Pigskin Prognostications, Week Twelve

Aah! Another Thursday night game--I hate Thursday night games. Too many other things to watch on television already. AAARRGGH!

Steelers, 27 Bengals 10 - No Ocho Cinco, turmoil within, and maybe, just maybe, against the League's greatest D, the Bengals score ten.

Eagles 24, Ravens 21 - Westbrook is playing hurt (and might not play), and--until last week--the Ravens had the League's stingiest run D; but, the Eagles don't run (or at least run well) anyway, so this shouldn't present too much of a problem. Also, Philly's embarassed by last week's tie, and shame can motivate.

Browns 17, Texans 14 - Quinn didn't throw the ball accurately the other night, but he played with gusto without committing turnovers. Rosenfels often plays with gusto, too, but the turnovers...different story--and the difference in this game.

Buccaneers 24, Lions 21 - Yeah, the Lions are 0-10, but they've been in most of their games this year--at least until the third quarter, at which point they (usually) have to abandon the run in order to catch up, and then the turnovers start, and then...well, this week won't be any different.

Chiefs 28, Bills 20- Trent Edwards looked completely befuddled last week against the Browns. I don't think that'll happen this week, for the Chiefs defense stinks. However, Tyler Thigpen hasn't looked befuddled since his first game this year; in fact, he's looked like a franchise quarterback. He's a difference maker; a positive one, and with Edwards playing like a deer in headlights the past several weeks, I believe Thigpen (with LJ back toting the ball) will pull it out, without worrying about the D.

Bears 30, Rams 12 - This week, Rams coach Jim Haslett stated that QB Marc Bulger would still be his starter. The fact that he felt he needed to make that statement at all does not betoken good times ahead.

Titans 21, Jets 7- Brett Favre didn't throw a single interception last week in his masterful performance against the Pats; however, New England's secondary has been decimated with injurie. Tennessee's secondary has not. It's top notch.

Patriots 17, Dolphins 14 - The first time they played this year, Miami unveiled its wicked Wildcat package, and the Pats were shocked, surprised, and stunned. This time, the Pats will be ready.

Vikings 21, Jaguars 18 - Both teams play erratically, so I don't have a much of an idea who'll win this one. I flipped a coin.

Cowboys 31, 49ers 14 - Romo looked like his old self last week, and Barber looked better than ever, and San Fran's D--'cept for middle lineback Patrick Willis--isn't nearly as tough as Washington's.

Broncos 21, Raiders 8 - Oakland has a great defense and the best corner in the game, and as much a gunslinger as Cutler is, the Raiders will pick off a few. The problem for Oakland is what to do with the ball on offense. Can you score by punting?

Panthers 21, Falcons 20 - Julius Peppers/John Abraham; Jake Delhomme/Matt Ryan; DeAngelo Williams & Jonathan Stewart/Michael Turner & Jerious Norwood; Steve Smith & Mushin Muhammed; Roddy White & Michael Jenkins; looks pretty even...until that last combo.

Giants 28, Cardinals 27 - Brandon Jacobs may not play, the game's in Arizona, and Kurt Warner has been throwing for over three-hundred yards a game with 70% accuracy for a month now, but...boy, the Giants sure have looked tough, and the Cards' D doesn't play with enough tenacity in the fourth quarter (though I think that's the defensive coordinator's fault), and I think that'll be their downfall.

Redskins 20, Seahawks 10- Hasselbeck will play better this week, and, therefore, Seattle will, too, but Washington's primary goal is to eat clock, and with Portis and Campbell and Cooley against a soft Seattle D, they can do it, keeping Hasselbeck on the sidelines.

Colts 28, Chargers 15- San Diego lost their first two games on last minute plays; last week, San Diego won the same way. If you believe in the karmic wheel and the goddess Fortuna, then you know that San Diego will win in some freak way again this week, setting things right with the universe, balance restored. I don't believe in that junk, though, and I bet Peyton Manning and his offense don't, either.

Packers 27, Saints 24 - If the Packers can run the ball this week like they did last week, then they'll win. If not, and they have to depend on Brooks to win it, then I don't think they will, 'cause he's not in Brees's class.