NFL - Week Twelve Preview

It's Thanksgiving Day and time for the traditions of turkey dinners and pumpkin pie and all the good stuff(ing) and everything else that goes with it. And of course, let's not forget about the football games being played. 

Three games are on tap for Thanksgiving Day, beginning with the Detroit Lions (0-9-1) hosting the Chicago Bears. Both of these teams are going through miserable seasons and the Bears Head Coach Matt Nagy has been under intense fire from local media and fans alike. The Bears (3-7) have lost five in a row coming into this one and if they should be the first team to lose to the Lions in 2021, it could be curtains for Nagy sooner rather than later. It's likely he will be gone after this season is completed, but that's another topic altogether.

The Dallas Cowboys are hosting the Las Vegas Raiders in the late afternoon game. The Cowboys (7-3) are in first place in the NFC East division and have been rolling this year, especially on offense. But they did hit a stumbling block last week in Kansas City, losing 19-9 to the Chiefs and managing just three field goals in the loss. The Raiders (5-5) have had more drama than a teenage reality show this season and they definitely need to get things right if they want to make the playoffs. 

The night game will see the Buffalo Bills (6-4) at the New Orleans Saints (5-5) and both teams have been in slumps in recent weeks, falling out of first place in their respective divisions. The Bills now trail the New England Patriots by half a game in the AFC East while the Saints (three straight losses) are two full games behind the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the NFC South division. Buffalo has lost three of their last five games after a 4-1 start.

The rest of the action around the NFL takes place on Sunday and Monday night, so it will be another busy week. Two first place teams (Arizona in the NFC West and Kansas City in the AFC West) have their byes this weekend. The capsule style previews for all of the games follows below and the Heftyinfo picks for the games as well.

THANKSGIVING DAY GAMES 

Chicago (3-7) at Detroit (0-9-1) - These two teams are having nightmare seasons. Toss up in this game. 

Las Vegas (5-5) at Dallas (7-3) - The Cowboys should make quick work of the Raiders in this Turkey Day game. 

Buffalo (6-4) at New Orleans (5-5) - Something has to give in this battle between two teams that have been in slumps in recent weeks. 

SUNDAY GAMES 

Tampa Bay (7-3) at Indianapolis (6-5) - The Colts have been rolling and their defense gives them a chance to win this one. Bucs trying to stay in contention for top spot in the NFC. 

N.Y. Jets (2-8) at Houston (2-8) - Texans shocked the Tennessee Titans last week; Jets are still awful. 

Philadelphia (5-6) at N.Y. Giants (3-7) - Suddenly the soaring Eagles are wild card contenders, but the Giants would love to play spoilers. 

Carolina (5-6) at Miami (4-7) - Two teams that are not likely to make the post-season go at it in this one. The loser will likely be finished this season regarding playoff hopes. 

Tennessee (8-3) at New England (7-4) - This is a top game this weekend and the top seed in the AFC is at stake. Patriots are rolling lately while the Titans saw their six-game win streak stopped last week. Toss up here. 

Pittsburgh (5-4-1) at Cincinnati (6-4) - When was the last time the Bengals swept the Steelers in a season series? 

Atlanta (4-6) at Jacksonville (2-8) - Two reeling teams in this tilt. Toss up. 

L.A. Chargers (6-4) at Denver (5-5) - The Broncos really need to win this game. The Chargers showed life last weekend in a big win against Pittsburgh in prime time. 

L.A. Rams (7-3) at Green Bay (8-3) - Another top notch game as two of the better NFC playoff contenders square off in Lambeau Field. Take the Packers. 

Minnesota (5-5) at San Francisco (5-5) - The winner of this game will stay in the mix in the NFC wild card playoff picture. Another toss up here. 

Cleveland (6-5) at Baltimore (7-3) - The Browns are still on a roller coaster ride in the 2021 season while the Ravens need to stay healthy down the stretch. 

MONDAY NIGHT GAME 

Seattle (3-7) at Washington (4-6) - Who cares? 

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

Chicago over Detroit 

DALLAS over Las Vegas 

Buffalo over New Orleans 

Indianapolis over Tampa Bay 

Houston over N.Y. Jets 

Philadelphia over N.Y. Giants 

Miami over Carolina 

New England over Tennessee 

Cincinnati over Pittsburgh

Atlanta over Jacksonville 

L.A. Chargers over Denver 

Green Bay over L.A. Rams 

San Francisco over Minnesota 

Baltimore over Cleveland

Washington over Seattle 

 

Last Week's Record - 10-5

SEASON RECORD - 98-66-1 

Lock of the Week Record - 9-2