NFL Week 12 predictions

NFL's Week 12 match-ups are analysed by Sky Sports News HQ's Richard Graves who offers his predictions.

Philadelphia Eagles @ Detroit Lions

The Eagles simply can't get out of their own way right now and with Mark Sanchez set to continue at quarterback, there's little reason to believe that will change this week. Back-to-back defeats in which Sanchez has thrown a combined four interceptions has cost them an opportunity to go top of the NFC East and head coach Chip Kelly's position is now under scrutiny. The manner of their 47-17 loss at home to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday was embarrassing.

In contrast, the Lions are a team transformed! Since returning from a bye week, in which the team President and General Manager were both fired, they've had successive wins at Green Bay and at home to Oakland. The Lions defense is unrecognisable during that period. Prior to their bye week, they were conceding 30 points per game, that's fallen to just 15.5 points per game in the past two weeks. While crucially QB Matthew Stafford has thrown just one interception in that period.

The Lions appear to be responding well to the organisation's recent changes while the Eagles appear to be going from bad to worse - it's unlikely to get any better for them in Detroit.

Pick: Detroit Lions

Watch Philadelphia Eagles @ Detroit Lions live on Sky Sports 1 HD from 5.30pm this Thursday.

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Carolina Panthers @ Dallas Cowboys

They're undefeated. They're the best team in the NFC and the stage is now set for the 10-0 Panthers to show everyone what they're about on Thanksgiving Day when they travel to the home of "America's Team" the Cowboys.

QB Tony Romo's return inspired Dallas to a win which snapped a seven-game losing streak at Miami and led to the hype around the Cowboys being reignited. The fact is though, no team has ever had a 2-7 record and made the play-offs. That stretch included defeats to New Orleans, Philadelphia, Tampa Bay, New York Giants and the Seattle Seahawks. Not one of those teams hold a winning record this season and the Panthers represent a significant step up in class.

The Panthers have the No 4 ranked defense - with 31 sacks this season. They have the No 3 ranked scoring offense (29.9 points per game) and have a 15-1 record over their last 16 games.

Add into this equation, Romo will be playing his second game in four days after nine weeks on the sidelines and remember how tough it was for him and his surgically-repaired back on a short turnaround last Thanksgiving against the Eagles. Carolina must be heavy favourites for this contest.

Pick: Carolina Panthers

Watch Carolina Panthers @ Dallas Cowboys live on Sky Sports 1 HD from 9.15pm this Thursday.

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Chicago Bears @ Green Bay Packers

The Packers got a big divisional win on Sunday against the Minnesota Vikings and, as a result, snapped a three-game losing streak to take them back to the top of the NFC North. It was by no means a vintage Packers performance but the return to form of running back Eddie Lacy was a welcome sight, bulldozing his way over would-be tacklers and finishing the game with 100 rushing yards.

The Bears dropped to a narrow loss at home to the Denver Broncos, but without RB Matt Forte and wide receiver Alshon Jeffery, they struggled to move the ball. They'll hope at least one of those players will be available for the trip to Lambeau Field.

Chicago rank 25th against the run, giving up 123.7 yards per game - something Lacy and the Packers will hope to exploit on what's sure to be a cold night in Green Bay. At home, the Packers start as clear favourites.

Pick: Green Bay Packers

Watch Chicago Bears @ Green Bay Packers on Sky Sports 1 HD from 1am on Friday morning.

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Minnesota Vikings @ Atlanta Falcons

The Vikings had their five-game winning streak ended at home to divisional rivals the Packers, and with it, surrender top spot in the NFC North. Meanwhile, the Falcons lost their fourth game in five after surrendering a 14-point lead in the third quarter.

Atlanta's problems stem from their quarterback. Matt Ryan threw another three interceptions on Sunday, including a killer Pick 6 against the Indianapolis Colts. Their problems were compounded, losing RB Devonta Freeman with a concussion. If he doesn't clear the NFL's concussion protocol this week, rookie Tevin Coleman will start the game.

Minnesota were thwarted by big penalties at inopportune moments and a costly fumble by star RB Adrian Peterson late in their game against Green Bay. Peterson remains the key to this offense though. The Vikings are averaging 141.9 rushing yards per game - that's third best in the NFL but Atlanta have the league's best run defense, giving up just 87.4 yards per game. This will likely be the area where the game is won and lost and few have had success in stopping AP.

Pick: Minnesota Vikings

St. Louis Rams @ Cincinnati Bengals

The Rams began the season in frustratingly erratic fashion and it's beginning to look like they'll finish it that way as well. Last weekend's defeat, following a blown 10-point lead in Baltimore, has heightened the pressure on HC Jeff Fisher. QB Case Keenum was allowed to stay in the game despite later being diagnosed with a concussion (which should have at least been suspected from the way he struggled to get to his feet after being hit late in the game) and that could mean a return to the starting line-up for Nick Foles. The Rams have now slipped to a 4-6 record.

The Bengals are also faltering after the Arizona Cardinals condemned them to a second-straight defeat. A second-straight defeat on prime time television which has predictably given rise to questions over QB Andy Dalton's big-game nerve again. In truth, they went toe-to-toe with the best side in the NFC West and might consider themselves unfortunate to have lost. Make no mistake, the Bengals remain the best team in the AFC North and it's a division they are expected to win.

Cincinnati haven't become a bad team overnight and they certainly aren't in as much trouble as the St. Louis Rams. As long as they can bottle up rookie RB Todd Gurley, they'll bottle up the win.

Pick: Cincinnati Bengals

New Orleans Saints @ Houston Texans

The Saints return from their bye week minus Rob Ryan. Their former defensive coordinator was sacked after their humiliating defeat to the Washington Redskins. He leaves behind the worst-ranked defense in the NFL, which has been conceding a league-worst average of 31.5 points per game.

Their first game back is at a Texans team which has beaten the Cincinnati Bengals and the New York Jets in successive weeks to leave them tied for first place in the AFC South with a 5-5 record. TJ Yates did enough, filling in for Bryan Hoyer last week. Despite failing to complete half of his passing attempts, he did connect with WR DeAndre Hopkins for two scores. Hoyer is set to return from a concussion against the Saints. Defensive end JJ Watt had a huge game, recording two sacks and eight tackles against the Jets - and keeping him away from QB Drew Brees will be New Orleans' number one priority.

It's tough to overlook the Texans in this game after successive wins over teams with winning records, and until the New Orleans Saints show otherwise, that porous defense instills absolutely no confidence.

Pick: Houston Texans

Tampa Bay Buccaneers @ Indianapolis Colts

The Buccaneers continue to get better and the manner of their win in Philadelphia, just a week after knocking off Dallas, has grabbed the attention of most observers. Rookie QB Jameis Winston threw five TDs - tying the rookie record in a single game - while RB Doug Martin ploughed his way through the Eagles defense, finishing with 235 rushing yards. Don't look now but the Buccaneers are on the edge of the wildcard spots with a 5-5 record.

The Colts are also at 5-5, thanks to a Matt Hasselbeck-inspired comeback win in Atlanta. Hasselbeck is now responsible for three of the Colts' five wins this season and they're tied for the lead in the AFC South. Like the Bucs, they've enjoyed big back-to-back wins and this promises to be an entertaining game.

As solid as Hasselbeck has been for the Colts, Winston's form has been eye catching for the Buccaneers and with Martin looking back to his best, Tampa Bay look the better team.

Pick: Tampa Bay Buccaneers

San Diego Chargers @ Jacksonville Jaguars

For the first time in a long time the Jaguars head into a game on the back of two successive wins. Victory over the Tennessee Titans wasn't pretty but it ensures they remain in the hunt for the AFC South championship. A long week to recover from that win will have helped both rookie RB TJ Yeldon and WR Allen Hurns who've been dealing with injuries.

The Chargers are counting those players who are still fit! QB Philip Rivers continues to lead their offense but injuries to starting offensive linemen, rookie RB Melvin Gorden and the loss of WR Keenan Allen for the season, have taken their toll. As a result, the Chargers sit at the bottom of the AFC West with a 2-8 record and now must travel across the country to Florida. Their defense gives up more points (28.2 per game) than anyone else in the league this season bar New Orleans while the Jaguars have developed a taste for winning.

Pick: Jacksonville Jaguars

Buffalo Bills @ Kansas City Chiefs

The Bills only have a short week to prepare for a trip to an in-form Chiefs team. To make matters worse, the status of starting QB Tyrod Taylor is up in the air after hurting the shoulder of his throwing arm in Monday's loss to the New England Patriots (although HC Rex Ryan said on Tuesday he does expect him to play). In addition, DE Mario Williams was sent for an MRI on a foot injury which forced him out of that game and starting safety Baccari Rambo also left that loss with a shoulder injury.

The Chiefs will have little sympathy. They've had to deal with their own injuries this season, not least the ACL injury which has cost them the services of star running back Jamaal Charles, and they may have to do without his backup Charcandrick West for this game, but they continue to win. Victory over San Diego on Sunday made it four in a row for the Chiefs, improving their record to 5-5 and a play-off spot is not beyond them. Defensively, they're playing well with linebacker Justin Houston returning to the form which earned him a big-money contract in the summer. The Chiefs are now tied for sixth in the league with 29 sacks and their +10 turnover differential is the third best in the NFL.

Pick: Kansas City Chiefs

Miami Dolphins @ New York Jets

The Dolphins looked a team in trouble during Sunday's defeat at home to Dallas. For the first 29 minutes of that game QB Ryan Tannehill barely completed a pass, let alone threatened to put points on the board! The fact they finished with 14 total points was a surprise. Combined with costly penalties at critical times, there were moments when the Dolphins appeared lost on the field and crucially when Dallas ran the ball to finish the game, Miami's expensively-assembled defensive line couldn't stop them.

The Jets didn't enjoy Sunday any more than the Dolphins after going to Houston and being beaten by backup QB TJ Yates. WR DeAndre Hopkins was able to beat cornerback Darrelle Revis and score 2TDs and to make matters worse, Revis was forced out of the game with a concussion. Centre Nick Mangold suffered a laceration to his right hand which required stitches.

A Jets defense, which was at one point the meanest in the NFL this season, has now slipped outside of the top 10 in points allowed, conceding an average of 20.8 points per game but is still ranked fifth overall. Miami's defense is ranked 26th with an offense which is also ranked 26th.

When they last met in September, the Jets won and the Dolphins promptly fired Joe Philbin on their return from London. The Jets, despite their injuries, should still have enough to get the job done on Sunday

Pick: New York Jets

Oakland Raiders @ Tennessee Titans

It's been a disappointing few weeks for the Raiders. A home defeat to the Vikings followed by a deflating loss in Detroit has left them with a 4-6 record, a three-game losing streak and it now seems unlikely they'll challenge for a play-off spot. Their offense was completely shut down last weekend with QB Derek Carr held to just 169 passing yards and WR Amari Cooper restricted to just one reception in a 18-13 defeat to the Lions.

The Titans also lost last week at the Jacksonville Jaguars, meaning they now hold a 2-8 record. Defensively they've been good, they have the sixth-ranked unit in the NFL, but their offense is ranked 30th! They haven't won at home this season and have offered little to make anyone believe that will change this week. On paper at least, they appear ideal opponents to get Oakland out of their slump…but so too did the Lions last weekend!

Pick: Oakland Raiders

New York Giants @ Washington Redskins

The Giants return from their bye week and are still a game clear of anyone else in the NFC East. That's because both the Eagles and the Redskins suffered heavy losses last weekend. Following the euphoria and the acclaim which surrounded Redskins QB Kirk Cousins after thrashing the New Orleans Saints, Washington were swept aside by Carolina. Cousins threw two touchdown passes, but the Redskins gave up five!

The Giants have been erratic this season and much of their bye week will have been spent wondering how they managed to let the New England Patriots off the hook when they appeared to have the game won. It's moments like those which leave their division rivals still far too close for comfort. The Giants have struggled to establish the run this year, averaging just 95 yards per game, but their passing offense is in the top 10, averaging 27.3 points per game - only Arizona, New England and Carolina have scored more.

The Redskins are scoring five points per game fewer, but both teams are giving up 25 points per game. Washington have been sneakily good in several games this season, but the Giants have proven playmakers in QB Eli Manning and WR Odell Beckham Jr. - and they give the Giants the edge.

Pick: New York Giants

Arizona Cardinals @ San Francisco 49ers

On paper, this looks like the biggest mismatch of Week 12. The NFC West leading Cardinals with their 8-2 record travelling to the NFC West basement dwellers, the 3-7 49ers, who are fresh off a bruising, physically draining defeat in Seattle.

The Cardinals proved to everyone they are the real deal on Sunday night with a prime-time win over the Cincinnati Bengals - a win which puts them in position to be the second seed in the NFC. The statistics tell their own story. The Cardinals have the No 1 ranked offense and lead the league in scoring with 336 points, while their defense ranks third overall. Compare that to San Francisco...whose offense ranks dead last in the NFL. They've scored fewer points than anyone else in the league (139) and their defense ranks 28th!

Pick: Arizona Cardinals

Pittsburgh Steelers @ Seattle Seahawks

QB Ben Roethlisberger played when the experts didn't think he should on a bad ankle two weeks ago, coming into the game after only a handful of snaps and promptly led the Steelers to an emphatic victory over the Cleveland Browns. He's had a fortnight to rest up that ankle and he'll lead the Steelers out in Seattle this weekend.

It's a game both teams badly need to win. Both are in divisions where top spot appears to be already decided, so both realistically find themselves playing for a wild card spot in the playoffs.

Seattle's home fortress has looked shaky this season. Both Carolina and Arizona have left there with wins but for Pittsburgh to do the same, they'll have to play well against the run. Marshawn Lynch won't play again in the regular season after having surgery for a sports hernia. In his absence last weekend, Thomas Rawls didn't miss a beat, rushing for 209 yards, but the Steelers rank fifth against the run, giving up just 93 yards per game. Both teams have been mean, conceding 19 points per game and both teams get after the quarterback - Seattle have 25 sacks, Pittsburgh 28.

In short, this game will be decided by which team can make the biggest plays and they may well come on the defensive side of the ball. It'll be a surprise if there's more than one score between them at the final whistle.

Pick: Seattle Seahawks

New England Patriots @ Denver Broncos

This was supposed to be Tom Brady going toe-to-toe with Peyton Manning for perhaps one last time. Brady will play, Manning will not. Instead, Brock Osweiler leads the Broncos.

It's potentially a fascinating matchup, pitting the expertise of Brady against the NFL's best defense. Denver concede an average of just 18.3 points per game, sack the quarterback more than anyone else (34) and give up fewer passing yards than anyone else (190.6 yards per game).

New England's offense commands respect. They're the third best in the NFL. Only Arizona have scored more than their 323 points and they move the ball through the air better than any other team, averaging 320.4 passing yards per game. The problem is, the Patriots have lost WR Julian Edleman and shifty RB Dion Lewis to injury and that has severely depleted their receiving options.

That being said, New England's defense is the meanest in the league this season. They've conceded just 182 points - one less than Denver - and the Broncos offense has struggled mightily; averaging just 22.2 points per game. Even with the mobile Osweiler at QB last weekend, they only scored 17 points in Chicago.

Victory for the Patriots will wrap up a seventh-successive AFC East title but the loss of Edleman seems to be a big blow. They struggled without him during the second half against the Giants. They struggled to move the ball on Monday night against the Bills. Denver's defense might just catch up with them this weekend.

Pick: Denver Broncos

Baltimore Ravens @ Cleveland Browns

The final game of Week 12 does not set up well. The hapless Browns against the injury-decimated Ravens - between them they have just five wins this season.

The Ravens lost QB Joe Flacco and RB Justin Forsett to season-ending injuries last weekend, adding to a list which already includes LB Terrell Suggs and WR Steve Smith. Jjust a week after saying Johnny Manziel would be their starting QB for the remainder of the season, the Cleveland Browns announced he'd be their third-string QB after a video of Manziel holding a champagne bottle in an Austin club emerged. The starting job belongs to Josh McCown once more.

One of only two wins this season for the Browns came in dramatic fashion though in overtime at Baltimore - and that was with Flacco and Forsett in the Ravens line-up! The Ravens have struggled to overcome their injury problems for much of this season, losing players in key positions and leaders of their team - the latest ones just rub more salt into their wounds.

Pick: Cleveland Browns