Week 11 did little to decide those open playoff positions, with key losses outnumbering key victories. Teams such as Atlanta, Houston, and Denver, not to mention almost the entire AFC North (I'm pretty sure we can count Cleveland out), all had crucial losses that worked to lessen their chances at making the postseason. That being said, week 12 will once again keep us entertained, with so much still to be decided heading into the final month of the season. Not to mention there are still two undefeated teams facing tough opponents this Thanksgiving weekend. What a great time of year for you Americans to get some time off. Us Canadians will have to suffer the hangovers at work. Anyway, here goes:
Lions (+10.5) over Packers
This spread is still too big to give a Green Bay team that has yet to prove it can dominate an opponent. Sure they were able to crush the Dallas Cowboys, but they lost to Tampa Bay the week before and just barely beat the 49ers. They could pull it off, but I really need to see more from this team if I'm going to give them 10.5 points.
Raiders (+13.5) over Cowboys
What's up with giving a 13.5 point spread to a team that has failed to score more than a single touchdown it's past two games, against a team that managed to upset one of the strongest looking teams int he league last week. Russel is out and Gradkowski is in, a move that should have taken place a long time ago but was hindered by just plain stubbornness, and Oakland is suddenly a 3-7 team that doesn't look all that awful. The Cowboys need this, and they'll do it. But this spread seems a little high give the circumstances.
Giants (-6.5) over Broncos
The Giants came up big last week against the Falcons, who seem a tad overrated, but it was a moral victory more than anything else. The Broncos on the other hand seem to be falling apart and look to be switching places with the Titans, who couldn't buy a win at the beginning of the season. Eli's got a confidence boost and in a division where the teams ahead of him are looking weak, he's gonna go for the jugular. Look for the Broncos to continue their slide.
Falcons (-10.5) over Buccaneers
Like I said earlier, Atlanta seems to be getting a lot of respect they haven't been able to back up. They've yet to beat a playoff contender this season and have lost some close ones that could have proved their worth. That being said, The Bucs just suck right now. They only scored 7 points in two of their last four games and have only one lone win for the season. They could cover the spread, but the Falcons still have a shot at the playoffs and have a lot more at stake in this game than Tampa Bay.
Dolphins (-3.5) over Bills
I said it last week, the Fins are too good to have the record they have. The Bills' record on the other hand is exactly what it is. This is a matchup that has major playoff connotations, and if Miami wants any chance at a berth in the postseason, they'll fight to the death on this one. Let's just hope their defense has enough energy in the fourth quarter to keep Buffalo from making a charge, cause it seems to lose steam three quarters of the way through the game.
Bengals (-13.5) over Browns
Cincinnati can not afford to lose this. They got lucky last week with the rest of the division all losing their games, but they have a clear path to the playoffs and they need to capitalize against this horrible Browns team. Losing back-to-back games against the two worst offenses in the league would be devastating for moral and Mike Zimmer needs to drill that thought into his team.
Seahawks (-2.5) over Rams
Seattle has shown some bright spots this season, the Rams... well, let's just say they almost made a game of it in Arizona last week. Lat time these two teams met in the first game of the season, Seattle shutout St. Louis, 28-0. I think they might be able to win this one by at least three points.
Panthers (+3.5) over Jets
The Jets need to give Sanchez a little time on the sidelines to reflect on the second half of the season; or maybe they just need to get him some thermal underwear. The rookie has been unable to produce in cold weather after a spectacular start, throwing four picks last game against the Pats and eight in the last three games. Carolina hasn't been great either, but they've got a couple key wins over the Cardinals and the Falcons. The sad part is there final four games of the season are against the Patriots, Vikings, Giants, and Saints. Yikes!
Redskins (+9.5) over Eagles
It's hard to believe that an inconsistent Philadelphia team can muster up 9.5 points over a Washington defense that has allowed only 17.8 points per game. Anything can happen, but with Reid messing things up the way he has this season, look for Philly to either come out with a tight win or lose entirely.
Colts (-3.5) over Texans
Another low spread for a team that has yet to lose a game all season. The Colts are good and people really need to take notice. Houston is looking great too, but Peyton is the guy you want at the end of the game, and he'll be able to score that final touchdown that makes the Colts 11-0 heading into next week. Too bad for the Texans who are fighting with Jacksonville for second in their division and a shot at a wild card spot.
Chiefs (+13.5) over Chargers
I'm riding this one out. I called the Chiefs last week against Pittsburgh and although the Chargers are looking like a team ready to go deep into the playoffs with five straight wins, I'm not counting out KC or lumping them in with the bottom of the barrel. They've lost a few close ones this season and their record could be a lot better if things had gone their way. I still think San Diego will win this, and eventually take the AFC West, but this game is gonna be a lot closer than last time the two teams faced.
Jaguars (+3.5) over 49ers
How is Jacksonville the underdog here. They've got a good shot at the playoffs, with a better record than the Texans, and have been getting large performances from their star players in winning four of their last five. They have come as close to beating the Colts as anyone, losing by only two points, and have both Miami and the Browns left to play. If they win this one, making them 7-5, I think they might just sneak into a wild card spot.
Titans (-.5) over Cardinals
A lot depends here on the status of Kurt Warner, but Tennessee is looking like the team from last year, and under Vince Young. The win against the Texans was huge and they're riding a high right now headed back home. Tennessee fans are gonna be pumped and if Warner isn't one-hundred percent, the Cardinals could be in serious trouble.
Vikings (-10.5) over Bears
Another home game for Favre in the dome against one of the worst defenses in the league. He's playing like the MVP right now and I don't see Chicago mustering up anything to slow him down. As long as he stays healthy and has Peterson to do the grunt work, I'm gonna keep putting money on Minny.
Ravens (-2.5) over Steelers
It's shocking that as disappointing as Baltimore has been this season that they still have a shot at the playoffs. I'm sure Flacco spends every waking moment considering this and figuring out how he can turn this season around. This game looks a lot more appetizing for the Ravens now that Big Ben has taken a hit, but he may be back, and Baltimore really needs to give it all they've got this game if they want any chance at saving their season. With games coming up against the Lions, Bears, and Raiders, they need to win at least one of the two remaining games against Pittsburgh to secure themselves a spot. May as well take advantage of the situation now as opposed to later.
Patriots (+3.5) over Saints
Game of the week for sure. You think the Patriots, the only unbeaten team in NFL history, are gonna let two teams walk into the final weeks with a chance to match their record? They already blew it against the Colts, now is their redemption. I still believe this New England team is Super Bowl worthy and I would love to see them beat the team they might eventually face in the big game. In a matchup that will see the top two offensive teams in the league go head-to-head, no matter the outcome, this is gonna be a spectacular show of skill.
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