Site Editor Matt Loede’s NFL Picks for Week 12

Posted by Matt Loede under Picks

Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback David Garrard, right, slides after a fourth-quarter run as San Diego Chargers defender Shaun Phillips, left, gives chase during a National Football League game, Sunday, Nov. 18, 2007, in Jacksonville, Fla. Jacksonville won 24-17.

A decent 2-1 start to my picks this past Turkey day, winning with the Packers and Cowboys, and losing the spread to the Colts. Now at 78-77-2, here are the rest of my picks for Sunday and Monday.

Houston at Cleveland (-3)

Last week the Browns pulled off a memorable 33-30 OT win over the Ravens, while the Texans stopped Reggie Bush and the Saints at home. There are some concerns for the Browns, as their offense has at points in games recently fallen asleep. The Texans have gotten healthy in a hurry with Andre Johnson and Matt Schaub back in the lineup. Houston’s defense has also been playing well the past few weeks. Browns are 4-1 at home, but a sneaking suspicion tells me that Sunday will belong to the Texans. Houston 24 Cleveland 20

Denver at Chicago (-2)

The Broncos have won two in a row to get back in the AFC playoff race, but something tells me here that this game could be a letdown. Jay Cutler has played solid the last two weeks, but on the road in Chicago this could be an ugly game with lots of mistakes on both sides. The Bears had their chances in Seattle last week, but mistakes cost them in yet another loss. I think they find a way to step up here and grind out a win at home. Chicago 13 Denver 10

Tennessee (-2) at Cincinnati

Monday night in Denver the Titans gave up some big plays and missed lots of tackles in a loss to the Broncos. They have dropped two in a row and need this game in the worst of ways. There is some good news, as Vince Young actually played better in the loss Monday. For the Bengals, the season has totally fallen apart, and Sunday vs the Cards at home they fell yet again to fall to 3-7. Their defense is going to need a major overhaul this offseason. The Titans D should be able to do enough and their losing streak should be broken. Tennessee 26 Cincinnati 17

Buffalo at Jacksonville (-7.5)

Right now the Jags are playing very good football, running the ball well, and stopping teams on defense. This is an interesting spot, and I think the Jags are in a zone right now to where they are playing well enough to keep this going. The Bills are no slouch, and last week they just got caught up with a team that is playing out of its mind in the Pats. Nevertheless, the Jags are the better team. Jacksonville 20 Buffalo 10

Oakland at Kansas City (-5.5)

How bad are the Raiders? Very. The Chiefs have fallen on hard times at 4-6, and this past week lost back Priest Holmes as he walked away from the game. At home they should be able to beat a Raiders team that is in a total slump. They can’t seem to stop anyone on defense, and they are still full of mistakes on offense. Let’s give this one to the Chiefs that they will be able to take advantage of the Raiders mistakes. Kansas City 24 Oakland 13

Seattle (-3) at St.Louis

The Rams are playing better, but the Hawks have gotten on track the last few weeks with their new pass happy offense. The Seattle defense has stepped up the last couple of weeks, pitching a shutout vs the 49′ers and beating the Bears at home last week. The Rams have won two in a row, but struggled against a bad 49′ers team last Sunday. They will not have enough here to top the Hawks, who may make some noise in the NFC come playoff time. Seattle 28 St.Louis 17

Minnesota at New York Giants (-7)

New York played well enough last week in a 16-10 win in a Detroit, and it looks as if they have a shot here to move to 8-3. I can’t see a home letdown, despite the fact they have had some issues with the Vikings in the past. Two years ago the Vikings topped the Giants in a shocker at the Meadowlands. I can’t see it here, as the Giants defense will not allow them to lose this game, and the offense will play well enough to put up some points. New York Giants 17 Minnesota 7

New Orleans (-3) at Carolina

Both these teams are 4-6, and I can’t for some reason believe that the Saints are favored here. My only thinking is that the Panthers are a stunning 0-4 at home, and while the Saints lost last week, they have the edge here in Vegas’ eyes. Vinny Testaverde will start for the Panthers, but the story here will be the defense and if it can hold down the Saints offenese. Can’t see that happening. New Orleans 30 Carolina 16

Washington at Tampa Bay (-3)

The Bucs at 6-4 have a great shot here to increase their lead in the NFC South. At home they have played well enough to be the play here. Jason Campbell played well in that loss last week to the Cowboys, but made a killer mistake in the end. I think the Bucs defense does the job here and makes enough plays to pull out a win. Tampa Bay 20 Washington 10

San Francisco at Arizona (-10.5)

In the desert the Cards are looking for a little revenge for an opening night loss to San Fran. They should get it as the 9′ers are awful, and changes have to be made after the season to get on track. Arizona is playing much better, and here at home, they are going to be able to do what they want to get a win and move to 6-5. Arizona 31 San Francisco 10

Baltimore at San Diego (-9.5)

The Ravens stink. They had a great shot last week at a home upset of the Browns, but their defense folded like a deck of cards late in regulation and allowed that wacky Phil Dawson field goal to tie the game. Then as you knew they would, they allowed plenty of yards to the Browns in OT to lose the game. The Chargers also are struggling, as they lost to the Jags last week. They simply are having a lackluster season, yet have a shot to win the division with the AFC West not being very good. San Diego 24 Baltimore 13

Philadelphia at New England (-23)

Can you believe this line?! Yes, it’s right, and yes, I’m taking the Pats to cover. New England is still not showing any signs of a letdown, and the Eagles have had issues on offense. Plus now it looks as if Donovan McNabb is going to be out, meaning that the Pats will be able to have A.J. Feeley for Thanksgiving. A blowout. New England 48 Philadelphia 14

Miami at Pittsburgh (-16)

The Steelers are itching to play after last week’s stunning loss to the Jets in OT. The Dolphins haven’t won a game, and won’t do it on a Monday night in Pittsburgh. Look for the Steelers offense to do what they want, and the defense to make life really tough for rookie QB John Beck and the Dolphins. Ted Ginn Jr. taking back a punt will be the only score for Miami. Pittsburgh 35 Miami 7

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Comments

One Response to “Site Editor Matt Loede’s NFL Picks for Week 12”

Steve Kisiel on November 25th, 2007 8:13 am

Geez, if Chicago was playing New England, a guarentee at least 65 percent of the people would go with Chicago…They absolutely suck. they are going to get killed by the Broncos (Champ Bailey gets 3, count them 3 picks) Rex Grossman has a 41.9 passer rating (gut feeling) and fumbles twice. Broncos win easily 30-7.

Idk how Cleveland can lose to Houston.

Minnesota should have a good game, idk, they could.

Patriots win 54-10

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