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NFL Week 12 2018: Picks and predictions

By Matt Verderame

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - OCTOBER 28: New Orleans Saints Wide Receiver Tre'Quan Smith (10), New Orleans Saints Running Back Alvin Kamara (41) and New Orleans Saints Tight End Josh Hill (89) take the field during an NFL game between the Minnesota Vikings and New Orleans Saints on October 28, 2018 at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Saints defeated the Vikings 30-20.(Photo by Nick Wosika/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - OCTOBER 28: New Orleans Saints Wide Receiver Tre'Quan Smith (10), New Orleans Saints Running Back Alvin Kamara (41) and New Orleans Saints Tight End Josh Hill (89) take the field during an NFL game between the Minnesota Vikings and New Orleans Saints on October 28, 2018 at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Saints defeated the Vikings 30-20.(Photo by Nick Wosika/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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Grab some Thanksgiving food and settle in, with 15 games on the slate. We won’t lie, though, it’s not the most attractive week of football.

For the first time all year, I suffered a losing week. We. Will. Bounce. Back.

As always, all the lines are courtesy of OddsShark.

Chicago Bears (-4) at Detroit Lions

The Bears (7-3) had to play on Sunday night and now get the Thursday morning draw in some twist of cruel fate. However, the Lions (4-6) aren’t up to the task, knowing full well their season is long over. Look for Chicago to start slow and then eventually get rolling.

Pick: Chicago 23, Detroit 20

Washington Redskins at Dallas Cowboys (-7.5)

With Alex Smith out, the Redskins (6-4) are starting Colt McCoy. The Cowboys (5-5) are now favorites in the NFC East because of the previous sentence, and while they are limited offensively, the defense should do enough against McCoy. If Dallas wins on Thanksgiving, the Cowboys have a huge leg up moving forward.

Pick: Dallas 20, Washington 13

Atlanta Falcons at New Orleans Saints (-13)

The Saints (9-1) are the best team in football right. The Falcons (4-6) are injured and facing the end of their season after losing to the Browns and Cowboys. Brutal spot for Matt Ryan and Co.

Pick: New Orleans 33, Atlanta 24

Cleveland Browns at Cincinnati Bengals (-3)

The Bengals (5-5) have to win this game, but can they? Cleveland (3-6-1) is rested off its bye week and might be able to put up 30 points against Cincinnati and its rancid defense. Ultimately, though, take the desperate home team with more talent.

Pick: Cincinnati 31, Cleveland 27

Jacksonville Jaguars (-3) at Buffalo Bills

Dear God.

Pick: Jacksonville 16, Buffalo 6