NFL Week 12 Predictions

!Upset
*Big Game
**Game of the Week


**Green Bay Packers (10-0) v.s. Detroit Lions (7-3) (GB -6.5, O/U 48)

Calvin Johnson

     The Packers face one of their toughest tests remaining today on Thanksgiving against the Lions. I think the Lions at the very least need to come out flying and show the Packers that they can play with them. I like the Lions defense to step up today along with Matthew Stafford not turning the ball over on offense. Aaron Rodgers and the Packers come back late, but its not enough as the Lions win their first Thanksgiving game since 2003.
Detroit 31-26!
Spread: Detroit
O/U: Over


Miami Dolphins (3-7) v.s. Dallas Cowboys (6-4) (DAL -6.5, O/U 43.5)
     The Dolphins come into Dallas on a 3 game win streak. Unfortunately for the 'Fins, the Cowboys are on a tear of their own. I think the Cowboys can slice up the Dolphins weak secondary with ease today. Miami will hang around, but I don't see them beating Dallas.

Ed Reed

Dallas 27-17
Spread: Dallas
O/U: Over


*San Francisco 49ers (9-1) v.s. Baltimore Ravens (7-3) (BAL -3.5, O/U 38.5)
    In the Harbaugh Bowl, this game will be decided about which offense steps up. I know the 49ers are 9-1, but Alex Smith hasn't been in a game quite like this magnitude against a legitimate defense on the road at night. We'll see how the 49ers handle the Ravens tonight in what will be a true test for them. I also think this is a test for the Ravens; they haven't exactly been consistent this year, but tonight, I think their defense will step up and their offense will do just enough to win.
Baltimore 17-10
Spread: Baltimore
O/U: Under


Minnesota Vikings (2-8) v.s. Atlanta Falcons (6-4) (ATL -10, O/U 44)

Cedric Benson

     To put this game simply, the Vikings are 2-8 and they will be without Adrian Peterson today. So I like Atlanta to win, but I still think their offense will struggle against a decent Minnesota defense. Atlanta moves to 7-4.
Atlanta 24-10
Spread: Atlanta 
O/U: Under


Cleveland Browns (4-6) v.s. Cincinnati Bengals (6-4) (CIN -7, O/U 37.5)
     It's obvious that Cleveland has had trouble scoring against every team this year. So how are they going to score against Cincinnati today? I don't know, they'll have to find a way to manufacture points, but either way, I like Andy Dalton to protect the ball and have a nice day leading the Bengals offense as Cincinnati moves to 7-4.
Cincinnati 24-14
Spread: Cincinnati
O/U: Over


Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-6) v.s. Tennessee Titans (5-5) (TEN -4, O/U 43.5)

LeGarrette Blount

     Tampa Bay really showed that they are capable of playing like the 10-6 team they were last year when they went into Green Bay and played right with them until the end. Tampa Bay is back to moving in the right direction which is why I think they will take that into Tennessee and have their most impressive performance of the year to move to 5-6.
Tampa Bay 28-17!
Spread: Tampa Bay 
O/U: Over


Carolina Panthers (2-8) v.s. Indianapolis Colts (0-10) (CAR -4, O/U 47)
     If Carolina is going to win today, they will need their defense to step up. Time is running out for the Colts to get a win and unfortunately for them, they will have to wait another week. Cam Newton limits his turnovers, the Panthers get the win.
Carolina 27-13
Spread: Carolina
O/U: Under


Arizona Cardinals (3-7) v.s. St. Louis Rams (2-8) (STL -3, O/U 40)
     The Rams lost to the Cardinals a few weeks ago on a walk off, 99 yard punt return by Patrick Peterson. Not much separates these two teams, but I think the difference is that the Cardinals are a little bit less banged up than the Rams. I'll take the Cardinals in a close one because I can't see the Rams scoring enough points.

Plaxico Burress

Arizona 24-20!
Spread: Arizona
O/U: Over


Buffalo Bills (5-5) v.s. New York Jets (5-5) (NYJ -10, O/U 42)
     I feel bad for the Bills, I really do. In a season full of much optimism, they are fading and fading fast. The only chance the Bills have in this game is if they slow down the Jets offense. The Jets have had a lot of success against the Bills and ultimately, I don't see that changing today.
New York 20-13
Spread: Buffalo
O/U: Under


Houston Texans (7-3) v.s. Jacksonville Jaguars (3-7) (HOU -7, O/U 37)

Julius Peppers

     Matt Lineart makes his debut for the Texans today and he will go up against the third ranked defense in the NFL. If the Jaguars stop the run, they should be very competitive in this game. The Texans have a very good defense as well, but I think the Jaguars will score just enough points to pull the upset today.
Jacksonville 19-17!
Spread: Jacksonville
O/U: Under



*Chicago Bears (7-3) v.s. Oakland Raiders (6-4) (OAK -3, O/U 41.5)
     This might be the most interesting matchup of week 12. The Bears will be without Jay Cutler for the rest of 2011 and Caleb Hanie steps in. Hanie will need to certainly do his part, but the Bears defense needs to step up because you can't expect Hanie to do exactly what Jay Cutler has been doing over the past couple weeks. The Raiders have been playing great ever since Carson Palmer took over at quarterback, but in today's matchup, the Raiders will be without many players including Darren McFadden, Jacoby Ford and many others including Richard Seymour who are questionable. I think the Bears defense makes a statement, showing that they can win without Cutler as the Bears go into the Black Hole and get the victory.
Chicago 23-20!
Spread: Chicago
O/U: Over


Washington Redskins (3-7) v.s. Seattle Seahawks (4-6) (SEA -3, O/U 37.5)
     Even though the Redskins have lost six games in a row, they really played well last week against Dallas. It won't be easy heading across the country to take on Seattle, but if you look at Seattle this season, they usually have laid eggs after getting a win. I know they have won two in a row, but Seattle will have trouble offensively going up against a pretty good Washington defense. I'll take the Redskins in the upset.

Kyle Arrington

Washington 23-12
Spread: Washington
O/U: Under


*New England Patriots (7-3) v.s. Philadelphia Eagles (4-6) (NE -4, O/U 51)
     Injuries play on a big factor in this matchup in Philadelphia. The Patriots are banged up in the secondary, while the Eagles will be without Michael Vick and Jeremy Maclin for the second week in a row along with Nmandi Asomguha potentially being out with a knee injury. The Eagles ability to get after the quarterback with Jason Babin and Trent Cole could pose problems for a Patriots offense that doesn't react well when Brady is uncomfortable, but I don't see too many problems because I don't see the Eagles matching up well with Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez. The Patriots defense, which has been playing very well of late, keeps the Eagles in check as the Patriots move to 8-3.
New England 35-17
Spread: New England 
O/U: Over

Eric Weddle

*Denver Broncos (5-5) v.s. San Diego Chargers (4-6) (SD -6, O/U 42)
     Tim Tebow and the Broncos aren't going into San Diego, against a team that has lost 5 games in a row and is desperate to stay alive in the AFC West race, and winning right? Well, I don't know. You never want to doubt Tebow, but it seems like even Tebow won't be able to keep up with a Chargers offense that seems to be hitting its stride right at the right time. As long as Phillip Rivers doesn't turn the ball over, I like the Chargers today against the Broncos.
San Diego 27-22
Spread: Denver
O/U: Over


Pittsburgh Steelers (7-3) v.s. Kansas City Chiefs (4-6) (PIT -11, O/U 40)
     I don't think this is a gimme' game whatsoever for the Steelers. The Chiefs have enough of a defense to hang around in this game. We'll see who starts at quarterback for the Chiefs, but if the Chiefs can't muster more than 3 points against the Patriots defense, how can they fare well against the Steelers defense?
Pittsburgh 27-7
Spread: Pittsburgh
O/U: Under


*New York Giants (6-4) v.s. New Orleans Saints (7-3) (NO -7, O/U 51)

Lance Moore and the Saints

     What a great matchup on Monday Night. The Giants need this game to keep up with the Cowboys and the Saints could use this game to further themselves from the Falcons and Buccaneers. I usually don't ever take a road team against the Saints especially in a night game, but the Giants defense has been playing very well of late. I really want to take the Giants, but I'll stick with the Saints simply because their offense should be able to score with not a ton of trouble as well as them being at home.
New Orleans 27-23
Spread: New York
O/U: Under


Last Week: 9-5
Season: 108-52
Last Week Against Spread: 6-8
Season: 91-69
Last Week Upsets: 1-2
Season: 14-16
Last Week Over/Under: 6-8
Season: 42-42
Last Week Big Games: 3-2
Season: 38-17
Last Week Big Games Against Spread: 2-3
Season: 35-20
Last Week Game of the Week: 1-0
Season: 8-3
Last Week Game of the Week Against Spread: 1-0
Season: 6-5