NFL Week 12 Predictions

Srikar Kalapala 

Overall Record: 99-64-1

Last Week's Record: 9-5

Detroit Lions (4-6) vs. Buffalo Bills (7-3)

Bills. This will be the Bills’ second game in Detroit in the past two weeks, as their game against the Browns last week got moved to Detroit due to a snowstorm. The Lions have been showing a lot of fight and pride in their winning streak, but matching up against this Buffalo team is a tough task. I think the Bills can come away with another win on Thanksgiving.

Dallas Cowboys (7-3) vs. New York Giants (7-3)

Cowboys. Coming off of a crushing loss against the Packers, the Cowboys responded with what might be the most dominant regular season performance in their recent history. The Vikings straight-up had no chance, and the Cowboys had 37 unanswered points. The Cowboys look to build off this performance against the Giants, who just got crushed by the Lions. This game will be crucial for both teams as they look for a playoff spot in their loaded division, and I think the Cowboys have the right pieces to beat the Giants on Thanksgiving.

Minnesota Vikings (8-2) vs. New England Patriots (6-4)

Vikings. That was an absolutely embarrassing loss last week for the Vikings. If Buffalo knew how to kneel the ball, the Vikings would be 0-3 against contenders (excluding Miami as they didn’t have Tua for that game). The question that the Vikings thought they answered comes back now. Are they for real? They have another chance to answer that question against the Patriots, who are coming off a miracle win with an 84-yard punt return touchdown against the Jets. All four teams are at least two games over .500 in the AFC East, so every game from here on out is crucial for the Patriots. While Matthew Judon has been a beast for the Patriots, I think the Vikings are more desperate to show the world that they are indeed, for real.

Miami Dolphins (7-3) vs. Houston Texans (1-8-1) 

Dolphins. The Dolphins should be well rested for this game, and they take on the one-win Texans. The Texans got thoroughly beaten by the Commanders last week, and I think they will get thoroughly beaten again by Tua’s Dolphins. Look for Waddle and Hill to have huge days. 

Tennessee Titans (7-3) vs. Cincinnati Bengals (5-4)

Titans. The Titans are coming off a win against the Packers, in a game where they committed to controlling the time of possession, and they did. The Packers offense barely got to touch the field, and the Packers defense was winded the whole game. Credit to the Titans for coming into Lambeau and silencing the crowd. Now they face the Bengals, who finally beat the Steelers last week. Ja’Marr Chase could be back for this game, which could make a whole lot of a difference, but I like Tennessee at home, with extra rest.

Carolina Panthers (3-8) vs. Denver Broncos (3-7)

Broncos. The Broncos lost the mid-off against the Raiders last week in overtime, as they let Davante Adams run free for a 35-yard touchdown. The Broncos would now be 9-1 if they scored at least 18 points in regulation each week, and are also the only team to not score 20 or more points against the Raiders. Yikes. Both of these teams are very bad, and the Panthers could win this one after their defensive effort against the Ravens last week, but I’ll pick the Broncos defense to win them this game. Why? I don’t trust the Panthers to put up more than 17 points.

New York Jets (6-4) vs. Chicago Bears (3-8)

Jets. The Jets are coming off an absolutely crushing loss against the Patriots last week. They have now lost 14 straight against the Pats, and this last one might be the most crushing of them all. Their defense was incredible, holding the Patriots to only 3 points on offense, but they just couldn’t finish the deal on offense. It is crazy how much one game can make in this loaded AFC West, as if the Jets won, they would have been in first place, and now they are in last place. This week they take on the Bears at home. This Bears team might not have Justin Fields, as he seemed to have injured his left shoulder last week against the Falcons, which might mean the Jets will face the backup QB. I think the Jets will respond after a demoralizing loss. 

Washington Commanders (6-5) vs. Atlanta Falcons (5-6)

Commanders. The Commanders were able to destroy the Texans pretty early in their game against the Texans last week, and HC Ron Rivera has committed to Taylor Heinicke as their starting quarterback for the foreseeable future. They now face the Falcons, who were able to beat the Bears, and Cordarrelle Patterson broke the all-time record for most kickoff return touchdowns. I really like how this Commanders team has been playing with a swagger recently, and I think they will beat the Falcons at home.

Cleveland Browns (3-7) vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (5-5)

Bucs. The Bucs are still in prime playoff position despite the Falcons win last week, but at the same time, this isn’t the type of game they can afford to lose. The Browns just lost to the Bills in Detroit, and I think they will lose to another contender for two weeks in a row. 

Jacksonville Jaguars (3-7) vs. Baltimore Ravens (7-3) 

Jaguars. I found myself trying to figure out how the Ravens were going to win this game. I just couldn’t do it. The Ravens struggled a lot against the Panthers. A lot. On top of that, the Jaguars are coming off their bye, so they are rested up. Add in the fact that the Ravens love running the ball, which is the Jags defensive strength, and the Jags pass a lot, which is the Ravens weakness. This is my major upset this week and add in that the Jags are playing at home, and I think if Trevor Lawrence plays a clean game, the Jaguars have a shot to pull off an upset of a major contender. 

Seattle Seahawks (6-4) vs. Las Vegas Raiders (3-7)

Seahawks. Man that Russell Wilson trade is looking better and better for the Seahawks. They could not only make the playoffs as a dark horse team, but they could also get a top-five pick in the NFL Draft in April. Geno Smith has been doing everything this offense needs him to do, and they have been excelling because of it. Although the Raiders just beat the Broncos in OT, this Seahawks team is much more functional and coordinated, making it a tough ask for Josh McDaniels to outcoach Pete Carroll in Seattle.

Arizona Cardinals (4-7) vs. Los Angeles Chargers (5-5)

Chargers. The Chargers put up a valiant effort last week against the Chiefs, and it seems like every Justin Herbert v Patrick Mahomes matchup comes down to the final possession. Herbert enjoyed the return of Keenan Allen, who made a couple of big plays last week, and I think they will now be a much better offense as they head into this next matchup against the Cardinals. With or without Kyler Murray, I just don’t like how this Cardinals team has been playing, so I think the Chargers will win this game.

San Francisco 49ers (6-4) vs. New Orleans Saints (4-7) 

49ers. The Saints took on the Rams last week and were able to beat them with a terrific performance by Andy Dalton and Chris Olave. They now take on the 49ers, who just demolished the Cardinals in Mexico City. They were able to get past their Colt McCoy demons, and now they take on a rejuvenated Andy Dalton. I think this will actually be a great game, but I have more confidence in the ability of the 49ers offense and defense in the clutch, which will win them this game.

Kansas City Chiefs (8-2) vs. Los Angeles Rams (3-7) 

Chiefs. The Chiefs just showed why they are the class of the AFC last week against the Chargers. Down to the wire game against another playoff-caliber team and their final touchdown drive was almost too easy for them. They don’t need Tyreek Hill to run this offense effectively, as long as they have Mahomes and Kelce, this offense will be amazing. Now they take on the Rams, and before the season this might have been a matchup that was circled as a potential game of the year, but now looks like an easier game for the Chiefs. 

Philadelphia Eagles (9-1) vs. Green Bay Packers (4-7)

Eagles. The Eagles are coming off a last-minute victory against the Colts last week, and they have been in a little bit of a slump recently. However, they just keep winning, and those types of wins are crucial for their playoff run. They now face the Packers on SNF, who just lost to the Titans on TNF. I think the Packers could upset the Eagles on SNF since it is a primetime game and the Eagles have been struggling recently, but I think Philly’s defense is just too good, and they will be able to stop the Packers offense. 

Indianapolis Colts (4-6-1) vs. Pittsburgh Steelers (3-7) 

Colts. Although the Colts lost last week against the Eagles, I think they played pretty well, and I think Jeff Saturday has been coaching really well for the last two games. He now faces a test against Mike Tomlin, who is one of the greats, and this Steelers defense that has a healthy TJ Watt. Watt can wreck a team by himself, and this Colts o-line has two young players that have been suspect. However, I think Saturday will be able to set up a blocking scheme that will allow Matt Ryan to win this game, as Saturday was once an all-time great offensive lineman.