Pete's Picks: NFL Week 12

Packers-Giants is becoming one of the best rivalries in the league.

I was a half-point away from being perfect on Thanksgiving. The half point always gets ya. 

Last week: 7-6-1
Regular season: 81-75-4

Minnesota Vikings at Chicago Bears

In the last three years, the Bears are 24-12 when Jay Cutler starts and 2-5 when he doesn't.

The Pick: Bears (N/A)

Tennessee Titans at Jacksonville Jaguars

I'll gladly take a 4-point home underdog with a QB who threw for 354 yards and 4 touchdowns last week.

The Pick: Jaguars (+4) 


Oakland Raiders at Cincinnati Bengals

I always thought that Carson Palmer didn't receive enough criticism for quitting on the Bengals. Today, he will.

The Pick: Bengals (-7.5)

Pittsburgh Steelers at Cleveland Browns 

Charlie Batch is capable of steering the Steeler ship against a bad team. In his only start last season, he had a +2.1 PFF grade in a 27-0 romp over the Rams. 


The Pick: Steelers (-2.5) 

Buffalo Bills at Indianapolis Colts 

A Bills win here and the AFC wild card race becomes wide open, with Buffalo somehow only one game behind the Colts. I like how the Bills defense has been playing lately. 

The Pick: Bills (+3)

Denver Broncos at Kansas City Chiefs

The last time these two teams played, the Broncos suffered a 7-3 loss at home and nearly lost the AFC West crown. I'm guessing that's the game John Elway remembered when he decided to pursue Peyton Manning.

The Pick: Broncos (-10)

Seattle Seahawks at Miami Dolphins

Seattle's remaining opponents: at the Bears and Bills, home against the Cardinals, 49ers, and Rams. I'd be surprised if the Seahawks finish any worse than 9-7.

The Pick: Seahawks (-3)

Atlanta Falcons at Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The Buccaneers lead the NFL with 205 points in the last six weeks. No offense is hotter than theirs right now.

The Pick: Bucs (+1.5)

Baltimore Ravens at San Diego Chargers

In the last two months, the Chargers have one win. Against the Chiefs.

The Pick: Ravens (PK)

St. Louis Rams at Arizona Cardinals

The last time these two teams played, on Thursday Night in Week 5, the Cardinals entered 4-0 and the Rams left with a winning record. Unfortunately, now both of them, as a former Arizona coach would say, "are who we thought they were."

The Pick: Rams (+2)

San Francisco 49ers at New Orleans Saints

Last year, these two teams battled in one of the best playoff games I've ever seen. While I don't agree with the decision to start Colin Kaepernick, I think it's certainly a justifiable one, and I've learned not to bet against Jim Harbaugh.

The Pick: 49ers (-2)

Green Bay Packers at New York Giants

I previewed this game for Pro Football Focus here. The Packers have won in their last four visits to the Meadowlands, and there's a chance that the Giants lose some sense of urgency after watching the Cowboys lose on Thanksgiving.

The Pick: Packers (+3)

Carolina Panthers at Philadelphia Eagles

At what point do we start flexing Monday Night Football games? Nick Foles was the worst sub in the league last week.

The Pick: Panthers (-3) 

Follow me at @PFF_Pete.

Odds found here.

Image found here.