Week 12 NFL Predictions

Thanksgiving day record vs spread 2-1
Thanksgiving day record straight up 3-0

New Orleans at Carolina
Line: Saints by 2.5
It's a tribute to Steve Smith's maturity that he hasn't come into the locker room with a machine gun and shot up the place. His talent is being wasted on this miserable, QB-less team. Saints 23, Panthers 17

Tennessee at Cincinnati
Line: Titans by 1.5
The ultimate get-well game for a struggling Titans' offense. They should be able to establish a flagging running game against the horrid defense of the Bengals. One would only hope, anyways. Titans 21, Bengals 17

Houston at Cleveland
Line: Browns by 3.5
The Texans have a date with destiny, but as much as I've backed them all year, I'm seeing the Browns as the team doing all the things the Texans were supposed to be doing this year. Prove me wrong, Texans, and I will jock you hardcore down the stretch. Browns 24, Texans 20

Buffalo at Jacksonville
Line: Jaguars by 8
The public is going with Jacksonville, but need I remind you how unpredictable this team has been in the past? They seem to be at their worst when faced with prosperity and this is a desperate Bills team trying anything to climb back into the playoff hunt. Jaguars 20, Bills 17

Oakland at Kansas City
Line: Chiefs by 5
I can't even trust this Chiefs team against the woeful Raiders. Their offense is that pitiful. Plus, this is an AFC West matchup, where you pretty much throw all the records out the window. So...when do the Raiders tank and start playing JaMarcus Russell? Chiefs 13, Raiders 10

Minnesota at New York Giants
Line: Giants by 7
Just a hunch. Plus, there are way too many outright favorites. You know at least one of them has to slip up. Plus, the Vikings match up very well with the Giants because they can take away the run. Giants 17, Vikings 14

Seattle at St. Louis
Line: Seahawks by 3
While Seattle has been maddeningly inconsistent all year, their defense is starting to step it up and the running game is slowly coming together. I'm not calling them contenders yet, but they should make quick work of their weak divisional foes. Seahawks 24, Rams 17

Washington at Tampa Bay
Line: Buccaneers by 3
Joe Gibbs should plan on going back to NASCAR next year, as he simply isn't getting the job done with this team. Meanwhile, the Bucs extend the theory that finishing last in the South is the quickest way to winning that division. Does this mean I pick the Falcons next year? Buccaneers 16, Redskins 10

San Francisco at Arizona
Line: Cardinals by 10.5
Could the Cardinals actually be making a push towards the divisional crown and a rare playoff appearance? They're still the Cardinals, I won't take a double-digit spread because it's still the Cardinals. Cardinals 14, 49ers 7

Denver at Chicago
Line: Bears by 2
The Broncs get another favorable QB matchup their secondary can exploit. Plus with San Diego pissing away every chance to put the division out of reach, they're right back in the race and they'll continue sinking the Bears' ship. Broncos 20, Bears 13

Baltimore at San Diego
Line: Chargers by 8.5
This Chargers' team has been unpredictable this year, but the Ravens are sinking and sinking fast. Their defense is aging and their offense is just plain miserable. While lightning doesn't always strike, the Chargers play with a lot more emotion at home and generally take care of business. Chargers 31, Ravens 17

Philadelphia at New England
Line: Patriots by 25
This Patriots team, honestly, has me changing all the rules. A 25 point spread seems impossible to cover, but this is a team that just keeps pushing the bar higher and higher and amazingly exceeding it on a consistent basis. What's scary is those early-season blowouts don't even compare to what they're doing now. And AJ Feeley's starting. Cartman didn't even want his football card. Patriots 66, Eagles 10

Miami at Pittsburgh
Line: Steelers by 16
On the other side of the token, I doubt Pittsburgh has another sloppy meltdown like they did against the Jets. I hope Joey Porter's happy in Miami being a few million dollars richer. My only question is how much money is he stealing from that organization? Steelers 38, Dolphins 17

Week 11 vs Spread 8-7-1
Season vs Spread 75-80-9
Week 11 Straight up 12-4
Season Straight up 102-58