Thursday, November 24, 2011

NFL - Week 12 Predictions

Ringer's Record
Last Week ATS: 8-5
Last Week SU: 11-2

Season ATS: 82-76-1 (52%)
Season SU: 106-53 (67%)

Green Bay (-6.5) at Detroit
Finally! The Lions are playing in a relevant Thanksgiving Day game. The undefeated Packers come to town looking to improve to 11-0. This is one of the most anticipated games in Ford Field history. The fact that it's the annual Thanksgiving game, makes it even more anticipated. The last time the Lions won on the holiday was 2003. Fans will be ecstatic with a victory. I don't think it happens though. The Pack will pull away in the end.

Prediction - Green Bay 33 Detroit 20

Miami (+7.5) at Dallas
Both of these teams are trending in the right direction as they head into the annual Thanksgiving game in Dallas. Miami has won 3 straight after an 0-7 start, while the Cowboys have also won 3 in a row to claim the top spot in the NFC East. The QBs for both teams have been largely responsible for their respective turnarounds. Whoever plays better between Matt Moore and Tony Romo should get the win on Thursday. I'm going with Romo.

Prediction - Dallas 28 Miami 17

San Francisco (+3.5) at Baltimore
This is the Har Bowl. John and Jim Harbaugh will coach against each other for the 1st time on Thanksgiving night. What a holiday it will be for the family. Aside from the historic matchup of brothers, both of these teams have Super Bowl aspirations. San Francisco is 9-1 on the year and undefeated on the road. Baltimore is 7-3 and undefeated at home. Something has got to give. The 49ers have a tough task traveling to the east coast on a short week. That's why I like the Ravens.

Prediction - Baltimore 20 San Francisco 16

Minnesota (+9.5) at Atlanta
The Falcons are on the outside looking in of the NFC playoff hunt at the moment. This is a perfect time to welcome in a struggling Minnesota squad that just lost Adrian Peterson to injury. Atlanta has been up and down throughout the season, but remain in the thick of things for both a division title and a wild card spot. Minnesota is just looking to get their young rookie QB, Christian Ponder, some valuable experience. Ponder will continue to experience losing in the NFL this week.

Prediction - Atlanta 28 Minnesota 14

Cleveland (+7.5) at Cincinnati
The Battle of Ohio goes down in Cincinnati on Sunday. These teams met in Cleveland on opening day and the Bengals surprised everyone by winning 27-17. Cincy has continued to surprise as they currently stand at 6-4 and holding on to a wild card position. For as bad as the Browns have been this year, a win here would get them to 5-6 and technically alive in the wild card race. The Browns don;t cover the spread very often though, and coming off a win I don;t think they can get it done 2 weeks in a row.

Prediction - Cincinnati 20 Cleveland 12

Carolina (-3.5) at Indianapolis
Cam Newton is evidence of what a franchise QB can do to turn a team around. Sure the Panthers are only 2-8 on the year, but they have been competitive every week and certainly appear to be on the rise. The Colts will be lead by a franchise QB one way or another next year. It will either be Peyton Manning or Andrew Luck. Indy will almost certainly be drafting 1st in the 2012 draft. They are trying to avoid being just the 2nd team ever to go 0-16. I don;t think they get into the win column this week.

Prediction - Carolina 28 Indianapolis 17

Houston (-3.5) at Jacksonville
Matt Leinart is back in the limelight. After years of stardom at USC, Leinart did not perform well as the starting QB in Arizona and was shipped to Houston. Now with Matt Schaub appearing to be out for the rest of the year, the Texans fate lies with Leinart. It will fall on his shoulders to lead Houston to their 1st playoff berth in franchise history. Luck for him, his reign as starting QB in Houston starts with the Jags. The Jags are a bad team simply put. I like Leinart to lead the Texans to victory.

Prediction - Houston 20 Jacksonville 14

Buffalo (+8.5) at NY Jets
Neither of these teams are playing the best football. The Bills started hot and have quickly faded. The Jets have been up and down all season. One of them will get a win this week and be in the middle of the playoff race. It will be difficult for the Bills to do that without their best playmaker, Fred Jackson. Buffalo has averaged just 9 points a game during their current 3-game losing streak. The Jets haven't been explosive offensively either, but they won't need to be in this game.

Prediction - NY Jets 17 Buffalo 10

Arizona (+3.5) at St. Louis
John Skelton was enjoying a 2-game winning streak as the QB of the Arizona Cardinals until his miserable performance last week put that streak to an end. It appears that he will get a chance to bounce back this week, as Kevin Kolb is doubtful to play. The Cards beat the Rams a few weeks ago when Patrick Peterson returned a punt 99 yards for a TD in OT. They will look for the season sweep in St. Louis where they have won the last 7 meetings. Make that 8.

Prediction - Arizona 23 St. Louis 17

Tampa Bay (+3.5) at Tennessee
This is a game that Tennessee has to win. Due to Matt Schaub's injury in Houston, this is the Titans chance to make a move in the AFC South. Tampa Bay on the other hand, is one loss away from being completely out of the NFC playoff race. Matt Hasselbeck was banged up this week but is expected to play. He has played in plenty of big games in his lengthy NFL career. I expect him to get the job done at home.

Prediction - Tennessee 23 Tampa Bay 21

Chicago (+4.5) at Oakland
Outside of Green Bay, there is no team playing better football than the Chicago Bears. Unfortunately for them, they will now have to do it without Jay Cutler under center. Cutler had to undergo surgery on his thumb and will likely be out the reminder of the regular season. That means Caleb Hanie will be at the helm for Chicago. His 1st start will come at the "Black Hole". The Raiders are looking to get some separation in the AFC West and could use a win. They get it against Hanie and the Bears.

Prediction - Oakland 21 Chicago 16

Washington (+4.5) at Seattle
The Redskins have been awful over the last 2 months. After beginning the year 3-1. they have now lost 6 in a row. Now they head cross country to face an improving Seattle team. The Seahawks have won consecutive games for the 1st time this season and are looking to continue their winning streak. Neither of these teams are capable of making big plays in the passing game, so it will come down to who can run the ball more effectively. Marshawn Lynch should aid in sending Washington to their 7th loss in a row.

Prediction - Seattle 24 Washington 14

Denver (+6.5) at San Diego
When John Fox decided to let Tim Tebow guide his team, Denver was 1-4 and San Diego was 4-1. Fast forward to today and Denver is 5-5 and San Diego is 4-6. Tebow certainly has not been magnificent but he is finding a way to get the job done. Phillip Rivers on the other hand, is adding to the legacy he has built of not living up to expectations. Rivers and the Chargers are too talented to lose a 6th game in a row. I'm not sure why I'm going against Tebow, but I'll take San Diego.

Prediction - San Diego 24 Denver 17

New England (-3.5) at Philadelphia
At the beginning of the season, this was thought to be a potential "Game of the Year". That doesn't seem to be the case now as Philly is just 4-6. The Eagles could be lead by Vince Young for the 2nd straight week. Young lead Philly to victory over the Giants last week, which they hope will revive their playoff hopes. The Patriots go on the road during a short week, which is never any easy task. This game should be competitive. I see Tom Brady making the Eagles blow yet another 4th quarter lead.

Prediction - New England 28 Philadelphia 27

Pittsburgh (-10.5) at Kansas City
The Chiefs are looking to make a move in the AFC West. They are hoping that the move they made to acquire Kyle Orton will aid in that. After Tyler Palko was abysmal on Monday night, Kansas City didn't feel comfortable sending him out on the field against his hometown team. Orton will have little time to prepare for one of the NFL's best defenses. The Steelers defenders will probably be smelling blood in the water. Look for a dominating defensive performance from Pittsburgh.

Prediction - Pittsburgh 31 Kansas City 13

NY Giants (+7.5) at New Orleans
Some things never change. The Giants are preparing for the annual 2nd half of the season meltdown. After going 6-2 in the 1st half of the season, they have dropped their 1st 2 games of the 2nd half. It won;t get any easier on Monday night when they head to the Superdome to face New Orleans. The Saints are one of the league's top Super Bowl contenders again and will look to make a statement against the slumping Giants. Drew Brees should have a big game and hand the Giants another loss.

Prediction - New Orleans 31 NY Giants 23

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