NFL Week 12 Picks

Both Loren and I went 5-1 last week. I'm sitting pretty at 45-21 while Loren is 9 back at 36-30.

Washington at Dallas

Loren - Washington. I'm off cycle on Washington, picking them when they lose, picking against them when they win. But I've got to make up ground and the Redskins are another one of those any-given-week teams. A mistake free day and the Redskins walk out of big D with a win.

Derek – Dallas. I think Dallas is coming around. They'll need to make some big plays on offense, but I think their corners will play well enough on defense to shut down the big passing plays of RG III.

Oakland at Cincinnati

Loren - Cincinnati. They won't have Run DMC back yet, so the Raiders don't have a lot to work with. The Bengals are a tough nosed team and you walk off their turf bruised. It's going to be a long day for the Raiders.

Derek – Cincinnati. Should be a fairly easy game for the Bengals. Their offense and defense should dominate the game.

Buffalo at Indianapolis

Loren - Buffalo. Indy is playing well, despite the beating they took against the Pats. Why am I picking against them? Desperation. And the Bill could be them. Maybe. With some luck.

Derek – Indianapolis. Does Loren's write up make since? Nope, neither does his pick.

Seattle at Miami

Loren - Seattle. I hoped this matchup would convince Derek to take Miami. Yes, it's a long away trip for the Seahawks. They are also a much better team than the Dolphins. Run the ball, let your defense do what it does, leave with a win against an inferior opponent. What could go wrong?

Derek – Miami. I went back and forth on this pick, I decided to give Loren a shot and play my homer card. Be wary of a team, even a better team, traveling across country.

San Francisco at New Orleans

Loren - New Orleans. Playing a road game against a rejuvenated team while you have a QB controversy? Recipe for upset! OK, so the 49ers are still the odds on favorite simply because of their defense. But Kaepernick is an untested, unknown quantity. We've seen guys hot out of the gate and start making first timer mistakes shortly thereafter. Give the ball away too many times against the Saints and they'll make you pay.

Derek – San Francisco. How do you slow down the Saints? You stop Drew Brees. How do you stop Drew Brees?  You put him on the ground. The 49ers are a team that can knock and sack scare a QB. Expect a low scoring affair.

Green Bay at NY Giants

Loren - NY Giants. Did you know that in terms of YPG, the Packers have a statistically better defense than the Giants, both against the pass and the run? Did you know that in terms of YPG, the Giants have a statistically better offense than the Packers, both running and passing? Toss up, I'm taking the Giants on their home field with something to prove and a bye week to get healthy.

Derek – Green Bay. The Be work is the worry here. But it seems that these teams are going in different directions. And it's not quite time for the Giants to make their annual run of wins. Maybe next week.