NFL Picks: Week 12

I hate the NFL.

Last Week

Andy: 5-11 (!)
Figgs: 8-8
Nick: 9-7
Bucko: 9-7
Gopo: 9-7

Nick's Money Picks ($): 2-1
Figgs' Money Picks ($): 2-2


Standings
Figgs: 82-72-6
Bucko: 79-75-6
Gopo: 79-65-6
Andy: 78-76-6
Nick: 78-76-6

Nick's Money Picks ($): 23-23-3
Figgs' Money Picks ($): 23-9-2


Thanksgiving games

12:30
LIONS (+6.5) vs Patriots
Andy: Patriots. Hard to justify a Lions pick here.
Figgs: Patriots
Nick: Pats. Wait, I can pick Tom Brady in a game the Patriots need on a big stage against a Lions team that can't close? Sold. ($ -7)
Bucko: Pats. Can't trust the Lions on TURKEY DAY.
Gopo: Pats. Not really sure who to pick in this one as the Pats D employs a 'bend but don't break' philosophy and tends to keep games close. When in doubt, go with the better team...

4:15
COWBOYS (+3.5) vs Saints
Andy: Saints. Nick very neatly made the points I wanted. Let's not get too comfortable with the Cowboys just yet.
Figgs: Saints
Nick: Saints. Dallas still sucks, the game is indoors, and Jon Kitna's still Jon Kitna. Time for the other shoe to drop. ($)
Bucko: Saints. Dallas is improved, but not that improved.
Gopo: Cowboys. Maybe I need to stick with my 'momentum' strategy a little longer as it seems the Cowboys definitely have in. Then again, so do the Saints... hmmm, I'm taking a flier on the fact that the Cowboys are starting to pull it together (although it's a little late).

8:20
JETS (-9) vs Bengals
Andy: Bengals. The Jets' last three games have been dramatic three-point wins over teams with 2, 3, and 4 wins. In other words, I'm not giving nine to take them.
Figgs: Jets
Nick: Damn do I want to take the Bengals, but Joseph and Odom are out. Fuck it. Jets.
Bucko: Jets. Their defense is too strong for the gals.
Gopo: Bengals. Jets have kept the last few games close against inferior opponents, the Bengals are definitely an inferior opponent, and Palmer is unbelievable at making a game seem close with some garbage time drives.


Sunday games
1:00 pm kickoff

GIANTS (-7.5) vs Jaguars
Andy: Giants. Browns shoulda beaten the Jags by two touchdowns a week ago; they'll find the Giants less forgiving.
Figgs: Jax.
Nick: Giants. Jax's tackles are out. Bingo.
Bucko: Giants
Gopo: Jags.

HOUSTON (-6.5) vs Tennessee
Andy: Texans. They need this to get to .500, and that's their franchise destiny.
Figgs: Titans.
Nick: Titans. Really like the Titans here, even with Rusty Smith. They've been winning with lousy QBs for years now.
Bucko: TIT-ans
Gopo: Texans.

ATLANTA (-2) vs Packers
Andy: Packers. Statement game. I can't wait for Bucko to write that Rodgers is going to get it done.
Figgs: ATL.
Nick: Falcons. Matt Ryan is 18-1 lifetime at home and I don't have to give a field goal. Gimme Georgia Dome.
Bucko: Packers. Aaron Rodgers is the shit, he'll get it done.
Gopo: Packers.

REDSKINS (-1) vs Vikings
Andy: Redskins. Minnesota and I are through.
Figgs: Skins.
Nick: Vikings. The Skins got really banged up last week, and the Vikes will come out swinging this week as an F-U to Childress.
Bucko: Vikings
Gopo: Vikings.

BROWNS (-10) vs Panthers
Andy: Browns, all fuckin' day. I'll be there.
Figgs: BROWNS. ($)
Nick: Browns. I'll be there too. Fuck shit up!
Bucko: Panthers
Gopo: Panthers.

BILLS (+6) vs Steelers
Andy: Steelers. I like Buffalo's spirit, but this isn't Cincy. Would LOVE to be wrong about this, though the stupid steelers will probably win by 5 just to add more fuel to my fire.
Figgs: Stillers. ($)
Nick: Steelers. No comment. ($)
Bucko: Steelers
Gopo: Steelers.

4:00 pm games
SEAHAWKS (+2) vs Chiefs
Andy: Chieves. I like Seattle better at home, but I think KC is a better club.
Figgs: Hawks.
Nick: Hawks. Seattle at home (3-1). KC on the road (1-4). Do it.
Bucko: Chiefs
Gopo: Seahawks.

RAIDERS (-2.5) vs Dolphins
Andy: Can I predict a tie?
Figgs: Raiders.
Nick: Raiders. So over the Dolphins.
Bucko: Raiders
Gopo: Raiders.

BRONCOS (-4) vs Rams
Andy: Rams. I dunno, I still don't buy the Broncs. Why did I take them last week, anyway? Dumb pick.
Figgs: Rams.
Nick: Rams. No team has been more inconsistent than Denver, and the Rams have lost three tough ones on the road. Four is definitely enough for me to take StL here.
Bucko: Broncos
Gopo: Rams.

BEARS (+3.5) vs Eagles
Andy: Eagles. I've been picking Philly and being right, and picking against Chicago and being wrong. Something has to give, and I say that something is Jay Cutler.
Figgs: Philly.
Nick: Eagles. The Bears' defense is way better than I expected, but their offense still sucks. I kinda want to talk myself into Chicago here, but I think Vick and/or Jackson break one or two big ones to cover this number.
Bucko: Eagles
Gopo: Eagles.

RAVENS (-8) vs Bucs
Andy: Ravens. I think they just have too much for TB.
Figgs: Ravens.
Nick: Ravens. What Andy said.
Bucko: Ravens
Gopo: Bucs.


Sunday Night - 8:20 pm
COLTS (-3) vs Chargers
Andy: Chargers, continuing their roll and improving their playoff position. I know, I know, Peyton Manning in a night game, but still.
Figgs: Colts.
Nick: Chargers. If someone can step up in the South this might just be the year the Colts miss the playoffs.
Bucko: Colts
Gopo: Colts.

Monday Night - 8:30 pm
CARDS (pick) vs Niners
Andy: Niners. Worst MNF matchup of the year?
Figgs: Fighting Troy Smith's.
Nick: Cards. The Niners just got shut out by the Bucs. At home. DA all day.
Bucko: Niners
Gopo: Cards

Additional Money Picks
Nick: Tease Patriots (-1), Steelers (0), Ravens (-2)
Figgs: Tease Patriots (-1), New Orleans (+2.5), New York Jets (-2.5)