Week 12 Pick-Down

Matchup	Adam's Pick	Eric's Pick
Patriot at Lions	Patriots	Patriots
Saints at Cowboys	Saints	Saints
Bengals at Jets	Jets	Jets
Vikings at Redskins	Vikings	Redskins
Titans at Texans	Texans	Texans
Eagles at Bears	Eagles	Bears
Jaguars at Giants	Giants	Giants
Buccaneers at Ravens	Ravens	Ravens
Panthers at Browns	Browns	Browns
Packers at Falcons	Packers	Falcons
Steelers at Bills	Steelers	Steelers
Chiefs at Seahawks	Chiefs	Seahawks
Dolphins at Raiders	Raiders	Raiders
Rams at Broncos	Rams	Rams
Chargers at Colts	Colts	Colts
49ers at Cardinals	Cardinals	Cardinals
	Adam	Eric
Week 11 Record	11-5	10-6
Season Standings	89-71	94-66

To see how the "Experts" stack up: http://espn.go.com/nfl/picks

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The predictions here come from Adam and correspond to his picks.

New England Patriots at Detroit Lions
The Lions really are better than 2-8.  Usually Detroit manages to be worse than their abysmal record, but this year they have had some tough injuries and lost some very close games.  I said all that just out of sympathy, not as a precursor to an upset pick.  The Pats don’t overlook people because they aren’t as talented as they were in 2007.  They are winning with scheme, and they will outthink Detroit easily.
Prediction: Patriots 28 – Lions 20

New Orleans Saints at Dallas Cowboys
The Cowboys are doing better under Jason Garrett, and I’d think about picking them in this game except Romo isn’t playing and the Saints have gotten on a bit of a roll.
Prediction: Saints 30 – Cowboys 23

Cincinnati Bengals at New York Jets
There is no reason to pick the Bengals to win another game this year.  The running game hasn’t been great and Carson Palmer has looked exceptionally average.  In addition, they continually dig huge holes or allow teams to come back on them.  The Jets have had a lot of close games lately, and this may be close again because both teams have a short week to prepare and rest up.  Still, the Jets will put up more points.
Prediction: Jets 23 – Bengals 14
 
Minnesota Vikings at Washington Redskins
I think Brett Favre might actually play well in this game with his arch nemesis, Brad Childress, out of the picture.  Players like Leslie Frasier and may play with a renewed energy.  Childress’ absence will allow everyone to relax and be themselves a bit, and it also may also allow Favre to take more control of the offense.  Sidney Rice being back helps too.  I think it will be a relatively low scoring game where the Vikings will have one more productive drive than Washington.
Prediction: Vikings 23 – Redskins 17

Tennessee Titans at Houston Texans
I may have buried the Texans too quickly; this division is still up in the air.  This will be a hotly contested game between teams that know each other well.  Ultimately I’ll pick the shaky Texans because the Titans are starting rookie Rusty Smith at quarterback.
Prediction: Texans 28 – Titans 16

Philadelphia Eagles at Chicago Bears
It’s not just me that doubts the Bears.  Vegas has them as 4 point underdogs at home against a team with the same record.  I agree with Vegas: too much Michael Vick and too much bad Jay Cutler.  Asante Samuel will get Cutler at least twice in this game.
Prediction: Eagles 27 – Bears 20

Jacksonville Jaguars at New York Giants
An interesting matchup pits two teams with the same record who I feel entirely different about.  The Giants are a team with loads of talent, and if they can get their heads on straight, they can beat anyone in the NFC.  The Jags on the other hand are riding a lot of luck, trickery, and general shenanigans thus far to their 6-4 mark.  The Giants are the better team and will prove it at home.
Prediction: Giants 26 – Jaguars 17

Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Baltimore Ravens
Who are you Tampa?  Can you win a road game against a Super Bowl contender?  It won’t be enough to just play close in this game; eventually you have to win one of these games.  I just don’t think Tampa is quite ready.
Prediction: Ravens 20 – Bucs 14

Carolina Panthers at Cleveland Browns
This will be an ugly game, and unfortunately for Carolina, those are Cleveland’s specialty.  The Browns are a competitive bad team; the Panthers are just plain old bad.
Prediction: Browns 24 – Panthers 10

Green Bay Packers at Atlanta Falcons
Hands down the game of the weekend, the two best quarterbacks in the NFC compete in this matchup.  Green Bay is playing like a Super Bowl team, and Atlanta just keeps winning with a balanced and efficient formula.  Atlanta is 5-0 at home this year, and Matt Ryan is 18-1 in his career at home.  Well, get ready for 18-2, because Aaron Rodgers is starting to play at another level.  Greg Jennings went off last week, James Jones is playing really well, and Donald Driver is getting back healthy.  The difference in the game will be the playmaking ability of Clay Matthews and Charles Woodson.  Atlanta has a solid defense, but they don’t have players that completely change the game like Green Bay does.
Prediction: Packers 34 – Falcons 27

Pittsburgh Steelers at Buffalo Bills
The Bills are playing tough, but the Steelers need this win and should be fully focused.  The Steelers will simply overwhelm Buffalo.
Prediction: Steelers 27 – Bills 14

Kansas City Chiefs at Seattle Seahawks
Seattle is pretty good at home, but they just aren’t a very talented team.  Matt Cassell has an astounding 96 quarterback rating this year with 19 touchdowns and 4 picks.  If the Chiefs win the turnover battle, they win this game.  They have the superior defense, running game, and special teams.
Prediction: Chiefs 23 – Seahawks 20

Miami Dolphins at Oakland Raiders
I’m expecting Tyler Thigpen again for Miami, which is not a good thing for Dolphins fans.  The Raiders and Dolphins combined to score three points last week.  The Raiders have a good defensive line, and with Jake Long banged up, the Dolphins' complete lack of a running game, and Thigpen in the saddle, three points may be enough for Oakland to win this one.
Prediction: Raiders 16 – Dolphins 10

St. Louis Rams at Denver Broncos
I think this is a good matchup for the Rams.  Both teams are workmanlike and have to string together drives to get points.  Steven Jackson will be the difference in this game.
Prediction: Rams 24 – Broncos 20

San Diego Chargers at Indianapolis Colts
The Colts have to have this game as they are playing at home.  Peyton has struggled with the Chargers 3-4 defense in the past, but this is not the same San Diego defense.  It should be a shootout that goes to the ol' sheriff.
Prediction: Colts 38 – Chargers 35

San Francisco 49ers at Arizona Cardinals
All my rowdy friends are here for…Niners and Cards?  C’mon Man!  I can’t believe this despicable excuse for a game is the Monday nighter.  I have no idea who will win this game, so I’ll pick the team I feel like rooting for, the Cardinals.  It’s all about getting a high draft pick for us Niner fans.
Prediction: Cardinals 13 – 49ers 10