Week 12 picks

The playoff race is tightening up, and some teams have to step it up if they want to play come January. If the playoffs started today, from the NFC: Giants, Cardinals, Packers, Panthers, with the Bucs and the Cowboys as Wild Cards. Redskins and Falcons are tied for that last Wild card spot with the Cowboys. The Eagles are half a game behind, while the Bears, Vikes and the Saints are a full game out of it. The next month and a half is going to be awesome for us football fans.

Over in the AFC, Jets, Broncos, Steelers and Titans would host a game each, with the Dolphins, Patriots, Ravens and Colts being tied for the two WC spots. And the Bills are only one game out of WC contention too.

Anyways, let's get this show on the road, Thursday night game tonight. No pick on the Pats game.

Cincinnati
@ Pittsburgh
Chad Ocho Cinco is not playing tonight because of a suspension for violating a team rule. I still think Pittsburgh will win, regardless of his status. The Bengals can be happy about themselves though, the first tie in the NFL since 2002. Round of applause.
Pick: Pittsburgh -10.5

Houston
@ Cleveland
Houston should have won. Cleveland should have lost. Brady Quinn has a broken finger. Sage Rosenfels is...well, Sage Rosenfels. I really like the Texans running game this season, Steve Slaton is doing a good job toting the rock, and Ahman Green is a nice veteran to spell him. Andre Johnson, one of the five best receivers in the league. Too bad he's never had a top five QB...
Pick: Houston +3.0

Buffalo
@ Kansas City
The Bills need this game like Shakira needs a decent song writer. They should have won last week, but, alas, the NFL works in mysterious ways. Look for Marshawn Lynch to have a good game against a fragile KC D.
Pick: Buffalo -3.0

Philadelphia
@ Baltimore
No no no no no no no.
Pick: Baltimore -1.5

San Francisco
@ Dallas
Coin toss. Cause I don't like the game at all. Dallas is too shaky, Niners too...something.
Coin says: San Francisco +10.0

New York
@ Tennessee
Do I root for New York to end Tennessee's bid for a perfect season? Or do I root for the Titans to help the Pats in the division? Playoffs > only perfect 16-game regular season. At five points, I'll take Tennessee any day.
Pick: Tennessee -5.0

Tampa Bay
@ Detroit
Tampa Bay is kinda flying under the radar I feel, but they are playing solid football and have the inside track on the fifth seed in the NFC. They should be able to roll against Detroit, even without Earnest Graham.
Pick: Tampa Bay -8.0

Chicago
@ St. Louis
Rams stink. Bears got manhandled by Green Bay. St. Louis failed me two weeks in a row now, so we're taking Chicago.
Pick: Chicago -8.5

Minnesota
@ Jacksonville
Both picked to be in the hunt for the division crown at the start of the season, Minny is tied for first with Green Bay and Chicago, while Jacksonville is relegated to third, behind the Colts and the Titans. Jacksonville is not making the playoffs. Minnesota might sneak in, but they will probably have to win five of the last six. None of these teams are showing me enough to pick either of them, but I'll take my chances on Jacksonville this week.
Pick: Jacksonville -2.5

Oakland
@ Denver
Denver atop the West with six to play. Who'd a thunk? The Chargers stink this year, and that is probably why Denver will get a home playoff game come January. And Oakland? Coming around, but still missing a lot of pieces to even be an 8-8 team.
Pick: Denver -9.5

New York
@ Arizona
Props to Zona for only getting 3 against the defending champs. But their defense have to step up big if they are to have any chance of pulling this one off. I think the G-men will prevail.
Pick: New York -3.0

Washington
@ Seattle
Pick: Washington -3.5

Carolina
@ Atlanta
Atlanta will be lagging in the WC race if they loose here, and the Panthers can tighten their grip on the division with a win. Both teams are playing good ball, but the Panthers are getting a few more breaks along the way.
Pick: Carolina +1.0

Indianapolis
@ San Diego
Can we trust the Chargers? No. Colts look they are aiming for one of those WC slots. I say Colts in a close one.
Pick: Indianapolis +2.5

Green Bay
@ New Orleans
Packers: 5-5, tied atop NFC North. Saints: 5-5, last place in NFC South. Green Bay has a better D than the Saints, that's why I think they will win on Monday night. Though Drew Brees might still throw for 400yds.
Pick: Green Bay +3.0

Last week: 7-8

Season: 72-73-4