2009 NFL Picks | Week 12 

Week 12 figures to be another interesting and exciting week in the 2009 NFL season, but considering our solid 12-4 record with last week’s picks, it appears we have a solid grasp on what to expect from this year’s teams.

Forgive us for not calling upset specials like Kansas City over Pittsburgh and Oakland over Cincinnati.

For all your upsets and predicted scores, read on:

Green Bay Packers @ Detroit Lions

The Lions could be without Matthew Stafford and Calvin Johnson, which is some pretty awful news, considering the last time they were both out they lost to the St. Louis Rams. It probably wouldn’t matter either way, though, as Aaron Rodgers is likely to do what Brady Quinn did them, times ten.

Packers 44, Lions 17

Oakland Raiders @ Dallas Cowboys

Tony Romo and the Cowboys passing game has been in a funk for the second time this season, which should put further emphasis on Dallas running the ball. If they do that, they will eliminate Oakland’s only true threat (their pass defense), and they should win this one easily.

Cowboys 24, Raiders 9

New York Giants @ Denver Broncos

The Giants just ended their own four-game skid, and now the Broncos are attempting to do the same. We’re going with the team that got it together last week, rather than the one that looks completely lost.

Giants 31, Broncos 21

Miami Dolphins @ Buffalo Bills

Ricky Williams looked a little worn down last week after a huge carry increase, but that will happen when you’re 32 and not used to being a featured back. Forget about that and embrace what Miami is doing on offense, as Williams and co. will run all over the Bills awful run defense.

Dolphins 27, Bills 17

Carolina Panthers @ New York Jets

The Jets’ only real chance in this game is to get Thomas Jones and the rushing attack going early, and then allow Mark Sanchez to play pressure-free football. They can’t have Sanchez flinging passes around against Carolina’s elite pass defense.

Panthers 24, Jets 21

Cleveland Browns @ Cincinnati Bengals

The Browns showed the world that Brady Quinn might be special, and that as bad as they may be, there is a little bit of optimism in this offense. Sadly for them however, the Bengals already dropped a stink to the Raiders last week, and will be too focused to do it again.

Bengals 30, Browns 17

Indianapolis Colts @ Houston Texans

Upset special, numero uno. The Texans are two Kris Brown missed field goals away from potentially being 7-3, and are facing a 10-0 Colts team that is just begging to lose a game. The Texans win a wild one.

Texans 36, Colts 34

Tampa Bay Buccaneers @ Atlanta Falcons

The Falcons lost to a Giants team more desperate than they were last week, but even if they’re still without Michael Turner for the second straight week, there’s almost no chance they drop their third game in a row. Not against the Buccaneers.

Falcons 28, Buccaneers 16

Washington Redskins @ Philadelphia Eagles

With every new injury, the Redskins still truck on, remaining oddly competitive against most teams, almost solely by playing solid defense. That may not change this week, but they still don’t have enough talent to pull out a win against a much better team on the road.

Eagles 24, Redskins 13

Seattle Seahawks @ St. Louis Rams

Seattle has a tough time running the ball consistently, can’t protect it’s quarterback, and doesn’t do a great job in pass defense. All of these problems go away for one week against a St. Louis team without a competent quarterback.

Seahawks 26, Rams 19

Kansas City Chiefs @ San Diego Chargers

The Chiefs are playing inspired football, and with a win over the Steelers, are really starting to show their potential going forward. There’s definitely a chance for an upset here, but the Chargers are too focused to blow this one.

Chargers 33, Chiefs 16

Jacksonville Jaguars @ San Francisco 49ers

This is a battle between two teams that could easily be on opposite ends, and should be a great match-up. Neither defense has played particularly well lately, but I don’t believe Mike Singletary is ready to have his team pushed to the brink of missing the playoffs quite yet.

49ers 19, Jaguars 16

Chicago Bears @ Minnesota Vikings

Matt Forte has almost no chance against Minnesota’s suffocating run defense, which will put the game in the hands of Jay Cutler and a very inconsistent passing offense. Jared Allen likes this idea.

Vikings 31, Bears 20

Arizona Cardinals @ Tennessee Titans

The Cardinals have looked pretty good in the past 4-5 weeks, despite letting the Rams come back and give them a scare last week. Even if Kurt Warner makes the start and plays well, we just don’t think the Cardinals make it to eight wins this quickly. The Titans have won four straight, and we just don’t see Chris Johnson being denied.

Titans 23, Cardinals 20

Pittsburgh Steelers @ Baltimore Ravens

This should be the game that decides which of these teams still has some fight left in them, and which one will flounder and miss the playoffs. We like the Ravens chances if Ben Roethlisberger doesn’t play or gets knocked out of the game early, but we just don’t see the Steelers dropping three straight, otherwise.

Steelers 17, Ravens 16

New England Patriots @ New Orleans Saints

This is being dubbed the “game of the year”, and could very possibly be a preview of this year’s Super Bowl. We’re going with the team that actually has been playing some defense in the past few weeks, and has an offense that can go toe-to-toe with Drew Brees.

Patriots 37, Saints 30

About the author: Kevin Roberts

Kevin Roberts owns and operates NFL Soup and heads the fantasy football division of the site. In 2012, Roberts finished 16th overall in Fantasy Pros expert fantasy football rankings. In addition to running the fantasy football section of the site, Roberts contributes to NFL Soup's NFL Draft coverage and breaking news reporting. Follow Kevin on Twitter @NFLSoupKevin