Week 12 picks

Last week: 10-4
Season record: 17-11

Hey, that wasn't too shabby last week.  Of course, I've had the benefit of 9 weeks of not picking games while watching to see who is actually good and who is not.  But whatever, as Bill Parcells said once, my record is what it is.  So happy Thanksgiving to you all and let's pick some games!

Buffalo at Detroit--This is not the slam dunk it may have been if these teams met five or six weeks ago.  The Lions have won three straight and unfortunately for me looked really good against my Giants this past Sunday.  And Josh Allen is still playing and apparently still hurting.  I can't bring myself to pick this upset though.  Bills 24, Lions 23

NY Giants at Dallas--These two teams are both 7-3 and going in different directions, and the Giants have so many injuries at key positions that it's just such a huge mismatch right now.  And nothing is worse than obnoxious Cowboys fans.  Oh wait, I forgot about Eagles fans.  Cowboys 38, Giants 10

New England at Minnesota--The Pats are 6-4 and tied for last place in the AFC East.  Well technically they are in third because they already beat the team they are tied with--the Jets-- twice this season.  The Vikings were just embarrassed against Dallas at home, their second loss of the season but are still four games up on Detroit and 4.5 up on Green Bay.  What a weird season.  Vikings 23, Pats 19

Tampa Bay at Cleveland--The Browns that were in serious contention the past few years are suddenly the Browns again.  Bucs 24, Browns 20

Cincinnati at Tennessee--This is a matchup of AFC contenders, and I just have to say, Mike Vrabel and the Titans seem to win quietly and win a lot.  The problem always comes down to the postseason and having an average QB.  Titans 27, Bengals 22

Houston at Miami--The Dolphins are 7-3 but 7-0 in games started and finished by Tua.  I think that means he's pretty good.  Dolphins 37, Texans 13

Chicago at NY Jets--I really thought the Jets were becoming contenders right before our eyes.  Now they are a last place team again, albeit a 6-4 last place team.  It was a nice fairytale while it lasted for the Giants and Jets.  Jets 17, Bears 12

Atlanta at Washington--Just like the Jets and Patriots, the Commanders are 6-5 and sit in last place in the NFC East.  Holy crap, every team in the AFC East and NFC East are above .500.  I'd bet anything that's never happened, at least not this late in the season.  Commanders 24, Falcons 21

Denver at Carolina--I'm not sure I've ever heard a fan base want a coach fired after his first 11 games, but that is the reality for Nathaniel Hackett, whose fans like to help him with clock management by chanting the play clock counting down.  They'd also probably line up to drive him out of town.  Panthers 19, Broncos 16

Baltimore at Jacksonville--Exactly what happened to Lamar Jackson that he isn't the insanely dominant force he was his first couple of seasons in the NFL?  He's still awesome but he's no longer video game Lamar, is all.  Ravens 28, Jaguars 17

LA Chargers at Arizona--See Jackson, Lamar and apply that to Herbert, Justin as well.  He's just not the same QB he was the last two years.  At least not yet.  Chargers 27, Cardinals 17

Las Vegas at Seattle--Pete Carroll is going to get quite a few coach of the year votes.  Josh McDaniels will not.  Seahawks 24, Raiders 18

LA Rams at Kansas City--Did the Rams actually win a Super Bowl NINE months ago?  Chiefs 34, Rams 20

New Orleans at San Francisco--So, is Jameis Winston healthy and not starting over Andy Dalton?  Yeah, okay.....let's just actively try and lose games.  Niners 28, Saints 13

Green Bay at Philadelphia--This probably looked like a good one on paper when they made the schedule.  Now it's a turd in a punch bowl.  Eagles 31, Packers 20

Pittsburgh at Indianapolis--This probably looked like a good one on paper in 1995.  Colts 23, Steelers 21

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