Bold NFL Predictions for Week 12
The NFL has backloaded the 2024 season with divisional matchups, guaranteeing that even if teams can’t make the playoffs they can still have a good old barney with their local rivals. But what can we expect in Week 12? Well, expect the unexpected.
The Browns beat the Steelers
This is more downright mad than bold, but it’s definitely possible. Just one look at the Steelers injury report highlights how well they have done to extend their winning streak to five games. Mike Tomlin’s team currently has 11 players on IR and two more set to miss this game. Four of those players are defensive linemen too, so they can’t afford any more injuries up front.
Cleveland might have only won one game at home this season, but it was against the Ravens. Divisional games always through up surprises and wild plays (remember Myles Garrett doinking Mason Rudolph with his own helmet?) but divisional games in the AFC North are always above and beyond.
Garrett is dealing with a hip issue this week, but if he gets on the field you can expect fireworks. The Steelers had a battle with the Ravens last week whereas the Browns had a capitulation against the Saints in NOLA. Even Kevin Stefanski has a bad feeling about his future, but a win against a divisional rival would at least placate the fans.
Chargers beat the Ravens
The biggest surprise in this one is that the team with the tightest defense in the league is getting points!
These are the games Justin Herbert needs to boss if he’s to be considered an elite quarterback. Having said that Greg Roman really needs to help his QB out by sticking with the run. The Chargers were beating the Bengals comfortably last week but then became drawn into a third-quarter track meet. Cincinnati would have found it difficult to score points if Los Angeles had simply controlled possession with their running backs. That would have given their defense the chance to rest on the sidelines too.
If the Chargers get sucked into a high-scoring shootout on Monday night you have to give Lamar Jackson and his crew the advantage. Jim Harbaugh’s team do have the stingiest defense after 11 weeks and John’s team turned the ball over three times last week whilst only scoring 18 points!
The Bears Miss Another Decisive Field Goal
The Bears losing to the high-flying Vikings isn’t bold. The Vikings struggling outdoors in Chicago and only winning when Cairo Santos misses is kind of bold.
Minnesota has the best run defense in the league, so Caleb Williams will have to do some of the heavy lifting this week. He looks more than capable of doing that and without Shane Waldron there to slow him down he could really rack up some air yards against the 28th-ranked passing defense.
Williams v Darnold promises to be a fascinating battle, especially in a chilly Windy City.
Tommy DeVito throws no Touchdowns and Three Interceptions
Brian Daboll is a great offensive coordinator, but he’s no head coach. He’s certainly not a head coach that the Giants can work with. And Tommy DeVito might be the third-best quarterback on the Giants roster.
Drew Lock looks like the sensible option, Daniel Jones looks like a quarterback who could operate well within a run-based offense, but only six teams have thrown the ball more than Big Blue.
That’s partly because they have been playing from behind on a weekly basis, but it’s also because their run game really wasn’t working with Devin Singletary starting, Since Tyrone Tracey has taken over it’s been better but still not great.
DeVito is more likely to take off and run when there’s nobody open, but the Buccaneers defense is only allowing 4.9 yards per rush to quarterbacks. Tampa Bay are coming off a Bye week so it doesn’t seem like the best time to swap a quarterback in.
Jayden Daniels scores a rushing touchdown
This isn’t technically bold, but he’s 15/2 with some bookmakers and the Cowboys have some difficulty stopping quarterbacks who can escape the pocket.