Week 12 Pick-Down

Matchup	Adam's Pick	Eric's Pick
Packers at Lions	Lions	Packers
Dolphins at Cowboys	Cowboys	Cowboys
49ers at Ravens	49ers	Ravens
Vikings at Falcons	Falcons	Falcons
Browns at Bengals	Bengals	Bengals
Texans at Jaguars	Texans	Texans
Panthers at Colts	Panthers	Panthers
Bills at Jets	Jets	Jets
Cardinals at Rams	Rams	Rams
Buccaneers at Titans	Buccaneers	Titans
Bears at Raiders	Raiders	Raiders
Redskins at Seahawks	Seahawks	Seahawks
Patriots at Eagles	Eagles	Patriots
Broncos at Chargers	Chargers	Chargers
Steelers at Chiefs	Steelers	Steelers
Giants at Saints	Giants	Saints
	Adam	Eric
Week 11 Record	8-6	10-4
Season Standings	98-62	107-53

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

The predictions here come from Adam and correspond to his picks in the remaining games.

Green Bay Packers at Detroit Lions

I need to make up some ground on Eric, and I’m assuming he’s going with Green Bay, so I’ll go with the Motor City Kitties.  In all honesty though, I have some compelling reasons for picking Detroit outside of my pathetic pick performance this season.  The Packers’ defense is definitely vulnerable, especially considering how poor they’ve been tackling, and I have no idea how they stop Calvin Johnson.  Additionally, TJ Lang and Marshall Newhouse are problems on the offensive line, not good news with the amped up Ford Field and Ndamukong Suh’s crew rushing all day.  I think Aaron Rodgers gets hit a little too often in this game and the Lions pull out a wild one on Turkey Day.

Prediction: Lions 38 – Packers 31

Miami Dolphins at Dallas Cowboys

The Dolphins have been playing really well lately, winners of three-straight, all in convincing fashion, and the Cowboys have a knack for slipping up just when we think they have it together.  Yet I can’t in good conscience take Matt Moore to beat Tony Romo.

Prediction: Cowboys 23 – Dolphins 16

San Francisco 49ers at Baltimore Ravens

What a slate of Thanksgiving games we are being treated to this year as opposed to the normal snooze fest we are presented with.  In this game we get mirror image teams: the coaches are brothers, the styles of play are nearly identical, and they both sit close to the top of their respective conferences.  I’m taking the Niners on a short week on the road because I believe Alex Smith is more solid than Joe Flacco, something that would have been unthinkable at the start of the season.  I believe both defenses will do their thing, but the Niners will turn the ball over less and find a few more explosive plays either on offense or special teams to squeeze out a victory.

Prediction: 49ers 16 – Ravens 13

Minnesota Vikings at Atlanta Falcons

Like the Cowboys, the Falcons are in that bunch of slightly above water teams in the NFC that need every victory.  I think at home, playing against a rookie quarterback, they should be able to win this game comfortably.

Prediction: Falcons 27 – Vikings 17

Cleveland Browns at Cincinnati Bengals

The Bengals are still very much in the thick of things in the AFC North and the playoff race in general.  They are also a much better team than Cleveland.  AJ Green may or may not be back, but either way I expect the Bengals to own both lines of scrimmage and for Andy Dalton to outduel Colt McCoy.

Prediction: Bengals 24 – Browns 13

Houston Texans at Jacksonville Jaguars

Matt Leinart had the bye week to get ready for an underwhelming Jags team.  Those factors should help ease him into his first start in a while.  Arian Foster, Ben Tate, and a good defense at his back should make things even easier.  The possible return of Andre Johnson wouldn’t hurt matters either.  The quarterback is important, but going up against Blaine Gabbert, even Leinart might look good.  Overall on the roster the Texans are just too much better than Jacksonville to lose this game.

Prediction: Texans 20 – Jaguars 13

Carolina Panthers at Indianapolis Colts

The Panthers have lost a lot of close games this year, the mark of a team with potential that just needs to mature.  The Colts have been blown out a ton this year and have yet to notch a victory.  Need I say more regarding their “talent?”  I’ll go with the Panthers simply because they have more playmakers, and Cam Newton will put points on the board.
Prediction: Panthers 28 – Colts 17

Buffalo Bills at New York Jets

I clung to the Bills bandwagon as long as possible, but now it’s time to abandon ship.  They look really bad lately, Ryan Fitzpatrick is not as sharp throwing the ball, and the defense is getting exposed.  I don’t love the Jets, but I think they are the more solid overall team.

Prediction: Jets 23 – Bills 16

Arizona Cardinals at St. Louis Rams

Does it really matter?  No it doesn’t.  Both teams are terrible, but I guess I’ll ride with the Rams at home and because if a banged up Kevin Kolb doesn’t play John Skelton will get the start.

Prediction: Rams 17 – Cardinals 10

Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Tennessee Titans

Both of these teams still have plenty to play for, though neither strikes me as a true playoff team.  Things are so bunched up in both conferences that either could make a postseason push if they get hot.  I liked what I saw last week out of Tampa despite the loss.  I’ll take the Bucs to get a few big runs from LeGarrette Blount and for Josh Freeman to have a big game on the road.

Prediction: Buccaneers 24 – Titans 21

Chicago Bears at Oakland Raiders

This really would have been a compelling matchup had Jay Cutler not gone down with a broken thumb.  Still, the Bears have a way of keeping things close against most any team and will likely ride Matt Forte, good special teams, and solid defense to a competitive outcome.  In the end though, I like the Raiders to be able to manufacture more points, especially at home.

Prediction: Raiders 17 – Bears 13

Washington Redskins at Seattle Seahawks

Two bad teams here, but Seattle is a tough out at home, and Washington has to travel 3,000 miles to play a pretty meaningless game.

Prediction: Seahawks: 23 – Redskins 17

New England Patriots at Philadelphia Eagles

Starting the year this looked like a possible Super Bowl preview.  Now the Eagles have fallen almost completely out of playoff contention.  Still, at home and with loads of talent, a good pass rush, they could certainly frustrate the Patriots.  Also, the NFC East isn’t exactly out of reach. Mike Vick may or may not play, but either way I think LeSean McCoy, DeSean Jackson, and Jeremy Maclin will find some seams in the porous New England defense.  This is probably a dumb pick, but I’ll go with Philly to keep their slim playoff hopes alive.

Prediction: Eagles 27 – Patriots 23

Denver Broncos at San Diego Chargers

I just can’t believe that this Tebow thing is going to keep working, and I also can’t believe Phillip Rivers will continue to play so poorly.

Prediction: Chargers 23 – Broncos 20

Pittsburgh Steelers at Kansas City Chiefs

Pittsburgh had a bye week to get ready for Tyler Palko.  Run, Tyler.  Just run.

Prediction: Steelers 28 – Chiefs 9

New York Giants at New Orleans Saints

The Giants are an up-and-down team, but they match up well with the Saints.  They can throw the ball all over the lot and keep up with Drew Brees, and they can also pressure the Saints with just four pass rushers.  I look for the Giants to force a couple Drew Brees interceptions and be very aggressive down the field with their vertical passing game.  I’ll take the G-Men.

Prediction: Giants 30 – Saints 24