The week that was in picks was quite an interesting one as always with any week in the NFL regular season. Before last week's action happened I still held a 1 game advantage over my roommate, Cardinal Viking (not his real name, but a code name), and well... let's take a look at what the results were:
My record:
8-6 (Packers failed me yet again and the Chiefs... well they did Chiefs things).
Cardinal Viking's record:
12-2 (only messed up on the Rams over the Vikings pick, and also picked the Chiefs as well)
As for the playoff picture not much has changed in the first two spots in both the AFC and NFC. As far as the 3-6th seeding in the respective conferences much has changed. Let's take a look:
AFC:
#1: Steelers (8-2)
#2: Patriots (8-2)
#3: Jaguars (7-3)
#4: Chiefs (6-4)
#5: Titans (6-4)
#6: Ravens (5-5)
Wild Card matchups:
Ravens @ Jaguars
Titans @ Chiefs
In the hunt:
Buffalo (5-5), Miami (4-6), NY Jets (4-6), Cincinnati (4-6), Houston (4-6), Los Angeles (4-6), Oakland (4-6), Indianapolis (3-7), Denver (3-7), Cleveland (0-10).
NFC:
#1: Eagles (9-1)
#2: Vikings (8-2)
#3: Saints (8-2)
#4: Rams (7-3)
#5: Panthers (7-3)
#6: Falcons (6-4)
Wild card matchups:
Falcons @ Saints
Panthers @ Rams
In the hunt:
Detroit (6-4), Seattle (6-4), Green Bay (5-5), Dallas (5-5), Washington (4-6), Arizona (4-6), Tampa Bay (4-6), Chicago (3-7), NY Giants (2-8), San Francisco (1-9)
The Vikings win over the Rams last week kept the Vikings locked into that #2 slot as long as they stay the course as far as record, they will hold the tie-breaker over the Rams. The Chiefs loss to the Giants and the Jaguars win over the Browns pushed the Jaguars to the #3 seed while the Chiefs down to #4. There is still a chance that the Browns could still get in the playoffs (keep in mind there's about 47 scenarios).
With the Thanksgiving holiday coming up I felt there was a best way to give my take on what the 32 teams in the NFL can be thankful for, even if they might be down in the dumps. The holiday reminds us to be thankful for the little things as well as the big things and what to be hopeful for. Here is the list:
Arizona Cardinals: You still have a shot to get into the playoffs... still.
Atlanta Falcons: You beat the Seahawks at home, and you still hold your own destiny in the playoffs.
Baltimore Ravens: You could be a dangerous team in the playoffs as you are in a weak AFC.
Buffalo Bills: You still have Tyrod Taylor as your QB even if some people might not want him there.
Carolina Panthers: You could make a deep playoff run with both a potent running attack and Cam Newton is back to his old self.
Chicago Bears: You might not be getting to the playoffs but it seems that Mitch Trubisky has proven to be your hope, now you just need help for him to improve.
Cincinnati Bengals: You still have AJ Green and you still have a shot to get into the playoffs.
Cleveland Browns: You still have a shot to get into the playoffs while holding #1 pick in next year's NFL Draft, what a great time to be alive!
Dallas Cowboys: You still have a shot to get into the playoffs but you'll need Zeke to get back ASAP.
Denver Broncos: In spite all the troubles on offense, you still have Von Miller and that defense!
Detroit Lions: You beat the Packers at home this season, something that doesn't happen all that often and you're not the Browns.
Green Bay Packers: You might not make the playoffs but I'll still support you. Aaron Rodgers could come back though.
Houston Texans: Deshaun Watson may not be able to come back this season but hopefully he'll be the answer for you for years to come on offense. Same for JJ Watt to come back stronger.
Indianapolis Colts: You're a Colts fan, stick with your team. You still have Andrew Luck even if he won't play this season.
Jacksonville Jaguars: You're not the butt of all NFL jokes this season.
Kansas City Chiefs: You have Alex Smith at QB while you have Patrick Mahomes at the helm as your future. You cherish every touchdown your team gets.
Miami Dolphins: Matt Moore will still be your backup and you have South Florida weather (seriously it has to be nice outside).
Minnesota Vikings: There's the prospect of you guys getting homefield advantage throughout the playoffs (note the Super Bowl is at US Bank Stadium, in Minneapolis).
New England Patriots: Tom Brady is still your QB and you look like you'll have another winning season again.
New Orleans Saints: Drew Brees has tapped into his youth again and your defense has improved.
New York Giants: In spite of high expectations, you could get the #1 draft pick still (needs help though).
New York Jets: Remember those 0-16 talks before the season began... you're 4-6.
Oakland Raiders: Derek Carr is your QB and you still have a shot to get into the playoffs.
Philadelphia Eagles: North Dakota boy Carson Wentz and your team has the #1 seed in the NFC playoffs.
Pittsburgh Steelers: The Killer B's are playing well and the AFC North is bad.
Los Angeles Rams: Sean McVay is a good coach and your offense is playing well, heck your team is playing well in all levels.
Los Angeles Chargers: There's still the prospect of going back to San Diego and that you could still get a new owner (if anyone would buy you).
San Francisco 49ers: #2 pick in the NFL draft...
Seattle Seahawks: Russel Wilson is still alive and there's chance you get to the playoffs.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: South Florida weather and you beat the Dolphins last week.
Tennessee Titans: You're in the playoff picture as a wild card and Marcus Mariota is alive.
Washington Redskins: You don't actually play in Washington, and Kirk Cousins hasn't left your team yet.
Thanksgiving is a time to give thanks and enjoy food with family. I'm thankful for good health, for a good job, and that I don't have to work on Thursday and into Friday. While Thanksgiving in November is an American holiday (Canadians celebrate it in October oddly) there is another thing that is quite an American treasure and it is this week's cool video... Thanksgiving... Peanuts style!
Week 12 in the NFL regular season will feature: 3 games on Thursday, 7 early games, 4 late games, a Sunday night game, and a Monday night game. CBS holds the doubleheader this week while FOX will have the single game. No teams will be on bye week. The week begins in Detroit, Michigan and ends in Baltimore, Maryland. Here are the picks!
Minnesota @ Detroit: Vikings. Both teams come off wins last week as the Vikings beat the Rams and the Lions beat the Bears. The early game in the Thanksgiving slate is a rematch of the close game played by both teams back in Week 4. Both teams were different then and I feel good with the Vikings winning this week.
LA Chargers @ Dallas: Chargers. The Chargers come off a win last week against the Bills and the Cowboys come off a loss to the Eagles. The sleeper game while the turkey is coursing through your body will be somewhat of a sleeper game onto itself. The Chargers have been playing better since starting 0-4, but I feel good with the Chargers in this game. The Cowboys limited to the arm of Dak Prescott is no way to win a game.
NY Giants @ Washington: Redskins. The Giants come off a win against the Chiefs last week while the Redskins lost to the Saints. The prime time game while you're out shopping for deals features a NFC East game with the Giants and Redskins playing. The Giants haven't had the best season so far but I feel their luck will run out and I just feel that the Redskins have too many weapons on offense and the Giants have one of the worst rushing attacks in the NFL and I feel good about Washington.
Buffalo @ Kansas City: Chiefs. Both teams come off losses last week as the Bills lost to the Chargers and the Chiefs lost to the Giants. The game will determine who starts at QB for the Bills as the Nathan Peterman experiment backfired (big time, 5 interceptions) and Tyrod Taylor (has 3 interceptions... all season). The Chiefs will rebound at home.
Carolina @ NY Jets: Panthers. Both teams were on bye week last week. The game looks good at first but I feel the Panthers rushing attack will keep the Jets defense on the field for most of the game and I don't trust the Josh McCown led Jets offense to keep up with the Panthers.
Chicago @ Philadelphia: Eagles. The Bears come off a loss to the Lions while the Eagles won against the Cowboys. The Bears have Mitch Trubisky at QB and not a lot else on offense, especially in terms of passing attack. The Eagles seem to be the more complete team despite injuries on defense. Wentzylvania reigns again!
Cleveland @ Cincinnati: Bengals. The Browns come off a loss to the Jaguars while the Bengals won against the Broncos. The Browns could possibly take their first win of the season while this is a long shot. The Bengals have one of the better passing attacks in the NFL despite being inept in the offensive front early in the season, I'll take the Bengals while I don't trust them.
Miami @ New England: Patriots. Miami come off a loss to the Buccaneers while the Patriots won against the Raiders. The Dolphins have been one of the more inept teams in the NFL on both offense and defense this season. Tom Brady is still playing at a high level and I can't go wrong with the Patriots this season who keep improving on defense each week.
Tampa Bay @ Atlanta: Falcons. The Buccaneers come off a win against the Dolphins and the Falcons won against the Seahawks. The NFC South have been one of the worse divisions in the NFL this season, despite this the Falcons still hold their own destiny in the playoffs. The Falcons have been one of the more unpredictable teams to pick this season. One week they can play lights out, the other week can lose to the Dolphins. Division games are important and the Falcons won't scoff at a chance to get back into the playoffs.
Tennessee @ Indianapolis: Titans. The Titans come off a loss to the Steelers last week while the Colts were on bye week. The Colts are looking at another possible losing season as they are currently 3-7 on the year. The Titans however look like a playoff contender and will need to win if they want to stay in the picture. Might be a snooze-fest.
Seattle @ San Francisco: Seahawks. The Seahawks come off a loss to the Falcons while the 49ers were on bye week last week. The Seahawks look like a better team on paper than the 49ers sadly. The Seahawks did questionable things on Monday night but I feel they will put that game to the past and focus on one of the worst teams in the NFL this season.
Denver @ Oakland: Raiders. Both teams come off losses last week as the Broncos lost to the Bengals and the Raiders lost to the Patriots. Both teams are different than what they were when they played back in week 4. The Raiders seem to be a more focused team and have been playing a bit more consistently in wins. The Raiders seem to have the QB problem figured out, unlike the Broncos.
Jacksonville @ Arizona: Jaguars. Jacksonville came off the win last week against the Browns and the Cardinals lost to the Texans. The Cardinals seem to have figured out their QB problem in putting Blaine Gabbert but the Jaguars have the #1 pass defense in the NFL, and the Jaguars have a better offense than the Cardinals. I'll take the Jaguars, don't feel safe with either team but I have to pick one of them.
New Orleans @ LA Rams: Rams. The marquee game of the late slate will feature the Saints and Rams. The Saints got the win against the Redskins while the Rams lost to the Vikings. The game will pit two of the better offensive teams in the NFL. The game will come down to whoever can stop the opposing team. Todd Gurley was held to 37 yards rushing against the Vikings last week, and the Saints are 20th in rush defense this season. The Rams have one of the better passing defenses in the NFL which is usually the Saints bread and butter is to pass the ball. I'll take the Rams.
Green Bay @ Pittsburgh: Steelers. The Packers lost to the Ravens last week while the Steelers won against the Titans. I'm breaking another rule this week as I'm going against the Packers this week. As far as picks is concerned against me and Cardinal Viking, the only reward is bragging rights and I'm willing to sacrifice another blog rule for at least one week. The Steelers seem to be the complete opposite to the Packers, great offense, while stable defense, and they still have a QB that doesn't throw picks often. I'll still support you Packers, but this is personal.
Houston @ Baltimore: Ravens. Both teams come off wins last week as the Ravens beat the Packers and the Texans beat the Cardinals. The week ends as the Ravens host the Texans. The Ravens are one of the worst teams in terms of passing offense while the Texans are worst in pass defense. One team has to come out on top and I tend to like the Ravens at home.
Local TV Schedule (via 506sports.com)
CBS Early:
Miami @ New England
Ian Eagle, Dan Fouts
CBS Late:
New Orleans @ LA Rams
Jim Nantz, Tony Romo
FOX Single:
Chicago @ Philadelphia
Kevin Burkhardt, Charles Davis
For more info on which game will be playing in your area, check out: NFL Week 12 Maps
Week 1: 10-5
Week 2: 10-6
Week 3: 8-8
Week 4: 11-5
Week 5: 7-7
Week 6: 7-7
Week 7: 8-7
Week 8: 12-1
Week 9: 6-7
Week 10: 9-5
Week 11: 8-6
Overall: 96-64
Cardinal Viking, my roommates record:
Week 1: 7-8
Week 1: 7-8
Week 2: 13-3
Week 3: 8-8
Week 4: 11-5
Week 5: 4-10
Week 6: 7-7
Week 7: 10-5
Week 8: 11-2
Week 9: 7-6
Week 10: 9-5
Week 11: 12-2
Overall: 99-61
See you guys next week!
-Tom
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