Week 12 Picks

Thursday Night
New Orleans (-8.5) @ Atlanta
Joe: NO. As crazy and terrible as the Thursday night games have been, this should be a landslide in favor of the Saints. Mentioning my fantasy team for the first time this season, I could use 140 yds and 3 TDs from Jimmy Graham. Seems reasonable.
Mike: NO. Well done lasting 12 weeks before mentioning your fantasy team. I have a losing record in all three of my leagues. Obviously this is a game if luck and not skill. And yes, landslide Saints in the other dome.
Final: NO 17-13. Not a blowout.

Sunday:
Pittsburgh (+2.5) at Cleveland
Joe: CLE. Every Sunday I swear I'll never pick them again. Last week was such a fluke, even for the Browns, they'll bounce back and play a complete game this week. I absolutely believe without 2 blocked punts last week the Browns still win the game (not a stretch, I know). They won't get a punt blocked this week and may even use the Steelers overagression in a punt block to run a fake for a game changing play.
Mike: PIT. I know you're going to take Cleveland. And I'd like to see nothing more than a Brownie win over the Stinkers. Someday we'll have a team in Cleveland that will dominate Pittsburgh for an entire decade but that time hasn't started yet. It'll have to wait for Teddy Bridgewater because Jason Campbell, Willis McGehee and Chris Obanananabooboo isn't the answer. I will say that it's really weird to see the Browns favored over Pittsburgh though. This might be the first time in 20 years we've seen that.
Final: Not Cleveland. You knew better than to pick the Browns but I do appreciate and respect the blind loyalty.

Tampa Bay (+8.5) at Detroit
Joe: TB. Too many points for a terrible coach like Schwartz.
Mike: TB. This might be one of my dumber picks but the Lions always seem to disappoint.
Final:TB 24-21. Stafford throws 4 picks.

Minnesota (+5.5) at Green Bay
Joe: MIN. Too many points for a Tolzien v Cassel matchup. I think I skipped mentioning last week that Peterson is due for a 200+ yard game.
Mike: MIN. Perhaps I should look at the weather report before taking a dome team to win in Green Bay. But with Rodgers out, this provides the slim chance for the Vikings to win at Lambeau.
Final:A tie!?!? It would have been much more fitting for you to pick a team favored by a half-point then watch them tie. A tie. Shouldn't they have some sort of FG shootout to determine the winner?

Jacksonville (+9.5) at Houston
Joe: JAX. Jacksonville will win this outright. I have no idea why Houston is such a huge favorite. Line should be 3.5.
Mike: JAX. Bletch.
Final: JAX 13-6. Yes, the line should have been Jax (-6.5). Maybe I typed it in wrong.

NY Jets (+3.5) at Baltimore
Joe: BAL. Today and today only, we're Raven fans.
Mike: BAL. I understand there's a mathematical chance for the Browns to sneak into a wildcard spot but I can't remember if that means rooting for the Jets or Ravens here. I'll root for injuries and fired coaches.
Final:BAL 19-3. You can be a Raven fan. I'll pass. Go Bengals.

San Diego (+4.5) at Kansas City
Joe: KC. I've picked the Chargers too many times this season. Back to old reliable this season, the Chiefs D dominating like early in the season.
Mike: KC. They should honor Marty Schottenheimer at halftime.
Final: SD 41-38. Maybe one of the better games of the year and I didn't see a single play of it.

Chicago (+1.5) at St Louis
Joe: STL. I'm sick of having the same picks as you. Also speaking of due, McCown is due for a McCown game. Meaning, 0 TDs and 3 Picks.
Mike: CHI. Bears could start McMahon and Payton and still cover against the Rams.
Final:STL 42-21. I guess the Bears aren't very good without Jay Cutler. Nice pick.

Carolina (-4.5) at Miami
Joe: CAR. This might be the biggest blowout of the day. Panthers 34-3.
Mike: MIA. Eventually things will not go right for the Panthers.
Final: CAR 20-16. I wonder what your record is in games determined by a half point.

Indianapolis (+3.5) at Arizona
Joe: ARI. You know I can't root for the Colts. Plus, if this hurts a Harbaugh I'm all for it.
Mike: ARI. A win for the Cardinals is a win for the Browns in April.
Final: ARI 40-11. If only the Browns could be in the AFC South.

Tennessee (-1.5) at Oakland
Joe: OAK. A week of research and Mike figured out where ginger McGloin hails from.
Mike: OAK. I'm a believer in McGloin. A proud graduate of Penn State University.
Final: TEN 23-19. McGloin is a ginger? I thought he was black.

Dallas (+2.5) at NYGiants
Joe: NYG. I'm sick of all these same picks. The Giants still somehow win the division.
Mike: DAL. Tony Romo is the skinny Matt Stafford.
Final: DAL 24-21. I'm willing to bet the Giants will not win the division.

Denver (-2.5) at New England
Joe: NE. Manning isn't better.
Mike: DEN. I would love to see eight inches of snow on the field for this game. What if the quarterbacks were switched? Is Manning that much better than Brady?
Final: NE 34-31. I admit it. I turned it off at 24-0. This would have been a good game to watch if it wasn't on so bloody late. I hate late games.

Monday Night
San Francisco (-5.5) at Washington
Joe: SF. You're right that name would never get confused or be used in a derogatory way.
Mike: WAS. With all this controversy surrounding Washington, they should change their name. I suggest they honor their strong history of sailing ships. And with a hat tip to John Riggins, the new name is obvious -- the Washington Riggers. It's brilliant. No longer would the name be offensive.
Final: SF 27-6. The lazy Riggers were completely dominated.

Joe: 8-6
Mike:  8-6