NFL Week 12 Picks, Points Spreads, TV Schedule, and Announcers (Thanksgiving Weekend)

Update: The NFL Week 17 TV schedule, point spreads, and picks post is up.

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Well, things were not looking so good for me at about 4:15 today.

After my stellar comeback performance in Week 11, I “shot” out of the gates with a 4-6 record during the early games.

Fortunately, I had much better luck (and believe me, I understand how much luck is involved picking NFL games successfully) in the afternoon, nailing all four games plus the Sunday nighter.

This left me at a very respectable 9-6 for the week (87-64 overall) heading into Monday night.

For those of you planning to celebrate Thanksgiving weekend with some NFL wagering, hopefully I can lead you in the right direction again. There are plenty of division matchups this weekend, which are always difficult to predict, so we’ll see if I can keep up my .576 winning percentage.

A couple of quick things to keep in mind as we get ready for another Thanksgiving weekend of football:

• Follow the link to view the complete NFL and college football Thanksgiving Day TV schedule.
• All times are ET.
• Some games do not have all of the information filled in as of this post being published (i.e. the Week 12 spreads were not posted as of Sunday night and the announcer assignments have not yet been announced). I’ll up date this post as soon as the information is available at BetUs.com and the506.com.
• Point spread and over-under listings are from early in the week, and obviously subject to change throughout the week. If you want update point spread info, or some expert advice as you make your weekly picks, below are a few helpful links.
• DocSports: NFL Odds
• DocSports: NFL Picks

And with all that said, here is your mood music and the Week Twelve (Thanksgiving Week!) TV schedule, point spreads, announcers, free picks, and byes.

NFL Week 12 Viewer’s Guide

TV Schedule – Announcers – Kickoff Times – Byes

Point Spreads – Free Picks – Odds – Over-Unders

Green Bay Packers at Detroit Lions

• Packers-Lions Date: Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, November 26th
• Packers-Lions Kickoff Time: 12:30
• Packers-Lions TV Network: FOX
• Packers-Lions Announcers: Joe Buck and Troy Aikman
• Packers-Lions Point Spread: Packers -10.5
• Packers-Lions Over-Under: 47.5
• Packers-Lions Spread Pick: Probably going to take the Packers minus the points…but not if it’s by more than seven and Stafford is playing. With the momentum of Week 11, and the injuries to GB’s D, Detroit could put up a fight. Update: Now that the spread is up at -10.5 and Stafford isn’t playing, I’m going with the Packers. It will probably be high scoring and the Packers have many more ways to score. Packers-Lions free pick: Packers -10.5

Oakland Raiders at Dallas Cowboys

• Raiders-Cowboys Date: Thanksgiving Day, Thursday November 26th
• Raiders-Cowboys Kickoff Time: 4:15
• Raiders-Cowboys TV Network: CBS
• Raiders-Cowboys Announcers: Jim Nantz and Phil Simms
• Raiders-Cowboys Point Spread: Cowboys -13.5
• Raiders-Cowboys Over-Under: 40.5
• Dallas Sports Fans: Raiders-Cowboys Preview
• RaidersCowboys Spread Pick: Oakland has been such an up and down team this year, pulling off upsets of Philly and Cincinnati while only winning three games. The biggest difference between those two upsets and this one is that it’s at Dallas. The Cowboys are not a great offensive team, but they certainly are better than two TDs in two weeks. I think Romo and the Cowboys get up early and don’t look back. Bruce Gradkowski will have a hard time evading DeMarcus Ware and finding anywhere to throw the ball against a D that has been playing well and picking up its offense. I think the whole thing clicks for the Cowboys on Thanksgiving. Raiders-Cowboys free pick: Cowboys -13.5

New York Giants at Denver Broncos

• Giants-Broncos Date: Thanksgiving Night, Thursday, November 26th
• Giants-Broncos Kickoff Time: 8:20
• Giants-Broncos TV Network: NFLN
• Giants-Broncos Announcers: Bob Papa and Matt Millen
• Giants-Broncos Point Spread: Giants -6.5
• Giants-Broncos Over-Under: 42
• Giants-Broncos Spread Pick: Denver is really playing poorly right now. The Giants haven’t been all that great themselves, but they are scoring points. I don’t think Denver will be able to contain Eli Manning and the Giants, and I don’t think the Broncos have any kind of rhythm on offense right now. Even though this game is at home for Denver, I think their precipitous slide continues. Giants-Broncos free pick: Giants -6.5
• MSF: Giants-Broncos Preview

Miami Dolphins at Buffalo Bills

• Dolphins-Bills Date: Sunday, November 29th
• Dolphins-Bills Kickoff Time: 1:00
• Dolphins-Bills TV Network: CBS
• Dolphins-Bills Announcers: Gus Johnson and Steve Tasker
• Dolphins-Bills Point Spread: Dolphins -3
• Dolphins-Bills Over-Under: 39.5
• Dolphins-Bills Spread Pick: I know that these two teams are going in opposite directions. Miami has fought its way back into playoff contention while the Bills have gotten their coach fired and then lost a tough game in Week 11. But for some reason I am having a really hard time being confident in the Dolphins here. Maybe it’s a lifetime of rooting for the ‘Fins that has me wary about November road games in Buffalo. Whatever the reason, I think the Dolphins can and should win this game, but I think Buffalo keeps it very close. Dolphins-Bills free pick: Bills +3

Seattle Seahawks at St. Louis Rams

• Seahawks-Rams Date: Sunday, November 29th
• Seahawks-Rams Kickoff Time: 1:00
• Seahawks-Rams TV Network: FOX
• Seahawks-Rams Announcers: Ron Pitts and John Lynch
• Seahawks-Rams Point Spread: Seahawks -2.5
• Seahawks-Rams Over-Under: 42
• Seahawks-Rams Spread Pick: Tricky little game here. The Rams have been a plucky bunch recently, playing well against stud teams like the Saints and Cardinals. They aren’t winning, but they are competing, which has to have Rams fans feeling confident about the Spags Era. Seattle, on the other hand, has been dreadful for much of the season. They’ve put up some big numbers at home against subpar teams, but this game is on the road. Even with questions surrounding the health of Marc Bugler, I think Stephen Jackson can lead the Rams to another solid performance, possibly even a victory. Seahawks-Rams free pick: Rams +2.5

Cleveland Browns at Cincinnati Bengals

• Browns-Bengals Date: Sunday, November 29th
• Browns-Bengals Kickoff Time: 1:00
• Browns-Bengals TV Network: CBS
• Browns-Bengals Announcers: Ian Eagle and Rich Gannon
• Browns-Bengals Point Spread: Bengals -14
• Browns-Bengals Over-Under: 38
• Browns-Bengals Spread Pick: I said that I would not pick the Browns to cover any spread until they showed me something. Well, the defense showed me nothing in Week 11, but at least the offense came to play…in the first half at least. The Bengals will certainly win this game, but the Browns played them tough earlier this year and Cincy proved in Week 11 that they have not turned the corner to become an elite team. Division matchups are usually closer than expected, and I expect this game to be no different. Browns-Bengals free pick: Browns +14

Indianapolis Colts at Houston Texans

• Colts-Texans Date: Sunday, November 29th
• Colts-Texans Kickoff Time: 1:00
• Colts-Texans TV Network: CBS
• Colts-Texans Announcers: Greg Gumbel and Dan Dierdorf
• Colts-Texans Point Spread: Colts -3
• Colts-Texans Over-Under: 48
• Colts-Texans Spread Pick: Don’t you think the Texans have to be crushed, losing yet another close game after a missed Kris Brown field goal? Well, I’m sure they are, but they are also going to be at home playing a Colts team that is playing close game after close game. With Houston’s season hanging by a thread, I think they can put up a good fight against a division opponent and keep this close. Can they win? Probably not, but until the Colts blow someone out it looks like giving the points is a good option. Colts-Texans free pick: Texans +3

Carolina Panthers at New York Jets

• Panthers-Jets Date: Sunday, November 29th
• Panthers-Jets Kickoff Time: 1:00
• Panthers-Jets TV Network: FOX
• Panthers-Jets Announcers: Thom Brennaman and Brian Billick
• Panthers-Jets Point Spread: Jets -3
• Panthers-Jets Over-Under: 41.5
• Panthers-Jets Spread Pick: One thing I would definitely do is take the under on this game. I think it will be low scoring. Neither team has a quarterback that is playing well, but both have solid defenses. I look for a lot of running, a decent amount of turnovers when the QBs do actually drop back, and an ugly game that Carolina wins because Delhomme is a veteran and because they have the better running game. Panthers-Jets free pick: Panthers +3

Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Atlanta Falcons

• Buccaneers-Falcons Date: Sunday, November 29th
• Buccaneers-Falcons Kickoff Time: 1:00
• Buccaneers-Falcons TV Network: FOX
• Buccaneers-Falcons Announcers: Dick Stockton and Charles Davis
• Buccaneers-Falcons Point Spread: Falcons -11.5
• Buccaneers-Falcons Over-Under: 46
• Buccaneers-Falcons Spread Pick: Atlanta is going to win this game quite simply because Matt Ryan is light years ahead of Josh Freeman as a quarterback. The Falcons are also at home, which is always a bonus. I know that Tampa Bay got that home win over Green Bay, but it looks like more and more of a mirage as each week passes. The Falcons have been frustrated this season and I think they can take some of those frustrations out on the Bucs in Week 12. Buccaneers-Falcons free pick: Falcons -11.5

Washington Redskins at Philadelphia Eagles

• Redskins-Eagles Date: Sunday, November 29th
• Redskins-Eagles Kickoff Time: 1:00
• Redskins-Eagles TV Network: FOX
• Redskins-Eagles Announcers: Kenny Albert, Daryl Johnston, and Tony Siragusa
• Redskins-Eagles Point Spread: Philadelphia -9.5
• Redskins-Eagles Over-Under: 40.5
• Redskins-Eagles Spread Pick: The Redskins played the Cowboys close in Week 11 and I think they can do the same thing to the Eagles. The main reason is that the Eagles are built around an explosive passing game. Washington is as good as it gets in the NFL at slowing down the pass, as they showed the Cowboys. If you can do that, you can contain this Philly team. Now, the Eagles did get some big passing plays when they played earlier in the year en route to a 27-17 victory. I think Washington is playing a little better now and am always wary of big numbers in division games. Redskins-Eagles free pick: Redskins +9.5

Kansas City Chiefs at San Diego Chargers

• Chiefs-Chargers Date: Sunday, November 29th
• Chiefs-Chargers Kickoff Time: 4:05
• Chiefs-Chargers TV Network: CBS
• Chiefs-Chargers Announcers: Dick Enberg and Dan Fouts
• Chiefs-Chargers Point Spread: Chargers -13.5
• Chiefs-Chargers Over-Under: 45
• Chiefs-Chargers Spread Pick: The Chiefs showed a lot in beating Pittsburgh in Week 11, but they were at home and the Steelers are, right now, a shell of the Super Bowl champion from last year. San Diego, on the other hand, is dominating teams. Philip Rivers is on fire, LT is running well, and they are doing a solid job defensively. Matt Cassel is playing better than people think offensively, but Philip Rivers is playing as well as just about anyone right now. The Chargers keep on rolling at home. Chiefs-Chargers free pick: Chargers -13.5

Jacksonville Jaguars at San Francisco 49ers

• Jaguars-49ers Date: Sunday, November 29th
• Jaguars-49ers Kickoff Time: 4:05
• Jaguars-49ers TV Network: CBS
• Jaguars-49ers Announcers: Kevin Harlan and Solomon Wilcots
• Jaguars-49ers Point Spread: 49ers -3
• Jaguars-49ers Over-Under: 41
• Jaguars-49ers Spread Pick: I was really high on the 49ers at the start of the season, but they just can’t seem to put it all together now. They keep getting down, fighting back furiously, but falling short. I say that ends next week. Jacksonville is somehow a 6-4 team, but I’m not buying it. Who have they beaten? And remember that 41-0 loss to Seattle earlier in the year? This is a team that doesn’t always bring its “A” (or even “B” or “C”) game on the road. Mix in a little bit of Mike Singletary frustration and I think it adds up to a deflating loss for the Jags and something to get the 49ers back on a positive track. Jaguars-49ers free pick: 49ers -3

Chicago Bears at Minnesota Vikings

• Bears-Vikings Date: Sunday, November 29th
• Bears-Vikings Kickoff Time: 4:15
• Bears-Vikings TV Network: FOX
• Bears-Vikings Announcers: Joe Buck and Troy Aikman
• Bears-Vikings Point Spread: Vikings -10.5
• Bears-Vikings Over-Under: 47
• Bears-Vikings Spread Pick: It will probably be 14 points or so and is there any reason not to take the Vikings? Actually, if it’s that high, yes there is. It’s still a division game…so be wary of a high number here. Update: The line has now been posted and it’s only 10.5. That is a very tricky line, but I’m going with the Bears. Minnesota has been steamrolling everyone and they are bound to have another close game soon. Jay Cutler is certainly capable of going toe-to-toe with Brett Favre and Minnesota is susceptible to the pass. The Vikings win, and I think AD is the star, but Chicago makes the Vikings sweat for the first time in a while. Bears-Vikings free pick: Bears +10.5

Arizona Cardinals at Tennessee Titans

• Cardinals-Titans Date: Sunday, November 29th
• Cardinals-Titans Kickoff Time: 4:15
• Cardinals-Titans TV Network: FOX
• Cardinals-Titans Announcers: Sam Rosen and Tim Ryan
• Cardinals-Titans Point Spread: Titans -3
• Cardinals-Titans Over-Under: 47
• Cardinals-Titans Spread Pick: The key question in this game is whether or not Kurt Warner will play; as of right now, all signs point to yes. Thus, I’m going with the Cardinals here to at least cover the three and probably to win outright. Oddsmakers, you do realize that Arizona is 5-0 on the road this year, right? And that they have a top 10 run defense to help hold Chris Johnson down? I’m a big fan of the revived Titans with Vince Young, but I don’t think that their pass D can hold up against a healthy Warner and his trio of stud wideouts, plus the emerging Beanie Wells. Cardinals-Titans free pick: Cardinals +3

Pittsburgh Steelers at Baltimore Ravens

• Steelers-Ravens Date: Sunday, November 29th
• Steelers-Ravens Kickoff Time: 8:20
• Steelers-Ravens TV Network: NBC
• Steelers-Ravens Announcers: Al Michaels and Cris Collinsworth
• Steelers-Ravens Point Spread: Ravens -2.5
• Steelers-Ravens Over-Under: No line as of Thursday
• Steelers-Ravens Spread Pick: Only one outlet has a line of the Steelers-Ravens game and no one has an OU, mainly because there has been nothing definitive set yet about Ben Roethlisberger’s status. The latest reports this morning are that he is expected to play, so I’m picking with that assumption. And in that case, and obviously in the event that he doesn’t play, I’m going Ravens. Their season hangs in the balance, and they have the advantage of being at home. I think they will be able to throw on Pittsburgh with Troy Polamalu out, and by now you have to think that Baltimore will be able to get a return TD…because everyone is getting one against Pittsburgh. Steelers-Ravens free pick: Ravens -2.5

New England Patriots at New Orleans Saints

• Patriots-Saints Date: Monday, November 30th
• Patriots-Saints Kickoff Time: 8:30
• Patriots-Saints TV Network: ESPN
• Patriots-Saints Announcers: Mike Tirio, Jon Gruden, and Ron Jaworski
• Patriots-Saints Point Spread: Saints -3
• Patriots-Saints Over-Under: 56
• Patriots-Saints Spread Pick: This game will definitely push the 56-point line and be very similar to the Week 10 matchup between the Patriots and Colts. Because the Saints are at home, I like them to win this game. But this is still a Saints team that we haven’t seen win big games yet. The Patriots are a team that we’ve seen do it time and time again, even with the loss to the Colts. When it gets right down to it, it’s really hard to pick the Saints when Tom Brady and Bill Belichick are standing on the other sideline. The Patriots failed to end the Colts’ undefeated start, but I don’t think they fail this time. Patriots-Saints free pick: Patriots +3

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