Week 12 NFL Game Predictions
Welcome to Week 12’s predictions for the 2012-2013 NFL Season!! Only a few changes in the divisional races this week, the biggest coming from the NFC North with Green Bay defeating Detroit last week to seize control of the division. Let’s hope they don’t get too comfortable.
Well, let’s dive into the action fans!
AFC EAST
New England Patriots – (9-1) [3-0]
Miami Dolphins – (5-5) [2-1]
Buffalo Bills – (5-5) [2-2]
New York Jets – (3-7) [0-4]
AFC WEST
San Diego Chargers – (7-3) [3-2]
Kansas City Chiefs – (6-4) [2-1]
Denver Broncos – (3-7)[1-2]
Oakland Raiders – (3-7) [1-2]
AFC NORTH
Baltimore Ravens – (7-3)[2-2]
Cincinnati Bengals – (6-4)[3-1]
Pittsburgh Steelers – (6-4)[2-0]
Cleveland Browns – (1-9) [0-4]
AFC SOUTH
Houston Texans – (9-1) [3-0]
Tennessee Titans – (4-6) [1-1]
Indianapolis Colts – (2-8) [1-2]
Jacksonville Jaguars – (1-9) [1-3]
AFC WILDCARD
Cincinnati Bengals – (6-4)[3-1]
Pittsburgh Steelers – (6-4)[2-0]
Kansas City Chiefs – (6-4) [2-1]
Miami Dolphins – (5-5) [2-1]
Buffalo Bills – (5-5) [2-2]
Tennessee Titans – (4-6) [1-1]
Denver Broncos – (3-7)[1-2]
Oakland Raiders – (3-7) [1-2]
NFC EAST
Philadelphia Eagles – (10-1) [3-0]
Dallas Cowboys – (6-4) [1-2]
New York Giants – (5-5) [2-2]
Washington Redskins – (2-8) [0-2]
NFC WEST
San Francisco 49er’s – (9-1)[3-0]
Seattle Seahawks – (4-6) [2-1]
St. Louis Rams – (2-8) [1-2]
Arizona Cardinals – (2-8) [0-3]
NFC NORTH
Green Bay Packers – (8-2)[2-0]
Detroit Lions – (7-3) [3-1]
Chicago Bears – (4-6) [0-2]
Minnesota Vikings – (1-9) [0-2]
NFC SOUTH
Atlanta Falcons – (8-2) [2-0]
Carolina Panthers – (7-3)[3-1]
Tampa Bay Buccaneers – (6-4) [1-2]
New Orleans Saints – (3-7) [0-3]
NFC WILDCARD
Detroit Lions – (7-3) [3-1]
Carolina Panthers – (7-3)[3-1]
Dallas Cowboys – (6-4) [1-2]
Tampa Bay Buccaneers – (6-4) [1-2]
New York Giants – (5-5) [2-2]
Seattle Seahawks – (4-6) [2-1]
Chicago Bears – (4-6) [0-2]
New Orleans Saints – (3-7) [0-3]
Houston (9-1) @ Detroit (7-3)
Match up to watch: Jonathan Joseph v.s. Calvin Johnson
Houston is possibly the best team in the entire NFL. The Texans have a stout defense and an overpowering offense, not to mention a solid special teams unit led by punter Donnie Jones. Detroit on the other hand is also a very talented team. The Lions have one of the youngest teams in the NFL and their inexperience shows in tight games. Their success for the next ten years relies on their Gunslinger’s shoulder. If Matthew Stafford can stay healthy, this team will surely see a super bowl in it’s future. But, Houston is on a mission after missing out on a super bowl birth last season due to injuries. The best team in Texas is a team to be reckoned with this season.
Houston – 29 Detroit – 24
Washington (2-8) @ Dallas (6-4)
Match up to watch: DeAngelo Hall v.s. Dez Bryant
Washington is stuck in a rut and it doesn’t look like the team will get out anytime soon. The ‘Skins need help at running back and on the offensive line to help their star quarterback out a bit. Not to mention the team needs a few new pieces in the defensive back field. Dallas has been on a roll here, and it will continue at home this week. The ‘Boys are right where they want to be for a wild card spot. If the team can continue winning with their favorable schedule they should be able to beat out Tampa for the final Wild Card spot – but don’t sleep on Carolina…
Washington – 16 Dallas – 27
New England (9-1) @ New York Jets (3-7)
Match up to watch: Brandon Lloyd v.s. Darrelle Revis
New England is challenging Houston for the title of best team in the AFC – possibly even NFL. Although the Patriots are a very talented squad let’s not look past their favorable schedule, it is one of the easiest in the NFL – if not the easiest. Bringing Brandon Lloyd into town has helped Tom Terrific open up the offense even more than in years past. New York, rather should I say New Jersey, has been sliding down the rankings and will probably look to secure a few more wins – just as long as everyone does not give up which seemed to be a problem last season according to Wide Receiver Santonio Holmes. The team will be licking their chops to get a new head coach – coaching staff – and a high draft choice.
New England – 38 New York Jets – 24
Minnesota (1-9) @ Chicago (4-6)
Match up to watch: Matt Kalil v.s. Julius Peppers
This could be the game that gets Chi-Town back on track competing for a wild card spot! Minnesota is struggling and it does not look good for the team for the remainder of the season. The Vikings still have three more tough divisional games left which should realistically all result in losses. But the team does still have some hope to pick up one or two more wins. Chicago has to get it going. The Bears have a boat load of talent on offense, but the team struggles on the offensive line. Matt Forte should help the team out a lot in the frigid weather during weeks 14-17. I expect the Bears to win here and get on a sort of hot streak coming up. Look out for the “monsters of the midway”!!!
Minnesota – 7 Chicago – 30
Oakland (3-7) @ Cincinnati (6-4)
Match up to watch: Carson Palmer v.s. Cincinnati
Palmer returns to Cincinnati after he voiced his displeasure to play for the team and was traded to Oakland. This could get interesting. Oakland has talent on offense, but the wide receivers struggle catching the football and the offensive line is the worst in the league. The Raiders also have a good defensive front 4 but the team has issues at linebacker and after losing Stanford Routt and Chris Johnson, who is going to step up at corner? Who knows. Cincinnati is a far superior team in this contest. Although Cincinnati could use help at wide receiver, running back and on the offensive line – what the Bengals have at those positions will do for now. Expect Cincy to win at home.
Oakland – 17 Cincinnati – 27
Pittsburgh (6-4) @ Cleveland (1-9)
Match up to watch: LaMarr Woodley v.s. Joe Thomas
Pittsburgh has been on a roll in the past few weeks after falling behind in the AFC North race. The Steelers showed signs of aging at the beginning of the season, but don’t look now – the team look rejuvenated and energetic. The team, hopefully, gets to add Mr. Mendenhall to their back field finally which has given the team a spark. Cleveland on the other team is a talented team stuck in a great division. The team has a hard schedule and their record shows it. The Browns still have hope to win a few before week 17, but don’t expect the team to even sniff 5-6 wins. No contest here.
Pittsburgh – 27 Cleveland – 17
Buffalo (5-5) @ Indianapolis (2-8)
Match up to watch: Mario Williams v.s. Andrew Luck
This actually has the potential to be a good game. Buffalo has added pieces for the future during the offseason, but do not expect them to compete this season. Indianapolis has a talented team, but has holes along the offensive line and on defense. Buffalo should be able to run all over Indy by using their two-headed monster in the back field, C.J. Spiller and Fred Jackson. But, don’t be surprised if Indy keeps it close with the savvy Andrew Luck at the helm.
Buffalo – 24 Indianapolis – 20
Denver (3-7) @ Kansas City (6-4)
Match up to watch: Willis McGahee v.s. Derrick Johnson
Denver has been a disappointment this season. Why? Everyone has put too much faith in Peyton Manning’s neck and one player does not make a team. Just because Denver signed Peyton does not make the team automatic super bowl contenders. The team has a moderate schedule, but the AFC West is always up in the air. Kansas City has been a pleasant surprise this season. With main players returning from injuries, the Chiefs are legitimate contenders this season and could leap frog the Chargers at any point this season. Do not sleep on the dark horse from Arrowhead.
Denver – 20 Kansas City – 30
Seattle (4-6) @ Miami (5-5)
Match up to watch: Chris Clemons v.s. Jake Long
Seattle is picking up steam after stumbling out of the gates to start the season. The Seahawks are a talented team on defense with one of the top defensive back fields in the entire NFL. The Hawks have a shaky situation at quarterback, but Pete Carroll is a smart guy who will figure it all out. Mark my words. Miami has been keeping up in the AFC East with Buffalo, but the lack of a true number one – possibly even number two target will begin to hurt the team. Opposing teams will know how to game plan against Miami’s offense and force the team to do things they simply do not want to. Seattle should win this one. The Hawks have a superior defense to force Miami’s offense to make mistakes.
Seattle – 21 Miami – 17
Atlanta (8-2) @ Tampa Bay (6-4)
Match up to watch: Asante Samuel v.s. Vincent Jackson
Atlanta is one of the hottest teams in the NFL right now, steam rolling opponents left and right. The Falcons boast one of the best offenses in the entire NFL, maybe the most electric offense in the league. Where the team struggles, and could eventually lead to their down fall, is on defense where the team is thin at linebacker and at defensive end. Tampa is cooling off after their hot start to begin the season. The Buccaneers have a very talented offense, but their lack of defensive back field help is beginning to hurt the team in tight games. Tampa may fall out of contention this season, but expect the team to stick around and be in the thick of things until the end.
Atlanta – 27 Tampa Bay – 24
Tennessee (4-6) @ Jacksonville (1-9)
Match up to watch: Kendall Wright v.s. Aaron Ross
Tennessee has been on a mission after starting the season quite sluggish. Chris Johnson is back to his old form after basically taking most of the season as a joke last year. Not to mention the team has been given a spark by their new gunslinger, Jake Locker. Jacksonville is the worst team in the NFL, bar none. The team needs help all across the board. The only spot where the team is realistically set is running back – maybe… Jacksonville could make this a bit of a game in the first half keeping it close at home, but expect Tennessee to pull away in the second half.
Tennessee – 26 Jacksonville – 7
Baltimore (7-3) @ San Diego (7-3)
Match up to watch: Jimmy Smith v.s. Robert Meachem
Baltimore has been HOT, winning the last 7 of 8 contests. Although Baltimore’s defense seems to be aging, they’re actually getting younger. The squad has the best defensive back field in the NFL and one of the best front sevens in the league. San Diego has also been very hot lately and is atop the AFC West right now. The team is being led by Philip Rivers, who is putting together the best season of his career. San Diego’s defense is also returning to form and should be among the league leaders at the end of the season. San Diego should pull it out at home in a close contest.
Baltimore – 24 San Diego – 27
St. Louis (2-8) @ Arizona (2-8)
Match up to watch: Janoris Jenkins v.s. Larry Fitzgerald
St. Louis is a talented team, they just struggle on the offensive line and on the defensive line – we could throw the safety position in there also I suppose. Sam Bradford is looking to come back after a nightmare sophomore slump, and he should be able to. Arizona on the other hand has one of the youngest offensive units in the league, they just have a horrible offensive line. But the teams defense is pretty darn good. Upgrades at defensive line and linebacker could be focal points this offseason. Look for Arizona to pull this out in a low scoring affair.
St. Louis – 10 Arizona – 14
San Francisco (9-1) @ New Orleans (3-7)
Match up to watch: Alex Smith v.s. Malcom Jenkins
UPSET ALERT. San Francisco is looking better than they were last season, but teams tend to over look struggling teams when they find success, don’t they? The Niners know how to win games the old fashioned way, which I love. BUT, the team does have a few holes on offense and a few question marks on special teams. New Orleans is like a dog backed into a corner, don’t get too confident because his bite will hurt. The Saints need to pick up a few more wins this season for their confidence and picking up a win against one of the best teams in the entire NFL will be huge. And, it will happen. Remember, any team can win on any given day.
San Francisco – 23 New Orleans – 30
Green Bay (8-2) @ New York Giants (5-5)
Match up to watch: Nick Perry v.s. Eli Manning
Green Bay reclaimed their lead over the NFC North division and it seems as though they will be fighting with the Detroit Lions for the remainder of the season. Green Bay is loaded all across the board and seems to have minimal holes on their depth chart. New York on the other hand has a questionable offensive line, questions at linebacker and concerns at tight end. But, the team is still in contention and has the ability to sneak up on anyone. BUT, they won’t walk away with a win here against a tough Green Bay team.
Green Bay – 37 New York Giants – 30
Carolina (7-3) @ Philadelphia (9-1)
Match up to watch: Cam Newton v.s. Michael Vick
Carolina has been the surprise team of the season so far. The Panthers have been able to over come questions about their wide receiver depth, offensive line woes and lack of depth at corner and safety. The team is led by Cam Newton who has revolutionized the term, running quarterback. He faces off against a team led by a man who also revolutionized the same term when he first came into the league. Michael Vick’s Eagles are as hot as you can be and are looking to seize control over the NFC with a win here. They get it thanks to a ferocious pass rush and a high octane offense. Look out.
Carolina – 17 Philadelphia – 37
What an interesting week, huh? San Francisco drops one on the road to the lowly Saints, as Philadelphia takes control of the NFC! Keep yourself tuned in as our action is beginning to pick up!!!
Keep your fins up fans!!!
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