NFL Week 12 Picks

No more bye weeks. Full slate of 16 games each week from here on out. And while the Patriots look sure to coast through the remainder of the regular season, at least, plenty of other teams have little to no margin for error if they want to continue playing into January. And that includes the Patriots opponent today, the Eagles, who at 4-6 have almost no choice but to run the table to avoid being labeled as the biggest frauds in recent memory.

On top of them, it's do or die time for the New York Jets, who at 5-5 are pretty much out of the running for the AFC East crown, especially after being swept by the Patriots for the first time since 2007, but their wild-card hopes remain very much alive. Even those free fallin' Buffalo Bills, losers of three in a row, can right the ship by beating the Jets today.

There's much intrigue in the AFC North, where traditional powers Baltimore and Pittsburgh have been joined by the remarkable Cincinnati Bengals, who despite losing their previous two games to their North competition, are in the driver's seat for the second wild-card out of the AFC.

The AFC West is wide-open in a battle between the Raiders and Tebows, and the NFC East looks to be a two-team tilt between the G-Men and 'Boys. The Packers will run away with the NFC North, and their quest to go not only 16-0, but 19-0, is a top story line heading into the season's final month.

Without further ado, the remainder of the Week 12 picks:

Last Week: 5-8-1
Season: 71-81-8
Locks of the Week: 8-3 (Patriots over Chiefs in Week 11)


This Week: 2-1


Home team in CAPS

RAMS (-2.5) over Cardinals


Only appropriate I use a Nickelback song to describe this game after they put on a show in Detroit on Thursday.

JETS (-9.5) over Bills


Without Fred Jackson, the wagons have officially been circled in Buffalo. And now for the weekly Ryan Fitzpatrick update:

Last three games: 2 TD, 7 INT, 54 % completions, 51.9/46.6/45.8 QB ratings. 0-3 record. We'll return next for the latest installment of "how's that extension lookin' now?"

BENGALS (-7) over Browns


The Bengals final 6 games: vs. Cleveland, @ Pittsburgh, vs. Houston, @ St. Louis, vs. Arizona, vs. Baltimore. No excuses not to go 4-2 and as a result, almost certainly lock up a wild-card berth. But they can't blow any of these winnable games, especially at home.

Texans (-6) over JAGUARS


Matt Leinart gets one more chance, and for his sake it couldn't be a better situation. He'll have a chance to lead the Texans into the post-season for the first time ever, and when Matt Schaub returns next year, perhaps get a chance to start again somewhere else. If he self-combusts, it's time to write the "bust" label in permanent marker. Having the best running game in the NFL will certainly help make life easier for the former USC great. And Andre Johnson is finally back.

Panthers (-3.5) over COLTS


I know the Panthers are only 2-8, but how is this line as low as it is? Cam Newton gets to continue his assault on Petyon Manning's rookie passing yards record right in Peyton's Place, albeit without Peyton present. Newton is on pace to throw for 4,616 yards, or 877 more than Manning threw his rookie year in 1998. I'm even bestowing my Lock of the Week upon Cam Newton.

Buccaneers (+3.5) over TITANS
FALCONS (-10) over Vikings


I can almost guarantee the fewest highlights on Sportscenter tonight will emerge from these two games. Which is strange because Chris Johnson and Adrian Peterson are both involved. But Peterson's out injured, and Chris Johnson traveled back in time to when Space Jam was filmed and had his talent zapped out of him by aliens.

RAIDERS (-3) over Bears


The AFC West is there for the taking, Oakland. Time for Carson Palmer to justify the hefty ransom the ghost of Al Davis gave up to acquire him. And if the Raiders can't beat Caleb Haine.....

Broncos (+5.5) over CHARGERS


....They'll be tied with the Tim Tebow's for the AFC West lead. And I can't imagine how the world could fall from it's axis if Tebowmania hits the January stage.

SEAHAWKS (-3.5) over Redskins 


Tarvaris Jackson vs. Rex Grossman. And if they get benched, Charlie Whitehurst vs. John Beck. How could two teams be so depleted at the quarterback position? At least there's long-term hope in Seattle that Pete Carroll will reunite with Matt Barkley at the draft this April, but Washington passed on Andy Dalton this past April. Seems like the 'Skins haven't had a decent quarterback since Sonny Jurgensen was flinging the ball around in the 1940's.

Patriots (-3) over EAGLES


What seemed like a potential Super Bowl preview in August is now just another game on the docket, with the Eagles pretty much moving into Hospice care. They're final 5 games don't feature anything too terribly challenging (@ Seattle, @ Miami, vs. NY Jets, @ Dallas, vs. Washington), but it seems foolish to assume anything with the Eagles this season. Speaking of the 2006 QB draft class, Vince Young is another guy who, like Leinart, can play himself into a potential starting position next year with a strong showing down the stretch here (depending on how long Mike Vick is out). That game above this one? VY could easily be an upgrade for either of those teams. It amazes me how many mediocre quarterbacks are currently in the landscape.

Steelers (-10.5) over CHIEFS


Tyler Palko posted a 49.9 rating against the Patriots defense. Shouldn't that mean he could challenge a negative rating against the Steelers?

SAINTS (-7.5) over Giants


The Giants brutal schedule looks to be finally catching up to them, and with Dallas's win on Thanksgiving, they now have to win just to keep pace. I ain't betting against Brees in a dome on Monday night though.