Week 12 Free NFL Picks
Note: Don't bet the house on these picks. While they very well could be good, there is no scientific analysis going into them or anything like that.
Carolina -1.5 at Atlanta-
This is one of those games where a team with superior overall talent and experience in Carolina is going into a game against a team that isn't quite as good as their record indicates and that's why this spread is a bit off.
Atlanta will be very, very good in the future as Matt Ryan matures and with Roddy White becoming a superstar wide receiver but Carolina will win this game because they have more options on offense and the speed of Steve Smith, DeAngelo Williams, and Julius Peppers will lead to some big plays in the dome and on turf.
Tampa Bay -8.5 vs. Detroit-
It is a foolish thing to bet on the Lions most weeks but with Detroit's knowledge of the famed Tampa-2 system and all of the ex-Buccaneers the Lions have, Detroit should be able to keep this game closer than the 8.5 point spread.
Daunte Culpepper looked mobile and in decent condition last week for the Lions and he should be able to hit Calvin Johnson deep a few times in this game.
Jacksonville -2 vs. Minnesota-
Brad Childress and has staff seem to be dead men walking in the Twin Cities and the fans and players might very well believe it as well.
The Vikings have too much talent to be as boring and predictable as they are on offense and that won't get it done against the Jaguars on the road. This spread should be higher and that's why I'm taking the Jaguars in this game. Their big defensive line should clog the running lanes for Adrian Peterson and if you take him away the Vikings generally fade.
Denver -9.5 vs. Oakland-
The Raiders have nothing to play for, except maybe this game. But that still won't matter. The Broncos are back to playing how they did earlier in the year and Jay Cutler is in rhythm with his receivers in Eddie Royal and Brandon Marshall yet again.
Peyton Hillis is bringing consistency and power to the Broncos' run game and tight end Tony Scheffler is a weapon in the middle of the field. The former Western Michigan star is back from injuries and his athleticism will help Cutler work all parts of the field against the Raiders.
The Raiders simply don't have the offense to match the Broncos and in the cold temperatures, Oakland might very well decide to mail this game in when the going gets tough. It's always a possibility and if that happens then the Broncos will cover easily.
Even if the Raiders do try hard, the Broncos still have the firepower to blow them out, making this a good week 12 pick in the NFL.
