Gobble, gobble. Another year to give thanks for, well, for football…oh and family and stuff like that. But, really, Thanksgiving is a great signpost in the NFL season. And, we’ve made it.
Thanksgiving Day
Houston (7-3) at DETROIT (5-5) – Vegas: Lions -2.5
Remember when there was talk that the Lions should be taken off of Thanksgiving because they “weren’t good enough?” That was really dumb. First of all, tradition is a good thing, and, second of all, it’s the NFL – no one stays terrible forever. Now, the Lions are a big draw, and this should be a great before-dinner game. Short week – take the home team, right? Lions (close)
Washington (3-7) at DALLAS (5-5) – Vegas: Cowboys -6
The better team is at home here, so it’s not hard, though if RG3 develops the way he could by this point, it could be exciting. Cowboys (moderate)
New England (9-1) at N.Y. JETS (4-6) – Vegas: Patriots -5
Call me crazy, but can’t you see Rex getting his boys fired up for this one and stealing it? Jets (close)
Sunday, Early Afternoon
Minnesota (4-6) at CHICAGO (6-4) -Vegas: Bears -7.5
First of all, if you really look at the schedule, you will definitely take the Vikes and the points in this one. Minnesota is coming off of a bye, while the Bears played on Monday Night in San Francisco. This game is essentially a toss-up, but I just think the Bears are a good bit more talented, so should hold on. But, honestly, this is a dream time for the Vikes to hit Soldier Field. Bears (close)
Oakland (1-9) at CINCINNATI (7-3) – Vegas: Bengals -4.5
Cincinnati’s the better team at home at 1:00. I’ll lay the points with no hesitation here. Bengals (easy)
Pittsburgh (7-3) at CLEVELAND (1-9) – Vegas: Steelers -5
The Steelers are coming off of a tough, physical game with the Ravens on Sunday Night. This isn’t a great spot, but I don’t see the Browns doing anything on offense here. Expect 13-3 or something like that. Steelers (moderate)
Buffalo (5-5) at INDIANAPOLIS (2-8) – Vegas: Bills -1
This might be a tougher spot for the Bills if they didn’t have the 3 extra days to rest and prepare for this one – coming off the Thursday Night game against Miami. Bills (moderate)
Denver (5-5) at KANSAS CITY (4-6) -Vegas: Chiefs -1
Right after a huge game with the Chargers, Peyton and the Broncs have to travel to KC. A real tough place to play, and they will probably give one right back here to a Chiefs team with their second straight home game. Chiefs (moderate)
Seattle (3-7) at MIAMI (5-5) – Vegas: Dolphins -3
The Seahawks are coming off of the bye, but the Dolphins have 10 days of their own to get ready. At 1:00 in Miami, this one is basically a toss-up, but I’ll favor the Dolphins, as this Seattle schedule is just really tough. Dolphins (close)
Atlanta (6-4) at TAMPA BAY (4-6) -Vegas: Falcons -3
The Bucs are tough and could really cause some problems here, but I am a tepid believer in this Falcons team this year. Falcons (close)
Tennessee (4-6) at JACKSONVILLE (4-6) -Vegas: Titans -1
The Titans are the better team and are coming off of the bye. Though the Jags could be better than people think, they probably won’t get this one. Titans (close)
Sunday, Late Afternoon
Baltimore (6-4) at SAN DIEGO (5-5) -Vegas: Chargers -1.5
Both teams are coming off really tough games – the Ravens in Pittsburgh and the Chargers in Denver. I have gone back and forth several times on this one, but with the teams 3,000 miles apart, the home team is probably the better pick. Add to the equation that the Ravens have a huge game with the Steelers coming up, and it’s a little clearer. Chargers (close)
St. Louis (3-7) at ARIZONA (3-7) -Vegas: Cardinals -3.5
Two teams that will probably be fading by this point. I’ll take the better defense at home. Cardinals (close)
San Francisco (8-2) at NEW ORLEANS (7-3) – Vegas: Saints -3
Tough spot for the Niners, having to go on the road to New Orleans just 6 days after a Monday Nighter against a physical Bears team. This should be a fascinatingly interesting rematch of the playoff game last year, but I’ll take the home team here. Saints (close)
Sunday Night
Green Bay (10-0) at N.Y. GIANTS (6-4) -Vegas: Packers -3
If the Packers do get here at 10-0, who better to knock them off than the Giants, fired up at home, with 2 weeks to prepare? Giants (close)
Monday Night
Carolina (4-6) at PHILADELPHIA (7-3) -Vegas: Eagles -7
Coming off a brutal stretch of Atlanta, New Orleans, Dallas, and Washington, the Eagles, in prime time, should be out for blood at home against the Panthers. Eagles (easy)
Standings After Week Twelve
NFC EAST:
The top three all win here, showing that the NFC East may not be as “down” as people think
8-3 Eagles
7-4 Giants
6-5 Cowboys
3-8 Redskins
NFC NORTH:
With the Pack losing, the undefeated talk can stop, but this division is strong at the top once again
10-1 Packers
7-4 Bears
6-5 Lions
4-7 Vikings
NFC SOUTH:
The cream continues to rise to the top all around the league, as NO and ATL separate themselves
8-3 Saints
7-4 Falcons
4-7 Panthers
4-7 Bucs
NFC WEST:
A loss for the Niners hurts their chances at a bye, but they are still pretty solid to win this division
8-3 49ers
4-7 Cardinals
3-8 Rams
3-8 Seahawks
AFC EAST:
The Pats lose a game on the entire rest of the division thanks to their loss in the Meadowlands; the Jets stay in the mix with the W
9-2 Patriots
6-5 Bills
6-5 Dolphins
5-6 Jets
AFC NORTH:
A week after gaining ground on both leaders, the Ravens give the game right back with a loss in SD; the Browns are one of the first two teams to reach double-digits Ls
8-3 Steelers
8-3 Bengals
6-5 Ravens
1-10 Browns
AFC SOUTH:
A tough loss for Houston in trying to secure a bye; the Titans beat the Jags in, essentially, an elimination game
7-4 Texans
5-6 Titans
4-7 Jaguars
2-9 Colts
AFC WEST:
The Chargers go back up a game, but this is still anyone’s division…except for the 10-loss Raiders
6-5 Chargers
5-6 Broncos
5-6 Chiefs
1-10 Raiders
NFC Playoff Picture
1 – Packers (10-1)
2/3 – Eagles/49ers (8-3)
4 – Saints (8-3)
5/6/OUT – Giants/Bears/Falcons (7-4)
IN THE MIX – Cowboys/Lions (6-5)
AFC Playoff Picture
1 -Patriots (9-2)
2 – Steelers (8-3)
3 – Texans (7-4)
4 – Chargers (6-5)
5 – Bengals (8-3)
6/OUT – Bills/Dolphins/Ravens (6-5)
IN THE MIX – Jets/Titans/Broncos/Chiefs (5-6)
