The Crystal Ball

 

Last week was a turn around 13 – 3 straight up; taking he record there to 103 for 160.  More surprisingly I was again above average against the spread 11 – 3 – 2; that brings the record against the spread to 79 – 71 – 10 for the season.  The spread is taken as it was as of Tuesday morning when I put these picks together, your mileage may vary.

 

Now time for the standard disclaimers; I participate in a pick’em league and this represents my preliminary choices for that and is for amusement purposes only.  Changes are often made later in the week as more information comes in, particularly regarding injuries.  Because of the deadline for this column, changes are not reflected in the weekly or the running totals.  This is my opinion only, not the actual informed football judgment of anyone else here and I am solely responsible.

 

Week 12

 

New York Jets at Dallas – New York had an unexpected win in a game where their normally porous run defense did an excellent job.  Dallas is playing well enough but needs to be a bit careful about looking ahead of this game, Cowboys win 27 – 14.

 

Green Bay at Detroit – Detroit has a kind of offense that can create issues because they put many receivers in the pattern and can attack safeties that are not good in coverage.  Green Bay though gets to attack an entire secondary that does not cover well, Packers win 28 – 24.

 

Indianapolis at Atlanta – Atlanta, despite winning two of their last three, is just not a very good team.  Indianapolis has a number of injured players at this point in the season and their offense is struggling, Colts win 21 – 10.

 

Buffalo at Jacksonville – Buffalo was rolled over last week, which was not unexpected, but they play hard every week.  Jacksonville getting healthy on offense is getting hurt on the defensive side of the ball, Jaguars win 21 – 17.

 

Houston at Cleveland – Houston has found their offense with the return of their number one quarterback and wide receiver.  Cleveland has been great on offense, particularly at home, but they have the worst defense in the NFL, Browns win 28 – 27.

 

Oakland at Kansas City – Oakland has had a difficult year, their defense, last years bright spot, has been decidedly average.  Kansas City has changed quarterbacks but their offense is still limited but their defense has been improved, Chiefs win 21 – 14.

 

Seattle at St Louis – Seattle seems to have adapted to a change in game plan, relying on the short passing game, it helps that their receiver corps is back on the field too.  St Louis is on a winning streak, after getting some critical pieces of their offense back, Rams win 21 – 20.

 

Minnesota at New York Giants – New York got a solid win last week but at substantial cost as their injury count went up substantially.  Minnesota is a one-dimensional running team but they are very good at it; the offensive line is solid, Vikings win 24 – 20.

 

Washington at Tampa Bay – Washington has had a number of close games this season where they have too often come up a play short.  Tampa Bay is looking more like the defensive stalwart that it is historically known to be, Buccaneers win 27 – 21. 

 

New Orleans at Carolina – Carolina has had a number of injuries that have left them with a patchwork offense.  New Orleans has managed to reestablish an offensive presence but their pass defense has been exceedingly generous, Saints win 24 – 14.

 

Tennessee at Cincinnati – The Cincinnati defense has been truly hideous this season, the offense just has not been able to score enough to keep up.  Tennessee has been playing ugly ball but nothing new there, Titans win 24 – 21.

 

San Francisco at Arizona – San Francisco has been offensively inept; their offensive line has been unable to establish a running game and the quarterback play has been erratic.  Arizona has generally played well at home, Cardinals win 28 – 14.

 

Baltimore at San Diego – The Baltimore defense is not what it used to be, particularly against the pass.  The San Diego passing game has not been doing well of late, as the wide receivers have not been able to establish themselves, Chargers win 24 – 17.

 

Denver at Chicago –Chicago has been on the wrong side of the turnover margin this season and it has left the defense on the field too long.  The Denver offense has been a bit unsettled between injuries and substandard play by the offensive line, Broncos win 21 – 17.

 

Philadelphia at New England – The Eagles may or may not have McNabb available this week and have some other injury issues as well.  New England has been scoring pretty much at will and there is no sign that they will let up now, Patriots win 45 – 14.

 

Miami at Pittsburgh – Miami may actually not win a game this season, between injuries and a generally shallow talent pool they look to be overmatched in about every game.  Pittsburgh has been playing down to their opposition but mostly on the road, Steelers win 28 – 10.

 

Dale “at” footballforecasters.com