Patriots at Lions
This game appears to be a huge mismatch in favor of New England, but the Lions have been a scrappy team this year and the Patriots have some vulnerability in their pass defense which the Lions will try to exploit with star receiver Calvin Johnson. Nevertheless, there is a reason the Pats are 7-3 and the Lions are 3-7; the Patriots, in addition to being a superior team, simply know how to win games while the Lions do not. It will be closer than some may expect, but I don’t anticipate an upset.
New England 27, Detroit 20
Saints at Cowboys
At the beginning of the year, this would have been labeled a marquee match-up between two teams expected to compete for a Super Bowl berth this season. However, the Cowboys have struggled to live up to the high expectations and, at 3-7, are just playing the role of spoiler and trying to gain momentum for next season. Under Jason Garrett, Dallas has gone 2-0 and looks competitive again after a horrendous start to the year. This will be a shootout, but I expect the reigning Super Bowl champs to win in a close game due to Dallas’ weak pass defense.
New Orleans 34, Dallas 28
Bengals at Jets
In the last of the Thanksgiving Day games, the lowly Bengals take on the scrappy Jets and ever-improving quarterback Mark Sanchez. Expect the Jets’ defense to completely shut down the Bengals’ offense and continue their offensive progress in a comfortable victory.
New York 24, Cincinnati 6
Packers at Falcons
One of the best matchups of the week, this game could be a playoff preview. Despite a plethora of key injuries, the Packers, and especially Aaron Rodgers, are playing great at the moment. I see Rodgers torching a questionable Atlanta pass defense in a hard-fought, high-scoring victory.
Green Bay 34, Atlanta 27
Steelers at Bills
The Bills had a field day on offense in the second half against the lowly Bengals in Week 11. Regardless, the Bills’ offense will struggle mightily against the stingy Pittsburgh defense that completely shut down the Raiders last week. The Steelers are better in every aspect of the game and will take this one easily.
Pittsburgh 28, Buffalo 7
Panthers at Browns
Neither of these teams will make the postseason, but there is still a significant gap between how good these teams are. The Browns have played well despite their 3-7 record, compiling several impressive victories including two over the Patriots and the Saints. Colt McCoy and Peyton Hillis have excelled and will lead the Browns to victory over the struggling Panthers.
Cleveland 21, Carolina 10
Jaguars at Giants
The Giants are a mystery. They started the year poorly, then won five straight, but have now lost their last two and remain in contention for a playoff berth at 6-4. The Jaguars are also contending for a playoff spot after two consecutive dramatic victories have lifted them to an AFC South leading 6-4 record. However, expect the more desperate, offensively powerful Giants to nab a close victory in a good matchup against Tom Coughlin’s old squad, which simply lacks the defense to stop the Giants’ potent attack.
New York 31, Jacksonville 17
Vikings at Redskins
A meeting of declining star quarterbacks on disappointing teams that were expected to contend for playoff spots. Minnesota fired coach Brad Childress this week, replacing him with interim coach Leslie Frazier. I expect this move to have a positive effect similar to the one seen in Dallas after the firing of Wade Phillips. However, the game will depend on whether the Vikings’ offense can get it together and play a solid game. I expect them to play hard for their new coach and win a hard-fought victory.
Minnesota 23, Washington 17
Titans at Texans
Struggling division rivals meet up in this game. Tennessee starts quarterback Rusty Smith after Vince Young’s season-ending injury and mental breakdown in Week 11. Houston has been their own worst enemy of late, losing two consecutive games in the final 10 seconds due to their weak pass defense. Expect Smith to enjoy a solid debut against a weak defense, but I see the Texans finally pulling out a close one.
Chiefs at Seahawks
No one would have picked these two teams to be leading their respective divisions at this point in the season. In reality, neither team is spectacular and both have benefitted from playing in weak divisions. The difference in this one will be the Chiefs’ rushing attack, which Seattle will struggle to stop. Dwayne Bowe continues his excellent play and the Chiefs roll to victory.
Kansas City 27, Seattle 14
Dolphins at Raiders
Both the Dolphins and the Raiders were completely dominated in Week 11 by strong defenses. Both teams suffer from the lack of a good quarterback, but have solid rushing games. I expect Darren McFadden to have a huge game against Miami in a close win.
Oakland 23, Miami 21
Rams at Broncos
The Broncos will look to bounce back this week after an embarrassing defeat at the hands of division rival San Diego in Week 11. The Rams’ pass defense will not be able to contain Kyle Orton, who will get back on track and dominate at home. The young Rams simply are not good enough yet to compete with a team of Denver’s caliber.
Denver 28, St. Louis 17
Eagles at Bears
One of the week’s best matchups, this one pits two strong division leaders against each other. The main question is whether the Bears’ solid defense can contain Michael Vick and the high-powered Eagles’ offense. I think they manage to do so at home, doing just enough on both sides of the ball to win a nail-biter.
Chicago 21, Philadelphia 20
Buccaneers at Ravens
One of the biggest surprises in the NFC, the Buccaneers will look to build on a solid road shutout in San Francisco last week. Unfortunately for the Bucs, they’re playing a much better team this week. The Ravens are too good offensively and their defense will slow down quarterback Josh Freeman, earning the team an important victory that allows them to keep pace with division co-leader Pittsburgh.
Baltimore 24, Tampa Bay 12
Chargers at Colts
Two teams with very different experiences last week meet in this week’s finest matchup. San Diego dominated division rival Denver while the Colts lost a heartbreaker to their archnemesis, the Patriots. Both teams have excellent offenses and two of the best quarterbacks the league has to offer. The difference in this one is defense; the Chargers’ defense is excellent while the Colts’ is not. Expect a streaking San Diego team to win a close one in a high-scoring affair.
San Diego 34, Indianapolis 31
49ers at Cardinals
With identical 3-7 records, these two teams are somehow still alive in the extremely weak NFC West. Neither team is actually very good, and I think the deciding factor will be the play of the quarterbacks. I like Troy Smith over Derek Anderson and San Francisco over Arizona in a close and entertaining Monday Night game.
San Francisco 21, Arizona 14