Mattie T’s Week 12 NFL Predictions

Before i begin with my Week 12 predictions, i’d like to wish all my faithful readers a happy Thanksgiving!

Justice League Update time…

Had five players reach double-figures during my impressive 86-50 rout over #2 seeded Chico Dusties, but more impressively i got 5 total touchdowns from my wide receiver trio of Dwayne Bowe, Marques Colston & Mike Williams.

Bowe has now turned into the hottest wideout in fantasy football, as he’s now moved up to #1 in points scored. Now i’m looking forward to Week 12, where i am a ridiculous 44-point favorite against First Lady.

With a win on Sunday, i can clinch my division & move closer towards claiming the top seed for the entire postseason.

Let’s get it started..

Week 11: 15-1

Overall: 98-62 (.613)

Patriots/Lions:

Could be a possible trap game for the Patriots after that huge win over the Colts & with a huge Week 13 game awaiting on December 6th against the Jets.

Detroit will be looking for their first home win over New England since 2000, when they rolled to a 34-9 victory.

Since the start of the 2008 season, the Lions have been a woeful 4-38 & have lost their last 6 consecutive Thanksgiving Day games.

The only way Detroit keeps this game close is if Shaun Hill is able to spark an offense that has gone 3 & out on 30.5% of their drives this season, which leads the NFL.

Bill Belichick will have his team focused, as the Patriots win to set up a huge Week 13 showdown against the Jets at Foxboro.

Mattie T’s Pick: New England

Saints/Cowboys:

Dallas is looking to upset New Orleans for a 2nd consecutive season, as they handed the Saints their first loss of 2009 in Week 14.

The Cowboys have won their last 4 Thanksgiving Day games, but the Saints won their last game in Dallas with a 42-17 rout in 2006.

Drew Brees should be able to keep things rolling against Dallas’ 21st ranked pass defense, as he’ll outplay Jon Kitna in an enteraining & high-scoring affair.

Can’t go against the champs here, as they are finally starting to regain their 2009 swagger week after week.

Mattie T’s Pick: New Orleans

Bengals/Jets:

Cincinnati looks to put an embarassing 2nd half collapse behind them on Thanksgiving night, as they were outscored 35-0 after holding a 17-point lead against Buffalo in Week 11.

The Jets had their 3rd straight nailbiting win against a sub .500 team, as they needed a late Santonio Holmes touchdown grab to beat Houston 30-27 on Sunday.

This will be the first meeting between the Jets & Bengals since their AFC Wild Card matchup last January, which New York won 24-14.

Carson Palmer plans to start on Thursday despite being placed in a protective left boot on Tuesday.

LaDainiam Tomlinson needs just 78 rushing yards to surpass Eric Dickerson for 6th place on the NFL’s all-time list.

Look for Mark Sanchez to take advantage of a depleted Bengals secondary, as the Jets will win for once in non-dramatic fashion.

Mattie T’s Pick: N.Y. Jets

Packers/Falcons:

Elite NFC matchup here, as Green Bay looks to hand Matt Ryan just his 2nd loss in 3 seasons at home.

The Packers defense has been very strong in the past 3 weeks, as they have allowed just 10 points during their current run.

However, the Falcons are averaging 31.5 points per game during their current 4-game win streak & has gotten better play recently from Michael Turner, who’s rushed for 100 yards or more in 5 of his last 8 games.

This should be a close & high-scoring game, but Atlanta will be able to pound the ball when it matters most to remain unbeaten at the Georgia Dome.

Mattie T’s Pick: Atlanta

Titans/Texans:

Tennessee has had to deal with major controversy this week, as Vince Young got into a heated argument with head coach Jeff Fisher following their Week 11 loss to Washington, as Young wanted to re-enter the game despite a torn thumb tendon that will knock him out for the season.

On top of this, offensive coordinator Mike Heimerdinger was recently diagnosed with cancer & might not be available for Sunday’s game. If not, then quarterbacks coach Dowell Loggans will do the play-calling against Houston.

That should mean more work for Chris Johnson, who already leads the NFL with 216 carries.

Randy Moss just has 1 reception so far in his two games with Tennessee, but a 3-catch game on Sunday will move him past Andre Reed for 8th on the NFL’s all-time receiving list.

I think that the Titans’ defense will step up to the challenge & harass Matt Schaub into a few mistakes, as Tennessee keeps Houston going into a complete free-fall.

Mattie T’s Pick: Tennessee

Vikings/Redskins:

The Leslie Frazier era officially begins on Sunday, as he’ll try to immediately duplicate Brad Childress…both men won their NFL coaching debuts at Washington.

This might be the week Minnesota snaps their 9-game road losing streak, as Brett Favre is a perfect 4-0 in his career against the Redskins.

Donovan McNabb is also perfect against Minnesota with a 5-0 record, but will face them for the first time as a Redskin & is just one interception away from tying a career-high of 13.

The Vikings’ offense will finally get right on Sunday against a woeful Washington defense, as the Leslie Frazier era starts off on a good note.

Mattie T’s Pick: Minnesota

Jaguars/Giants:

The Jaguars are getting hot with three straight wins & are taking on a injury-plagued Giants team that will be without standout wide receiver Hakeem Nicks for the next 3 weeks.

David Garrard has had his struggles this season, but does have a 111.4 passer rating on the road & a 129.3 4th quarter rating, which leads the NFL.

Maurice Jones-Drew is able looking to get his fourth straight 100-yard game on the ground, which is a big reason why Jacksonville is on a roll.

Jaguars get it done again on the road in another close game.

Mattie T’s Pick: Jacksonville

Steelers/Bills:

Don’t look now, but the Bills are in position for their 3rd straight win if they can upset the Steelers on Sunday.

It can also serve as redemption, as Pittsburgh beat Buffalo 29-24 to eliminate the Bills from playoff contention.

Ben Roethlisberger has come back strong since his 4-game suspension, as he’s led the NFL with 1,579 passing yards.

He’ll most likely look for Mike Wallace, who is hoping for a 4th straight 100-yard receiving game.

Steve Johnson is hoping to remain hot after he caught 3 touchdown receptions during the Bills’ Week 11 win against Cincinnati. He’s just 2 touchdowns shy of tying Bill Brooks’ franchise-mark of 11 during the 1995 season.

I think a suddenly revitalized Buffalo defense will force some turnovers, but will be unable to stop Rashard Mendenhall & Pittsburgh’s run offense.

Mattie T’s Pick: Pittsburgh

Panthers/Browns:

The woeful Panthers will look to end a 4-game losing streak on Sunday, where they have averaged just 10.5 points per game during that timeframe.

Jake Delhomme is expected to make his first start since since Week 5, as Colt McCoy has been ruled out with an ankle injury.

Carolina’s quarterback shuffle continues, as Jimmy Clausen will start after missing their Week 11 loss to Baltimore with a concussion.

Look for a big day from Peyton Hillis, as he inches closer to his first career 1,000 yard season as the Browns win in a blowout.

Mattie T’s Pick: Cleveland

Chiefs/Seahawks:

Kansas City looks to continue their dominance on Sunday, as they’ll look to post their 8th straight win against an NFC West foe.

Matt Cassel has certainly stepped things up since Week 6, as he’s had the 2nd best QB rating (108.9) in the NFL in that timeframe.

A big reason is why is the explosion of Dwayne Bowe, who will look to catch a touchdown reception for the 7th straight game.

The Chiefs’ defense has been very stingy during their 6 wins to date, as they have allowed under 13 PPG.

Look for Cassel to carve up another bad pass defense, as Kansas City keeps themselves in the AFC West hunt with a road win on Sunday.

Mattie T’s Pick: Kansas City

Dolphins/Raiders:

Dangerous cross-country trip for Miami, as they’re just 4-9 all-time in Oakland & could be without Brandon Marshall (hamstring) for Sunday.

The Raiders are also looking to win their fourth straight at home, as they have beaten both San Diego & Kansas City during that timeframe.

Unless Ronnie Brown (2 straight 100-yard games vs. Oakland) & the Dolphins run game can find a way to support Tyler Thigpen, i think the Raiders will win quite easily.

Mattie T’s Pick: Oakland

Eagles/Bears:

Another big NFC Matchup, as winner gets closer to securing top seed for the playoffs.

Chicago has only allowed just 146 points this season, while they have forced a league-leading 42 three-and-out drives defensively.

Johnny Knox could be Jay Cutler’s go-to-man once again on Sunday, as he’s currently on pace to become the team’s first 1,000 yard receiver since Marty Booker in 2002.

This should be a very close game, but the Bears’ improved 3rd down conversion rate & pass protection of Cutler will be just enough to lift them to a statement win over the Eagles.

Mattie T’s Pick: Chicago

Buccaneers/Ravens:

Tampa Bay comes into Sunday’s game having won 6 of their last 7 road games, but Baltimore hasn’t lost a home game to an NFC opponent in over 2 & a half years.

Joe Flacco needs just one touchdown pass on Sunday to surpass Vinny Testaverde as the franchise’s all-time leader.

Ray Rice has had a down season, but has a chance to redeem himself against the Buccaneers’ 29th ranked run defense.

Close game here, but i like for the Ravens to win at home.

Mattie T’s Pick: Baltimore

Rams/Broncos:

Despite their woeful 4-6 record, the Rams find themselves just a game out of first place as they’ll take on an equally bad Broncos team.

Josh McDaniels is a perfect 3-0 at home against NFC opponents & Kyle Orton has completed 68% of his passes for 1,547 yards with 11 touchdowns & just 3 interceptions since joining Denver.

Sam Bradford might be able to put up a lot of points against the Broncos’ 26th ranked defense, but i think Orton will outplay him as Denver wins a close game.

Mattie T’s Pick: Denver

Chargers/Colts:

Big prime-time matchup here, as the Chargers look to beat the Colts for a 5th time in their last 6 tries on Sunday night.

San Diego should get a huge boost with the return of Vincent Jackson, who will make his season debut & has looked very good in practice and is reportedly in game shape.

Indianapolis has won 19 of their last 20 home games at Lucas Oil Stadium, but Peyton Manning is just 4-4 against San Diego in his career & threw a career-high 6 interceptions in a loss to them in November of 2007.

The Colts will have to get it done without Austin Collie, who is still suffering from effects of a concussion he took during their Week 10 loss to Philadelphia.

This will be a very close & high-scoring game, but i think the Chargers have the defense to limit Manning’s big-play ability. San Diego wins to notch their 8th straight win during the month of November.

Mattie T’s Pick: San Diego

49ers/Cardinals:

San Francisco will look to win their first road game of the season on Monday night & to do so, they must get a big game from Frank Gore.

Gore only rushed for 29 yards during their Week 11 loss to Tampa Bay, but has a chance to bounce back against Arizona’s 28th ranked run defense.

Adrian Wilson & Darnell Dockett have come up big though for the Cardinals’ defense in previous Monday Night games, and i think Derek Anderson should have a good outing against a shaky 49ers secondary.

I like for Arizona to win this game in a somewhat low-scoring affair.

Mattie T’s Pick: Arizona