NFL Week 12 schedule: Point spreads, picks, predictions for every game - NJ.com

Welcome to Week 12, football fans.

The seasons are changing and weather is becoming more about football every single day. With that, the NFL^[1] season is officially rolling along as we get set for Week 12.

Every year, that means a few things: Fantasy football^[2], cheering on your favorite team, and, of course, taking a peak at the spreads^[3] in order to make sure you're on the right side of every outcome.

Consider this a one-stop shop guide to picking every (or at least the majority) game correctly:

Minnesota Vikings at Detroit Lions (-2.5)

Thursday, Nov. 24, 12:30 p.m. EST

Are the Lions lucky or good? In every fourth quarter, this Detroit team has been down. While Matthew Stafford deserves credit for so many comebacks, this Lions team feels like a house of cards. Minnesota got back on track last week and is about to reestablished itself as the best team in this division. THE PICK: Vikings.

Washington Redskins at Dallas Cowboys (-7)

Thursday, Nov. 24, 4:30 p.m. EST

When the NFC playoff picture is finalized, look back on the result of this game. If the Cowboys comfortably win the NFC East and clinch a bye, a win over Washington will have been the key. If the Redskins grab a wild card and earn back-to-back trips to the playoffs, a win in Dallas will likely have been the key. In this one, Dallas will keep rolling behind a dominant offensive line and a big-time array of offensive weapons. It's Dallas' year—at least in the regular season. THE PICK: Cowboys.^[4]

Pittsburgh Steelers (-3) at Indianapolis Colts

Thursday, Nov. 24, 8:30 p.m. EST

A healthy Andrew Luck would add so much buzz to this battle—and likely cause every gambler to take the over in Vegas. With Luck in concussion protocol, it's hard to pick against the road team—even if this is Pittsburgh's second consecutive road game and playing on only three days' rest after a trip to Cleveland last Sunday. THE PICK: Steelers.

Arizona Cardinals at Atlanta Falcons (-4)

Sunday, Nov. 27, 1:00 p.m. EST

Remember when the Cardinals were preseason NFC favorites? Those days feel like a long, long time ago. Off a bye and back in their dome, the Falcons will roll to a victory to keep the charging Bucs off their heels. THE PICK: Falcons.

Jacksonville Jaguars at Buffalo Bills (-7.5)

Sunday, Nov. 27, 1:00 p.m. EST

Late November in the cold of Buffalo is bad recipe for a warm weather team—especially one as poor as the Jaguars. THE PICK: Bills.

Tennessee Titans (-3.5) at Chicago Bears

Sunday, Nov. 27, 1:00 p.m. EST

Tennessee will bring the better quarterback (regardless of Jay Cutler's status), running game and defense into this battle. Other than the game being in Chicago, there's little reason to give the Bears a real chance. THE PICK: Titans.

New York Giants (-7) at Cleveland Browns

Sunday, Nov. 27, 1:00 p.m. EST

No team has won so many games by so little margin as the 2016 Giants. Are they lucky or good? With a 7-3 record, it feels like a big let down is about to commence. But the Browns are so bad, I'm not sure they could take advantage even if the Giants fail to show up. THE PICK: Giants.^[5]

San Francisco 49ers at Miami Dolphins (-7.5)

Sunday, Nov. 27, 1:00 p.m. EST

With the Chiefs and Broncos battling each other in the Sunday night game, this reality could greet NFL fans next week: Miami Dolphins, playoff team. With an awful 49ers team flying across the country for an early start, this won't be much of a contest for the hottest team in the AFC. THE PICK: Dolphins.^[6]

Los Angeles Rams at New Orleans Saints (-7)

Sunday, Nov. 27, 1:00 p.m. EST

Defense travels. That's the hope for Jeff Fisher and Co. in this one. Something tells me Jared Goff will make a play or two more than he did in his first start to key an upset on the road. Even if the Rams can't pull this out, it'll be close. THE PICK: Rams.

Cincinnati Bengals at Baltimore Ravens (-4.5)

Sunday, Nov. 27, 1:00 p.m. EST

Throw out the records and trends and everything else. This is a division game for Baltimore against the AFC North that always gives them trouble. I know the Bengals look like a mess, but they'll be up for this. THE PICK: Bengals.

San Diego Chargers at Houston Texans (PK)

Sunday, Nov. 27, 1:00 p.m. EST

This week's ¯_(ツ)_/¯ game! Give me the home team off a brutal Monday Night Football loss. THE PICK: Texans.^[7]

Seattle Seahawks (-5.5) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Sunday, Nov. 27, 4:05 p.m. EST

A break for Seattle. Instead of a typical 1 p.m. road start vs. an east coast team, the schedule makers put this at 4:05. Tampa Bay is sneakily in the NFC wild card and NFC South race, but this week will be a big setback. THE PICK: Seahawks.

New England Patriots (-8) at New York Jets

Sunday, Nov. 27, 4:25 p.m. EST

The Ryan Fitzpatrick show continues! After the Jets puzzling quarterback decision, an ugly affair at MetLife Stadium will commence. Tom Brady isn't losing to an awful New York team. THE PICK: Patriots.^[8][9]

NFL ratings rising?^[10]

Carolina Panthers at Oakland Raiders (-4)

Sunday, Nov. 27, 4:25 p.m. EST

Am I the only one who thinks this line is odd? In the eyes of the bookmakers, the 8-2 Raiders are only one point (when removing the three points given for home field) better than the 4-6 Panthers? A big Cam Newton effort backs up the experts. Just call it a hunch. THE PICK: Panthers.

Kansas City Chiefs at Denver Broncos (-3.5)

Sunday, Nov. 27, 8:30 p.m. EST

This is a big one. When you take a peak at the AFC West standings, NBC's logic behind flexing this into Sunday Night Football this week makes complete sense. The winner will feel good about its chances at catching the Raiders atop the division. The loser is likely looking at a wild card route into January. Kansas City is dangerous, but still lacking on offense. In a very, very tight finish, the home team does enough to win by a point. THE PICK: Chiefs.

Green Bay Packers at Philadelphia Eagles (-3.5)

Monday, Nov. 28, 8:30 p.m. EST

Here's the season, Eagles fans. If Philadelphia wins, there's reason to still believe in a playoff push this December. If the Packers somehow bounce back and ruin Philadelphia's perfect home record, it's time to start thinking about next season for Carson Wentz and Co. THE PICK: Eagles.^[11][12]

Last week: 7-6-1
Season: 84-72-5

Joe Giglio may be reached at jgiglio@njadvancemedia.com^[13]. Follow him on Twitter @JoeGiglioSports^[14]. Find NJ.com on Facebook^[15].

References

1. ^{^} NFL (www.nj.com)
2. ^{^} Fantasy football (www.nj.com)
3. ^{^} peak at the spreads (www.nj.com)
4. ^{^} look back on the result of this game (www.nj.com)
5. ^{^} Giants (www.nj.com)
6. ^{^} NFL (www.nj.com)
7. ^{^} brutal Monday Night Football loss (www.nj.com)
8. ^{^} Jets (www.nj.com)
9. ^{^} quarterback decision (www.nj.com)
10. ^{^} NFL ratings rising? (www.nj.com)
11. ^{^} Eagles (www.nj.com)
12. ^{^} reason to still believe in a playoff push (www.nj.com)
13. ^{^} jgiglio@njadvancemedia.com (www.nj.com)
14. ^{^} @JoeGiglioSports (www.twitter.com)
15. ^{^} NJ.com on Facebook (www.facebook.com)