NFL Picks Week 12: Goodbye Kitty

The New Orleans Saints face their division rival in the Carolina Panthers, with a chance to move ever so closer to the NFC South title. Carolina had stood within striking distance to the Saints for the better part of the season until recently, but now they find themselves in danger of falling out of not only the division race, but the playoff race as well. Despite their recent struggles, Carolina remains a dangerous foe, especially with their backs against the wall. The Panthers will fight to keep from having to kiss their playoff hopes goodbye, but the Saints welcome the opportunity to say goodbye to the “kitties” in the NFC South race.

Let’s take a look at this and all of the NFL action in Week 12.

Last week I went 9-5

I told you so: Jets over Redskins!

What do I know: Eagles over Pats?

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WEEK 12

Thursday, November 21st - Thursday Night Football

Colts(6-4) at Texans(6-4)

The underrated Indy offense will be the key, as they take advantage of a Houston defense that is nowhere near as good as their former reputation says. Indianapolis wins 24-17.

Pick: Colts

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Sunday, November 24th - Early Games

Broncos(3-7) at Bills(7-3)

Buffalo will outgrind Denver in snowy upstate New York. Buffalo wins 27-17.

Pick: Bills

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Giants(2-8) at Bears(4-6)

Chicago’s completely absent offense will let them down again in this one. Giants win 26-21.

Pick: Giants

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Steelers(5-5) at Bengals(0-10)

Cincy’s putrid defense will once again see the Bengals mark another tally in the loss column against Pittsburgh. Pittsburgh wins 17-7

Pick: Steelers

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Dolphins(2-8) at Browns(4-6)

Cleveland lands back in the win column here against Miami. Cleveland wins 23-17.

Pick: Browns

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Buccaneers(3-7) at Falcons(3-7)

Atlanta will have their best rushing performance of the season as they make it three wins in a row, going into their turkey day showdown. Atlanta wins 34-31.

Pick: Falcons

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Seahawks(8-2) at Eagles(5-5)

Seattle continues to roll against the NCMFs in Philly. Seattle wins 26-9.

Pick: Seahawks

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Lions(3-6-1) at Redskins(1-9)

Washington’s terrible, horrible, no-good, very bad season plods along with another loss here against Detroit. Detroit wins 24-14.

Pick: Lions

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Raiders(6-4) at Jets(3-7)

Oakland has been rolling recently, and their defense will have a great game here against the Jets. Oakland wins 31-19.

Pick: Raiders

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Panthers(5-5) at Saints(8-2)

The path to victory for the Saints is clear in this matchup and it involves one major task: stop Christian McCaffrey. Now its easier to say than it is to do, but the Saints have had success in doing so in recent years. This defense is once again ready to do just that. They have been up to the task of slowing down Carolina’s weapons and they may very well be better now than they have been in recent meetings.

On offense, the Saints need to lead the way with their own dynamic running back, Alvin Kamara, while balancing out the ground game with Latavius Murray. The Saints need to grind out Gerald McCoy and the Panthers defense on the ground in order to finish them off with Michael Thomas and Jared Cook in the passing game.

The Saints can all but claim their third-consecutive NFC South title with wins over the next two games, but they need to be focused, poised, and determined to make it happen. The Saints stand on the threshold of a three-peat in the South and it won't come easy, but it will be accomplished all the same. Saints win 28-21.

Pick: Saints

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Sunday, November 24th - Late Games

Jaguars(4-6) at Titans(5-5)

Tennessee will not be able to get much going in the air against the Jags. Jacksonville wins 16-13.

Pick: Jaguars

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Cowboys(6-4) at Patriots(9-1)

New England’s offense will surgically dissect the Dallas defense at Foxboro. New England wins 33-17.

Pick: Patriots

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Sunday Night Football

Packers(8-2) at 49ers(9-1) - Game of the Week

This game will be close all the way through, but it will come down to Aaron Rodgers doing something ridiculous to lead the Pack to victory in the end. Green Bay wins 34-31.

Pick: Packers

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Monday, November 25th - Monday Night Football

Ravens(8-2) at Rams(6-4)

Lamar Jackson and Mark Ingram will have a huge night on offense, Jared Goff and Todd Gurley will not. Baltimore wins 34-17.

Pick: Ravens

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That’s how I see Week 12 going down. The Saints can nearly lock up the NFC South title with this win! Leave us your picks, comments, and insight below!