NFL Week 12 Results
Thanksgiving Day boredom reigned as good teams beat bad teams. Major injuries took their toll in Pittsburgh and almost led to an upset in Atlanta. To close out the week the Patriots were further exposed as pretenders on the perfect passing arm of Drew Brees and the Saints.
Green Bay Packers 34, Detroit Lions 12 (predicted: Green Bay Packers 28, Detroit Lions 24)
Yet another year passes in which we all hope to see the day when the Lions aren’t on TV on Thanksgiving.
Oakland Raiders 7, Dallas Cowboys 24 (predicted: Oakland Raiders 21, Dallas Cowboys 26)
The Cowboys finally managed to put some points on the board against the Raiders.
New York Giants 6, Denver Broncos 26 (predicted: New York Giants 23, Denver Broncos 13)
One more loss and the Giants are probably out of the playoff race. 6 points against a Denver defense that has been destroyed the past three weeks is not a good sign.
Miami Dolphins 14, Buffalo Bills 31 (predicted: Miami Dolphins 30, Buffalo Bills 14)
Something is telling me that TO doesn’t miss Trent Edwards. Things finally seem to be clicking for the Bills, who won Perry Fewell’s home debut.
Indianapolis Colts 35, Houston Texans 27 (predicted: Indianapolis Colts 24, Houston Texans 21)
As it seems to go in recent years between these two teams, the Texans won the first half only to see the Colts destroy them in the second. Unlike last year’s Sage Rosenfels\ helicopter/fumble-returned-for-a-touchdown, this year it was Clint Session’s 27-yard interception return for a touchdown that signalled the momentum change.
Cleveland Browns 7, Cincinnati Bengals 16 (predicted: Cleveland Browns 12, Cincinnati Bengals 31)
Not sure why the Bengals are having so much trouble beating such bad teams, but a win is a win.
Carolina Panthers 6, New York Jets 17 (predicted: Carolina Panthers 20, New York Jets 21)
Jake Delhomme has to be benched after another terrible game, right? This loss to the Jets could be the beginning of the end for Delhomme as well as John Fox in Carolina.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 17, Atlanta Falcons 20 (predicted: Tampa Bay Buccaneers 6, Atlanta Falcons 38)
Chris Redman filled in adequately for Matt Ryan against the lowly Bucs.
Washington Redskins 24, Philadelphia Eagles 27 (predicted: Washington Redskins 17, Philadelphia Eagles 22)
By most accounts the Eagles shouldn’t have won this game. Other than the Eagles’ painful-to-watch short-yardage playcalling they seemed to do all right against one of the league’s better defenses. While the Eagles didn’t lose the game, they did lose DeSean Jackson on a big hit by London Fletcher. The hit can be seen here at the 1:53 mark.
Seattle Seahawks 27, St. Louis Rams 17 (predicted: Seattle Seahawks 16, St. Louis Rams 23)
A Kyle Boller interception returned for a touchdown by Josh Wilson sealed the deal on this game. The Rams continue their quest for April’s #1 Draft Pick.
Kansas City Chiefs 14, San Diego Chargers 43 (predicted: Kansas City Chiefs 17, San Diego Chargers 35)
Chris Chambers didn’t exactly make the Chargers regret releasing him, although he did have a decent game with 70 yards and a touchdown.
Jacksonville Jaguars 3, San Francisco 49ers 20 (predicted: Jacksonville Jaguars 17, San Francisco 49ers 20)
Not a pretty game for Jacksonville, who was held to a field goal by a surprisingly stout 49er defense.
Chicago Bears 10, Minnesota Vikings 36 (predicted: Chicago Bears 18, Minnesota Vikings 28)
Jay Cutler doesn’t have too many fans left in Chicago after another awful outing against a (the?) division rival. Cutler threw 2 more interceptions and just one touchdown as the Bears sputtered to their 7th loss and nearly certain playoff elimination. How’s Kyle Orton doing over there in Denver? I heard he had a winning record this season or something?
Arizona Cardinals 17, Tennessee Titans 20 (predicted: Arizona Cardinals 21, Tennessee Titans 31)
One could say Matt Leinart lived down to expectations as the Titans become the first team to go 5-0 after an 0-6 start.
Pittsburgh Steelers 17, Baltimore Ravens 20 (predicted: Pittsburgh Steelers 20, Baltimore Ravens 23)
Granted this prediction was made before Ben Roethlisberger was listed as “Out” but I don’t think it would have made that much of a difference. Both defenses were playing exceptionally well, and Dennis Dixon almost won it. The Steelers are a mess- after the game even Hines Ward questioned the decision to not play Roethlisberger.
New England Patriots 17, New Orleans Saints 38 (predicted: New England Patriots 34, New Orleans Saints 38)
The Patriots probably would have had a better chance if they had just stayed in New England for the week. Despite the absence of Reggie Bush (which at this point is addition by subtraction) and Jabari Greer, there wasn’t any aspect of the game that one could argue the Patriots did better. Blown coverages, missed tackles, and sloppy offensive line play led to the blowout. The Saints reaffirmed their standing at the top of the league.
13-3 this week, 119-57 on the season.
