We’ve got some very important games with playoff implications to look forward to in Week 12. There’s 3 games that stand out above the rest. Philadelphia @ Chicago, San Diego @ Indianapolis and Green Bay @ Atlanta. If the Falcons are victorious, it could really help us understand just who the best in the NFC truly is. Of course the Eagles will still have something to say about that if they can fend off Chicago. The Sunday night matchup should be a great one, as we’ll see if Peyton and the Colts can rebound from a late-game interception that cost them the chance to tie or possibly win over New England after being down 31-14. The Chargers look to continue their November surge and will finally have Vincent Jackson available, giving Philip Rivers the target he’s been missing, but has been doing just fine without. 

Last week was my best of the year, going 13-3. With 6 weeks left in the regular season, there’s still time to finish with a respectable record. It’s crunch time, so like a .500 team looking for a playoff spot, there’s no room for error. 

Last Week: 13-3 (.812)

Season (including Thanksgiving games 3-0): 92-71 (.564)

MNF: 6-6

No-Brainers: 8-4

Teams Used: Dolphins, Packers, Patriots, Colts, Saints, Steelers, Ravens, Titans, Giants, Chiefs, Falcons, Jets

Sunday, November 28th

1:00

Pittsburgh @ Buffalo

The Bills have come alive and are on a 2-game winning streak, but were in nearly all their games during their 0-8 start. So you can never count them out, but against Pittsburgh’s defense who stopped Oakland’s hot streak dead in it’s tracks, they’re the obvious underdog in this one. The Steelers bring them back down to earth, much like they did the Raiders last week.

Pittsburgh 31

Buffalo 14

Carolina @ Cleveland

With Colt McCoy out due to a high ankle sprain, it’ll be Jake Delhomme getting the start against his old team. That should mean a whole lot of carries for Peyton Hillis, who has been an absolute wrecking ball for the Browns this year. Looking back at offseason moves, that might have been the trade of the year. Carolina has looked despicable all season long, and Delhomme getting the start is the only reason I’m not predicting a blowout. He’s always good for a couple interceptions.

Carolina 7

Cleveland 19

Jacksonville @ NY Giants

After many thought the Giants were the cream of the NFC crop, they are coming off back-to-back losses to division foes Dallas and Philadelphia. Jacksonville on the other hand, suddenly finds themselves on top of the AFC South and could pull a game ahead with a win here and a Colts loss to San Diego. They had the last-second hail mary to win over Houston 2 weeks ago and a MJD screen pass that went 75 yards to set them up for the winning touchdown in the final seconds over Cleveland last week. It could go other way, but I like New York to bounce back and Eli Manning to redeem himself after an embarrassing 4-turnover performance.

Jacksonville 20

NY Giants 26

Minnesota @ Washington

It’s definitely too little too late, but the Vikings decided to pull the trigger and fire Brad Childress on Monday. If this had been done a few weeks ago, perhaps the season could’ve been saved. For the Redskins, they also had unfortunate news this week as Clinton Portis was placed on season-ending injured reserve. I’m going to give Minnesota the win here, assuming the team plays much harder for interim coach Leslie Frazier in the same way Dallas has for Jason Garrett. 

Minnesota 21

Washington 18

Tennessee @ Houston 

With Vince Young done for the season (and losing his starting job regardless of health) and Kerry Collins out with a calf injury, rookie 6th round pick Rusty Smith will make his first NFL start. In terms of defenses, it couldn’t have come at a better time as Houston ranks 31st against the pass. This should be one that Houston and league-leading rusher Arian Foster find a way to win after stringing together 4 straight losses. 

Tennessee 16

Houston 28

Green Bay @ Atlanta

As mentioned earlier, unless you’re a firm believer in Philadelphia, this game should show us who is the best in the NFC. Both teams ride 4-game winning streaks coming in, so something has to give. Matt Ryan and Aaron Rodgers are both having a stellar season. I usually leave games like these up to home field advantage, but I believe Green Bay has the better defense to compliment Rodgers and the passing game. It’s as close to a guaranteed must-watch game as you’ll find on this week’s schedule.

Green Bay 27

Atlanta 23

4:05

Miami @ Oakland

The Dolphins will be starting 3rd string quarterback Tyler Thigpen against what should be a very angry Oakland defense after being humiliated, losing 35-3 to Pittsburgh last week. I would expect Darren McFadden to return to form and get plenty of carries after totaling just 14 yards a week ago. 

Miami 6

Oakland 20

Kansas City @ Seattle

Dwayne Bowe got a bit carried away and predicted a Super Bowl win after defeating the Cardinals last week, but this isn’t the week that he’ll get his reality check. If he and Cassell aren’t the ones putting up points, Charles and Jones will be. In this battle of terrible West division leaders, the Chiefs will show that the AFC’s version at least has some respectable talent. I can’t repeat enough what a shame it is that a playoff spot will be wasted on the winner of the NFC West.

Kansas City 24

Seattle 17

4:15

Tampa Bay @ Baltimore

The Buccaneers may be 7-3, but their schedule has been maybe the weakest in the league. Things change in their final 6 games, starting now. It wouldn’t surprise me one bit to see them finish the season 8-8 after looking at their remaining schedule. Baltimore should handle them without much problem and maybe even make Josh Freeman look rattled and uncomfortable for the first time all season.

Tampa Bay 13

Baltimore 24

St. Louis @ Denver

The Rams got out to a surprisingly good start this year, but have been slumping lately. The Broncos have been a disappointment all season long. They are always a tough play home, however. I’ll take Denver with Kyle Orton making the difference, as he and Brandon Lloyd have been the only bright spot on this 3-7 team. 

St. Louis 29

Denver 33

Philadelphia @ Chicago 

This should be a good contest as we’ll get to see how Brian Urlacher and the Bears defense match up against the always threatening Michael Vick. Both teams come in at 7-3 and leaders of their respective divisions. I have to go with the Eagles here because they’re definitely the better team in my opinion, plus I’m sticking by my preseason prediction that Chicago wouldn’t make the playoffs. 

Philadelphia 30

Chicago 23

8:20

San Diego @ Indianapolis

Last week, Peyton Manning threw 4 touchdowns to bring the Colts back from a 31-14 deficit. The problem is he also threw 3 picks and cost them the chance to tie or win in the closing minutes. They’re 6-4 and in danger of breaking their 7-year streak of winning at least 12 regular season games. When the Colts and Bolts meet in recent years, San Diego has always seemed to have Indy’s number. If Philip Rivers leads San Diego to a win, he takes another leap in the MVP standings and is second only to Tom Brady in my opinion. It could easily go either way, but I’m going with the Colts, assuming Manning doesn’t make any errant throws like last week. 

San Diego 31

Indianapolis 37

Monday, November 29th

8:30

San Francisco @ Arizona

Certainly not a game worthy of Monday night, as both teams come in with a 3-7 record. The Cardinals ride a 5-game losing streak and the Niners were shutout by Tampa Bay 21-0 last week. Frank Gore was nearly non-existent in that loss, and I imagine quite the opposite will be the case against Arizona, who usually don’t fare well against opposing running backs. 

San Francisco 19

Arizona 10