NFL WEEK 12 PREDICTIONS

Total Record: 104-58 (.642)
Byes: Bills, Bengals, Eagles, Seahawks

Note: This is the last week for byes in the NFL. Starting next week and continuing until the 17th and final week, everybody plays.

1. New York Jets at Baltimore Ravens

Thoughts: The Jets have won every other game they've played this season and are coming off of a loss. Unfortunately for them, only one of those victories happened on the road (taking the Falcons game out of the equation, they are 0-4 on the road and have lost by double digits all but once). The Ravens might be improving at the right time. Don't be surprised if they challenge for a wild card spot in the coming weeks.

Pick: Ravens

2. Pittsburgh Steelers at Cleveland Browns

Thoughts: The Browns are at home, so if Jason Campbell plays well, they should win. Either way, this is a pick 'em situation. I don't know why I keep going with Cleveland in these predictions, but I do (I don't think the Steelers' offensive line will have a lot of success against the Browns' under the radar defense).

Pick: Browns

3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Detroit Lions

Thoughts: The Bucs are hot, the Lions are not, but the Lions are at home which I think will tilt the game in Detroit's favor.

Pick: Lions

4. Minnesota Vikings at Green Bay Packers

Thoughts: I think after ten games it's been well established that the Vikings are terrible, but the Packers without Aaron Rodgers are honestly not much better (how sad is it that Detroit has the best defense in that division?). This is so tough because the Packers are at home and their running game has been great. But I think Scott Tolzien will make the difference (in a bad way).

Pick: Vikings

5. Jacksonville Jaguars at Houston Texans

Thoughts: A less than compelling match-up of teams that have won a combined 15% of their games. Houston is the comparatively less pathetic team at this point so I'll give them the nod.

Pick: Texans

6. San Diego Chargers at Kansas City Chiefs

Thoughts: The Chiefs are coming off of a loss but the Chargers haven't won a game since they came off of their bye week. The Bolts also have only beaten one team this year that currently has a winning record. A road game in Arrowhead probably won't cure their ills.

Pick: Chiefs

7. Carolina Panthers at Miami Dolphins

Thoughts: The Dolphins' offensive line against the Panthers' front seven? I wouldn't want to be Ryan Tannehill this week.

Pick: Panthers

8. Chicago Bears at St. Louis Rams

Thoughts: The Rams are coming off of a bye and a drubbing of the Colts. Plus they're at home and have played well the last few weeks. As much as it pains me, I'm going with the Rams this week.

Pick: Rams

9. Indianapolis Colts at Arizona Cardinals

Thoughts: Andrew Luck and Bruce Arians get reacquainted with each other this week. I think Arians' knowledge of Luck and what he does well/not so well will give the Cardinals a tremendous advantage. Plus, that Cardinals defense is pretty damn good.

Pick: Cardinals

10. Dallas Cowboys at New York Giants

Thoughts: The Giants are red hot. I don't think they'll get swept by the Cowboys this year.

Pick: Giants

11. Tennessee Titans at Oakland Raiders

Thoughts: This is a pick 'em if ever there was one, so I'm going with the home team.

Pick: Raiders

12. Denver Broncos at New England Patriots

Thoughts: The Patriots' defense won't have Brandon Spikes, so Denver's run game will likely have a strong outing. Even though Peyton Manning usually struggles in cold weather games, I think the running game and defense can take care of things this week.

Pick: Broncos

13. San Francisco 49ers at Washington Redskins

Thoughts: Say what you will about the 49ers' offensive struggles, but their defense is still playing well. Washington's locker room might be coming apart at the seams and I don't think they have the leadership to overcome that kind of adversity (they certainly don't have the leadership to avoid crap like that in the first place).

Pick: 49ers