NFL Picks: Vikings need Percy Harvin
Published 9:56 am Wednesday, December 5, 2012
Here are the picks:
Denver at Oakland
Peyton Manning will always light up shaky defenses.
BRONCOS 31, RAIDERS 10
St. Louis at Buffalo
The Rams are coming off a big win over the 49ers in their Dome, but they’re just not the same team when they’re playing away from home.
BILLS 20, RAMS 10
Dallas at Cincinnati
The Cowboys are technically still alive in the NFC East at just one game back, but remember that Tony Romo is famous for playing horrible in December.
BENGALS 27, COWBOYS 24
Kansas City at Cleveland
The Browns just quietly put together a two-game winning streak. They have a solid chance to make it three in a row this Sunday.
BROWNS 14, CHIEFS 9
Tennessee at Indianapolis
Andrew Luck has shown the ability to lead late game drives throughout the whole season. Anytime a team has a quarterback like that, they know they’re never out of it which makes the Colts quite dangerous.
COLTS 27, TITANS 17
Chicago at Minnesota
If the Vikings get Percy Harvin back for this game, they’ll be back on track. It’s pretty clear after the last two weeks that all Minnesota has besides Harvin is Kyle Rudolph, and he’s not explosive enough to carry the passing game on his own.
The fact that Adrian Peterson ran for 210 yards and Minnesota scored just 14 points against the Packers shows how badly Minnesota needs Harvin back.
The loss of Brian Urlacher will hurt the Bears, and I think the Vikes will give a spirited effort at home, with the playoffs still being a possibility.
VIKINGS 21, BEARS 20
San Diego at Pittsburgh
The Steelers proved they can beat the Ravens without Ben Roethlisberger so the Chargers should be a piece of cake.
STEELERS 24, CHARGERS 21
Philadelphia at Tampa Bay
There’s a lot of things wrong with the Eagles, and the Bucs still have a lot to play for.
BUCS 28, EAGLES 13
Baltimore at Washington
I never doubted Robert Griffin III, but I did doubt the Redskins’ defense. That is until Monday night, when they shut down the same Giants’ offense that walked all over the Packers the week before.
Washington could be a team to watch as the postseason draws near.
REDSKINS 27, RAVENS 24
Atlanta at Carolina
The Falcons don’t seem that good and they have just one loss. Carolina doesn’t seem that bad and they have nine losses.
FALCONS 31, PANTHERS 17
N.Y. Jets at Jacksonville
The Jets quarterback situation is a mess and I don’t see them winning on the road.
JAGUARS 10, JETS 6
Miami at San Francisco
The 49ers should bounce back after a tough overtime loss to the Rams.
49ERS 27, DOLPHINS 13
New Orleans at N.Y. Giants
Drew Brees is starting to look like the old version of Brett Favre. He makes some big plays, but when the Saints really need him to lead a drive, he’s throwing mind blowing interceptions right into the teeth of the defense.
GIANTS 33, SAINTS 20
Arizona at Seattle
The Cardinals have somehow lost eight straight after winning their first four. Not good.
SEAHAWKS 27, CARDINALS 6
Detroit at Green Bay
The Packers actually looked pretty good with their running game in the fourth quarter against the Vikings. If they keep it going, that offense could become a lot more explosive – especially with Greg Jennings back in the lineup and JerMichael Finley starting to return to form.
PACKERS 37, LIONS 24
Houston at New England
I’m not betting against Tom Brady at home on a Monday night.
PATRIOTS 31, TEXANS 21
Last week: 10-6; overall: 108-72