NFL Predictions: Week 12

A Thanksgiving tripleheader highlights the NFL’s 12th week.

Lions at Texans: Detroit 26-24. Thanksgiving is relevant again in Detroit, but this year just barely. The 4-6 Lions are on the cliff. Which is why they might be wounded enough to connect on a roundhouse against Houston.

Redskins at Cowboys: Washington 21-18. The truth about the Cowboys is that they’re just not very good. And Washington is getting better. This is Robert Griffin III’s big stage.

Patriots at Jetropolitans: New England 31-19. The Rex Ryans almost pulled off the upset in Foxboro. Their season would look vastly different if they had. As it is, New York trails the Patriots by three games in the AFC East.

Vikings at Bears: Minnesota 23-15. Until Jay Cutler returns from a concussion, it’s not advisable to pick Chicago. A backup quarterback is not the way to go with a line as shaky as the Bears’.

Raiders at Bengals: Cincinnati 39-20. Hurry back, Ben Roethlisberger. Here come the Bengals, only a game back in the AFC wild card.

Steelers at Browns: Pittsburgh 19-10. The Browns have some building blocks, primarily in the lines, but that Steeler defense will be too much for Brandon Weeden.

Bills at Colts: Buffalo 27-24. The Andrew Luck story could start its rookie fade. Buffalo is starting to play better.

Broncos at Chiefs: Denver 31-10. Peyton Manning is riding high. Meanwhile, the Chiefs are left to imagine a world in which they would get to play the Eagles every week.

Titans at Jaguars: Jacksonville 23-20. Chad Henne is about to beat out Blaine Gabbert in Jacksonville.

Falcons at Buccaneers: Atlanta 33-24. Tampa Bay is hot, but the Falcons remind the NFL why they’re to be reckoned with.