It’s time for Chick’s Picks! Last week, I went an average 8-6, so it’s a little eh. I have room to do well this week or do badly this week. It really all depends on the upsets that I’ve picked. It should be a good week for picks, let’s get into the Week 12 picks.
Colts @ Texans
The Houston Texans (6-4) are hosting the Indianapolis Colts (6-4) for our week 12 Thursday Night Football game. This one is a biggie. No one in the AFC South can be allowed to make a mistake right now. The winner of this game is in 1st place in the division with 5 games left to go. The Colts have been streaky with Jacoby Brissett but they won a big game last week to tie up the division. The Texans have a worse team than the Colts but they have Deshaun Watson, an elite QB, carrying them. The lack of talent on the Texans showed last week when they got routed 41-7 to the Ravens last week. The lack of talent on the Texans will ultimately be their downfall. I hate picking against a great QB like Watson but the Colts have a better team and will make a statement win this week.
Final Prediction: Indianapolis Colts 31, Houston Texans 23
Seahawks @ Eagles
The Seattle Seahawks (8-2) are being hosted by the Philadelphia Eagles (5-5) in a big NFC matchup for week 12. The Eagles had a tough matchup last week against the Patriots and their luck doesn’t get any better facing another top tier team in the Seahawks. The Eagles are having a problem with a lack of talent on offense. The WRs can’t catch, not the best RB core, not to mention the defense. The Eagles are failing Carson Wentz. It’s a miracle that this team is even .500. Carson Wentz will try his best to keep the Eagles in it, but the Seahawks got this one. Russell Wilson is surely an MVP candidate and proves why he should win every week. The Seahawks will win.
Final Prediction: Seattle Seahawks 35, Philadelphia Eagles 27
Lions @ Redskins
The Detroit Lions (3-6-1) are traveling to Washington for a bye week, I mean a game against the Redskins (1-9). The Redskins are bad. There’s no other way to put it. You just don’t lose to another bottom feeder by like the Jets by 17 points. THE LIONS AREN’T AS BAD AS THEIR RECORD SHOWS. I don’t care, I’ll say it every week. This team just has some bad losses. It’s okay, next year they’ll have a better chance but as of right now they’re out of contention for a playoff spot realistically. So this game is just another game they have to play, but it’ll be an easy one for the Lions, best believe that.
Final Prediction: Detroit Lions 34, Washington Redskins 17
Panthers @ Saints
The New Orleans Saints (8-2) are hosting the Carolina Panthers (5-5) in a Week 12 NFC South matchup. The Panthers got embarrassed last week to the Falcons losing 29-3. The one-man offense in Christian McCaffrey, an MVP candidate, in my opinion, has slowed down and the lack of talent the Panthers have is showing now. After what should have been an easy week last week, they play the Saints in this one. The Saints are back to it after a bad loss to the same Falcons the week before. However, due to my deal with Dan Louis, I will be picking against the Saints this week. Let’s just think the Panthers will “bounce back” this week.
Final Prediction: Carolina Panthers 27, New Orleans Saints 26
Dolphins @ Browns
The Miami Dolphins (2-8) are being hosted by the Cleveland Browns (4-6) in this matchup. The Dolphins reign of terror is over. After winning 2 games in a row, they’ve struck fear in every NFL team. While I am of course joking, I was surprised by it. Things went back to normal for the Dolphins as they lost last week and they will probably lose this week to the Browns. The Browns ended their game last week…dramatically to say the least. There was an infamous brawl that occurred at the end of the game. The Browns shouldn’t have to do that against the lowly Dolphins, should be an easy week for the Browns, unless the Dolphins reign of terror is back.
Final Prediction: Cleveland Browns 27, Miami Dolphins 14
Steelers @ Bengals
The Pittsburgh Steelers 5-5 are traveling to Cincinnati to take on the winless Bengals (0-10) in a week 12 AFC North matchup. The Steelers also ended their game in dramatic fashion with their brawl with the Browns. The Steelers looked bad with Mason Rudolph, showing that he’s not the long term option for the Steelers. With injuries galore for the Steelers, I have them on upset watch against the Bengals. The Bengals looked quite decent against my Raiders, meaning my Raiders aren’t that good (likely) or the Bengals had a good week (eh). Either way, if the Bengals play like anything they did last week, I think they can beat the Steelers. I want to do this just get under Garrett Burroughs skin. I’m picking the Bengals this week, let them be winless no more.
Final Prediction: Cincinnati Bengals 20, Pittsburgh Steelers 17
Giants @ Bears
The Chicago Bears (4-6) are hosting the New York Giants (2-8) in this matchup. The Chicago Bears offense is nonexistent. There’s plenty of reasons for it but the biggest is Mitch Trubisky. Their defense is one of a kind but it doesn’t mean anything if the offense can’t score. The New York Giants are coming off a bye week and are looking to upset the Bears this week. I have personal feelings watching this because the Bears losing means a better draft pick for the Raiders. But I fully believe the Giants can win this game by giving it to our generations Barry Sanders in Saquon Barkley. The Bears are on upset watch as well this week and I’m picking the upset.
Final Prediction: New York Giants 17, Chicago Bears 16
Broncos @ Bills
The Denver Broncos (3-7) are being hosted by the Buffalo Bills (7-3) in this week’s matchup. Both of those offenses suck, can’t find another way to describe it. However, the Bills’ offense and defense are still better than the Broncos. The Broncos with Brandon Allen have been better but they CHOKED big time last week after thrashing the Vikings in the first half and then losing in the second half. The Broncos are in full-on tank mode. The Bills have taken advantage of an easy schedule this year and are looking at a playoff berth. This game would help their case significantly to make the playoffs. Expect the Bills to win this one almost solidifying a playoff berth for them.
Final Prediction: Buffalo Bills 21, Denver Broncos 16
Buccaneers @ Falcons
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-7) are traveling to Atlanta to take on the Falcons (3-7) in a Week 12 NFC South matchup. The Buccaneers have been less than impressive, that effort being led by their bust of a QB, Jameis Winston. Jameis Winston has close to 20 INTs….in 10 games. That’s horrendous. Luckily, he’s playing a bad Falcons defense but the Falcons have two surprising wins under their belt the last two weeks. They beat the Saints and Panthers convincingly. I don’t know what has gotten into them but I want whatever they are having. I like the Falcons to win this one if their streak isn’t over yet.
Final Prediction: Atlanta Falcons 31, Tampa Bay Buccaneers 30
Raiders @ Jets
The Oakland Raiders (6-4) are being hosted by the New York Jets (3-7) in a big game for the Raiders in week 12. The Jets put a whopping 34 points on the Redskins last week to put some scare into anyone facing them. This team is very streaky and it leads you to wonder what they can do. They have beaten the Cowboys no less. If the Jets play like they did last week, the Raiders are definitely on upset watch. Speaking of last week, the Raiders very uglily won against the Bengals last week. The Raiders should have blown them out but alas didn’t. The Raiders are playing well and they NEED this win for a better chance to make the playoffs. They are one game behind the Chiefs right now, but if they win this week they’ll be tied with the Chiefs, as the Chiefs are on a bye this week. Either way, the Raiders are on upset watch, the Raiders need a win badly, this will be closer than you think. Give me my beloved Raiders though.
Final Prediction: Oakland Raiders 27, New York Jets 24
Jaguars @ Titans
The Tennessee Titans (5-5) are hosting the Jacksonville Jaguars (4-6) in another big AFC South game in week 12. In the early games, expect both teams to watch the Colts and Texans games before they play. They’ll want to know who’s going to be in first place. Both of these teams have something to play for. The Titans want to be tied for second place with whoever loses that Colts and Texans game and the Jaguars want to be relevant in the AFC playoff hunt by being tied with the Titans at 5-6. Either way, expect both teams to come out firing. The Titans have been playing better with Ryan Tannehill and has led them to some impressive wins. The Nick Foles comeback was less than impressive as they lost by 20 to the Colts. The Jaguars have their backs against the walls and a loss here would likely end their playoff hopes. The Titans’ defense has been underrated as a whole and helping them win tremendously. Expect them to handle the Jaguars, they can’t live up to the hype.
Final Prediction: Tennessee Titans 28, Jacksonville Jaguars 17
Cowboys @ Patriots
The Dallas Cowboys (6-4) are traveling to New England to take on the Patriots (9-1) for one of the best games for week 12. The Cowboys have been playing well as of late. They have been talking a lot of smack as their fans notoriously do. They ridiculed the Eagles for losing to the Patriots, now they have a chance to prove how much better they are than the Eagles if true. However, if they perform worse than the Eagles, it’s only going to be shit-talking from here on out for both teams. The Eagles need a Cowboys loss here to stay relevant in the NFC East. While they still have a chance to make it as a wild card, why do that when you can be the division winner. The Cowboys have a better roster than the Patriots but one team has Bill Belichick and the other has Jason Garrett, that’s the main difference between the two teams. The Patriots want home-field advantage throughout the playoffs and a win here would help them with that. Just an overall good game this week to watch. Give me the Patriots.
Final Prediction: New England Patriots 26, Dallas Cowboys 20
Packers @ 49ers
The Green Bay Packers (8-2) are being hosted by the San Francisco 49ers (9-1) in our week 12 Sunday Night Football game. Boy, is this a game to watch this week. Both of the best teams in the NFC fighting for a first-round bye, on Sunday night. It doesn’t get much better than that. The 49ers have shown a little bit of vulnerability after the Cardinals were close to beating them last week. With a good offense like the Packers, I expect them to challenge the 49ers defensively. The 49ers offense could be better. It’s just missing that wow factor. It’s hard to guard the 49ers because they can give the ball to anyone. It’s gonna be a good game this week, but I like the Packers.
Final Prediction: Green Bay Packers 24, San Francisco 49ers 20
Ravens @ Rams
The Los Angeles Rams (6-4) are hosting the red hot Baltimore Ravens (8-2) in our week 12 Monday Night Football game. The Rams are fighting for a wild card spot in the NFC while the Ravens are fighting for home-field advantage for the playoffs. The Rams leave much to be desired from their team. A lot of people had them winning the division and they’ll are on the outside looking in for a playoff spot. With the NFC West and North having two teams with great records, it’ll be hard for the Rams. But they need to start winning games like this one if they want a chance. It’ll be no easy task as the Ravens could have the best dual-threat QB since Michael Vick in Lamar Jackson. Despite their bad run defense, this team is one of the best teams in the league. I’ve always liked Sean McVay and hated Jared Goff, it’ll be interesting to see how they fare against the Ravens. Ravens have a better team and momentum right now, give me the Ravens.
Final Prediction: Baltimore Ravens 31, Los Angeles Rams 30
Teams on Bye
The Minnesota Vikings (8-3) are heading into week 12 on the bye. The Vikings are watching the Packers game this week. If all the teams in the playoff hunt lost as well, that would surely guarantee a playoff spot for them. If the Packers lose, then the Vikings have a chance to win the division still. They need to prepare for a big game next week against the Seahawks though.
The Los Angeles Chargers (4-7) are on the bye in week 12. The Chargers are surely out of playoff contention after they lost their must-win game last week against the Chiefs. Now they should be in tank mode and hope all the underdogs win this week. The Chargers play the Broncos next week.
The Arizona Cardinals (3-7-1) are heading into week 12 on the bye. The Cardinals are only playing for pride now. They should worry about tanking and how good of a draft pick they can get. They’ll be rooting for the Bengals against the Steelers, the Dolphins against the Browns, the Redskins against the Lions, the Giants against the Bears, etc. The Cardinals are rooting for underdogs let’s just put it at that. The Cardinals play the Rams next week.
The Kansas City Chiefs (7-4) are on the bye in week 12. The Chiefs are only watching one game this week: the Raiders and the Jets. They’re the Jets biggest fans this week as if they win, the Chiefs have sole possession of first place with a chance to go two games up against the Raiders next week. I expect the Chiefs to win next week anyway, but the circumstances will be different depending on the Raiders and Jets game.
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