Week 12 NFL Picks

After having a miserable couple of weeks Gabe came on strong with the picks last week, going 12 -4. Dave had another below average week, going 7-9. What does that mean? Gabe made up his season long deficit to Dave in one week and has taken a one game lead in the season series, 91-69 to Dave's 90-68.

So far in Week 12 we are combined 1-5, with Gabe getting the Packers-Lions game right, and nothing else, and Dave whiffing on all three games.

So now that the balance of the universe - well, at the least the BRS picks - is upset, let's move on to the rest of week 13...

Indianapolis (-3.5) at Houston

Gabe: Houston - Two games ago I gave Houston a puncher's chance to win against the Colts. They lost because a last second Kris Brown field goal attempt went wide. Last week the Texans had a chance to tie Tennessee, but failed because a Kris Brown field goal attempt went wide. I think Houston is going to snap out of this drudgery and play well today. I don't know if they'll win, but if history is any indication, they'll be within 3 points in the closing seconds.


Dave: Houston - It says here that the Texans are 0-167 against the Colts...I may have made that up. Regardless, the Texans' best chance to get win # 1 against Indy comes today. The Colts' secondary is beat up and pass-rush dynamo Dwight Freeney, who has waterboarded the Texans for years(waterboard as in tortured, not ACTUAL waterboarding.....you have to specify these days) will be sitting this one out. That gives Matt Schaub time to throw to Andre 3000 early and often. It's hard to bet against Peyton but the Colts have to lose eventually, I say Kris Brown redeems himself with a game-winning FG.......in overtime.

Cleveland (+13.5) at Cincinnati

Gabe: Cleveland - Cleveland is showing signs of life, albeit against bad teams, but still. Cincinnati is reeling right now after losing to Oakland. I think Cincy needs to snap out of this quickly, or else they could go into a tailspin for the rest of the season. I think they do that today against the Browns, and win by 10.


Dave: Cincinatti - That offensive explosion last week from Cleveland? Take a good look at it because it will never happen again this season. Cedric Benson's back in this one for the Bengals and, while the last meeting was fairly close, the Bengals know they have a good chance to put away the division here with a win against the Browns while the Big Ben-less Steelers play Baltimore. Bengals by 17.

Chicago (+10.5) at Minnesota

Gabe: Minnesota - The Vikings are on the short list of the best teams in the league right now. They are playing well on every side of the ball. Chicago? Not so much. I think the Minnesota defense shuts down the Chicago offense and the Vikings run away with the game. Vikings by 17.


Dave: Minnesota - You would think that the Bears D would step it up here after being called out by Vikings receiver Bernard Berrian this week, but this Bears D has lacked punch since they lost Brian Urlacher in Week 1. The running game for Chicago, relatively non-existent all season, will really be lacking this week(though if Justin Forsett's performance last week against Minny is any indication, Matt Forte could pick up some yards through the air here). That means more throwing for Jay Cutler, which means more interceptions. I'd love to pick against Brett Favre's Juiced Up Corpse, but I like Minny here by 13.

Washington (+9) at Philadelphia

Gabe: Philadelphia - Last week I said 11 points was too many for the Cowboys to be favored because NFC East games are always hard fought and close. Well, I am disavowing that position for this week. The Redskins flat-out stink. They are starting Charles S. Dutton at running back...(get it? Roc, from the early '90's TV show, Rock Cartwright, anyone?, anyone?,oh well)...Anyway, the Skins suck, the Eagles are really good. Philly, at home, will win by 13.


Dave: Eagles - Redskins coach Bill Cowher and rookie QB Sam Bradford lead their team into Philadelphia this week to take on the Eagles......wait, that's next year's preview. My bad. The Redskins' offense died tragically during the preseason and nobody told us. Now, is it possible the wildly inconsistent Eagles offense stubs its toe here and keeps it close against Washington? Sure. Is it possible the Redskins draw inspiration from the two-anniversary of the death of teammate Sean Taylor(which was Friday) and come out fired up? Sure. Is any of that likely? No. Motown Philly shows that their back again......with a little East Coast swaaaaaaaaaang(Yes, folks, a Boys II Men reference and a Roc reference in the same game preview.....Now that's what I call the 90's!) Eagles need this one bad to capitalize on the Giants shitting the bed against Denver on Thanksgiving, Iggles by 10.

Miami (-3) at Buffalo

Gabe: Miami - Apparently, reports of Ricky Williams being a has been have been greatly exaggerated. This is a match-up of strength versus weakness. The Bills have a terrible run defense, and Miami's strength is running the ball. I think Miami runs to a 10 point victory.


Dave: Miami - Prior to last week's comeback performance, Ricky Williams allegedly rolled a blunt mixed with some of Brett Favre's HGH and it took him back to 2002. (Note: That may or may not be greatly exaggerated) That doesn't bode well for a Buffalo team that, as predicted, showed some spunk under a new coach but still came up short. Miami still a dark horse for the playoffs here and I think they bring out Charlie Hough and pitch the shutout here. Dolphins by 20.

Arizona (+3) at Tennessee

Gabe: Tennessee - I'm pickin' up what Vince Young and Chris Johnson are puttin' down. I think Tennessee has finally found the winning formula, and, they have unreal momentum. I don't think the Cardinals can keep up (literally) with Chris Johnson. Tennessee by a touchdown.


Dave: Arizona - The return of Vince Young, and how it has translated to the resurgence of Tennessee, has been a nice Cinderella story. That being said, it's not a nice enough fairy tale for me to like them as three-point favorites against the defending NFC champs. Remember, this Cards D can still play the run well and we haven't seen what the Titans can do if Chris Johnson has an off night. Meanwhile, the underlying story of the week is the fact that we might see Matt Leinart vs. Vince Young for the first time since the BCS Championship of a few years ago(pending how woozy Kurt Warner is come game-time). I like Arizona and the emergence of Beanie Wells here......Cards by 7.

Seattle (-3.5) at St. Louis

Gabe: St. Louis - This game is going to suck. I'll take St. Louis simply because they are at home and getting points. Plus, I have to take at least one upset.

Dave: Seattle - The Seahawks shut out St. Louis the last time these two met and, needless to say, the Rams aren't much better than the one that took the field in Week 1. Seahawks stack the box here and force Kyle Boller to beat them....which he won't. Seahawks big here.

Tampa Bay (+12) at Atlanta

Gabe: Atlanta - The Falcons just have too much offense and I don't think Tampa Bay can keep up. They are going to have to pick their poison. If they try to stop Jason Snelling then Matt Ryan and Roddy White will go nuts, and vice versa. Atlanta by 14.


Dave: Atlanta - I would have liked Tamap Bay to cover if Michael Turner wasn't a go. However, The Burner looks like he'll be suiting up and that doesn't bode well for a soft Tampa run defense. Matt Ryan shakes off his bumpy last few weeks and lights up the Bucs like a Christmas tree. Falcons by 14.

Carolina (+3) at New York (A)

Gabe: Carolina - You never know which team will show up, for either one of these teams. I like Carolina's running game to wear down the Jets defense and allow their passing game, which has been showing signs of life, to do some damage. Not much damage, because of Darrelle Revis, but enough that I'll take Carolina for the straight up win by 7.


Dave: Jets - With Carolina, it's about picking the right week when the Panthers will show up. After losing to Miami last week and having 10 days of rest, all signs point to me regretting taking the Jets here but I believe in The Revis Effect(even if Steve Smith wasn't going to do much as he is playing hurt) and I see Jake Delhomme, the opposing team's MVP every week, throwing a couple pick-6s....though if my picks on Carolina games is any indication, this could easily be a Panthers rout. Screw it, I have ground to make up. Jets by 6.

Jacksonville (+3) at San Francisco

Gabe: San Francisco - The Jaguars still have no passing defense. I think Vernon Davis will go crazy today. San Fran will contain Mojo D just enough to get a 4 point win.


Dave: San Fran - The return of Alex Smith was a nice story for a couple weeks, wasn't it? After getting outclassed by the great Aaron Rodgers last week, Smith and his baby hands get to recover against one of the worst pass Ds in the NFL. The Jags don't have a pass rush to speak of and that's going to be a problem against a Niners team that has now has two bonafide deep threats. I saw A.Smith spreads VD all over the field and gives the Jags a healthy dose of Crabs....Niners big here, with a special guest appearance by The Inconvenient Truth, Niners by 10.

Kansas City (+13.5) at San Diego

Gabe: San Diego - The Chargers are playing great right now. Kansas City has shown some signs of life and gotten a good win or two, but I think they are done. Jamaal Charles finally had the game fantasy owners were hoping for, but don't expect any more. San Diego feasts and wins by 17.


Dave: Kansas City - Can you remember the last time the Chiefs had a winning streak? Me neither. Chiefs have won two straight including last week's upset of the Steelers where they absorbed The Big Panty Raider's big game before knocking him Manny Pacquaio-style. I like the suddenly inspired Chargers here, but I think the Chiefs cover. Chargers by 10.

Pittsburgh (+1) at Baltimore (Note: This line came from the Las Vegas Hilton instead of Danny Sheridan in the USA Today, where we usually get our odds. Most places have taken this game off the books.)

Gabe: Baltimore - Pittsburgh is starting Dennis Dixon at quarterback, who I'm pretty sure has thrown 2 passes since starring at Oregon. Done and done. Ravens by 10.


Dave: Baltimore - I've always liked Dennis Dixon going back to his days as a Oregon Duck, but this isn't the venue for him to be making his NFL debut. Could Double D be this year's Matt Cassell? Maybe. Remember, Week 1, when an injury to Cassell forced the Chiefs to go with Tyler Thigpen and the Chiefs kept it close? This isn't the same Ravens D and the Steelers will be fired up(especially RB Rashard Mendenhall, who had his shoulder broken by these guys last season), but the Ravens are at home so I'll give them the edge. Ravens by 3.

New England (+1.5) at New Orleans

Gabe: New Orleans - This game is between what might be the best team in the NFC versus the next best team in the AFC. I'm looking at this game as a changing of the guard. The Saints of this year look a lot like the dominant Patriots teams of the past. The difference is the Saints don't have a Randy Moss-type on offense, but the Pats never had a Darren Sharper on defense. I think the Saints need this game more. The Pats don't need this win. They want it, but don't need it. In order to progress as a franchise the Saints need this win. I think they get it. Saints by a touchdown.

Dave: New England - You don't give The Evil Genius extra time to film...er, game plan against you. The Boston Hoodie has studied Drew Breeeeeeeeees and, while the Pats D is a bit soft against the pass, they still have the ability to confuse the suddenly INT-prone Brees with different looks. Plus, Brees doesn't have a solid run game to take the load off of him. On D, I can't see N.O.'s makeshift secondary stopping Randy Moss and Wes Welker. All win streaks have to come to an end and I think Brady's Bunch pulls off the upset here. Pats by 6.