WEEK 12 STRAIGHT PICK-EM

LAST WEEK RECORD: (10-4)

SEASON RECORD: (93-71)

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

We are bombing week twelve with live turkeys.

THE THANKSGIVING DAY GAMES (THURSDAY)

BUFFALO BILLS AT DETROIT LIONS

Lions have lost 5 Thanksgiving Day games in a row. Bills finally snapped their two-game losing streak last week at the same bat place, same bat time in Motown. Lions have won three straight and two road games. Bills offense is one of the top in the league as Lions defense is at the bottom of the league. Jared Goff has played error-free football while Josh Allen has constantly made mistakes in the red-zone. Bills defense comes in banged up. I see this game coming down to final ticks. In the end, Bills pulls one out.

OUR PICK: BILLS

NEW YORK GIANTS AT DALLAS COWBOYS

It was just a matter of time when we see this Giants team struggle as the Lions throttled the G-Men last Sunday. Cowboys quickly rebounded and played kick the can all over the yard versus the Vikings. Cowboys have lost three in row on Turkey Day. Cowboys have world domination over the Giants in their last 11 games with a 10-1 record against big blue. Dak Prescott is 9-0 versus the Giants in those 11 contests. Giants like 4 quarters controlling the clock in low scoring affairs while the Cowboys like to start fast & end fast. My gut tells me the Giants’ great start will not last. I expect the tales of two halves as this team is heading for a slippery slope. Cowboys defense will give Daniel Jones a tough day behind center and be able to slow down Saquan Barkley just enough to make them one-dimensional on offense. Cowboys then pull ahead.

OUR PICK: COWBOYS

NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS AT MINNESOTA VIKINGS

Patriots’ Bill Belichick’s defense which is no shock, has been putting the kibosh on their opponent’s game plans. Can the Vikings rebound from the beat down by the Cowboys? Can the Patriots’ offense match scores with the Vikings’ high-powered offense? Can Belichick’s defense take out the Vikings’ best offensive player, Justin Jefferson? Viking teams in the past remind me of that Russian fighter in Rocky 4 who looks so dominating. The team looks invincible, but then one punch, the sign of blood, and the entire operation crumbles. Patriots have won 5 straight match-ups versus the Vikings where most of that was from the Tom Brady days. Matthew Judon leads the league in sacks and he make the hit on Kirk Cousins to crumble the feet of the Viking on their own turf.

Patriots continue to keep up with the stacked AFC East.

OUR PICK: PATRIOTS

THE SUNDAY SLATE

TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS AT CLEVELAND BROWNS

What would make this game even filthier is if Deshaun Watson was getting a rub down by Tom Brady’s X Gisele Bundchen.

Watson has to wait another week to get on the field. Last time we saw the Buccaneers, they beat a very good Seattle team in Germany. This will be Jacoby Brissett’s last start most likely for the season with Watson coming out of the doghouse. Does Brissett, former back up for Brady, save his best for last? Browns have only running back Nick Chubb working well for this team. Buccaneers can counter with a healthy X-Bear, Aikiem Hicks. The Browns defense has checked out several weeks ago. Brissett is unable to sling the football all over the field without costing his team with a turnover. Buccaneers have slowly turned things around and are rested.

OUR PICK: BUCCANEERS

CINCINNATI BENGALS AT TENNESSEE TITANS

This looks like the game of the week with two heavy weights squaring off in the AFC. The Bengals and Titans rematch of last season’s playoff game had Cincinnati beating Tennessee in the Divisional round in Nashville. Titans have won 7-8 of their last games. The Bengals have won 4-5 games. The Bengals are expecting their stud receiver J’aMarr Chase back. The Titans passing game has come alive with rookie wide receiver Treylon Burks getting his first 100 yard receiving game under his belt versus the Packers. Both teams feature the league’s best in running back Joe Mixon versus Derrick Henry. Titans defense is one of the top units versus the run. Bengals defense has the knack of getting to the quarterback. I think whether the Titans can get to Joe Burrow with that Bengal shaky offensive line is the key to this match up. Titans find a way to win a close one and continue to chase down the number one seed overall in the AFC.

OUR PICK: TITANS

HOUSTON TEXANS AT MIAMI DOLPHINS

This contest is not even fair. Dolphins are well rested from their bye week. The Texans benching their starting quarterback Davis Mills. How do the Texans slow down this Dolphins attack? Lovie Smith is in over his head taking on this job to be head coach of the Texans. Smith does not have the horses in his stable to run his style of defense. Dolphins will tee off on the Texans’ backup quarterback. What a shock over Lovie Smith’s career. He has no answer for his own starting quarterback. Dolphins manhandle this Texans team.

OUR PICK: DOLPHINS

CHICAGO BEARS AT NEW YORK JETS

This game has too many questions at the most important position on the field. For the Bears, is Justin Fields going to play as he suffered a shoulder injury late in the game versus the Falcons? If back up Trevor Siemian has to go for the Bears with that offensive line versus the Jets, top ten defense crime experts will be sorting out a homicide on the field. The Jets have benched their starting quarterback Zack Wilson for not being a man to take responsibility of his own bad play. Instead of the great Joe Flacco, the Jets are rolling out Mike White behind center. White has played well for these Jets in the past and should be able to generate offense against a bad Bears defense. If Justin Fields does play, he has not shown me he can step on the throat of the opposing team’s neck and FINISH THEM!!!

The Bears have had leads late against a few of these bad teams in the NFL, and Fields has not been clutch at the end.

OUR PICK: JETS

ATLANTA FALCONS AT WASHINGTON COMMANDERS

This should be a fun game to watch. Both the Commanders and the Falcons need this game to keep up in the NFC playoff chase. Taylor Heinicke is 4-1 behind center after taking over the job for the injured Carson Wentz. The Commanders even gave Heinicke the starting nod the rest of the way. The Falcons can run the ball with a three headed monster in the back field and the legs of their quarterback Marcus Mariota. The Commanders defense has done a respectable job versus the run holding opponents to 68.8 yards per game the last 5 games. I think Heinicke can operate some nice scoring drives versus a suspect Falcons defense who have hard time defending the pass. River Boat Ron Rivera looking for his 100th win as a head coach.

This game will be well fought all the way to the end. I like Washington winning it at the very end.

OUR PICK: COMMANDERS

DENVER BRONCOS AT CAROLINA PANTHERS

The summary of this matchup is the struggle of play behind center. Russell Wilson has not played like a Superstar, he once was in Seattle. John Elway moves at the quarterback position continuing to turn to stone. Then the Panthers are going to give the third stooge a shot behind center.

We’ve already seen Moe (Baker Mayfield), then Larry (P.J Walker), and now the Panthers are bringing in another Shemp in Sam Darnold who once again is healthy. Darnold had 9 touchdown passes in 11 starts last season. In Darnold’s absence, the team has generated 9 touchdown passes in 11 games. Broncos have had the same problems with running back as the cut Melvin Gordon while Chase Edmonds heads for IR. Broncos are now going with Latavious Murray X Saint & Raider to carry the full load. This game will be a defensive struggle. I give the Broncos defense the nod over the Panthers defense which will be the game decider.

OUR PICK: BRONCOS

BALTIMORE RAVENS AT JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS

Ravens offense struggled in a win over the Panthers last Sunday. The Jaguars are in their usual line for a top draft pick in 2023. The Ravens defense has been smothering out the opponent’s running game which will make Trevor Lawrence one dimensional. If Lawrence has to win this game only with his arm, it will favor the Ravens. Lamar Jackson gets his security blanket back at the tight end position, Mark Andrews, which will help get this offense some more juice.

OUR PICK: RAVENS

LA CHARGERS AT ARIZONA CARDINALS

Someone sound the air raid sirens because this game will have an aerial attack as bombs will be flying. What schedule makers thought this game may have been like this? Arizona’s Quarterback Kyler Murray has missed the last two games but may be slated to return versus this Chargers team. Meanwhile Justin Herbert has had six straight games without a 300-yard passing game. Herbert had all his weapons on hand last week. Mike Williams may be missing this game as his return did not last long. Both teams in ways have been disappointing. Chargers on paper had a great defense coming into the season, but an injury bug put the halt to that dream. Cardinals defense is MIA as well. James Connor last year was stud in the Cardinals back field as he’s taken a few steps backwards with his play. Chargers have more on the line, as they are still in the hunt for the playoffs. Cardinals may really need a new plan which may be moving on from Murray.

OUR PICK: CHARGERS

LAS VEGAS RAIDERS AT SEATTLE SEAHAWKS

Do you remember when the Seahawks were in the AFC West? Some memorable games between these two teams.

Raiders did sweep the Broncos last week but have been a general disappointment all season. Seattle fell off the rails in Germany as they were tossing their salad and scrambled eggs versus the Buccaneers in Germany. Raiders have committed the fewest turnovers but can’t force a turnover as they are lowest in that category. Seahawks are 3-1 at home. Look for Seahawks running back Ken Walker III, who leads all rookies with seven touchdowns. That is the most rushing touchdowns by a Seattle rookie running back since the other Curt Warner had 13 in his first season with the Seahawks.

I like Seattle rebounding at home versus a team that has played poorly on the road in the Raiders.

OUR PICK: SEAHAWKS

LA RAMS AT KANSAS CHIEFS

The Rams may be the worst team ever following a Superbowl victory. Chiefs are still playing like the cream of the crop of the AFC. Rams starting quarterback has had another setback with another concussion. Matthew Stafford just returned from a previous concussion last week. Stafford will lose his marbles by the end of the season. Rams cut ties with their starting running back. Patrick Mahomes is all warm, primed, and limber looking for another MVP season. I just can’t see the Rams stopping the Chiefs or even generating enough offense to keep up with Mahomes and company.

OUR PICK: CHIEFS

NEW ORLEANS SAINTS AT SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS

Every week my biggest question is what Saints team will you get? The 49ers are playing like they will be at some point the best team in the NFC. Andy Dalton has never played a game in San Francisco as he’s facing a defense that has not allowed any second half points in the last three games. Saints average 12.8 points in the second half which is one of the tops in the league as they scored 17 off the sorry arse Rams last week. Christian McCaffrey is no stranger to the Saints defense as he has had their number playing them twice a year in a Panther’s uniform as he ran for 100 in a game earlier this season. Jimmy Garoppolo has been playing like an all-star not turning over the ball, while Andy Dalton is always prone to make a mistake or two each game.

OUR PICK: 49ERS

THE SUNDAY NIGHT GAME

GREEN BAY PACKERS AT PHILADELPHIA EAGLES

Poor Aaron Rodgers is letting the world knows his struggles has come from a thumb injury he injured early in the season. The Eagles rebounded from the loss to the Commanders with an ugly win over the Colts. Packers have played better lately, but I just can’t see them going to Philadelphia like they did to Dallas and winning another tough road game. I think Philadelphia will play a clean crisp game on Sunday night. I still think the Packers are mostly going through the emotions. I think the Packers locker room is scarred and changes, big ones, are on the horizon next year. Eagles will put in one of the final nails in the Rodgers coffin.

OUR PICK: EAGLES

THE MONDAY NIGHT GAME

PITTSBURGH STEELERS AT INDIANAPOLIS COLTS

Colts versus Steelers is usually a big-time game; two talented teams squaring off in the AFC the last few decades. The script has changed as Steelers are developing a rookie quarterback and will miss the playoffs. Colts have gone through their own turmoil with the changing of the head coach. Steelers gave the Bengals, last Sunday, a run for their money. While the Colts blew a game versus the Eagles as they had the lead late in that contest. Colts have played like they have been reborn with a pulse since the change. They are 1-1 and Jonathan Taylor has found his game. Steelers have T.J Watt who is maybe the best defensive player on the planet right now. Colts defense has played better recently. I hate making the Colts owner look intelligent. I think Colts find a way and win a close tight battle on Monday night.

OUR PICK: COLTS