NFL Betting Preview: Week 12 picks

Each week during the NFL season, theScore will handicap each of the week's matchups and offer up a three-pack of picks.

Minnesota Vikings (+2) at Atlanta Falcons

The Falcons' early-season schedule was pretty soft, so we knew they'd come crashing down to earth at some point. That they'd crash this hard is somewhat unexpected, but their flaws are very apparent. Now they run into a Vikings team that had won five in a row and seven of eight before an understandable loss to the Packers. Vikings 23, Falcons 17

New England Patriots (-3) at Denver Broncos

Memories of the Broncos smothering Aaron Rodgers and the Packers' offense is having too much influence on this line. What the Patriots do is very different and far less vulnerable to elite secondary play. On the other side of the ball, the Broncos' offense was able to stay moving with Brock Osweiler last week because it established the run against a poor Bears front. The Patriots are much tougher against the run. Patriots 26, Broncos 17

Cleveland Browns (-2.5) vs. Baltimore Ravens

The Browns have lost five in a row and seven of eight, but their recent five-game skid has seen them drop games against the Broncos and Cardinals, and road dates at the Rams, Bengals, and Steelers. And the Ravens will be starting Matt Schaub. Browns 20, Ravens 13

Remaining Week 12 matchups

Detroit Lions (-1) vs. Philadelphia Eagles

The Lions have won two in a row while the Eagles have lost back-to-back games and reportedly given up on Chip Kelly. Lions 27, Eagles 23

Dallas Cowboys (pk) vs. Carolina Panthers

The Panthers are no slouch at 10-0, but the Cowboys are on a mission now that Tony Romo's back on the field. Cowboys 23, Panthers 20

Chicago Bears (+8) at Green Bay Packers

Beating the Packers is asking a little much, but the Bears have quietly been on the rise. Packers 27, Bears 20

Tennessee Titans (pk) vs. Oakland Raiders

The Raiders are back to being the Raiders, and the early start won't help them shake out of their funk. Titans 24, Raiders 19

Kansas City Chiefs (-5.5) vs. Buffalo Bills

The Chiefs went 1-5 straight up and ATS in their first six games. Since then, they're 4-0 straight up and ATS with an average margin of victory of 22.8 points. Chiefs 30, Bills 17

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (+3) at Indianapolis Colts

The Buccaneers have really stepped it up of late, winning two in a row and three of four. Buccaneers 19, Colts 15

New York Giants (-2.5) at Washington Redskins

The Redskins aren't the pushover many think they are, particularly not at home, where they're 4-1. But the Giants have given them fits, winning five in a row in the series, including all three coached by Jay Gruden by an average margin of 17.7 points. Giants 31, Redskins 20

Houston Texans (-3) vs. New Orleans Saints

Firing Rob Ryan isn't going to fix what ails the Saints' reeling defense. Texans 31, Saints 21

Cincinnati Bengals (-9) vs. St. Louis Rams

The return to 1 p.m. will do Andy Dalton good. The Bengals' defense is going to feast on whoever's under center for the Rams. Bengals 34, Rams 10

San Diego Chargers (+3.5) at Jacksonville Jaguars

It's an early start, but the Chargers have been more competitive than they were a week ago, and the Jaguars' pass rush doesn't match up with that of the Chiefs. Chargers 23, Jaguars 21

New York Jets (-3.5) vs. Miami Dolphins

That Dan Campbell magic sure wore off quick. Jets 24, Dolphins 17

San Francisco 49ers (+10) vs. Arizona Cardinals

The 49ers are bad - they're not dead. This one's a matter of pride after getting thrashed in the first meeting. Cardinals 20, 49ers 16

Pittsburgh Steelers (+4) at Seattle Seahawks

Ben Roethlisberger's back and the Steelers have done a good job of stopping the run. The Seahawks have more question marks than the Steelers do right now. Steelers 28, Seahawks 23

(Lines courtesy: BetCRIS)