Week 12 preview and predictions

Great food, drinks, & football. What more could a man ask for? Truly one of the best holidays of the year, occurs during Week 12 of the NFL season. Do you know why the Lions & Cowboys play on Thanksgiving every year? No, it is not some fancy tradition. The Detroit Lions former owner was looking to gain popularity back in 1966, and thought it would be beneficial to the team’s perception to play on the holiday in primetime. The Cowboys former owner soon followed suit. I had another great week last week, going 10-4 in predictions. Let’s keep it rolling.

Predictions Record YTD: 35-19

Thanksgiving day: Buffalo Bills (7-3) at Detroit Lions (4-6)

The yearly tradition of the Lions losing at 12PM might be ending? The Lions enter off of two straight road wins that saw them find their offensive groove. On the other hand, the Bills are playing their second straight game in Detroit due to the snow in Buffalo. Although they did not look their best against Cleveland in Week 11, they got the job done. I see no upsets occurring here.

Bills 31-20.

thanksgiving day: new york giants (7-3) at dallas cowboys (7-3)

How bout them Cowboys? The Cowboys went on the road to Minnesota in Week 11, and blew out the formally 8-1 Minnesota Vikings, 40-3. The defense was incredible, and the offense looked just as good. The Giants enter coming off their most disappointing performance of the season, and trying to figure out how to right the ship. The Lions were able to hold Saquan Barkley in check, and ultimately took advantage of Daniel Jones mistakes. I believe the Cowboys will do the same.

Cowboys 28-17.

thanksgiving day: new England patriots (6-4) at Minnesota vikings (8-2)

Are the 2022 Minnesota Vikings frauds? Minnesota had won seven straight heading into their Week 11 matchup with the Cowboys. It all came crashing down as the Cowboys defense tortured Kirk Cousins and the Vikings offense, sacking him seven times. Dalvin Cook was held to 72 yards & Cousins was limited to 105 yards. The Patriots travel to Minnesota coming off an ugly 10-3 win over New York in Week 11. The Patriots defense looked incredible, but their offense, not so much. However, I like the Pats defense to torture Minnesota’s O-Line, and steal an important road victory.

Patriots 24-21.

atlanta falcons (5-6) at Washington commanders (6-5)

Taylor Heinicke has revived this Commanders team from the dead. The Commanders are 3-1 since Heinicke took over, and are in the hunt for a playoff spot. They will welcome in the Falcons, who are also trying to find their way into the playoffs. The Falcons grinded out a hard fought 27-24 win over the Bears in Week 11. I just do not believe in this team, as much as I trust Heinicke. The Commanders defense has been getting better as the season has gone on, holding their opponents to 17 points per game in the last 3.

Give me the Commanders 24-14.

Baltimore ravens (7-3) at Jacksonville jaguars (3-7)

An ugly 13-3 Week 11 win over the Panthers has vaulted the Ravens to 7-3, 1st place in the AFC North. They’ve won four in a row, thanks to the spectacular play of their defense who has held their opponents to 14.5 points per game over the win streak. The Jaguars have gone the opposite directions, losing 6 of their past 7 games. Their defense has struggled mightily, and their offense has not been able to help out. I see this one getting ugly.

Ravens 34-17.

Chicago bears (3-8) at new york jets (6-4)

Enter Mike White. Zach Wilson will be benched for this Week 12 matchup, due to his poor play against the Patriots, along with his ridiculous postgame comments. Wilson believed the offense did not let the defense down in their 10-3 loss to the Patriots. Obviously, Wilson did not watch himself play. The Bears will travel to MetLife, fresh off of a fourth straight loss. Fields and the offense have been impressive, but the defense cannot defend a 12u Pop Warner football team. This is a very tough call, but I believe the Jets defense is good enough to cover the underwhelming offense.

Jets 21-17.

Cincinnati Bengals (6-4) at Tennessee titans (7-3)

A rematch of last year’s AFC Divisional showdown, Cincinnati will travel to Tennessee again, looking to repeat last January’s performance. The Bengals started the season slow, but have since won 4 of their last 5. The Titans have quietly rose to 7-3, first in a usually weak AFC South. When the Titans are running the ball effectively, they are extremely hard to beat. Cincinnati is giving up 140 rushing yards per game on the road this season, good for 9th worst.

Give me the Titans, 27-21.

Denver broncos (3-7) at carolina panthers (3-8)

What a disaster of a season for both of these teams. The Broncos came into this season with playoff expectations, but instead they will finish well short of the playoffs. The Panthers came into the season hoping Baker Mayfield could light a spark, but instead he has been a huge disappointment. If the Broncos offense scored 20 points in every game this season, they would be 9-1. An absolutely remarkable stat. I believe the Panthers defense shuts down Russell Wilson & the Broncos.

Panthers 24-17.

Houston texans (1-8-1) at miami dolphins (7-3)

This one will get ugly fast. The Miami Dolphins have the leagues most dynamic offense fueled by an MVP candidate at quarterback, and two superstar wide receivers. Their defense has been shaky, but as made the correct adjustments when necessary. The Texans will make the change to Kyle Allen for this one, benching Davis Mills. He will inherit the league’s worst offense, and watch the league’s second worst defense attempt to stop Miami’s offense.

Miami 35-10.

Tampa bay buccaneers (5-5) at Cleveland browns (3-7)

The Bucs enter this one fresh off a bye, and winners of two straight. The offense has performed much better, as Rashad White has provided a spark at the running back position. The defense has also started to look like its old self, with the return of Antoine Winfield. The Browns on the other hand, have lost 6 of their past 7, and are free-falling towards the return of Deshaun Watson. Make it losers of 7 of their past 8.

Bucs 27-17

Los angeles chargers (5-5) at arizona cardinals (4-7)

After another blown lead to the Chiefs, the Chargers are searching for answers on what their true identity is. Injuries have dampened their expectations of dethroning the Chiefs in the AFC West. Los Angeles needs to win this game to get back into the AFC playoff hunt. Luckily, they face a disastrous Cardinals team, who will likely be searching for a new head coach at the end of the season. Call of Duty Kyler has been banged up, and their defense has been awful. Give the Chargers to get back on track.

Chargers 31-21.

Las Vegas raiders (3-7) at seattle Seahawks (6-4)

The Raiders picked up a much needed win in Week 11 in Denver; however, it does not take away from their incredibly disappointing season. Josh McDaniels has caught a ton of heat for the 3-7 record, some saying he needs to pack up his things and go pack to New England. McDaniels needs to rally the troops, and end this season strong. The Seahawks host the Raiders fresh off their bye week. With the 49ers right on their tail, the Seahawks need to keep winning to regain control of the NFC West. This is the perfect spot for them to do that. Vegas’ only wins this season are against a (1-8-1) Houston team, & the Broncos twice. That speaks louder than any stat.

Seattle 30-24.

Los Angeles rams (3-7) at kansas city chiefs (8-2)

Last season, this matchup would have been a potential Super Bowl preview. Today, it is a soaring team facing a team suffering from a remarkable Super Bowl hangover. The Chiefs look primed to make another deep playoff run, as Patrick Mahomes has shown he can throw the football to anybody. The Rams have injuries everywhere, including stars Matt Stafford, and Cooper Kupp. Bryce Perkins will make the start for the Rams. Enough said.

Chiefs 33-17

New orleans saints (4-7) at san francisco 49ers (6-4)

Who wants to play this 49ers team right now? Over their three game winning streak, the 49ers offense has averaged 30 points per game. That has been more than enough for their elite defense to shut down the opposition. The weapons on offense are ridiculous, and if Jimmy G can get hot, this team has a chance to make a Super Bowl run. The Saints, coming off a 27-20 win over the Rams, have been abysmal on the road this season, going 1-3. Chris Olave has been a spark, but he cannot throw the ball to himself.

49ers 34-21

SNF: Green bay packers (4-7) at philadelphia eagles (9-1)

A primetime matchup in the city of brotherly love. The Green Bay Packers travel to Philadelphia, following their disappointing home loss to the Titans last Thursday. Aaron Rodgers announced this week that he has been playing with a broken thumb since Week 5. He will be tasked with trying to score with his broken thumb against one of the best defenses in the NFL. The Eagles escaped Indianapolis with a narrow road victory in Week 11. The offense has not looked as explosive as earlier this season, but they have done enough to get the job done. I think the offense gets the job done yet again, against an incredibly injured Packers defense.

Eagles 28-24

MNF: Pittsburgh steelers (3-7) at Indianapolis colts (4-6-1)

Another underwhelming prime-time game this season. Kenny Pickett & the Pittsburgh Steelers will travel to Indianapolis to face the Jeff Saturday led Colts. The Steelers have looked better the past couple weeks, as the return of All-Pro Linebacker T.J. Watt has added a boost. The Colts have also looked better recently as they almost pulled off a massive upset of the Eagles in Week 11. Saturday seems to have this once lifeless team playing much more aggressively. This is a tossup, but I believe I like Tomlin & the Steelers to steal one on the road.

Steelers 21-17