Week 12 began on Thursday Night Football with a divisional battle between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cleveland Browns. The weather played a major factor with the game played in blizzard conditions. The game turned out to be a thriller with the Browns taking a surprising 10-6 into the locker room at halftime. The home team extended their advantage to 18-6 in the fourth quarter before the Steelers mounted a furious comeback with back-to-back touchdown drives sandwiched by a Browns’ fumble. However, the Steelers failed to extend their lead and made uncharacteristic mistakes. Punter Corliss Waitman shanked a punt for only 15 yards, which allowed the Browns to start at the Steelers’ 45-yard line. The Browns made the advantage count by winning the game with a Nick Chubb 2-yard touchdown run. This loss will sting the Steelers because the Ravens’ have the opportunity to close in on the division lead, and hurt their chance of becoming the number one overall seed.
Last week’s record: 2-3
Overall Record: 36-19
1. Detroit Lions (9-1) at Indianapolis Colts (5-6)-Sunday 1 p.m. ET Fox
Anthony Richardson returned to the lineup against the New York Jets last week and showed a glimpse of his potential by completing 20 of 30 passes, 304 combined yards, and three touchdowns. The Colts enjoyed an impressive one-point win on the road against a team desperate to remain in the playoff picture. However, they will face a Lions team that appears to be the best in the league. The Lions have dominated teams from the teams from NFC South by winning all three by a combined score of 130-49. The Lons can slow down the running game because they have held their last two opponents to 48.5 rushing yards. By limiting the damage from Running Back Jonathan Taylor, the Lions will force Richardson to beat them. I think the Lions are the better and will prevail in a comfortable win.
Lions 31-17
2. San Francisco 49ers (5-5) at Green Bay Packers (7-3)-Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET Fox
This is a rematch of last year’s divisional round when the 49ers won 24-21 to advance to the NFC Championship round. In that matchup, the 49ers had to mount a 10-point fourth-quarter comeback to win the game in regulation. The Packers dramatically survived last week by blocking a potential game-winning 46-yard field goal. Replays indicate that the Packers knocked down the long-snapper to convert the field goal. Despite the win, I still think the offense is struggling with Jordan Love throwing 16 touchdowns to 11 interceptions. Fast forward 10 months, and there are many questions about the 49ers, with players with health issues and speculations surrounding their future. The 49ers will be without Brock Purdy and Nick Bosa due to injuries and I don’t think they will be able to win without those two key players.. I have the Packers winning by a touchdown.
Packers 24-49ers 17
3. Arizona Cardinals (6-4) at Seattle Seahawks (5-5)-Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET Fox
The Cardinals lead the division and are the darlings of the NFL Future. The Cardinals will be the more rested team after coming off the bye week while the Seahawks enjoyed their revenge by winning in the Bay Area last week. Mike McDonald was hired as Head Coach in Seattle because of his ability to coach a stellar defensive unit. Last week, they played their best game by holding the 49ers to 17 points. However, the Cardinals are a dangerous team with Kyler Murray under center, and they rank fifth in rushing in the league. I think extra rest for the Cardinals and last week’s excursion catches up to the Seahawks, and Murray leads them to a fourth-quarter win.
Cardinals 24-Seahawks 20
4. Philadelphia Eagles at Los Angeles Rams-Sunday, 8:20 p.m. ET NBC
Saquon Barley has been the revelation that the Eagles needed this season. The team is on a six-game winning streak after defeating the Washington Commanders last week and atop the NFC East standings. A big difference for the Eagles is the dominance of their defense which is 6th in the league based on points, leads the league in yards allowed, and is tied for the second-lowest touchdowns allowed. On the other hand, the Rams are riding a five-game winning streak and are getting hot with the return of key players from injury. However, I think the Rams will have difficulty stopping Barkley and the tremendous running game. I think the Eagles will win a close game.
Eagles 27-23 Rams
5. Ravens at Los Angeles Chargers-Monday, 8:15 p.m. ET ESPN
The battle in this matchup are the Head Coaches on the sideline, and they are also fleshly brothers. It will be the third time that Jim and John Harbaugh will face each other and the first time since Super Bowl 47 in February 2013 when John Ravens defeated Jim’s 49ers 34-31. Last week, the Chargers played well against the Cincinnati Bengals in the first half but struggled in the second half. The Chargers grabbed the win despite allowing the Bengals to score three straight touchdowns to tie the game. On the other hand, the Ravens’ offense struggled against the Steelers by scoring only 16 points against their divisional foe. However, I think some of the issues were self-inflicted, with Derrick Henry rushing only 13 times in the game. I think the Ravens will learn from their errors and stick with the ground game, and John will move to 3-0 against his brother.
Ravens 26-Chargers 24