NFL WEEK 12 STRAIGHT PICK-EM

In honor of Shedeur Sanders making his first ever start in the NFL, we honor him with one of the biggest busts in the NFL. The Boz,. Brian Bosworth, was supposed to be the next Dick Butkus at linebacker for the Seattle Seahawks. The hype from Deion Sanders’ kid will be under the microscope in his first start versus the Raiders. Sanders’ son, who bombed at certain team’s interviews before the draft, I see will get a rude awakening in his first start in the NFL. This is why he was not picked in the first round of the NFL draft.

LAST WEEK’S RECORD: (10-5)

SEASON RECORD: (106-58)

THE THURSDAY NIGHT GAME

BUFFALO BILLS (7-3) AT HOUSTON TEXANS (5-5)

The Bills rebounded from the bad Dolphins loss at home giving the Buccaneers a beat down putting up 44 points. Meanwhile the Texans have won 2-0 with their back up QB behind center in Davis Mills. The Texans just survived beating a bad Titans team & needing a walk up field goal to win that one. The week before that they shocked the Jaguars with a come-from-behind win in the 4th quarter. The Texans will need more than 16 points to beat this Bills team. Mills will get the start once again for CJ Stroud who has been out with a concussion. What do we expect from the Bills? Will they play down to the competition? Houston has a solid defense and beat the Bills last season. The Bills still have losses to the Dolphins & Falcons this year. Allen was Superman last week having the monster game versus the Buccaneers. The Bills have some injuries on both sides of the ball. Anything can happen in these Thursday games on short weeks. I like the Bills getting out of Houston with a win.

OUR PICK: BILLS

NEW YORK JETS (2-8) AT BALTIMORE RAVENS (5-5)

The Jets will bench Justin Fields in this game in favor of veteran quarterback Tyrod Taylor. The Ravens have won 4 straight games and are looking to have a winning record for the first time this season. I think we’ve seen the last of Fields being a regular starting quarterback in this league. Taylor, like Fields, had his chances as a starter in the NFL. Now he’s just a permanent back up with a career record of 28-29-1 when he is the starter. Can the Jets win this game? The Jets defense has tallied 8 sacks in the last two games. The Ravens offensive line recently has been shaky as Lamar Jackson is getting sacked 3.2 times per game which is a career high for the Baltimore QB. Can the Jets bring everything including the kitchen sink on Jackson? The Ravens defense has gotten better with guys coming back from injuries. The Jets will run the ball. Taylor’s dink and dunk short passing game is not going to beat this Ravens team. The Jets have two quarterbacks that are the same . They can’t throw the ball down the field consistently. Jackson’s hamstring is getting better. The Ravens will get their 27 to 28 points they’ve been getting and hold the Jets into the teens to win this game and perhaps find themselves in first place in the AFC North when week 12 concludes.

OUR PICK: RAVENS

CLEVELAND BROWNS (2-8) AT LAS VEGAS RAIDERS (2-7)

The Cleveland Browns will give Deion Sanders’ kid Shedeur his first start ever in the NFL at quarterback. The Browns defense has to be licking their chops playing the Raiders offense where Geno Smith has thrown more interceptions than touchdown passes. However Mad Max Crosby may have an epic Sunday versus the Browns offense with rookie Shedeur Sanders getting the start behind center. This game has two solid defenses. This game also features two junior varsity offenses. Sanders saw some action last week filling in for the other Browns rookie quarterback, Dillon Gabriel, who was knocked out of the game with a concussion. Sanders was supposed to have been selected in the first round. He dropped to the 5th round. He looked bad last week versus the Ravens. He completed 4 passes out of 16 attempts for 47 yards. He threw 1 interception and also fumbled the ball. Crosby could show the entire football world that Deion’s son is a fraud at the quarterback position. This could get ugly very quickly. The Browns do have a veteran quarterback in Bailey Zappe waiting in the wings as the back up. Zappe would give the Browns their best chances to win this game. The last time a Browns rookie quarterback won in his debut, you have to go back to 1995 in Eric Zeier.

It has been 17 consecutive losses for the Browns rookie quarterbacks making their debut ever since. I’m not sold on Sanders. I think Pete Carroll, as bad as the Raiders have been, finds a plan to beat the Browns and the turd they are trotting out on the field.

OUR PICK: RAIDERS

NEW YORK GIANTS (2-9) AT DETROIT LIONS (6-4)

The New York Giants have had NFC North opponents on the ropes in two consecutive games. They are unable to FINISH THEM!!! The Giants let the Bears and Packers come from behind late in the game to beat them. The Lions offense went dormant versus the Eagles last weekend. More bad news is the Lions lost their tight end Sam LaPorta who underwent back surgery. He has been placed on injured reserve and most likely is done for the year. The Crab Man, Jameis Winston, is getting the start for the G-Men in this one while rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart is still in concussion protocol. Winston, king of the pick-six, threw an interception last week versus the Packers with under a minute left as the Giants were driving & trying to tie that game up. The Lions still have plenty of play makers to get that offense back on track. The Lions are at home. Winston will make mistakes as the Giants have shown they can’t finish their opponents.

OUR PICK: LIONS

PITTSBURGH STEELERS (6-4) AT CHICAGO BEARS (7-3)

This will be the first game of Aaron Rodgers’ career where he faces the team he owns in another uniform. Rodgers all-time is 25-5 versus the Bears which includes a playoff game when he even said, “I own you.” Can the Bears serve up a cold dish of revenge versus the former Cheesehead? Is Rodgers going to play? That is the million dollar question. Rodgers suffered a fractured wrist on his non-throwing hand in last week’s win over the Bengals. Rodgers did not play in the second half. Meanwhile the Bears have won three straight games. The last loss coming from an AFC North opponent, the Ravens. If Rodgers can’t go, they have a capable back up QB in Mason Rudolf who is 9-8-1 as a starter in his career. Rodgers is a game time decision. I feel like he will play, so he can slay the Bears once again. The Bears defense will have problems with multiple line backers ruled out in this one. The Steelers defense is very good at getting to the quarterback and creating turnovers. I feel the Bears have been lucky during this three game winning streak. I think Rodgers or Rudolf will generate the points off this wounded Bears defense to go on the road and get the victory to stay ahead of those Ravens who are in the rear view mirror of Pittsburgh.

OUR PICK: STEELERS

NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (9-2) AT CINCINNATI BENGALS (2-7)

It was one magic loogie from wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase that has him suspended in this game versus the visiting Patriots.

Last week Chase and Steelers trash-talker Patrick Ramsey had more than words in an altercation. Chase spit on the Steelers defender and Ramsey pushed the Bengals receiver after the magic loogie came out of his mouth. The Patriots don’t have to defend the Bengals’ best playmaker in this one. The Patriots have won 8 straight as Drake Maye is on fire. The Bengals have allowed 27 or more points in 9 consecutive games. This is a horrific defense the Bengals have and the Patriots offense should easily have their way. The Patriots can concentrate on the other Bengals playmaker, Tee Higgins. The Patriots defense is solid so taking Higgins out leaves Joe Flacco with not many other options that are game changers.

OUR PICK: PATRIOTS

MINNESOTA VIKINGS (4-6) AT GREEN BAY PACKERS (6-3-1)

For the Vikings this is must win game as they find themselves at the bottom of the division and have lost two straight games. Last week they lost to the Bears on a walk off field goal after taking the lead with under a minute left on the clock. The Packers escaped New York with a victory barely.

The Packers did not escape from the Big Apple like Jake Plissken. It was a struggle and you know the crab Man will deliver the opposing team a gift of the interception. The Packers have lost two straight games before the Giants win. One loss came from the Panthers. Both teams have struggled and both teams need this game because the division is so good, everyone has a winning record except the Vikings. JJ McCarthy has thrown 8 interceptions in 5 games. He was able to give his team the lead late in that game versus the Bears. The Vikings have a solid defense but are not getting the turnovers like they did at the high rate they did last season. The Vikings should easily stop the Packers running game which has not been good. Jordan Love will make a mistake in this one. The Vikings are better on the road than at home with a 3-2 record. The X-factor, Aaron Jones Sr., running back for the Vikings, will want to have a big game against his former team. I like the Vikings stunning Green Bay in Green Bay.

OUR PICK:VIKINGS

INDIANAPOLIS COLTS (8-2) AT KANSAS CITY CHIEFS (5-5)

Can Indianapolis Jones, aka Daniel Jones, slay one of the AFC’s bigwigs? The Colts have been reborn with Daniel Jones at quarterback and have the number one running back in the league in Jonathan Taylor. Can they put the final nail in the Chiefs season and keep them out of the playoffs? The Chiefs were handed a loss coming out of their bye week last week by the Broncos. Andy Reid’s teams have dominated coming back from a bye. The Colts coming off their bye week are well rested and have their defense looking at full strength. The addition of Sauce Gardner from the Jets should help keep the Chiefs receivers in check. The Chiefs have lacked a running game most of the season. They will need to rely on their defense and Patrick Mahomes if they want to stay alive and make a playoff run. The Colts have lost both games on the road as they have a 2-2 record. The Chiefs have been better at home where they are 4-1. I can’t believe the Chiefs will just go away. This is where the NFL script pulls the wool over our eyes as Patrick Mahomes will be Superman combined with all the Avengers and have a monster game to save their season. Look for the meathead Travis Kelce to have a big game as well. The Chiefs will get the phantom calls by the referees and come up with a big play afterwards that will give them the win. I would love to see the Colts win this one. I think the Chiefs defense like they have done in the past make the big stand here. The Chiefs will use this game to get on a tear in the next few weeks. It’s all in the script.

OUR PICK: CHIEFS

SEATTLE SEAHAWKS (6-3) AT TENNESSEE TITANS (1-9)

The Titans may have played their best game last weekend versus the division rival Texans. Houston won on a walk off field goal. The Seahawks, despite Sam Darnold throwing 4 interceptions at the Rams, still had a chance to win that game as they lose their 3rd game of the season. The Titans offense is one dimensional. They have one of the worst rushing attacks in football. Seattle is ranked number six in the NFL versus the run. Cam Ward is expected to throw the ball more because of the lack of running game. Ward has one of the worst QB ratings in the NFL. In this game I expect Seattle to get back on track playing a team they should be able to beat up and not even work up a sweat.

On any given Sunday, the NFL wants any team to beat anybody. You can see the league maybe will flip the script on any game on any Sunday. Since we don’t get previews of the NFL manuscripts I pick Seattle.

OUR PICK: SEAHAWKS

ATLANTA FALCONS (3-7) AT NEW ORLEANS SAINTS (2-8)

It only took the Saints rookie quarterback two starts to win his first game in the NFL as a starter. The Saints coming off their bye week last time they played Tyler Shough delivered, as New Orleans knocked off the Panthers. Meanwhile Atlanta is a team in shambles right now. This was the team that this season they had high hopes. They have lost 5 straight games. They have lost their starting quarterback Michael Penix Jr. for the season with a knee injury. Their top wide receiver Drake London is out with a knee injury. Now they have to rely on aging quarterback Kirk Cousins, who may be ready to be sent out to the pastures by the time this season ends. Cousins is 1-5 in the last six starts, a guy that has not been able to get over the season ending injury he had back in his last season in Minnesota. The Saints defense has come to life. They will not have one of Shough’s weapons because Brandin Cooks wanted to be released from the team and the Saints granted his wish. Look for Alvin Kamara to continue his late in the season efforts with another solid running game. Chris Olave should be able to burn the Falcons defense. I like the way the rookie handled himself two weeks ago with the Panthers. He makes smart decisions and takes what the defense gives him. The Saints continue their roll.

OUR PICK: SAINTS

PHILADELPHIA EAGLES (8-2) AT DALLAS COWBOYS (4-5-1)

The Eagles are rolling right now and winning games because of their defense. Last week they held the Lions high octane offense to under 10 points. The week before, they held the Packers to a touchdown. The Eagles defense has been halting their opponents’ running game due to the return of their line backer Nakobe Dean. Opponents are averaging 3.9 yards per rush now which was much higher weeks ago. The Cowboys have made some changes on their defense as they made some trades bringing in guys like Logan Wilson, Quinnen Williams, and DeMarvion Overshown. Then in secondary, they have Donavan Wilson and Malik Hooker back from injuries. The Cowboys tested their revamped defense against a bad Raiders team on the last Monday night game and they passed with flying colors. I sense an upset here in the works. The Cowboys’ emotions are high right now playing hard for their fallen teammate. Marshawn Kneeland committed suicide on the bye week after the Arizona game. Dak Prescott has won 18 consecutive games versus divisional opponents at home. The Eagles offense has not scored many points in the last few weeks but are still winning games. The Cowboys offense will score points off the Eagles defense. Jalen Hurts will not match Prescott score to score. I think this newly revamped Cowboys defense will get a true test with the Eagles and play well to help them win this game that will get Dallas to the .500 mark and be in the thick of things for the post season run.

OUR PICK: COWBOYS

JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS (6-4) AT ARIZONA CARDINALS (3-7)

The Jaguars rebounded last week from the loss Houston hung on them, a huge comeback that gave Texans the win. The Jaguars offense exploded on the Chargers as they put up 35 points in a beat down of LA. The Arizona Cardinals are not a very disciplined team as they continue to rack up penalties at a high rate. The Cardinals’ Jacoby Brissett had to throw the football 57 times last week because the team got behind very quickly to the 49ers and the running game they had was not working very well. The penalties & some injuries mean the Cardinals struggle is real. I think that the Jaguars can bring that same offense to Arizona. Running back Travis Etienne Jr. found the end zone twice. Trevor Lawrence and this Jaguars offense has been well balanced for the last few weeks and should put up points versus the Cardinals defense. The Jaguars defense will find ways to create turnovers. Brissett threw two interceptions last week & I think he will throw 1 or more this week.

OUR PICK: JAGUARS

THE SUNDAY NIGHT GAME

TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS (6-4) AT LA RAMS (7-2)

The Buccaneers are collecting the frequent flyer mileage. Last week going up North to Buffalo, and now traveling across the country to play in LA. The Rams are one of the hottest team in the NFC right now as they have won 5 straight games. The Buccaneers have lost two straight games and have a Christmas list of injuries at the skill positions on offense. Baker Mayfield with the lack of weapons still has made a game out of each contest win or lose. The Rams may have the MVP of the league right now in Matthew Stafford. He is blowing up the competition with the aerial attack. He has 27 touchdown passes to only two interceptions, just mind blowing. We know the Buccaneers like to blitz and Stafford responds being number 1 in the league with 20 touchdown passes under pressure. The Buccaneers defense is good, but great offenses can score on them like Buffalo last week hung 44 points on the scoreboard. The Rams defense can get the job done as they picked off Sam Darnold 4 times last week. Right now I just can’t see the Buccaneers matching scores with the Rams right now. Baker Mayfield will make a mistake or two trying to do too much which the Rams will capitalize on.

OUR PICK: RAMS

THE MONDAY NIGHT GAME

CAROLINA PANTHERS (6-4) AT SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS (7-3)

Last week the 49ers got back their stating quarterback in Brock Purdy who missed several weeks due to an injury. He did not disappoint. Purdy threw three touchdown passes versus the Cardinals as he went 17-26 for 200 passing yards in a rout versus Arizona. The Panthers are that annoying team you can’t predict this season. You think they will beat the Saints and they don’t. You think they will lose to the Falcons, but then they win in OT last week versus the dirty birds. Bryce Young looks average one week & then turns into Joe Montana the next week. I can see the Panthers getting some points off a 49ers defense that has taken on too many injuries. From my vantage point, the 49ers look like the better team overall. Purdy is Mr.Reliable and the 49ers have been reliable so far for picking them this season to win or lose. Like Simon says. In the back of my mind, the Panthers will make me regret this pick like usual.

OUR PICK: 49ERS