-3, and Aaron Rodgers looks like he is back to form after an inconsistent start. The Giants come in at 6-4 on the heels of two straight losses. This is when the Giants stand up. Everytime you count them out, they come back to win a close game. Look for the G-Men to continue that trend once again.

PHILLY(+3) over Carolina: What an awful Monday Night Football game this week. In August, this game looked great on paper. Cam Newton versus Mike Vick. An up and coming Carolina team against a perennial NFC power in Philadelphia. Now, the Eagles are a mess, Andy Reid is on his way out, Michael Vick is hurt, Cam Newton is having a bad season, and the Panthers are a disaster. I guess you go with the Eagles to win and somehow avoid a seventh straight loss.

KANSAS CITY (+10) over Denver: This game looks like a mismatch, but if you look deeper there are some things to worry about as a Broncos fan. First, the Broncos ALWAYS have trouble in Arrowhead-no matter who is the quarterback. Second, the Chiefs have not won a game at home this year, and they are due for a home win at some point. Third, you know how crazy the NFL can be. Last week the 1-8 Jags took the Texans to the limit in Houston. Lastly, I am very worried about how the loss of Willis McGahee will affect this Broncos offense. Denver's offense has not played well at all the last two games, and without McGahee I don't know if they will be able to run the ball at all with any effectiveness. McGahee's injury will also create problems in pass protection as well. The Broncos should win this game, but there are a lot of red flags out there in this game. It is not a slam dunk like many people believe.

Final Score: Chiefs-23 Broncos-21