week 12 of the NFL Season

Week 12 NFL 2018 Season: The week already had 3 games played on Thanksgiving. Last week we saw Alex Smith suffer a gruesome injury and a few other players get dinged up. There are only two teams left to take a bye week this year and they do so this week and those are the Kansas City Chiefs and LA Rams.

1 PM/ET:
Browns (3-6-1) @ Bengals (5-5): The Browns are coming off a bye week which followed an impressive home win against the Falcons. The offense is succeeding some, and for the most part only functions when they get the ground game going. The defense is a solid unit that keeps them in games giving their offense a chance to win a lot of games. The Bengals are returning home from Baltimore where they faced a tough loss to the Lamar Jackson led Baltimore Ravens. The Bengals defense looked decent in the pass game, but they couldn’t stop the run game whatsoever which would be a huge problem this week if they didn’t address that hole in their team. This game I believe will be back and forth start to finish. Browns 31 - Bengals 20 – Matt
Browns 21 - Bengals 17 - Mike
Bengals 23 - Browns 17 - Tyler
Browns 28 - Bengals 21 - Jonathan
Bengals 24 - Browns 21 - Scott
Browns 27 - Bengals 24 - Brandon
Browns 28 - Bengals 24 - Blake
Bengals 24 - Browns 21 - Javier
Bengals 27 - Browns 21 - Josh
Bengals 30 - Browns 20 - Eric

49ers (2-8) @ Buccaneers (3-7): The 49ers are coming off a bye week and hopefully their weapons around Nick Mullens got healthy during it. I really do like Nick Mullens this week against the Buccaneers defense especially since it might be a shootout. The Buccaneers are coming off a tough loss in which FitzTragic failed his team and Winston brought them storming back and they fell just short at the end of the game. The Buccaneers might have turnovers with Winston, but he brings the spark to an offense that Fitz doesn’t bring. It is a smart move to ride Winston the rest of the way to see what they have moving forward and can address the QB position if they need it in the offseason. 49ers 31 – Buccaneers 28. – Matt
49ers 27 - Buccaneers 21 - Mike
Buccaneers 28 - 49ers 24 - Tyler
49ers 28 - Buccaneers 20 - Jonathan
Buccaneers 32 - 49ers 29 - Scott
49ers 28 - Buccaneers 24 - Brandon
Buccaneers 21 - 49ers 20 - Blake
Buccaneers 24 - 49ers 16 - Javier
Buccaneers 28 - 49ers 23 - Josh
Buccaneers 15 - 49ers 12 - Eric

Jaguars (3-7) @ Bills (3-7): The Jaguars are continuing to struggle as their offense is just flat out bad with Bortles running things. The Jaguars defense is just about average and not at all better than that. The Bills are a young team who is developing, they will get better over the next year or two. They need to get better WR’s and RB who can carry this team forward. Josh Allen is returning this weekend and I believe they are a better team, especially their defense. I have Allen winning this one for them. Bills 17 – Jaguars 14. – Matt
Jaguars 21 - Bills 20 - Mike
Jaguars 20 - Bills 10 - Tyler
Bills 21 - Jaguars 13 - Jonathan
Jaguars 20 - Bills 13 - Scott
Jaguars 24 - Bills 20 - Brandon
Jaguars 28 - Bills 21 - Blake
Jaguars 21 - Bills 10 - Javier
Jaguars 20 - Bills 10 - Josh
Jaguars 13 - Bills 12 - Eric

Raiders (2-8) @ Ravens (5-5): The Raiders finally won another game after a game winning field goal. Derek Carr and Gruden had some issues on the sideline which could be a long-term issue if they aren’t seeing eye to eye. The Raiders defense is horrible, and John Brown and company should have a great game this weekend. The Ravens are coming off a much-needed win after a few losses in a row. Lamar Jackson in his NFL debut had a good game, not so much with his arm but his legs definitely won the Ravens that game. He is a great player and brings the Ravens a spark and dynamic element that makes them hard to defend and predict. He will be starting again this week as Joe Flacco hasn’t practiced all week. Ravens 34 – Raiders 16. – Matt
Ravens 24 - Raiders 17 - Mike
Ravens 28 - Raiders 20 - Tyler
Ravens 24 - Raiders 10 - Jonathan
Ravens 27 - Raiders 13 - Scott
Ravens 35 - Raiders 17 - Brandon
Ravens 31 - Raiders 21 - Blake
Ravens 29 - Raiders 14 - Javier
Ravens 21 - Raiders 14 - Josh
Ravens 33 - Raiders 16 - Eric

Seahawks (5-5) @ Panthers (6-4): The Seahawks are coming off an impressive win over the Packers last week on TNF. The offense can run against anyone this year and Russell and Baldwin are catching fire together late this season. They will have a great opportunity to scorch the Panthers as their pass defense has been greatly exposed lately. The Panthers are struggling lately after getting beat up by the Steelers and then being upset by the Lions last weekend. They return home after their 2-game road trip. DJ Moore could really be a star for this team as he has big play ability and the capability of taking over a game which we saw last week in the best game of his young career. Cam might have to win this game in the clutch moments late which last week we saw him miss an open game winning 2-point conversion attempt. This game will be a good one for the fans. Seahawks 29 – Panthers 26. – Matt
Seahawks 24 - Panthers 21 - Mike
Panthers 27 - Seahawks 24 - Tyler
Seahawks 28 - Panthers 24 - Jonathan
Panthers 26 - Seahawks 20 - Scott
Panthers 30 - Seahawks 24 - Brandon
Panthers 24 - Seahawks 21 - Blake
Seahawks 24 - Panthers 19 - Javier
Panthers 17 - Seahawks 14 - Josh
​Panthers 26 - Seahawks 18 - Eric

Patriots (7-3) @ Jets (3-7): Both teams are coming off a much-needed bye week. The Patriots are getting Gronk back who has had a bad season so far this year. The Patriots before the bye were flat out embarrassed by the Titans as their offense couldn’t do absolutely anything. They better hope the week off and Gronk returning spark this offense. The Jets are still without Darnold due to injury and McCown has looked lethargic in his stead. The Jets will need a historic game from Elijah McGuire to have a shot at this one. Patriots 34 – Jets 13. – Matt
Patriots 28 - Jets 3 - Mike
Patriots 30 - Jets 20 - Tyler
Patriots 31 - Jets 17 - Jonathan
Patriots 30 - Jets 20 - Scott
Patriots 35 - Jets 14 - Brandon
Patriots 42 - Jets 20 - Blae
Patriots 26 - Jets 17 - Javier
Patriots 24 - Jets 14 - Josh
Patriots 38 - Jets 10 - Eric
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Giants (3-7) @ Eagles (4-6): The Giants are coming in this week on a 2-game win streak after beating the Buccaneers last week thanks to an incredible game from Saquon Barkley. They are coming to life as even Eli has looked better lately, and they aren’t a serious contender, but they surely are a better than they were the first 8 weeks of the season. The Eagles are coming into this game limping as their secondary is more beat up than any team I have ever seen before. They had WR’s practicing as corners this week due to injury. If Wentz can let it fly without underthrowing balls this week and lower his turnovers, they have a chance. This game should be a shootout though due to the secondary issues for both teams. I am going to take a gamble on the underdog in this one. Giants 32 – Eagles 30. – Matt
Eagles 27 - Giants 24 - Mike
Eagles 26 - Giants 21 - Tyler
Giants 34 - Eagles 30 - Jonathan
Eagles 27 - Giants 24 - Scott
Giants 28 - Eagles 21 - Brandon
Eagles 35 - Giants 34 - Blake
Eagles 21 - Giants 17 - Javier
Eagles 24 - Giants 20 - Josh
Eagles 19 - Giants 17 - Eric
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4 :05/:25 PM/ET:
Cardinals (2-8) @ Chargers (7-3): The Cardinals just can’t catch a break. So far this year I haven’t been impressed at all with Josh Rosen. David Johnson is just starting to come around with Byron Leftwich as their offensive coordinator it has done a lot for him. The Cardinals defense is getting beat which is something we are used to seeing be a solid unit. The Chargers disappointed us all last week, but all teams have those divisional games. The Chargers are still top of the pack in my eyes with Rivers playing at an MVP level. Melvin Gordon is playing banged up, so I assume we will see less of him this week, but Eckler will do a good job in his place. Chargers 34 – Cardinals 20. – Matt
Chargers 27 - Cardinals 17 - Mike
Chargers 28 - Cardinals 13 - Tyler
Chargers 28 - Cardinals 17 - Jonathan
Chargers 31 - Cardinals 22 - Scott
Chargers 31 - Cardinals 17 - Brandon
Chargers 42 - Cardinals 35 - Blake
Chargers 35 - Cardinals 17 - Javier
Chargers 30 - Cardinals 17 - Josh
Chargers 34 - Cardinals 10 - Eric

Dolphins (5-5) @ Colts (5-5): Ryan Tannehill is returning for the Dolphins this week. The Dolphins are coming off a bye week and hope they have found their early season form again because after week 4 they have been getting buried. A team we once considered a playoff contender is in trouble here as they have to treat this as a must win this week if they want to stay in the playoff race. Andrew Luck hasn’t really been in the MVP talks, but he should be as he is playing insanely well this year. I have openly not been a big fan of Luck, but he has won me over and convinced me. This kid is special, and he is proving it while returning from a bad shoulder injury. The Colts have a superstar on defense in rookie linebacker Darius Leonard. This team might sneak into the wildcard and if they do, they are a team to fear as they have found their stride. Colts 29 – Dolphins 23. – Matt
Colts 28 - Dolphins 14 - Mike
Colts 27 - Dolphins 17 - Tyler
Colts 38 - Dolphins 20 - Jonathan
Colts 33 - Dolphins 20 - Scott
Colts 28 - Dolphins 14 - Brandon
Colts 24 - Dolphins 14 - Blake
Colts 28 - Dolphins 17 - Javier
Colts 28 - Dolphins 24 - Josh
Colts 37 - Dolphins 27 - Eric

Steelers (7-2-1) @ Broncos (4-6): The Steelers were lucky to pull off a comeback last week in which we saw the first struggle of James Conner. Conner will bounce back strong and so will Ben from his 3 INT performance. I think the Steelers defense is led by the pass rush otherwise they can be exploited without it. I think last week was a bad week for the Steelers and they were lucky enough to win during a bad week. The Broncos are a mediocre team regardless of their major upset win last week. They won without any yardage thanks to their defense which is what they will have to continue to lean on. Keenum does one thing very well as a starting QB in the league. He doesn’t turn the ball over which gives them a chance to remain in games. I think this week will be a game where he will have to keep pace with Ben and won’t be able to do so. Steelers 31 – Broncos 20. – Matt
Steelers 28 - Broncos 20 - Mike
Steelers 24 - Broncos 21 - Tyler
Broncos 21 - Steelers 17 - Jonathan
Steelers 23 - Broncos 17 - Scott
Steelers 24 - Broncos 20 - Brandon
Steelers 35 - Broncos 31 - Blake
Steelers 24 - Broncos 21 - Javier
Steelers 28  - Broncos 17 - Josh
Broncos 26 - Steelers 24 - Eric

SNF @ 8:20 PM/ET on NBC:
Packers (4-5-1) @ Vikings (5-4-1): The Packers are a bad team. They aren’t built to win. This isn’t the NBA you can’t have one star and expect to go a long way anymore in this league. The Packers are built poorly, and they have done nothing but disappoint this season. They are 4-0-1 at home and 0-5 on the road this season. They are on the road in this one and they don’t preform on the road it’s just a flat-out fact. The Vikings disappointed me last week as I thought they were a better team than they really are this season. Their offense couldn’t find any rhythm or progress last week. The Packers defense is seen as a bad defense, but their passing defense is 5th in the NFL is 5th in the NFL. Dalvin Cook should be able to run all over the Packers and exploit their big weakness. This game in primetime should come down to the final play of the game as these two teams tied in their first meeting and we should see another close on this week. Vikings 26 – Packers 24. – Matt
Packers 24- Vikings 23 - Mike
Packers 23 - Vikings 20 - Tyler
Packers 31 - Vikings 24 - Jonathan
Vikings 25 - Packers 21 - Scott
Packers 30 - Vikings 27 - Brandon 
Vikings 35 - Packers 28 - Blake
Packers 27 - Vikings 23 - Javier
Vikings 24 - Packers 23 - Josh
Packers 31 - Vikings 30 - Eric

MNF on ESPN @ 8:15 PM/ET:
Titans (5-5) @ Texans (7-3): Two weeks ago, the Titans dominated the Patriots, then last week collapsed against the Colts and were just flat out embarrassed. They lost DC Dean Pees last week who was hospitalized in the 1st quarter due to a medical issue and then lost Mariota later in the game due to an injury. Both guys are back which should help the Titans some, but big plays exploit this defense which could be an issue against Keke Coutee and DeAndre Hopkins. The Titans will need their stellar defense to show back up and limit the Texans offense to remain in this game. If the Titans don’t play great defense they will get killed because their offense can’t keep pace with the Texans. The Texans are now on a 7-game winning streak. They are the best team in their division, their roster is dripping with talent. They are mourning the loss of founder, CEO, and owner Robert McNair who passed Friday and will be playing in memory of him. I believe the emotion and talent of the Texans is just going to be too much for the Titans in Houston. Texans 24 – Titans 18. - Matt
Texans 24 - Titans 14 - Mike
Texans 28 - Titans 17 - Tyler
Texans 28 - Titans 10 - Jonathan
Titans 27 - Texans 20 - Scott
Texans 35 - Titans 17 - Brandon 
Texans 28 - Titans 27 - Blake
Texans 21 - Titans 16 - Javier
Texans 27 - Titans 17 - Josh
​Texans 27 - Titans 20 - Eric