Previewing Week 12

Last week's predictions: 13/14
Season tally: 110/159, 69%

Houston Texans (-3) @ Detroit Lions [Thanksgiving Day, Game 1]
Seems like this hasn't been talked about enough, so here we go: the Houston Texans, alleged Super Bowl contenders, almost lost to Jacksonville's NFL franchise last week. Bad sign?
The pick: Despite that scare, still taking the Texans. And what does that say about the Lions?

Washington Redskins @ Dallas Cowboys (-3) [Thanksgiving Day, Game 2]
Here's the thing about the Dallas Cowboys. They're suddenly back in the playoff hunt thanks to two consecutive wins. But those wins were against the Nick Foles Eagles and the Cleveland Browns. The Cowboys are not a good football team.
The pick: Redskins.

New England Patriots (-6.5) @ New York Jets [Thanksgiving Day, Game 3]
Quietly, the Patriots are only a few points off the record-breaking offensive pace they set back in 2007 when Tom Brady was throwing bombs to Randy Moss every week. They're just far more balanced this year, which should make it easier to stomach the loss of Rob Gronkowski.
The pick: Patriots.

Oakland Raiders @ Cincinnati Bengals (-8)
Which of these second-year quarterbacks would you rather have, based on what they've done this year?
Player A: 2,559 yards, 20 passing TDs, 2 rushing TDs, 11 interceptions, 64% completion rate, 92.7 QB rating
Player B: 2,395 yards, 9 passing TDs, 4 rushing TDs, 10 interceptions, 57% completion rate, 79 QB rating
I'm guessing you chose Player A over Player B, which means you chose Andy Dalton of the Bengals over Cam Newton.
The pick: Bengals.

Pittsburgh Steelers @ Cleveland Browns (-1)
Without Ben Roethlisberger, the Steelers still almost beat the Ravens at home. I actually think the Browns on the road is the tougher challenge.
The pick: Browns.

Buffalo Bills @ Indianapolis Colts (-3)
"Betting against Andrew Luck at home" is quickly becoming one of those things you DON'T do.
The pick: Colts.

Denver Broncos (-10.5) @ Kansas City Chiefs
Quite honestly, it would be shocking if the Broncos won by less than 20 points.
The pick: Broncos.

Tennessee Titans (-3) @ Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jaguars almost beat the Texans last week. In Houston. With their backup quarterback and a running back named Jalen Parmele. And they're probably still going to lose to the terrible Titans anyway, because they're the Jaguars.
The pick: Titans.

Minnesota Vikings @ Chicago Bears
No point spread has been posted for this game yet because of the uncertainty surrounding Jay Cutler's health. If he plays, the Vikings should be toast. If not...the door will be open for an upset.
The pick: Don't think Cutler suits up. Vikings.

Atlanta Falcons (-1) @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Matt Ryan threw five interceptions last week. Five! At home! Plus the Buccaneers are red-hot. They're three games back of the Falcons and they still play each other twice. This is a big chance for Tampa to make a statement.
The pick: What the heck, I'm riding the Buccaneers bandwagon. Tampa Bay.

Seattle Seahawks (-3) @ Miami Dolphins
Are the Seahawks the most low-profile contender out there? They're 6-4. Russell Wilson is making plays, Marshawn Lynch is perpetually in Beast Mode, and their defense is great. The weakness: a 1-4 road record.
The pick: Seahawks fix those road woes with a win.

Baltimore Ravens (-1) @ San Diego Chargers
Love the fact that Baltimore is only favored by one point, because it means we as a country have finally acknowledged that Joe Flacco isn't a very good quarterback. Especially not on the road. Still, this spread fails to properly recognize the steaming hot pile of garbage that is the San Diego Chargers.
The pick: Ravens. If they lose this game, they can't legitimately call themselves Super Bowl contenders.

San Francisco 49ers (-2.5) @ New Orleans Saints
Colin Kaepernick or Alex Smith? Alex Smith or Colin Kaepernick? Someone's feelings are about to get hurt. Don't think it ends up mattering, because the suddenly-scorching-hot Saints win either way.
The pick: Saints.

St. Louis Rams @ Arizona Cardinals (-2.5)
One of these teams might win, but the rest of us all lose.
The pick: Rams.

Green Bay Packers @ New York Giants (-2.5)
Seriously, the Giants follow the same script every single season. It's eerie. Spoiler alert: this is the game where they finally snap out of their funk and play well against a good opponent, yet still lose at the very end in a heartbreaker, putting their playoff chances in further jeopardy.
The pick: Packers.

Carolina Panthers @ Philadelphia Eagles (-2.5)
I can imagine the TV guys all sitting around a table back in May or whenever they put together the schedule, and one of them is saying, "Guys, know what would be an awesome Monday Night game right after Thanksgiving? Panthers-Eagles! Michael Vick against Cam Newton in primetime! The Dream Team against the Rookie of the Year! What could possibly go wrong?!" Well, sir, everything went wrong. Everything.
The pick: Panthers. The Eagles have phoned in the season.