Week 12 NFL Picks and Predictions 2009

Week 12 of the 2009 NFL season is upon us and there are some intriguing matchups in the week ahead. The Saints-Patriots and Steelers-Ravens games could be beauties. On the other hand, there seems to be a bunch of games with point spreads that are out of whack. With so many teams playing either over or under their potential, it's impossible to guess what will happen in Week 12 of the NFL season.

Here are some early Week 12 NFL picks and predictions. Please keep in mind that the lines given are subject to change (here are updated NFL odds) Note: Home teams are in ALL CAPS.

Green Bay -11 over DETROIT What would Thanksgiving be without a Detroit Lions loss? It's as much a part of Thanksgiving as eating too much and resenting your relatives. Matthew Stafford is definitely a man, but it looks like he may not be able to go Thursday. That should be enough for the Pack to win.

Oakland over DALLAS -14 How can Dallas can be favored by two touchdowns when they've scored a total of two touchdowns in the last two games?

DENVER over NY Giants -6.5 The Giants barely beat the Falcons at home. If Kyle Orton is good to go, then the Broncos have a shot at winning in Denver.

Indianapolis -3.5 over HOUSTON Really? Tennessee beat the Texans in Houston on Monday. What are the odds that the Colts can beat the Texans by more than three?

CINCINNATI -14 over Cleveland The Bengals are ornery after their lost last week.

MINNESOTA -10.5 over Chicago This was supposed to be a big NFC matchup. Instead, the Human Interception Machine that is Jay Cutler has made everyone in Chicago miserable.

PHILADELPHIA -9 over Washington The Redskins hold onto the ball. But what's the use if they can't get it into the end zone? The Eagles should roll at home.

Miami -3 over BUFFALO Don't these teams play each other every week? Don't mess with Ricky Williams, who has had 10 days of resting with his pranic healer.

TENNESSEE -2 over Arizona The Titans are rolling. Chris Johnson is overtaking Adrian Peterson as the best running back in the league and Vince Young is coming along. Plus who knows if Kurt Warner is going to be around?

Seattle -3 over ST. LOUIS Who's going to watch this game other than gamblers? Marc Bulger is out, but it should make a bit of difference. The Seahawks are bad, but they at least have some pride left. Go with the Seahawks.

Tampa Bay over ATLANTA -12 Josh Freeman is starting to improve and the Falcons are faltering.

Carolina  over NY JETS -3 Both Mark Sanchez and Jake Delhomme are two of the most inconsistent QBs in the league. In this case, go with the best player on the field, which is the Panthers DeAngelo Williams. Also, the Panthers will be playing on 10 days rest, which doesn't hurt.

Jacksonville over SAN FRANCISCO -3 Are people still on the Niners bandwagon? Their defense isn't that great and the Jags have won three in a row and six of their last eight.

SAN DIEGO -13.5 over Kansas City The Chiefs are flying high after their big win, but they should come crashing down against San Diego.

Pittsburgh over  BALTIMORE -2.5 This is a huge game for the Steelers. The Ravens have hung tough, but have failed to beat a lot of top teams all year.

New England over NEW ORLEANS-3 Bill Belichick says that the Saints are the best team in the league. The Saints have barely evaded defeat in weeks. The Pats have been playing big games for what seems like forever and are practically in playoff mode already. If the Pats can keep their short passing game going, then they have a real shot.