It is week 12 in the NFL, and there are many teams with bad matchups, as well as a couple of games that could potentially alter the playoffs six weeks before they even begin.
Let's start on Thursday…
Pittsburgh Steelers AT Clevland Browns, (PIT by 3.5) BROWNS WIN 24-19
The Browns are coming off two straight losses and their season is somewhat over. The Steelers are playing the second of four straight division games after beating the Ravens last week. Russ and the Steelers are on a 5-game heater, and I don’t expect to stop this week. I am giving them the 3.5 edge. I don’t think the Browns have enough offense against this top-rated defense. The matchup I’m excited to see one-on-one is Denzel Ward for the Browns matched up against the uber-physical George Pickens. Two Defensive Players of the Year winners are playing in this game, but TJ Watt is having a better season than Myles Garrett, but Myles can still disrupt any offense.
Steelers beat Browns 24-10 update: ( BROWNS WIN 24-19)
So what about Sunday?
At 1 pm most of these matchups are underwhelming, to say the least. But I got my eye on this one…
Detroit Lions AT Indianapolis Colts, (DET by 7.5)
I am not for one moment expecting this game to be close. But Anthony Richardson in his young career has been a coin flip of what you are going to get. That alone makes this intriguing because when he is right side up his play is exciting, exhilarating, and any other synonym you can find that makes for interesting football. Detroit offense with all of its gadgets and special tools and nuances in OC Ben Johnson’s mind is amazing to watch as well. Jared Goff has been one of the best quarterbacks in the league this year. The backfield of the Lions aptly nicknamed “Sonic and Knuckles” is fun to watch as well. Second-year Jahmyr Gibbs, the Sonic of the duo, is a top 5 back and rarely is the actual “starter” whereas the power of Knuckles, David Montgomery, is in the top 3 of rushing touchdowns. A new version of ground and pound is leading the league in offense. That is what makes this matchup intriguing. You have between the two teams at least 6 players that can be home run threats on both sides of the ledger. I am picking Detroit to win and cover.
Lions beat Colts, 42-21
Afternoon Slate
San Francisco 49ers AT Green Bay Packers, (GB by 2)
Everybody has been counting the 49ers out. Normally the loser of the Super Bowl has a tough time even making it back to the playoffs. As it stands right now, they are the last-place team in the division. So why haven’t I given up on them? Because I think they still have the best coach in the division arguably (I love McVay as well, flip a coin),
and the second-best quarterback in the division. This game will all but seal it for me. If they win, I will feel validation for keeping them in the mix for the division (Only 1.5 games out of first) but also in the playoff picture. The Packers are a good team and will have to keep pace with the Lions, who will probably win the division. And the Vikings, who have only lost two games all year. A playoff matchup that lived up to the billing last year, I expect this one to be the closest game all weekend. Jordan Love has thrown the most interceptions thus far this season, but the defense and Jacobs has been so good this season it hasn’t hurt them that much. I can see the 49ers defense forcing more turnovers for this team and giving Purdy a chance to win it at the end.
49ers beat Packers, 31-30
One last game before we go to sleep…
Philadelphia Eagles AT Los Angeles Rams, (PHI by 2.5)
This is the best game of your Sunday matchups. The Rams are recovering from injury and are now surging and trying to catch the top of the division as well. They are .500 thus far this season but I like the Rams for the same reasons I like the 49ers in the previous matchup. The only head coach and QB in the division that has Super Bowl rings. Jalen and Nick have been there before as well and for that reason, I think it’s the best Sunday matchup. When this game has a playoff-type feel with implications for the Rams, whether wild card or division lead (1 game behind), I think they both rise to the occasion. Saquon on the more achievable scale can be the league’s offensive player of the year and realistically is in the MVP race if you will. AJ Brown is a monster on the outside. The young corners from this draft, Cooper Dejuan, and Quinyon Mitchell, have played well this year. Them and Slay matches up well with Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua.
Eagles beat Rams, 42-38
And lastly, the last game of the week…
Baltimore Ravens AT Los Angeles Chargers (BAL by 3)
On the bright stages of Monday Night Lamar Jackson has shined. On October 21, Jackson had his patented “Jackson 5” game for throwing 5 touchdowns and also had zero turnovers that night. They have lost two of the last three games so they are focused on holding on to a wild card spot that is tightly contested and even potentially avenge their last loss and actually win the division over the Steelers. The Chargers have been on fire lately and are in the top wildcard spot and two games out from their division lead as well. This game is going to be highly contested. I think the Ravens defense can slow down the rush of LA and Greg Roman is a much better coordinator when he can rely on his running instead of trying to air it out. I think the combination of Jackson, Henry, Flowers, and whichever tight end they choose to feature in this game will prove to be too much.
Here’s my picks for the rest of the weekend’s matchups
Vikings over Bears
Dolphins over Patriots
Buccaneers over Giants
Commanders over Cowboys
Chiefs over Panthers
Texans over Titans
Broncos over Raiders
Cardinals over Seahawks
All point spreads are as of Thursday morning. Gamble responsibly. Athletically Challenged, Al U Buggin, and all sponsors will not be held liable.
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