NFL Picks: Packers can clinch the North
Published 8:40 am Wednesday, December 12, 2012
Here are the picks:
Cincinnati at Philadelphia
The Eagles showed some unexpected life last week and it’s hard to pick against a team at home on a Thursday night.
EAGLES 27, BENGALS 24
N.Y. Giants at Atlanta
Although the Falcons are 11-2, Matt Ryan is in a slump, they haven’t had a lot of wins over ‘quality’ teams and doubt might be creeping in. The Giants pass rush could turn this game into a rough one.
GIANTS 31, FALCONS 21
Green Bay at Chicago
The Packers can win the NFC North with a victory and all they have to do is not turn the ball over and not let Brandon Marshall have a huge day. I think they can contain Marshall, but the Bears always seem to get that big turnover in Chicago.
Still, I have more faith in Aaron Rodgers than Jay Cutler in a big game.
PACKERS 20, BEARS 17
Washington at Cleveland
Although the Redskins will miss Robert Griffin III if he’s too injured to play, they still have Alfred Morris, who already has 1,228 rushing yards and Kirk Cousins has potential to eventually be an NFL starter at quarterback.
REDSKINS 20, BROWNS 13
Minnesota at St. Louis
At some point Adrian Peterson won’t run for 150 yards and 2 TDs and it could be this week, where the Rams have been stingy at home.
RAMS 17, VIKINGS 13
Jacksonville at Miami
The Dolphins have shown me more this year.
DOLPHINS 14, JAGUARS 7
Tampa Bay at New Orleans
It’s looking like neither of these teams will make the playoffs now as the Bucs dropped a heartbreaker at home last week and the Saints can never avoid the costly mistake.
But Drew Brees is still pretty solid at home.
SAINTS 31, BUCS 17
Denver at Baltimore
I don’t have a lot of faith in the Ravens and the Broncos are on a big roll.
BRONCOS 27, RAVENS 24
Indianapolis at Houston
Andrew Luck and the Colts just aren’t as dangerous on the road and the Texans better be playing angry after another embarrassing loss on the national spotlight.
TEXANS 27, COLTS 17
Seattle at Buffalo
I find it just a bit ironic that back when the Packers lost to the Seahawks on the Hail Mary that wasn’t, there more than a few Viking fans all excited, who taunted Packer fans like me. Now it looks like that one win could be the one that keeps Seattle ahead of Minnesota in the wild card race.
SEAHAWKS 27, BILLS 17
Detroit at Arizona
Neither of these teams inspires any type of confidence as the Cards have lost nine straight and the Lions have perfected the art of blowing double digit leads. Is there a way, they can both lose?
LIONS 34, CARDINALS 24
Carolina at San Diego
Both teams are done, but Cam Newton played pretty well last week.
PANTHERS 27, CHARGERS 20
Pittsburgh at Dallas
Each of these teams could make the playoffs, but the loser of this game is in a tough spot. The Cowboys of recent years lose games like this.
STEELERS 13, COWBOYS 10
Kansas City at Oakland
Whoever loses this game has an inside track at a top-two pick in the NFL draft.
RAIDERS 17, CHIEFS 10
San Francisco at New England
The 49ers just don’t have enough firepower to keep up with the Patriots.
PATRIOTS 28, 49ERS 20
N.Y. Jets at Tennessee
Remember two years ago when Mark Sanchez had led the Jets to two straight AFC title games? It seems like a long time ago.
TITANS 17, JETS 9
Last week: 10-6; overall: 10-6