This post is from 2010!

If you accidentally landed here, click to view all of our 2011 Thanksgiving Day content, including the Thanksgiving Day Football Schedule.

I declared myself “back” last week after reversing a bad trend of sub-.500 records by going 9-5. In Week 12, I backed that statement up with another solid day. I’m sitting at 7-4-1 heading into tonight’s Monday nighter. If the Broncos can keep the game within double digits, I’ll have another very solid week notched into the 2010 docket. Even if they lose, I’m two games over for Week 12, which I’ll take every single time.

[Note: Denver did not keep it within double digits. Not even close. 7-5-1 it is.]

I’m getting the Bettor’s Guide up early this week because of the three Thanksgiving Day games on Thursday. I know that a lot of the spreads aren’t posted yet, but I’ll update this post with those spreads and picks when they are available.

A couple of quick things to keep in mind:

• All times are ET.
• Point spread and over-under listings are as of Monday morning and obviously subject to change throughout the week. If you want updated 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 are your Week 12 TV picks, spreads, and over-unders.

Update: Click to view Griffin Gotta’s spread picks for the three Thanksgiving Day NFL games.

NFL Week 12 Bettor’s Guide

Point Spreads – Free Picks – Over-Under Odds

New England Patriots at Detroit Lions

• Patriots-Lions Date: Thursday, November 25 at 12:30 pm on CBS
• Patriots-Lions Point Spread: Patriots -7
• Patriots-Lions Over-Under Odds: 51
• Patriots-Lions Spread Pick: I think it’s safe to say that the Patriots’ terrible loss to the Browns a few weeks back was an aberration caused by a really good team overlooking at not so good team. With victories over the Steelers and Colts since, the Patriots appear to moving forward with a full head of steam. Detroit did not play particularly well last week, but they’ve been in almost every game they’ve played. With the playoffs not an option, this is their Super Bowl. New England can be had through the air, so Shaun Hill and Calvin Johnson should be able to keep Detroit in the game. It’s rare, but I think Detroit gives us a good early game on Thanksgiving Day, hanging tough with the Patriots before losing it in the end. Patriots-Lions Thanksgiving Day free pick: Lions +7

New Orleans Saints at Dallas Cowboys

• Saints-Cowboys Date: Thursday, November 25 at 4:15 pm on FOX
• Saints-Cowboys Point Spread: Saints -3
• Saints-Cowboys Over-Under Odds: 50
• Saints-Cowboys Spread Pick: The Cowboys are 2-0 under new head coach Jason Garrett, and they aren’t fluky victories. Dallas has beaten a very good Giants team and an improving Lions squad, proving in the process that they will be a force for contenders to reckon with down the stretch. New Orleans is obviously a contender, and one that seems to be playing better as the season goes along. Looking at this game, it’s hard not to think about last year’s win by the Cowboys when the Saints were still undefeated. Dallas dismantled New Orleans, and many of those same players will be going at it in this game. Still, Dallas’ weakness is in the back end of its secondary, where Drew Brees has been dominating teams over the last few weeks with Marques Colston and Robert Meachem. Considering the Saints’ prowess against the pass this year as well, I’d say this matchup doesn’t look good for Dallas on paper. I think Dallas keeps this game relatively close, but the Saints win confidently. Saints-Cowboys Thanksgiving Day free pick: Saints -3

Cincinnati Bengals at New York Jets

• Bengals-Jets Date: Thursday, November 25 at 8:20 pm on NFLN
• Bengals-Jets Point Spread: Jets -9
• Bengals-Jets Over-Under Odds: 43.5
• Bengals-Jets Spread Pick: Tough game to pick. Cincinnati is showing very little character right now, never moreso than in Week 11 when they jumped out to an early lead and then ended up getting blown out…by Buffalo. The Jets continue to win game after game, but they are being forced to win them late. I really don’t have any confidence in the Bengals, but nine points is a lot of points to lay for a team that is playing everyone close. Still, I’m going to do it. If the Bengals couldn’t have beaten a 9 point spread against a 1-win team when they had a 21-point lead, what makes me think they can do it against perhaps the best team in football? Jets roll. Bengals-Jets Thanksgiving Day free pick: Jets -9

Jacksonville Jaguars at New York Giants

• Jaguars-Giants Date: Sunday, November 28 at 1:00 pm on CBS
• Jaguars-Giants Point Spread: Giants -7.5
• Jaguars-Giants Over-Under Odds: 44.5
• Jaguars-Giants Spread Pick: The Giants have to be smarting after their loss to the Eagles. It was yet another example of how turnovers will catch up to the even the best of times. Imagine how good New York would be if they didn’t turn it over? The surprising Jags are 6-4, so I’m a bit shocked to see this spread where it is, especially considering the injuries to Hakeem Nicks and Steve Smith. I think New York will win, but this will be no walk in the park. Jags-Giants free pick: Jaguars +7.5

Pittsburgh Steelers at Buffalo Bills

• Steelers-Bills Date: Sunday, November 28 at 1:00 pm on CBS
• Steelers-Bills Point Spread: Steelers -6
• Steelers-Bills Over-Under Odds: 42
• Steelers-Bills Spread Pick: Those plucky Bills just keep playing better than their 2-8 record suggests they will. With the momentum of their stirring comeback win over the Bengals, and the Steelers avenging their Patriots loss with a dismantling of the Raiders, I look for this to be a close game that the Steelers have to pull out late. The Bills have earned some trust when it comes to mid-range spreads like this, especially at home. Steelers-Bills free pick: Bills +6

Tennessee Titans at Houston Texans

• Titans-Texans Date: Sunday, November 28 at 1:00 pm on CBS
• Titans-Texans Point Spread: Texans -6.5
• Titans-Texans Over-Under Odds: 45.5
• Titans-Texans Spread Pick: Do you trust Houston to win by almost a TD against anyone? I don’t either, even if it is Rusty Smith playing QB for Tennessee. Titans-Texans free pick: Titans +6.5

Minnesota Vikings at Washington Redskins

• Vikings-Redskins Date: Sunday, November 28 at 1:00 pm on FOX
• Vikings-Redskins Point Spread: Redskins -2
• Vikings-Redskins Over-Under Odds: 43.5
• Vikings-Redskins Spread Pick: Anyone else remember what happened way back (two weeks ago) when Jason Garrett took over for Wade Phillips? Dallas looked like a completely different team despite already being out of playoff contention. They beat the Giants and then won again last week. I think we could see something similar from the Vikings, who will have the weight of Brad Childress off their shoulders. I don’t believe much in Washington, so I think the Vikings offense could get going in a big way and relieve some frustration in D.C. Vikings-Redskins free pick: Vikings +2

Green Bay Packers at Atlanta Falcons

• Packers-Falcons Date: Sunday, November 28 at 1:00 pm on FOX
• Packers-Falcons Point Spread: Falcons -1
• Packers-Falcons Over-Under Odds: 47.5
• Packers-Falcons Spread Pick: The game of the week for Week 12. With the Giants starting to fade a bit, the Packers and Falcons look like the two strongest teams in the NFC right now, with New Orleans and Philadelphia close behind (and then surprising Tampa Bay and Chicago sitting there with all of us wondering how good they really are). In this game, I think handicapping it is pretty simple: the Falcons are at home, where they are damn near unbeatable. With a 1-point spread, I think they are the obvious choice. The reverse would be true if the game was in Lambeau. Who knows, the result of this one just may determine whether the NFC Championship game is a rematch in the Georgia Dame or if the Packers get a chance to play it in the elements in their home stadium. Packers-Falcons free pick: Falcons -1

Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Baltimore Ravens

• Buccaneers-Ravens Date: Sunday, November 28 at 4:15 pm on FOX
• Buccaneers-Ravens Point Spread: Ravens -9
• Buccaneers-Ravens Over-Under Odds: 40.5
• Buccaneers-Ravens Spread Pick: It’s odd to see a 7-3 team like the Buccaneers, coming off a 21-0 road shutout, be a 9-point underdog. But the fact remains that Tampa Bay has feasted on below average teams while struggling against the few good teams it has played. The Bucs lost 38-13 to Pittsburgh, 31-6 to New Orleans, and 27-21 to Atlanta. Baltimore is right there in the class of those teams, and they won’t be taking Tampa Bay lightly now that the Bucs are four games over .500 and starting to get the nation’s attention. Joe Flacco plays much better at home than he does on the road, and Tampa Bay is not a good run stopping team despite their performance in Week 11. I like Baltimore to humble the Bucs a bit in this one and remind everyone that while Tampa Bay is an up-and-coming team, they aren’t quite ready for prime time just yet. Buccaneers-Ravens free pick: Ravens -9

Carolina Panthers at Cleveland Browns

• Panthers-Browns Date: Sunday, November 28 at 1:00 pm on FOX
• Panthers-Browns Point Spread: Browns -10
• Panthers-Browns Over-Under Odds: 37.5
• Panthers-Browns Spread Pick: Carolina sucks, pretty badly, but so does Jake Delhomme. Since he is starting for Cleveland, I’m taking the Panthers. Panthers-Browns free pick: Panthers +10

Kansas City Chiefs at Seattle Seahawks

• Chiefs-Seahawks Date: Sunday, November 28 at 4:05 on CBS
• Chiefs-Seahawks Point Spread: Chiefs -1
• Chiefs-Seahawks Over-Under Odds: 44
• Chiefs-Seahawks Spread Pick: Kansas City just keeps on winning, and the Seahawks just keep on sucking. Seattle has not played well in several weeks, but should be buoyed a bit by getting to go home. The key will be if Seattle’s awful pass defense can contain the seemingly uncontainable Dwayne Bowe, who catches a touchdown pass every week. Mix in Jamaal Charles and Thomas Jones and I think the Chiefs will give Seattle’s defense fits. With Seattle not able to mount much of a running game on a weekly basis, I don’t even think the homefield advantage provides enough of an advantage to make them winners here. Chiefs-Seahawks free pick: Chiefs -1

Miami Dolphins at Oakland Raiders

• Dolphins-Raiders Date: Sunday, November 28 at 4:05 on CBS
• Dolphins-Raiders Point Spread: TBA
• Dolphins-Raiders Over-Under Odds: TBA
• Dolphins-Raiders Spread Pick: TBA

Philadelphia Eagles at Chicago Bears

• Eagles-Bears Date: Sunday, November 28 at 4:15 pm on FOX
• Eagles-Bears Point Spread: Eagles -3
• Eagles-Bears Over-Under Odds: 42
• Eagles-Bears Spread Pick: What an intriguing game. The Bears have the best defense in the NFL and face the league’s most explosive player and offense. The Eagles lead the NFL in interceptions and face the quarterback most known to toss it to the other team. There are about 8 billion different ways this game could go. Ultimately, the game is in Chicago and the Eagles are the one getting the points. I don’t like that. This one will be close and highly entertaining. Eagles-Bears free pick: Bears +3

Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Baltimore Ravens

• Buccaneers-Ravens Date: Sunday, November 28 at 4:15 pm on FOX
• Buccaneers-Ravens Point Spread: Ravens -9
• Buccaneers-Ravens Over-Under Odds: 40.5
• Buccaneers-Ravens Spread Pick: It’s odd to see a 7-3 team like the Buccaneers, coming off a 21-0 road shutout, be a 9-point underdog. But the fact remains that Tampa Bay has feasted on below average teams while struggling against the few good teams it has played. The Bucs lost 38-13 to Pittsburgh, 31-6 to New Orleans, and 27-21 to Atlanta. Baltimore is right there in the class of those teams, and they won’t be taking Tampa Bay lightly now that the Bucs are four games over .500 and starting to get the nation’s attention. Joe Flacco plays much better at home than he does on the road, and Tampa Bay is not a good run stopping team despite their performance in Week 11. I like Baltimore to humble the Bucs a bit in this one and remind everyone that while Tampa Bay is an up-and-coming team, they aren’t quite ready for prime time just yet. Buccaneers-Ravens free pick: Ravens -9

St. Louis Rams at Denver Broncos

• Rams-Broncos Date: Sunday, November 28 at 4:15 on FOX
• Rams-Broncos Point Spread: Broncos -4
• Rams-Broncos Over-Under Odds: 44.5
• Rams-Broncos Spread Pick: My first reaction to seeing this spread was “Are you serious?” The Broncos are perhaps the most inconsistent team in the NFL, and they are favored by 4? Then I realized they are at home and facing a Rams team that is much better in it’s own stadium. Still, Sam Bradford keeps his team in games and Denver is no juggernaut by any definition of the word. Rams-Broncos free pick: Rams +4

San Diego Chargers at Indianapolis Colts

• Chargers-Colts Date: Sunday, November 28 at 8:20 pm on NBC
• Chargers-Colts Point Spread: Colts -3
• Chargers-Colts Over-Under Odds: 51.5
• Chargers-Colts Spread Pick: Let’s not jump to too many conclusions about San Diego because they trounced the Broncos. Denver isn’t very good and is very old on offense. The Colts have the speed and pass rush to make things much more difficult on the San Diego wide receivers and quarterback Philip Rivers. The Colts missed a golden opportunity in Week 12 when Peyton Manning’s errant throw was picked off at the end of the game. I expect a wounded Colts team to come out with a vengeance in this one. I know San Diego has played Peyton tough, and I think they will here too, but I still like the Colts to pull this one out at home with San Diego having a short week and having to travel to the Midwest. Chargers-Colts free pick: Colts -3

San Francisco 49ers at Arizona Cardinals

• 49ers-Cardinals Date: Monday, November 29 at 8:30 pm on ESPN
• 49ers-Cardinals Point Spread: 49ers -1
• 49ers-Cardinals Over-Under Odds: 39.5
• 49ers-Cardinals Spread Pick: Wow, it’s kind of amazing to see the 49ers favored on the road against anyone, but I suppose that’s how far the Cardinals have fallen. It’s a must-win game for bot teams, each of whom amazingly still have playoff hopes because of the putrid division they play in. I think San Franscisco is the better team and will have a much better performance than what they had in Week 12. And I almost always pick against Derek Anderson. It’s a winning strategy. 49ers-Cardinals free pick: 49ers -1

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

——————–

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