Week 12 Picks for Every NFL Game

This may be the least amount of time I’ve had to work on game picks in quite a while. Whatever the outcome, I can blame my wins and losses on zero forethought, which tends to work out okay in a highly variable sport. Here are some very abbreviated picks for Week 12:

Top Shelf Games: Talent-rich, highly competitive and aged in oak barrels... spiritually speaking

Denver Broncos (-2.5) at New England Patriots - Something tells me we're not done with the Brady-vs.-Manning series just yet, now entering the 14th installment and earning the distinct honor of Lady Blitz Game of the Week. These QBs may well meet in January, and neither of them look ready to hang up the cleats either unless Manning ends up taking home that elusive second Lombardi. 2013 Peyton Manning cannot be stopped except that one time, and this season, he’s even greater than Tom Terrific at home.

San Diego Chargers at Kansas City Chiefs (-5) - The Chiefs’ rebounding defense is greater than Philip Rivers’ ability to go multiple games without mistakes.

Indianapolis Colts at Arizona Cardinals (-2) - Andrew Luck after some rest is greater than Carson Palmer, Bruce Arians or not.

Dallas Cowboys at New York Giants (-2.5) - The horribly uneven Cowboys are greater than the horribly uneven Giants. Points will be scored.

Well Drink Games: They may surprise you from time to time without all the high expectations

New Orleans Saints (-9) at Atlanta Falcons - All of the Saints are greater than all of the Falcons in 2013… unless this is a trap game.

Minnesota Vikings at Green Bay Packers (-5) - Adrian Peterson is still greater than Eddie Lacy, but he’s got a shot to be great this week.

Carolina Panthers (-4) at Miami Dolphins - The stingy, resilient Panthers are looking greater than most teams in the league right now, especially those that have been scandalized.

Pittsburgh Steelers at Cleveland Browns (-2) - The suddenly solid Steelers are greater than… how are the Browns still in the hunt with Jason Campbell? P.S., Did you know it's been a decade since the Browns have been a Vegas favorite over the Steelers?

New York Jets at Baltimore Ravens (-3.5) - The Ravens’ somewhat functional offense is greater than a porous Jets’ secondary, Ed Reed and all.

San Francisco 49ers (-5) at Washington Redskins - Jim Harbaugh’s ceaseless outrage is greater than Robert Griffin’s ennui with the Redskins’ play-calling.

House Punch Games: Most likely to be lop-sided, sloppy and/or otherwise painful to digest

Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Detroit Lions (-9) - Megatron is less lonely than Revis Island.

Jacksonville Jaguars at Houston Texans (-10) - Everyone is greater than the Jacksonville Jaguars, even the snakebit Texans.

Chicago Bears at St. Louis Rams (-1) - The St. Louis Rams' brutal pass rush is better than a beaten up Chicago defense.

Tennessee Titans at Oakland Raiders (-1) - The mystery of Matt McGloin is greater than everything you already know about Ryan Fitzpatrick.



So How's My Pickin'?
Last Week's Record: 8 - 7
Season Record: 103 - 59