NFL Week 12 Picks
Week 11 Totals (Overall)
Mario: 9–5 (97–64)
Parker: 9–5 (95–65)
Mike: 9–5 (100–61)
Hunter: 11–3 (90–55)
Thanksgiving Day
Minnesota at Detroit, 11:30 a.m. (CBS)
Mario’s pick: Detroit
Matthew Stafford looks to defend his Galloping Gobbler title at home, and I anticipate an aerial attack similar to what we saw a couple weeks back in Minneapolis. Sam Bradford looked rather comfortable behind Minnesota’s offensive line against Arizona, which saw a much-needed lift from Alex Boone, who was returning from injury. If Minnesota is going to win, they’ll need the pass rush to show up as they did against Carson Palmer.
Mike’s pick: Detroit
First place in the NFC North is up for grabs, and while the Vikings got a nice win last week, they had to rely on a special teams score and a defensive score to do it. That won’t happen every week, and their offense is abysmal right now. Detroit is the second-hottest team in the NFC right now and this week could be the week that people start talking about Matt Stafford as an MVP candidate.
Hunter’s pick: Detroit
Washington at Dallas, 3:30 p.m. (FOX)
Mario’s pick: Dallas
Mike’s pick: Dallas
Hunter’s pick: Dallas
Pittsburgh at Indianapolis, 7:30 p.m. (NBC)
Mario’s pick: Pittsburgh
Mike’s pick: Pittsburgh
Indianapolis is without Andrew Luck. That means that Scott Tolzien (Wisconsin proud!) will start against the Steelers, who are looking to reclaim their spot near the top of the AFC. This one could get ugly. Big Ben and Antonio Brown should have a field day.
Hunter’s pick: Pittsburgh
Sunday
12 p.m. games
Arizona at Atlanta (FOX)
Mario’s pick: Atlanta
Mike’s pick: Atlanta
Hunter’s pick: Atlanta
Cincinnati at Baltimore (CBS)
Mario’s pick: Baltimore
Ray Lewis Revenge Game? With A.J. Green sidelined due to a strained hamstring and only two wins against non-Cleveland teams, Marvin Lewis could soon be headed out the door. This game won’t be pretty, but Baltimore gets it done and holds onto their AFC North lead.
Mike’s pick: Baltimore
Hunter’s pick: Baltimore
Jacksonville at Buffalo (CBS)
Mario’s pick: Buffalo
I’m relatively positively certain that Jacksonville should move on from Blake Bortles. He uh … isn’t very good.
Mike’s pick: Buffalo
Hunter’s pick: Buffalo
Tennessee at Chicago (CBS)
Mario’s pick: Tennessee
Mike’s pick: Tennessee
Chicago is back to Matt Barkley at quarterback and Tennessee has all their offensive weapons healthy. Give me the Titans big as they stay in the thick of the AFC South race.
Hunter’s pick: Tennessee
New York Giants at Cleveland (FOX)
Mario’s pick: New York Giants
#PrayersForParker
Mike’s pick: New York Giants
Hunter’s pick: New York Giants
San Diego at Houston (CBS)
Mario’s pick: San Diego
I don’t think I’ll ever feel confident taking Houston, even when they’re playing at home. The Chargers are coming off a bye, and I expect Phillip Rivers to have a big day.
Mike’s pick: San Diego
Hunter’s pick: Houston
San Francisco at Miami (FOX)
Mario’s pick: Miami
Colin Kaepernick has been alright since being inserted as the starting quarterback, throwing for seven touchdowns, only two interceptions but completing a meager 53.1 percent of his passes. This game comes down to Miami’s ability to run the ball with Jay Ajayi (who’s been great) and San Francisco’s inability to stop it.
Mike’s pick: Miami
Hunter’s pick: Miami
Los Angeles at New Orleans (FOX)
Mario’s pick: New Orleans
Mike’s pick: New Orleans
The Rams are on their way to another 7–9 record, while the Saints are playing like they want to make one more run before Drew Brees’ arm falls off.
Hunter’s pick: New Orleans
3:05 p.m.
Seattle at Tampa Bay (FOX)
Mario’s pick: Seattle
Mike’s pick: Seattle
Hunter’s pick: Seattle
3:25 p.m.
Carolina at Oakland (CBS)
Mario’s pick: Oakland
Mike’s pick: Oakland
Still my darkhorse Super Bowl pick, the Raiders are very fun to watch on offense, and their defense is getting better by the week. They have the temperament of Jack Del Rio, which definitely helps, and they should be able to attack the middle of the field against a Panther team missing their glue: Luke Kuechly.
Hunter’s pick: Oakland
New England at New York Jets (CBS)
Mario’s pick: New England
Sorry Jets, you’re not beating Tom Brady this year, no matter who you start at quarterback.
Mike’s pick: New England
Hunter’s pick: New England
Sunday Night Football
Kansas City at Denver, 7:30 p.m. (NBC)
Mario’s pick: Kansas City
Expect a low-scoring affair, and I anticipate a couple of turnovers forced by this Kansas City defense. The Chiefs lead the league in turnover differential, and Trevor Siemian has thrown an interception in three straight games.
Mike’s pick: Kansas City
In the best division in football, do I take the consistent team on the road, or the defending champions who are inconsistent at home? I like Andy Reid’s bunch more this year, so I’ll lean toward the former. But this will be a heck of a game.
Hunter’s pick: Denver
Monday Night Football
Green Bay at Philadelphia, 7:30 p.m. (ESPN)
Mario’s pick: Green Bay
The Eagles have gone 2–5 after starting the season 3–0, and the Packers haven’t won in over a month. I am still not to the point of damning Green Bay’s season, as they sit two games back in the NFC North with three remaining matchups within the division (Weeks 15 through 17). This week against Philadelphia seems to be a “No seriously, someone has to win this game” sort of affair. Aaron Rodgers and company will have to get creative to beat this Eagles’ defense, which is allowing under 19 points per game. But I still have confidence that Aaron Rodgers can win under pressure.
(Note: Green Bay’s defense as a whole has not been good this year. My pick relies on the Packers’ offense dominating time of possession and getting back to stuffing the run.)
Mike’s pick: Green Bay
Call me stubborn, call me bullheaded. Call me insane. I’ll answer to each claim proudly. This is a must-win game for the Packers in every sense of the word. The Packers should progress by potentially getting Damarious Randall back as well as continue their offensive development with Christine Michael in the fold. They have shown flashes in every game of being a great team, they just can’t ever put it together for a full 60-minute game. That won’t happen here either, but I think 55 minutes of good football is something that could happen. And that could be enough.
Hunter’s pick: Philadelphia
Game to Watch
Mario: Washington at Dallas
Mike: Kansas City at Denver
Hunter: Washington at Dallas
