It now is really getting to be crunch time in the NFL, as many teams are trying to compete for a postseason berth. There are many teams that are already out, and some of them were out before the season even began ( there are couple of teams in the AFC West that will remain anonymous). There are some surprise teams that are competing for the playoffs ( Atlanta and Baltimore ring a bell ) and some teams that are seriously underachieving ( San Diego most specifically ). There are some big games this week, and many have playoff implications. I won't waste any more time here, so let's get right ot the action.
As always, home team in CAPS.
Tennessee 11 DETROIT
I still cannot understand why the United Sates is subject to the Detroit Lions every single Thanksgiving. They have been lousy for years, and there is no interest in seeing them at all. There might be some interest in the Titans, who finally lost last week, but are definitely a fascinating story this year. They shouldn't have any problems bouncing back this week against a Detroit team that is just simply bad.
Titans 33-16
DALLAS 13 Seattle
Tony Romo apparently still has an injured finger, but he played fairly well last week. The Seattle Seahawks have been bad all year, and I don't see this game being any exception. I will be shocked if Mike Holmgren is back next year. By the way Jerry Jones runs things in Dallas, Wade Phillips probably won't be either. But he shouldn't have been there in the first place. I'll take the Cowboys here.
Cowboys 29-14
PHILADELPHIA 3 Arizona
This is easily the best game on the Thanksgiving plate, and Donovan McNabb is starting after being benched. He has been lousy lately, but his overall numbers for the season still aren't too bad. The Cardinals are fun to watch, and they could make some noise in the playoffs. Philadelphia is near desperation, and I think McNabb will bounce back and have a good game. The Eagles need to win this game, and I think they will.
Eagles 26-20
NEW YORK JETS 7 1/2 Denver
The Jets are rolling right now, and the Broncos are going in the complete opposite direction. They looked horrible last week. New York is primed to win the AFC East, and at home I don't see the Broncos providing much of a challenge. The Broncos possibly make the playoffs, but because of default.
Jets 30-20
BUFFALO 7 San Francisco
The Bills exploded last week, but it is going to be too little too late. They were never that good to begin with. Neither was San Francisco, who might be in for a major overhaul in the offseason. This game is totally meaningless, except for draft day order. My pick, which is usually the case, will also be meaningless. Take Buffalo.
Bills 31-21
TAMPA BAY 3 1/2 New Orleans
I guess this pick will depend on what New Orleans team shows up. This is a huge game in the NFC South, as every team in the division is in the playoff hunt. The Saints exploded last week on offense, but I don't see them doing it this week. Tampa has the edge by being at home, but I still think the Saints are better, and they should be able to pull this one out.
Saints 24-21
GREEN BAY 3 Carolina
The Packers are on the outside looking in, while the Panthers should make the postseason barring a collapse. Carolina lost last week, so I expect them to bounce back here. Yes, it is in Green Bay, but Lambeau Field just isn't the same as it used to be. Carolina quietly is having a very good year.
Panthers 30-21
New York Giants 3 WASHINGTON
The Giants express keeps rolling, and now they are playing Washington, the lone team to beat them this year. I have never been impressed with the Redskins this year. The Giants are surprising many because nobody expected them to be this good this year. I can't pick against them right now.
Giants 29-23
ST. LOUIS 1 Miami
The Rams have been eliminated from the playoffs for weeks now, while the Dolphins still have an outside chance. They need to win and get some help, but they need to concentrate on the field first. They should be able to beat a St. Louis team that just simply hasn't found themselves this year. I am only taking the Dolphins because I think they have more to play for.
Dolphins 23-17
Baltimore 7 CINCINNATI
The Ravens have been real good this year, and, well, we all know about the Bengals. It is tough to take the Bengals at all right now. They can't wait for the season to end. The Ravens season might not end for a while. They are very much involved in the AFC playoff chase, and I don't see Cincinnati getting in their way. Take the Ravens here.
Ravens 29-14
Indianapolis 4 1/2 CLEVELAND
The Colts look like they are hitting their stride, and the Browns have really fallen. Brady Quinn didn't last long. He is already hurt and out for the year. Romeo Crennel's job is subject for talk in Cleveland right now. The Browns really have under achieved. The Colts are finally playing well, and just at the right time. I'll take the Colts here. They are the hot team.
Colts 34-21
SAN DIEGO 5 Atlanta
Talk about a team that has under achieved. The Chargers are clearly a team that has disappointed this year. They fire Marty Schottenheimer, but at least under his regime they played hard and consistently made the playoffs. Norv Turner was the wrong choice to be the head coach, and the Chargers' management is seeing that now. The Falcons, have played real well this year, and are right in the thick of it in the NFC. It is hard to pick the Chargers right now, so I won't.
Falcons 26-24
NEW ENGLAND 1 Pittsburgh
The Patriots offense, and specifically Matt Cassel, continue to play well. Most people seem to forget, or they just want to, that their defense is still giving up points at a rapid rate. This will be a huge test for New England, playing a good Steeler team that is coming in with some extra rest. I am still not sure I can trust Matt Cassell yet. Most of his passes are less than five yards. I think the Steelers are a team that can force him to throw deep, and disrupt his rhythm. I like Pittsburgh here. Though good teams are hard to find in the NFL, whenever the Patriots play one, they come out on the short end.
Steelers 26-21
HOUSTON 3 1/2 Jacksonville
These are two teams here that were expected to be better, especially Jacksonville. I don't know what has happened to them. Perhaps Jack DelRio is wearing thin on his team. Either way, this is a pretty much meaningless game this week. I am going to take Houston just because they are at home.
Texans 27-23
GAME OF THE WEEK
MINNESOTA 3 1/2 Chicago
I had a few games to choose from here, but since neither of these teams has been in the Game of the Week, I chose this one. This should be a pretty good game in the NFC North, as both teams are looking at the postseason. The Bears are the better team, ans will likely win the division. I have to take them here. I am just not impressed with the Vikings, and the Bears are simply better.
Bears 30-27
STINKER OF THE WEEK
OAKLAND 3 Kansas City
Boy, this game was pretty obvious. I don't like to keep putting these two teams in the Stinker, but I really have no choice this week. The Raiders actually looked good last week. The Chiefs, to their credit, do seem to play hard for Herm Edwards. I'll take Oakland here because they are at home.
Raiders 28-24
Record For Week 12: 6-9-1 (9-7 without spread )
Record Through Week 12: 80-94-2 (108-68 without the spread )
Game of Week Record: 4-8
Stinker of Week Record: 3-9
Jim Poore has been a long time contributor to Patriots Insider with his weekly picks column. Let him know what you think. Email him here:
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