NFL Week Twelve Predictions

Last minute picks, so they'll come before my thoughts.

New England Patriots @ Detroit Lions

Cleveland has me second-guessing this pick, but Detroit has no Peyton Hillis so I'm going with the Pats.  If Brady doesn't play they might lose, but with the division as tight as it is, a questionable status for Brady means he's playing to me.
Prediction: Patriots

New Orleans Saints @ Dallas Cowboys

Hard to know what to make of this one.  Betts and Thomas are out for the Saints and Bush is questionable, but Felix Jones is out for Dallas.  This game could come down to passing, and against the pass Dallas has one of the worst scoring defenses while New Orleans has one of the best.
Prediction: Saints

Cincinnati Bengals @ New York Jets

Forget stats, if the Bengals couldn't beat the Bills then they sure as hell can't beat the Jets.
Prediction: Jets

Green Bay Packers @ Atlanta Falcons

The media love affair with the Packers continues.  I watched a breakdown of this game and all they talk about is quarterbacks and their stats, nevermind that Atlanta has one of the best pass rushes in the league or that Green Bay is still horrible at protection.  I think the Packers are outmatched, Atlanta has a tough defense, running game, passing attack, and are just better than the Pack.  The Packers are missing their star back, their protection is suspect, and their defense has holes that can be exploited.  The sports media are all picking the Packers, but only because they have an invisible layer of cheese covering their eyes.  This is my game of the week.
Prediction: Falcons

Pittsburgh Steelers @ Buffalo Bills

Ah, I can finally get back to laughing my ass off at the Bills.
Prediction: Steelers

Carolina Panthers @ Cleveland Browns

Carolina has a porous run defense and Cleveland has Peyton Hillis, no question about this one.
Prediction: Browns

Tennessee Titans @ Houston Texans

About the only thing Tennessee has going right now for them is Chris Johnson.  The Texans are getting beat, but they're getting beat through the air.  Against a green rookie, I say their pass defense gets shored up and they pull things together, at least for a game.
Prediction: Texans

Jacksonville Jaguars @ New York Giants

The injury list for the Giants is stunning, almost every one of their starters seems to be listed as at least probable.  The injury report isn't great for Jacksonville either, both Maurice Jones-Drew and Mike Sims-Walker are listed as questionable.  If they're out this game is going to New York, but even if they play I have questions.  New York has generated 27 sacks and 10 interceptions on defense, Jacksonville has given up 24 sacks and 15 picks.  Defense wins here, I gotta go with the Giants.
Prediction: Giants

Minnesota Vikings @ Washington Redskins

Ugh, this is a hard pick for me.  On paper Minnesota has a big edge in pass defense and run defense, and momentum from a new coach might get them to pick up a win.  Washington is another team that looks like it's missing almost all of its starters.  Both Clinton Portis and Ryan Torrain are out, and their entire defense, half their offensive line, and their best receiver are questionable.  Minnesota's probably going to be without Bernard Berrian and Sidney Rice, and Favre could be the x-factor in this.  If he plays like he did last week the Vikings have no chance, and his play makes me question this pick.  Still, the Vikings outmatch Washington enough that I'm tentatively picking them to win.
Prediction: Vikings

Miami Dolphins @ Oakland Raiders

Both teams have mediocre rush defenses, but when the Oakland running game gets going so does their passing game.  Miami's passing game has struggled regardless, so I'll take the silver and black.  This is my sleeper of the week.
Prediction: Raiders

Kansas City Chiefs @ Seattle Seahawks

Both rush defenses are evenly matched, but the Seahawks are near the bottom of the league in rush offense while the Chiefs are right at the top.  If the Chiefs play their game, running the ball, they should come out with a win.
Prediction: Chiefs

Tampa Bay Buccaneers @ Baltimore Ravens

The Buccaneers' run game has been improving, but the Ravens' run defense is solid.  The game will probably come down to Josh Freeman vs. Joe Flacco, and it is very evenly matched.  Too close for me to call, but in the end I have to go with Baltimore's advantage in the run game and playing at home.
Prediction: Ravens

Philadelphia Eagles @ Chicago Bears

The media love affair with Green Bay works two ways, they also have it in for Chicago.  Again I watched a preview of the games, and what do they focus on?  Chicago's offensive line.  Not one mention of their shut-down defense, not one mention of their previous success against Michael Vick, not one mention of how well their defense matches up, not one mention of Eagles' injuries.  That's fine, that works, it just makes it all the more sweeter when I get to say I told you so.  The Bears match up well.  New York was able to contain Vick to a degree last week, and this Bears defense has been playing extremely well all season.  They should be able to hold Vick to average numbers, do not expect another game from him like the one he had in Washington.  He will put up points, though, and the question will be if the Chicago offense can keep up.  With their star cornerback out, I think Cutler and company have a chance.  This is my upset of the week.
Prediction: Bears

St. Louis Rams @ Denver Broncos

The Rams have been surprisingly quiet running the ball this year, but the Broncos have been even worse.  The Rams are ranked ninth in rush defense, the Broncos 31st.  Passing could be key for the Broncos, they have the Rams as outmatched in the pass game as the Rams have them outmatched in the run game.  This game will come down to who will be able to dictate pace, and I'm going with the Broncos to bounce back after a tough week.
Prediction: Broncos

San Diego Chargers @ Indianapolis Colts

Both teams are tearing it up through the air, but the Chargers are number one in pass defense while the Colts are sitting at eighth.  San Diego has a multitude of injuries, though, and I think they hurt the Chargers more, despite Indy's bench starting to resemble an emergency room waiting area.  I just don't see the Chargers winning with so many offensive playmakers out.
Prediction: Colts

San Francisco 49ers @ Arizona Cardinals

Despite all the bad talk, Troy Smith didn't have that bad of a game.  It's his team that really seemed to let him down, so the Niners win in the QB comparison.  In terms of defending the pass, the Niners come out ahead as well.  The Niners can defend the run, the Cardinals can't, and though the Niners are disappointing in the run game this year, they're still a good deal better than the Cards.  The Niners should have the edge on paper, the only thing that could kill them is a breakdown like the ones they've had throughout the season.  Like Minnesota I'm reluctant to take them, but they match up extremely well so I have to ignore intangibles.
Prediction: 49ers