NFL Week 12 Picks

Thanksgiving 1 – 2 – 0
Season 77 – 77 – 9

Spreads courtesy of the Saturday New York Daily News. HOME team in CAPS.

GIANTS (-7) Vikings: There is a chance Adrian Peterson will play this weekend. Why? Save this young man from further complications to his knee, sit him for the year, go find a few WRs and DBs and come back next year ready to make a run at the playoffs. A lot of injuries on the Giant side. The Vikings will continue to run the ball and they will do enough on defense to keep it close. Vikings win this outright if Manning can not throw in what will be a cold and windy day.
Pick: Vikings (+7)

BEARS (-1.5) Broncos: Both teams are disappointments so far, but I like Denver for a few reasons. Javon Walker is going to play. The Bears are still hurting on defense. Wheel of quarterback is spinning again in Chicago with Grossman back at helm. The Bronco defense is getting better as the season goes on and Denver has played consistently well the past few weeks.
Pick: Broncos (+1.5)

Titans (-1.5) BENGALS: Do not trust either team at this point, but Tennessee has a better coach, a solid running game and a better defense.
Pick: Titans (-1.5)

JAGUARS (-8) Bills: Dick Juron has the Bills playing solid football this season, a credit to him for motivating and the players for playing hard. This seems like a mismatch to me however. Marshawn Lynch will not be playing and without him, their toughness on offense diminishes considerably. Jacksonville is playing with determination on both sides of the ball. Del Rio will not let Jacksonville look past Buffalo with a chance to win the division.
Pick: Jaguars (-8)

CHIEFS (-5.5) Raiders: I am still perplexed at Kiffen’s decision to not play Jamarcus Russell. Happy to see Priest Holmes retire before a forever-in-a-wheelchair-hit happened. He never should have come out of retirement in the first place. I am going with the home team here.
Pick: Chiefs (-5.5)

BROWNS (-3) Texans: Andre Johnson turns the Texans from a tough team to beat into a playoff contender. The Texans are better defensively than the Browns and offensively, will be able to move the ball on a weak Brown defense. Who would have though that this game would have serious playoff implications when the season started? I am looking forward to this game.
Pick: Texans (+3)

Seahawks (-3) RAMS: This is the Super Bowl for St. Louis. To beat Seattle at home and throw a monkey wrench into their division title aspiration will salvage some of this injury plagued and forgetful season. Besides, I’m not sold on Seattle.
Pick: Rams (+3)

BUCS (-3) Redskins: Washington has played well the past few weeks and I look for that trend to continue. But, I am taking Tampa here. They are the home team, playing for a division title, Garcia is playing at an All-Pro level and their defense is getting better by the week.
Pick: Bucs (-3)

Saints (-2.5) CAROLINA: Carolina seems more lost than N.O. in a game that few people outside of the respective cities and those with fantasy football interests will care about.
Pick: Saints (-2.5)

CARDINALS (-10.5) 49ers: Zona is playing well on both sides of the ball, are at home, looking to get into the division/ wild-card race and are playing a team deep in an offensive funk. Scary part of this game is if Frank Gore gets some room to run, he can single handedly win this game for the Niners. Expect Arizona to load the box and make Dilfer beat them.
Pick: Zona (-10.5)

CHARGERS (-9.5) Ravens: How do you analyze a game where both head coaches have their heads up their asses? I’ll take the home team and move on from there. That does not feel right, I’ll take the points. No, Billick is going 5 wide with Kyle Boller, that pick does not seem right either. Do I even want to watch this game? Whatever.
Pick: Chargers (-9.5)

PATRIOTS (-22) Eagles: I am taking the Eagles because they have a secondary with playmakers and a defensive coordinator that has a blitzing mentality. Maybe that will slow the Patriots down. Maybe not. I think the real reason I am taking the Eagles is because I am an Eagle fan and can not pick against them with a 3 TD head start, regardless if McNabb goes or not. This may be the game Brady gets Giloolyed when he is still on the field in the 4th Q up by 32.
Pick: Eagles (+22)



STEELERS (-16) Dolphins: Dolphins are still playing hard and though they may not win this game, are still playing for organizational and personal pride.
Pick: Dolphins (+16)