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NFL Pro Football 2006 Week 12 Picks
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DTMagazine Home Pro Football Week 12 Picks - late games Early Saturday College Football Week 13 Picks Late Saturday College Football Week 13 Picks
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Fearless Rick's NFL Week 12 Picks - Early Games
Rick Gagliano | 11/22/06
All times Eastern - Click here for late Sunday and Monday night games.
Thursday, November 23
12:30 pm Miami (-3, 39) at Detroit - Understand that the NFL didn't set out to give you an upset stomach before Thanksgiving dinner, but watch and/or play this fame at your own risk. The Dolphins have turned their season around, though at 4-6 it may be a bit late to make the playoffs. They do get New England in a couple of weeks, so this is a must win if the fish decide they'd like to be playing in January.
The Miami defense is sound and the offense beginning to show signs of life. Detroit, at 2-8 is, as usual, pretty bad overall, with the 2nd worst run game in the league and a defense to match, allowing nearly 24 points per outing.
Prediction: Dolphins 20 Lions 13
The season has gone the other way for Jon Gruden and the Buccaneers. Offense was a question mark going into the season and it still is the primary problem. The Bucs have scored 14 or less 6 times this season (5 of those losses), though they are arguably better at home (3-3).
Tampa still has a pretty good defensive unit and the Cowboys have to travel on short rest after a big win, so they may be a little less than perfectly prepared here. The Bucs should keep this close enough to say coulda, shoulda...
Prediction: Cowboys 20 Buccaneers 13
Trent Green is back at the helm, though without All-Pro TE Anthony Gonzalez. Still, KC has enough firepower to get some scores on the Denver defense. Also, as proven in last week's game, Jake Plummer and the Broncos are not a good comeback team, especially late in a game. These two tangled on 9/17 at Denver with the Broncos winning in OT, 9-6.
This one will be a little more exciting as the Chiefs should get a 2nd half lead and hold on late.
Prediction: Chiefs 23 Broncos 19
1:00 pm Arizona at Minnesota (-6, 38.5) - The Vikings started out 4-2 but have dropped their last four and are slipping out of the playoff hunt at 4-6. A few of their six losses were to quality teams, but they've given it up against some marginal squads like Buffalo, SF, Miami and Green Bay.
Can they lose to Arizona? Maybe, but the Cardinals had lost 8 straight before beating Detroit 17-10 last week and are statistically one of the worst NFL teams. No surprise there. The Vikings are nearly on a par with them offensively, though Minnesota sports the league's 7th best defense (287.5 ypg) and is tops in rushing yards allowed at a ridiculous 60.3 per game.
So, all Minnesota has to do is shut down Arizona's passing game, right? Easier said than done, especially with Larry Fitzgerald back in the lineup. Minnesota is without much offense, and exceedingly beatable.
Prediction: Cardinals 27 Vikings 17
Carolina, meanwhile, has refocused and are happily atop the NFC South, tied with New Orleans. They should be able to easily overpower the Redskins on the short trip to the Capitol.
Prediction: Panthers 34 Redskins 10
That being said, the Bengals are a TD better on offense, though Cleveland has the better defense. Cincy is dead last in the league, allowing 377.6 per game. Even the Browns will look like a powerhouse against these guys.
The 5-5 Bengals are on the outside looking in where the playoffs are concerned. There are 7 teams with better records in the AFC and only 6 playoff spots. They are 3 full games behind Baltimore in the North division, so they're looking at a wild card spot, meaning winning here is of paramount importance. Against a division rival with nothing to lose, the Bengals are in a very tough spot.
Prediction: Browns 21 Bengals 20
The 5-5 Jets are only marginally better, though they manage games quite well despite missing parts at running back and at various defensive spots. This is a real gut check for both teams, and should be a close one.
Prediction: Jets 24 Texans 21
Jacksonville got themselves back into the playoff race with a dominating defensive performance over the Giants on Monday night, winning 26-10 while holding Tiki Barber and his running mates to just 25 yards rushing.
The Jaguars went 12-4 last season, winning 8 of their last 9 games and look to be embarking on a similar roll. They've won 3 of their last four and, dating back to last season, are a sparkling 7-1 against non-divisional AFC foes. Losman and the Bills last week looked like heroes, but this week will likely come up with zeros.
Prediction: Jaguars 21 Bills 7
That spells trouble on the road against a divisional foe whom the Saints embarrassed on Monday night back in September. The emotions are much different here and Vick and Co. are desperate for a win. The Atlanta defense will probably end up being the hero here though the score won't reflect that.
Prediction: Falcons 31 Saints 21
Prediction: Ravens 27 Steelers 10
The Rams, after a 4-1 start, have now dropped 5 straight and the situation is grim. A win is not only important here, but almost a necessity. A loss puts them further behind in the division and without much hope of a wild card spot. The defense has disappeared for St. Louis and the offense is spotty at best, especially when attempting to move the ball on the ground.
The 49ers won their biggest game in years last week by dumping the Seahawks, 20-14, and they have an opportunity to establish that the game and their season is no fluke. This looks like two teams headed in opposite directions with the advantage to the surging 49ers.
Prediction: 49ers 27 Rams 23
All times Eastern - Click here for late Sunday and Monday night games
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Fearless Rick has been picking pro and college football for 25 years and you can help keep these picks FREE with a small donation (yes I'm talking to you, you cheap loser).
