Week 12 NFL Predix

 By Jacob Sanders

Thanksgiving has come and gone but there is still much more action left on NFL’s Week 12 slate. But before I get there, I would like to take the time to say I am thankful to anyone who reads this. I am thankful for my family, friends, and my job that I get to work at everyday. I love being a teacher and I love doing these picks as a side-hobby. Thank y’all for reading. On to the picks!

Sanders went 7-7 last week (boooooo) putting him to 105-55-1 on the season. He also went 1-1 on Thanksgiving picking the Lions to win and the Washington team to win.

MIA Dolphins vs NY Jets

Same old Jets, same old pick from me. The Jets are coached by Adam Gase still. Enough said. They’ll keep losing until the HC position changes.

Dolphins 24 Jets 17

AZ Cardinals vs NE Patriots

Certainly a matchup that I think favors the Cardinals but is in no way a guaranteed win either. The Cardinals defense is in the bottom-10 when it comes to allowing rushing yards per game to opposing teams. This presents a favorable matchups for the Patriots as they own a top rushing offense in the league this year. However, all that considered, I still think the Cardinals are favored. Better roster and better QB.

Cardinals 23 Patriots 20

CAR Panthers vs MIN Vikings

Tough one to pick here as the Vikings were presumably on the move up but then fell to the Dallas Cowboys. I take it this game swings either way, but considering the very nature of the types of teams that both have been this year, I feel this one is a coin flip. For what it’s worth, Run CMC is out again and the Vikings defense matches up well against the Panthers offense. But the Vikings offense isn’t necessarily a fantastic matchup either against Carolina. Like I said, flip a coin.

Panthers 17 Vikings 26

CLE Browns vs JAX Jaguars

Not sure I’ve mentioned this before. But outside of the Jets, the Jaguars are arguably the worst team in the NFL. With no real threat at QB and a lack of playmakers across the board, it’s tough to imagine the Browns losing this one here. Not to mention, this Jaguars defense probably won’t be able to handle everything Cleveland will throw at them on Sunday.

Browns 28 Jaguars 10

TEN Titans vs IND Colts

I originally was going to be picking the Colts in this matchup but with DeForest Buckner reportedly out for this game, I have since changed my mind. This Colts defense has certainly been carrying this team to some nice W’s while the offense has been playing complimentary football. However, with Buckner out, I find that the Colts defense may not perform as well as they normally do. Not only that, but the Titans seems to have found their groove back after a clutch come from behind win against Baltimore.

Titans 31 Colts 27

NY Giants vs CIN Bengals

One of the reasons the Bengals were even remotely competitive was because Joe Burrow was the quarterback. Now that Burrow is out of the season, the Bengals will go back to being a non-competitive punching bag. The Giants, on the other hand, are also a losing team but have remained somewhat competitive throughout the season. Giants, easily.

Giants 20 Bengals 13

LA Chargers vs BUF Bills

I’m quite sure many expect this game to be close and have fire works. I, for one hand, have the minority opinion. I believe McDermott is going to create a gameplan that fools Justin Herbert and the Bills offense just demos the Chargers defense. And that’s pretty much all I’ve got on this one. Not much more thought went into this matchup after I examined the key matchups on the rosters.

Chargers 17 Bills 35

SF 49ers vs LA Rams

There’s no doubt in my mind that this game has the potential to come down to the wire. Last time these teams faced, the 49ers beat the Rams without their starting QB and starting TE. Now the 49ers are in the same situation again facing the Rams. This time around though, I’ll say that the Rams have become a better team since, and the 49ers haven’t improved much due to both injuries and COVID wrecking the team. It’s been an unfortunate season for the defending NFC champions, and it doesn’t get much better.

49ers 17 Rams 26

NO Saints vs DEN Broncos

The Broncos are playing without a QB this week. The Saints are the best team in the NFC. I think that’s enough said on this matchup right? Quite an unfair predicament, but they, that’s 2020 for you.

Saints 31 Broncos 10

KC Chiefs vs TB Buccaneers

On paper, this matchup looks pretty good. However, the Chiefs are a team that play football for a full 60 minutes and the Bucs seem to disappear sometimes in the middle of their games. With them being so hot and cold, and the Chiefs staying red hot, it’s hard to imagine the Bucs winning this game, despite how great of a matchup this looks on paper. Bucs gotta show me something for me to believe.

Chiefs 33 Bucs 24

CHI Bears vs GB Packers

Regardless of whether Trubisky is starting or not, it’s hard to imagine a scenario where the Bears offense suddenly becomes competent again. Maybe Trubisky shows us he has grown in practice while being on the bench. However, I have doubts in my mind. There is certainly a timeline where the Bears win this game and get right back into the thick of the playoff hunt. I carry my doubts though. Rodgers and Co. on Sunday Night Football typically fare pretty well against the Bears.

Bears 20 Packers 24

SEA Seahawks vs PHE Eagles

Reports are coming out that Jaylen Hurts are getting QB1 reps in practice. That don’t matter. This Eagles team is bad. It’s not just Carson Wentz. The team, as a whole, is bad. And this Seattle team is (not elite but) very good. They’ll maul whoever is at QB because the Eagles offensive line can’t play well enough to save their own lives let alone the quarterback’s.

Seahawks 31 Eagles 19

BAL Ravens vs PIT Steelers

COVID or no COVID, I had the Steelers winning this game anyway. The Steelers are just a good matchup against the Ravens and are currently the best team in football. Sure, it will be exciting to see RG3 get some starting time in a game that matters, but it’s unfortunate he is tasked with playing against one of the more fearsome defenses in the League. It’s just an overall nightmare for Baltimore, and a field dream for the Steelers.

Ravens 16 Steelers 28