Week 12 Predictions

41 Houston at Detroit 10
Houston will show that their escape-victory home against the Jags was a fluke.  Coming off the heels of  a game in which they were down 2 touchdowns with 6 min to go, the Texans will blow the door off the Lions.  Detroit fans will exit the gates at half-time as Houston will be up 34-3.  Foster will run in for 2 scores, Schaub will throw for 2 TD and the defense will snag a pick 6 to end the first half.  Houston will show that they are an offensive and defensive juggernaut and quiet the critics who opened their mouths after Wade Phillips D gave up 37 points to a Chad Henne led squad last week.

20 Washington at Dallas 16
On the National stage, I foresee Dallas will crumble.  RG3 will showcase his talent to all Thanksgiving day football enthusiasts as Tony Romo will fail to mount a comeback TD drive in the 4th quarter.  I have all 3 home teams on Thanksgiving losing this year.

17 New England at NY Jets 14
On Thanksgiving night, the Jets will raise their fans hopes up by playing a solid 2nd half, tied at 7.  In the 3rd quarter, however, the Patriots will go up 17-7.  At the onset of the 4th quarter, the Jets will score either a fluky special teams TD or a fluky, poor Patriot-secondary driven TD raising fans' hopes once again.  Sanchez will then mount terrible drive after terrible drive as the Pats hold on to win by 3.  Especially coming after a road win, a loss at home in a winnable game that I have described would be disappointing.  Classic Jets.

13 Minnesota at Chicago 28
After an early rush TD by Adrian Peterson, the Bears D will return to form.  Ponder won't throw any TD in this one unless your counting the one I expect him to fling to the Bears D.  Yes, Jason Campbell is absolutely atrocious but all he has to do in this contest is give the ball to Forte and throw quick passes to Marshall in space.  The Vikings D is not the niners D.  Bears improve to 8-3.

27 Oakland at Cincinnati 39
I'm predicting this incredibly odd score because I feel that this is supposed to be an incredibly boring game so therefore it will be an incredibly exciting one.  If you own Andy Dalton or Carson Palmer in fantasy, start them without hesitation for this shoot-out.  AJ Green/BJGE will go off, as well.  Some weird stuff will happen in this one, too.  Maybe a safety.  Maybe 2 punt returns for TD.  Maybe a fan runs onto the field shirtless spewing profanity.  Maybe Carson Palmer doesn't throw a pick (he's thrown one in every game but 2).  Regardless, the Bengals get their 6th victory of the year putting them in the hunt for a wild card berth.  

17 Pittsburgh at Cleveland 23
Byron Leftwich out, Charlie Batch in.  No, this is not a mediocre Arena Football team's QB situation, this is the Pittsburgh Steelers' QB situation. Batch will throw a TD or two, but he will also throw a pick or three.  Trent Richardson will "get his" vs Pitt's staunch D as he has rushed for 95 yds or more in his past 3 contests.  If they want to make the playoffs, the Steelers need to get Big Ben back ASAP (not rocky).      

21 Buffalo at Indianapolis 41
Coming off a blowout lose in New England (Colts gave up an astounding 59 points, although 21 of these points were from defensive/special teams TD), Indy needs to make a statement at home.  Yes, the Bills are on a frisky 1 game winning streak, but they are still a below average NFL team.  Andrew Luck takes care of business here.

24 Denver at Kansas City 14
Kansas City is actually 9th in terms of pass yds/game on defense.  I guess they aren't completely inept.  Since starting Bronco back Willis McGahee is now out 6-8 weeks, will I pick KC to win, keying in on Peyton to stop the pass? Nope. Not a chance.

16 Seattle at Miami 19
A battle of rookies.  Russell Wilson vs Ryan Tannehill.  Wisconsin v. Texas A&M.  12th in passer rating vs. 30th in passer rating.  I'm a big fan of Wilson and the 'Hawks but I like the Dolphins to get the win in Miami.  Seattle will lose on the road, fall out of a wild-card spot in the NFC and will then go on the road to Chicago next week.  Miami will improve to 5-6 and then come home for New England.  I foresee a defensive struggle in South Florida.

17 Atlanta at Tampa Bay 34
The Falcons turned the ball over 6 times last week prompting experts to pat themselves on the back for claiming Atlanta wasn't "that good" when Matt Ryan's team was perfect half-way through the year.  Atlanta is 9-1 though and they're 3 games ahead of the Bucs for the division lead with 6 games to go.  I'm higher on Atlanta than most, but I still think Josh Freeman gets the Bucs within 2 games of 1st the NFC South.  Remember when Tampa Bay was 1-3?  Remember when Tampa Bay was 2-4?  Remember when experts predicted them to crumble after losing stud G Carl Nicks for the year (having lost their other stud G David Joseph for the year in the pre-season).  Remember when Doug Martin scored 51 fantasy points in a week.  I remember all this stuff and I will also remember media members proclaiming Tampa Bay the 2012-2013 NFC South champ after winning this game.  Atlanta will win the division but Tampa will win this game.

20 Tennessee at Jacksonville 21
Both these teams stink.  Yuck.  I'd rather wash the dirty dishes for 56 different families on Thanksgiving night than watch this game in its entirety.  Speaking of the number 56, there is NO WAY I can see Tennessee being 5-6.  They are just too damn awful.  I don't care that they blew out Miami on the road 2 weeks ago, they are going to lose in North Florida sunday.  Let's go Blaine Gabbert! (O wait he's injured)... Let's go Chad Henne! (I may be starting to regret this one)

24 Baltimore at San Diego 36
The Ravens BARELY got the victory against Byron Leftwich.  Dude's motion is more elongated than a set-up relief pitcher who throws submarine style.  Philip Rivers is gonna have a classic "Remember, I'm actually a pretty skilled QB despite the fact that my throwing motion is weird, my team is below 500, my stats stink, and my pants are on too tight."  Rivers has not pulled one of these games all year, so he's definitely due.  These Rivers performances are usually followed by multiple losses, mass disappointment in the greater San Diego area, and angry emails from bitter fantasy owners that end up in the spam section of Philip River's inbox.  The fact that Ed Reed may be suspended for this one only adds to the possibility of one of these Rivers classics.  I can't wait to see Norv's face next week after River's chews out one of his receivers for dropping a poorly thrown pass while the Chargers are down 10 with 2 min to go at home against Cincy.

10 St. Louis at Arizona 6
All 3 of St. Louis's wins this year have come at home in the dome.  2 Sunday's ago in San Francisco, however, the Rams played a good road game that ended in a tie.  They get their first win on the road in Zona thanks to Bradford's game management skills.  He will avoid turnovers which will make it difficult for the Cards to score considering their offense can't move the ball. (70 yards passing last week)

30 San Francisco at New Orleans 21
I refuse to buy into the Saints as a legit playoff team.  Colin Kaepernick (or Alex Smith) will shred this swiss-cheese Saints D.  And San Fran's D will stifle Brees.  Close game, but the niners are gonna prove who the real contender is here.

34 Green Bay at NY Giants 31
Like I predicted a few weeks ago, the Giants lost to Cincy leading to worry and doubt among their fan-base.  Eli has looked dreadful lately but the Giants are now at home off a bye.  I like them to get off to an early lead, but ARodg and crew will bring the Pack back like they did last week in Mo-Town.  Packers win on a FG as time expires leading to even more criticism of Eli among Giant fans.

27 Carolina at Philadelphia 24
I will continue to predict Carolina wins with Cam Newton going off (ie. Dal at Car in week 7and TB at Car last week) until it happens.  I am determined.  Carolina's defense is incredibly mediocre though so I think Philly makes it close.  3-8 after starting 3-1?  Instead of actually firing Andy Reid, Eagles fans may resort to lighting the man on fire.  Boy do I like picking against Philly.

Last Week: 12-2
Season: 102-57-1