Not only did I go 3-0 on Thanksgiving, including the huge Baltimore Ravens 16-6 win over the San Francisco 49ers, I finished out the weekend just as strong, now hitting on almost 65% of my picks for the season. Imagine if Ravens QB Joe Flacco was completing 65% of his passes?
I split my two "Upset Specials," with the Denver Broncos beating the San Diego Chargers but missing on the Chicago Bears losing to the Oakland Raiders. Let's see who is going to be my upset picks in week 13, along with the rest of my selections, and of course I'll pick & pan the Ravens at the Cleveland Browns Sunday morning.
Steelers over Bengals: This game should pretty much convince those Cincinnati fans who thought they could play with the big boys in the AFC North. Pittsburgh is still a tough team and while there is no denying the Bengals are a good team and I'd love to see them upset the Steelers, if they couldn't win at home I just can't see them doing it on the road.
Falcons over Texans: Atlanta helps the Ravens as well as the Titans out in the playoff race, but it will be interesting to see how Houston responds with a new QB at the helm and if their great running game and defense can carry the team. Sound familiar?
Bills over Titans: Tennessee has a chance to pick up a game on Houston but will come up short against a Buffalo team desperate for a win. While I wouldn't be surprised to see it go the Titans way, I like the Bills at home just as it's beginning to get cold up in northern New York.
Bears over Chiefs: Ah, the battle of the backup quarterbacks but I like the rest of Chicago's team plus home field advantage over the rest of the Kansas City team on the road.
Raiders over Dolphins: Yes, this qualifies as my first of several "Upset Special Picks of the Week," as playoff-bound (?) Oakland crosses the country to play a vastly improved Miami team that has won three in a row after going winless for the first part of the season. (Also, Carson Palmer is my fantasy football team's QB!)
Broncos over Vikings: This too qualifies as an "Upset Special" with Denver on the road and Minnesota favored for whatever reason. How can you bet against Tim Tebow, when the Lord is obviously on his side?
Patriots over Colts: Long ago, in a galaxy far away....this was going to be a good game. Not anymore. 'Nuff said.
Panthers over Buccaneers: Another upset by betting standards, as I think Cam Newton is a good NFL QB, not just a good NFL "rookie" QB. Also, can you imagine that many "experts" thought Tampa Bay QB Josh Freeman was better than the Ravens' Joe Flacco?
Redskins over Jets: Yeah, I'm going out on a limb here, I know it. But the rest of my "Upset Specials" don't seem like true upset picks and this one certainly is. Besides, anytime you can root for New York to lose is a good thing, right? Even if it is to... Washington.
Cowboys over Cardinals: Dallas is fast becoming the darling of the league again to many people's disgust, but "America's Team" has taken charge of the NFC East and appears heading to the playoffs and I can't see Arizona derailing that run this week.
Packers over Giants: Who is the sicko schedule-maker that is forcing New York to face Drew Brees and the New Orleans Saints on Monday night, then turn around six days later and have them face Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers? Talk about a death-wish and the nail in the Giants playoffs' spine!
Saints over Lions (Sunday Night Football): That same schedule-maker that is screwing the Giants must love New Orleans as he gives them two home prime-time games in a row. Now Detroit must regroup from their Thanksgiving Day loss to the Packers and go where the Giants did last week to be another turkey for the Saints offense. Ouch.
Jaguars over Chargers (Monday Night Football): Another upset pick as the odds-makers can't seem to let go of San Diego and accept that they really do stink this season. Meanwhile, if Jacksonville can upset Baltimore at home on Monday Night Football, why can't they do it again to the Chargers? I think they can and will.
Last Week: 12-4
Season Record: 110-65