NFL - Week Twelve Preview

It's Thanksgiving and that means one thing beside family gatherings and turkey and pumpkin pie.
FOOTBALL !
The Detroit Lions will be playing in the annual Thanksgiving Day game at home against the Minnesota Vikings this year. It's a big game because both teams are currently 6-4 and share first place in the NFC North division.
The Lions edged the Vikings 22-16 in overtime three weeks ago up in Minnesota as the Vikings blew a late lead. Lions kicker Matt Prater nailed a 58-yard field goal as time expired to force the OT and the Lions drove right down the field and won on a touchdown pass from quarterback Matthew Stafford to wide receiver Golden Tate.
This game should be a good one with the Vikings looking to make amends for their miscues at the end of the game in Minneapolis.
The middle game of the three being played will feature the Dallas Cowboys hosting the Washington Redskins. Dallas has won nine in a row and owns the NFL's best record at 9-1, which is good for first place in the NFC East division.
The Redskins (6-3-1) have also been rolling lately, coming off a 42-24 blowout win on national TV Sunday night against Green Bay. Dallas won a 27-23 squeaker in D.C. back in Week Two, but look for the 'Pokes to roll the 'Skins this time around.
The night game will have the Pittsburgh Steelers (5-5) facing the Indianapolis Colts (5-5) in Indy.
But the Colts will be without starting QB Andrew Luck (concussion) for this one. Scott Tolzien (former back up to Aaron Rodgers in Green Bay) will get the call for the game and the Steelers beleaguered defense will be looking to make the most of their chance to prove their critics wrong.
It should be a great Turkey Day for the NFL with these three games, along with the rest of the action taking place on Sunday and Monday night.

For a look at all of the games, the following offers a capsule style preview and of course, the predictions for the games.

Minnesota Vikings (6-4) at Detroit Lions (6-4) - This game could be another OT thriller.

Washington Redskins (6-3-1) at Dallas Cowboys (9-1) - Cowboys cannot be stopped.

Pittsburgh Steelers (5-5) at Indianapolis Colts (5-5) - Colts will likely struggle without starting QB Andrew Luck . . . Take the Steelers.

Tennessee Titans (5-6) at Chicago Bears (2-8) - The stinker game of the week.

Jacksonville Jaguars (2-8) at Buffalo Bills (5-5) - Bills should win this one.

Cincinnati Bengals (3-6-1) at Baltimore Ravens (5-5) - What has happened to the Bengals this season?

Arizona Cardinals (4-5-1) at Atlanta Falcons (6-4) - The Falcons soar at home against a struggling Arizona team.

New York Giants (7-3) at Cleveland Browns (0-11) - The Giants are going for six wins a row.

Los Angeles Rams (4-6) at New Orleans Saints (4-6) - Drew Brees and company need this one. The Rams have a winning record on the road this season.

San Francisco 49ers (1-9) at Miami Dolphins (6-4) - The Dolphins are one of the hottest teams in the NFL right now.

San Diego Chargers (4-6) at Houston Texans (6-4) - The Chargers continue to find ways to lose games, especially in the fourth quarter.

Seattle Seahawks (7-2-1) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (5-5) - The Seahawks better be ready or the Bucs will sting them.

Carolina Panthers (4-6) at Oakland Raiders (8-2) - The Raiders have won three straight games and QB Derek Carr is now in league MVP talk.

New England Patriots (8-2) at New York Jets (3-7) - This game was "flexed" out of the Sunday night prime time slot. Good reason for that . . . Patriots roll !

Kansas City Chiefs (7-3) at Denver Broncos (7-3) - The winner of this one will be in a very good spot going forward as far as playoff contention is concerned.

Green Bay Packers (4-6) at Philadelphia Eagles (5-5) - The loser of this Monday night game will likely not make the playoffs.

The Heftyinfo picks for Week Twelve . . . . .  (Home teams are listed in bold;  Lock of the Week is listed in BOLD CAPS)

Detroit over Minnesota
Dallas over Washington
Pittsburgh over Indianapolis
Chicago over Tennessee
Buffalo over Jacksonville
Baltimore over Cincinnati
Atlanta over Arizona
NY Giants over Cleveland
New Orleans over Los Angeles
MIAMI over San Francisco
Houston over San Diego
Seattle over Tampa Bay
Oakland over Carolina
New England over NY Jets
Denver over Kansas City
Green Bay over Philadelphia 


Last Week's Record:  10-4

SEASON RECORD:  102-57-2

Lock of the Week Record:  11-0