NFL picks, predictions for Week 12: Crows bury the Browns; Bucs Cool Colts; Steelers stay in hunt for AFC

In theory, Week 12 of the NFL football season is one of the best weeks of the season.

There are seven matches involving teams with a record of .500 or higher and those will go a long way in eradicating the pairing order in playoff races in both AFC and NFC.

Two AFC North matches became the focus. It was the only tournament where every team had a winning record.

Pittsburgh goes to Cincinnati, and Cleveland goes to Baltimore. Will the Bengals wipe out the Steelers and take the next step toward a playoff berth with sophomore defender Joe Burrow? Will Lamar Jackson come back and help Raven try to increase the distance from the rest of the division?

There are other great matches on the schedule. Tom Brady leads Tampa Bay into an all-too-familiar big game at Indianapolis. Red hot water lovers hold the Titans. The Rams will also face the Packers in a battle of NFC candidates.

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• Week 11: 8-7
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NFL POWER RANKINGS:
Cardinal returns to No. 1; Chiefs, Patriots Rise as Cowboys, Bills Drop in Week 12

NFL picks, predictions for Week 12

• Pittsburgh Steelers at Cincinnati Bengals (-3.5)

Sunday, 1 p.m., CBS

The Bengals haven’t swept the Steelers since 2009; a 10-game winning season, in which Cincinnati lost in the AFC Wild Card round. Cincinnati dominated the first meeting 24-7, and the Steelers need to sort out who will return among TJ Watt, Minkah Fitzptrick and Joe Haden. Chances of a win for the Bengals are there, but how many times have we taken to this street? The Steelers pull a shock at Paul Brown Stadium.

Pick: Steelers 28, Bengals 24

• Tampa Bay Buccaneers (-3) at Indianapolis Colts

Sunday, 1pm, FOX

Tom Brady has a long history in big games at Indianapolis, but Peyton Manning isn’t the one to worry about this week. Instead, it’s Jonathan Taylor, who has averaged 157.7 yards over the past three weeks for the Colts. Tampa Bay has the best defense in the league, and it will be tested. The Buccaneers withdrew in the fourth round behind Brady, who was leading 5-4 at Indianapolis (including post-season). He left with another win over his old rivals.

Pick: Buccaneers 30, Colts 26

• Carolina Panthers (-1) at Miami Dolphins

Sunday, 1pm, FOX

Cam Newton vs Tua Tagovailoa the day after the Iron Bowl? It’s a random break for schedulers. Newton’s return made headlines, but Miami’s defense allowed just 12 points per game through three consecutive wins. At home, that means a fourth straight win.

Pick: Dolphins 22, Panthers 20

• Tennessee Titans at New England Patriots (-5.5)

Sunday, 1 p.m., CBS

The line looks tall given the Titans’ place in the AFC rankings, but it’s a nod to the Patriots turning the lights off with rookie defender Mac Jones. Mike Vrabel has also led Tennessee to victory over the Patriots in their last two meetings. That said, we’ll count on the Patriots’ defense at home, where they only allow 10 ppg. in their last two.

Pick: Patriots 24, Titans 19

• Philadelphia Eagles (-3.5) vs New York Giants

Sunday, 1pm, FOX

The Eagles have been gaining momentum with consecutive wins where they have scored at least 30 points. New York will take place in a short week and is still mixing and matching its offense. New York beat Philadelphia at home last season, but it’s a different mode.

Pick: Eagle 25, Giant 20

• Atlanta Falcons (-1) at Jacksonville Jaguars

Sunday, 1 p.m., CBS

The Falcons had some more time to figure out what was the inevitable breach in the losses against the Patriots and Cowboys. The Jaguars have had a few surprising wins, but they are yet to score more than 19 points in a home game. Georgia fans finally get to celebrate their victory over Urban Meyer.

Pick: Falcon 21, jaguar 17

• New York Jets at Houston Texans (-3)

Sunday, 1 p.m., CBS

The draft order will be a topic of conversation in this game, and the Texans are the winners. The Texans have been forced to have a revenue year in each of their last two games, and New York has a -15 turnover ratio for the year.

Pick: Texans 23, Jets 17

• Los Angeles Charger (-2.5) at Denver Broncos

Sunday, 4:05 p.m., CBS

The Broncos have a 5-3 advantage in this AFC West confrontation since the Chargers moved places. Justin Herbert, however, is 3-1 with a 100.6-rated midfielder on the road this season. Los Angeles built momentum with a win over the Steelers, and it continues on its way.

Pick: Charger 31, Broncos 24

• Los Angeles Rams at Green Bay Packers (-1)

Sunday, 4:25 p.m., FOX

Rams will say goodbye for a week. The Packers desperately needed a bye week, and the offensive line suffered yet another blow with Elgton Jenkins’ injury. Aaron Rodgers (toe) is also hurting, and that’s not good news as the freshly refreshed Rams are looking to throw around new stars Von Miller and Odell Beckham Jr. The Packers are unbeaten at home, but Matthew Stafford is back on track in this frustrating game.

Pick: Rams 28, Packing 24

• Minnesota Vikings at San Francisco 49ers (-3)

Sunday, 4:25 p.m., FOX

This is an interesting battle between two NFC playoff competitors. The Vikings played in six decisive games with four points or less, and they were 2-4 in those games. Their defense is also getting stronger. San Francisco won 3/4, but they are only 1-4 at home this season. Minnesota steals one on the road.

Pick: Vikings 27, 49ers 21

• Cleveland Browns at Baltimore Ravens (-4)

Sunday, 8:20 p.m., NBC

Lamar Jackson missed Week 11, and Baker Mayfield is battling a string of nagging injuries. The Ravens are leading 3-1 at home this season, but suffered a heavy loss to the Bengals earlier in the year. Baltimore has won the last three out of four games in this series, and the league’s second-placed defense will be the deciding factor. The Ravens took control of the division.

Pick: Raven 29, Browns 24

• Seattle Seahawks at Washington Soccer Team (-1)

Monday, 8:15 p.m., ESPN

The Seahawks’ attack has scored just 13 points in two games since Russell Wilson’s return, and Washington has tightened their defense over the past two weeks by allowing 20 points per game. Washington is leading 4-1 when there are less than two turns in a game. Seattle played clean, got a few minutes off, and Wilson finally started.

Pick: Seahawks 25, Washington 23

• Chicago Bears (-3.5) at Detroit Lions

Thursday, 12:30 p.m., FOX

Who will the quarterback be? Jared Goff is expected to sit out in Detroit, meaning Tim Boyle will be starting second. Bears coach Matt Nagy did not give Justin Fields an update, meaning Andy Dalton could start playing for the Bears. Ugly football can bring unexpected results, but Chicago has a more aggressive attack and defense. Under (41.5) can be played.

Pick: Bear 23, Lion 13

• Las Vegas Raiders at Dallas Cowboys (-7)

Thursday, 4:30 p.m., CBS

Dak Prescott may be without Amari Cooper (COVID-19) and CeeDee Lamb (concussion protocol), but the Cowboys are still a favorite against the Raiders. Las Vegas are on a revenue ratio of -4 on their losing streak, so watch out for Micah Parsons and Trevon Diggs and big play in defense. Cowboys break two-loss streak in Thanksgiving games.

Pick: Cowboys 31, Raiders 22

• Buffalo Bills (-4) at New Orleans Saints

Thursday, 8:20 p.m., NBC

The Saints are on a three-game losing streak, and Trevor Siemian is completing 57.3% of his passes in that losing streak. The Bills have had an average of three lost revenue per game over the past three weeks, and if they don’t clean that up, this could well be the end. We’ll count on Josh Allen to steer the ship in a tough match on the road. Buffalo is 2-3 ATS when favored by single digits, so this is probably close to reality.

Pick: Bills 27, Saints 24