So, the shitshow that was the Thanksgiving games has run its course and we’re on to the main attraction of the Sunday slate of games. We went 2-0 on Thursday (damn you Covid for giving us Tuesday Night Football again), let’s keep it going.
Arizona Cardinals @ New England Patriots
Arizona -2
Kyler Murray and DeAndre Hopkins are on track to play today and the New England Patriots are looking onto next year. Will Murray’s shoulder be a major issue? I don’t think so, he practiced the entire week and was a full participant on Friday, his running ability will make the Patriots look silly as well.
Carolina Panthers @ Minnesota Vikings
Carolina +3
The Panthers pitched a shutout against the Detroit Lions last weekend with XFL stud P.J Walker at quarterback. Bridgewater was a full participant in practice all week, so he’s set to play. I don’t see the lack of Christian McCaffrey being a huge hit for Carolina, they’ve proven that they can win without him. I don’t believe in Dalvin Cook enough to carry the Vikings to a victory today.
Cleveland Browns @ Jacksonville Jaguars
Cleveland -7
The Jaguars are starting Mike Glennon and are clearly in the “looking forward to next year” mindset. This game will tell us if Baker Mayfield is the guy in Cleveland, if he doesn’t light up the Jags then it’s time to go back to searching for QB1 in Cleveland
Los Angeles Chargers @ Buffalo Bills
Los Angeles +4.5
The Buffalo Bills won’t have John Brown for this game and the next few weeks, that’s a bigger loss than you may think. The Bills have scored 16 and 18 points in the two games that Brown hasn’t played in. They scored 16 against the Titans that didn’t practice in weeks and only scored 18 against the sorry New York Jets, who still have Adam Gase for some reason. I don’t know if the Chargers win outright, but they’ll cover.
Miami Dolphins @ New York Jets
New York Jets +6.5
The Dolphins will more than likely be playing with Ryan Fitzpatrick in this AFC East showdown. Tua Tagovailoa is doubtful with a thumb injury, and Ryan Fitzpatrick is a scary quarterback to play against and to play with. I wouldn’t be surprised if he plays down to the Jets and finds a way to keep both teams in the game. New York will cover.
New York Giants @ Cincinnati Bengals
New York Giants -6
Joe Burrow is hurt, it’s between Ryan Finley and Brandon Allen in the battle for the starting quarterback of the Bengals. The Giants are also playing for division supremacy! The motivation is there for New York, not so much for Cincinnati.
Tennessee Titans @ Indianapolis Colts
Indianapolis -3
Injuries were not kind to either team this week, but the Titans have it worse. They’re missing both their starting left tackle, Ben Jones and Roger Saffold are listed as questionable. A dominant running back can only do so much with a bad offensive line, and this Colts defense is ready to stop anything.
Las Vegas Raiders @ Atlanta Falcons
Las Vegas -3
Julio Jones is questionable, and his chances of playing aren’t looking good since he did not practice on Friday. The Raiders are playing for something this year, and they’re getting their entire offensive line back against a Falcons defense that’s been struggling (4th worst in the league).
New Orleans Saints @ Denver Broncos
Welcome to the NFL in 2020, a team in Week 12 does not have a quarterback. Seriously, all their active quarterbacks are ineligible because of Covid protocols, and now they have an undrafted rookie wide receiver playing quarterback. How is this game, even happening now when the Ravens-Steelers game got pushed back twice? I’m going to be watching this game just to see the trainwreck. This will be the worst NFL game of Week 12. I’m not even giving a pick, some sites have already removed the game.
San Francisco 49ers @ Los Angeles Rams
Los Angeles -6.5
The 49ers have been decimated with injuries this year. The offense can only do so much when missing their starting quarterback, tight end and best edge defender. The Rams will win this game comfortably.
Kansas City Chiefs @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Kansas City -3.5
The Chiefs are rolling, and the Buccaneers are beginning to spiral out of control. Ali Marpet is questionable as he recovers from his concussion and A.Q Shipley is seemingly out for the season with a neck injury. Donovan Smith is also questionable with an ankle injury. The key to beating Brady is getting pressure with four, it’s easier to do that without most of the offensive line. This game is going to come down to whoever gets a big enough lead and can keep scoring. I don’t think the Buccaneers are capable of playing and winning that way.
Chicago Bears @ Green Bay Packers
Chicago +9.5
“It’s Week 12 in the NFL and Mitch Trubisky is starting for the Bears,” never thought I’d say that again. This is a cover pick, no way in hell the Bears win this game. The Chicago Bears have a legit defense, that alone can keep them in this game and make it a one-possession contest. Trubisky provides a running ability that Nick Foles doesn’t, which will help an offensive line that has been struggling while trying to protect a statue behind them for multiple weeks.
Seattle Seahawks @ Philadelphia Eagles
Seattle -5.5
The Eagles are spiraling out of control and can’t even hold a lead in a division where a 4-win team is currently first. Jalen Hurts is getting some first-team reps at quarterback, without Carson Wentz on the field. If this doesn’t spell disaster then I don’t know what will. Somehow, the Seattle defense will look good this week.
For my Ravens-Steelers prediction, look at the Thanksgiving picks post.
