NFL Office Pool Picks - Week 12

Presented by Dale Sims

The Crystal Ball

The upward trend continues having gone 10 – 6 over last week which gets me to 94 – 66 on the year. I even game out ahead against the spread 8 – 7 to come in at 77 – 77, or even for the year if you aren't counting the vig.

This is my preliminary picks for the week for a pick’em league I participate in.  I will make changes there based on injury reports and other information that comes out after this is submitted, which will be Tuesday morning in light of the Thursday games.  These choices are made without consultation with anyone else here at Football Forecasters.  They are for amusement value only.

Week 12

Miami at Detroit - Miami rolls into Detroit on the strength of their resurgent defense in the past few weeks.  Detroit has had moments where both the offense and the defense have played well, just never at the same time.   Lions win 21 - 20.

Tampa Bay at Dallas - Tampa Bay travels to Dallas off their win over Washington.  Dallas beat Indianapolis by virtue of winning the turnover battle and are back in control of their own destiny in the playoffs.  They must not look past this game and will not, Cowboys win 24 - 10.

Denver at Kansas City - Denver took a tough loss at home and needs to win this one at Arrowhead, always a difficult place to play.  Kansas City is injury-ridden and will need help from their under achieving receiver corps in this one.  They will get it, Chiefs win 20 - 17.

Arizona at Minnesota - Arizona won last week to notch their second win of the season while Minnesota continued their slide by losing their fourth in a row.  Nothing like having the Cardinals coming to town to have an opportunity to fix that, Vikings win 21 - 20.

Carolina at Washington - Carolina is coming together and Washington seems to be coming apart.  After a tough set of injuries for both teams the Carolina pieces are starting to come together.  Washington has no Portis and no real chance, Panthers win 27 - 20.

Chicago at New England - This is Chicago's third trip to the East coast in consecutive weeks.  New England is coming off a solid performance at Green Bay both offensively and defensively.  They will bring pressure on Grossman and spread out the Bear defense, Patriots win 23 - 21.

Cincinnati at Cleveland - Cincinnati certainly has proven their ability to score but they still have trouble stopping good offenses.  Cleveland does not happen to have one of those though they are still playing with effort, Bengals win 27 - 20.

Houston at N.Y. Jets - Houston has been up and down and actually has put together some solid offense at times.  The New York Jets have been erratic in different ways but their defense has improved of late. The advantage goes to the home team here, Jets win 21 - 14.

Jacksonville at Buffalo - Jacksonville has there share of problems and this is the time of year where teams going from the South to the North sometimes have issues with the climate.  That could happen here but Jacksonville should still prevail 24 - 21.

New Orleans at Atlanta - This game is critical for both teams' postseason; the loser here has a much reduced chance to make the playoffs.  Atlanta has been playing generally horribly over the past three weeks and reality is setting in for the Saints but they win here 21 -20.

N.Y. Giants at Tennessee - The New York Giants travel to play an inconsistent Tennessee team.  Their injury problems should be starting to work themselves out but they can not be caught looking ahead to their meeting with Dallas, Giants win 28 - 20.

Philadelphia at Indianapolis - Indianapolis lost which may have been a blessing; their defense is getting better also.  Philadelphia lost McNabb for the season which makes them an entirely different and less effective tem offensively, Colts win 28 -17.

Pittsburgh at Baltimore - Pittsburgh is the cornered animal fighting for what little dignity and life it has left which at this point is not much.  Baltimore continues to play an essentially sound defense with a steadily improving offense, Ravens win 24 - 17.

San Francisco at St. Louis - San Francisco played solidly last week to knock off Seattle but need to play better on the road.  St Louis lost key players on both offense and defense and lack depth, but San Francisco is not ready to take advantage of the situation, Rams win 21 - 20.

Oakland at San Diego - Oakland almost managed to win last week in Kansas City but it is doubtful that they have much fight left in them at this point.  San Diego has to be careful of a let down here; but even if they do, they are still playing Oakland, Chargers win 31 - 17.

Green Bay at Seattle - Green Bay was dominated by the Patriots in every phase of the game last week while Seattle was embarrassed by San Francisco so both are looking for a comeback here.  Seattle is getting some offensive pieces and are at home, Seahawks win 24 - 14.