Not sure about anyone else, but Thanksgiving feels like the end of fall. No matter how the weather is, it just seems like all of the basic white girls are giving up their Pumpkin Spice Lattes and trading them in for some kind of Christmas season drink. Eggnog perhaps? Gross.
Anyway, after Thanksgiving is when the final stretch begins in the NFL. As is the case for our weekly picks. We pushed through the holiday and are powering right towards the playoffs. In this pivotal point of the season, the boys and I are getting a little more intense with these. Passing shots are being thrown, and slightly passive aggressive texts are being sent. Has the heightened anxiety changed anything? Let’s see how we did in Week 12:
Week 12 Records
Blind Owl: 11-4-1
Concret3Cowboy: 10-5-1
BrendawnoftheDead: 10-5-1
Well, I continue my slow process of killing these guys by a million little cuts. One game at a time. That’s all it’s going to take. I think the boys are feeling a little nervous. Some choices they’re making are a little curious. Have these little missteps cost them in the overall standings? Have a look for yourself:
Total Records
Blind Owl: 92-78-10
Concret3Cowboy: 88-82-10
BrendawnoftheDead: 88-82-10
A four game lead isn’t much, but it is still a lead. These two knuckleheads are on the chase. Meanwhile, I just have to keep up what I’m doing. What I really need to do is start pitting them against each other. I can easily divide and conquer these goons. The plan begins in Week 13:
SEA @ DAL: DAL -9
Blind Owl: I hate the Seahawks. It’s a weird thing, but it’s true. I’m glad they’ve come crashing down to earth. This is going to be a classic TNF laugher of a game. Dallas is going to win by a lot of points. It’s going to be an early night for the Owl.
Concret3Cowboy: Being 4 games down makes me want to take the Hawks here.. but that’s the kinda silliness that got me in trouble the first year. Must stay the course and pick with only my thoughts. Seahawks… Fuck.
BrendawnoftheDead: the Seahawks “bisgust me” to quote my children. Therefore, picking them Boyz
LAC @ NE: LAC -5.5
Blind Owl: Chargers are an easy choice here. I am getting some joy from the Patriots being this bad.
Concret3Cowboy: The idea of the Pats drafting Caleb Williams and then ruining him makes me happy. This game will help that idea become a reality. The Chargers need to do more than win tho, they really need to win by 14 to feel good about themselves again.
BrendawnoftheDead: Bill has made Justin Herbert look awful in previous matchups, but that doesn't matter. The Patriots can't score points. Chargers by a lot.
DEN @ HOU: HOU -3
Blind Owl: I have to admit. Houston has been good. But my Broncos are on a roll. I still think Russell Wilson is cooked but I’ll take it if it means Denver wins. I’ll take the points and ride the hot streak.
Concret3Cowboy: I was worried about a physical Cleveland team last week but the Broncos straight up kicked their ass. Going on the road after being home for a bit against a very potent offense and a very solid defense is scary. I think Denver has finally figured out how to win. They at least cover if they don’t win.
BrendawnoftheDead: This spread confuses me, does Vegas know something the rest of us do not? I like Denver to win outright. Houston is heading in the right direction but they aren't quite there yet.
ARI @ PIT: PIT -6.5
Blind Owl: It seems that Pittsburgh really loves close games. That is why this spread worries me a little bit. With that said, the Cardinals are a different story. They’re just a bad football team. Not Patriots bad, but they’re bad. So, the Steelers cover.
Concret3Cowboy: I don’t like the Steelers having this spread but it is hard to argue.
BrendawnoftheDead: The Steelers are by far the worst winning team in football. Firing their inept offensive coordinator did seem to give them a boost last week but who knows if that will continue. The Cardinals flat out sucked last week and they will again. Pittsburgh’s defense will win them this one.
IND @ TEN: IND -1
Blind Owl: Well, the Cowboy had some issues with possession of his phone. I’m taking the Colts here because they’ll win easily in my opinion. Minshew baby.
Concret3Cowboy: I’m going to take…Indianapolis because Sam stole my phone and said so.
BrendawnoftheDead: Tennessee is a bad team. Indianapolis is a…confusing team. I'll roll with the team that struggles to score points less. Indy it is.
DET @ NO: DET -4.5
Blind Owl: Thanksgiving is over, that means the universe will allow the Lions to win again. They’ll win big against a subpar Saints team.
Concret3Cowboy: The Saints offense has just been so bad since Brees retired. Derek Carr is the most mid QB you could have gone out and got. I think Detroit “gets right” here and marches over the Saints.
BrendawnoftheDead: Detroit has been in a funk as of late. Goff has looked like the Goff that Sean mcvay couldn't wait to get rid of rather than the rejuvenated qb from a year ago. The saints are mediocre and…struggle to score points. Rules are rules.
ATL @ NYJ: ATL -2
Blind Owl: Imagine being the Falcons and going up against a team with a worse QB situation? Lucky them the Jets are an abomination to football.
Concret3Cowboy: Atlanta is the best bad team but their QB situation is … odd. Still, it’s the Jets.
BrendawnoftheDead: The Jets can't score points.
MIA @ WAS: MIA -9.5
Blind Owl: Poor Sam Howell. His team is bad, but he’s not terrible. Miami is just much more high powered. I don’t think Miami has what it takes to make it to the Super Bowl, but they’re much better than the Commanders who almost lost to the Patriots…That’s embarrassing.
Concret3Cowboy: Miami is good at beating bad teams.
BrendawnoftheDead: the dolphins CAN score points
CAR @ TB: TB -4
Blind Owl: Tampa is going to win. Bryce Young had no chance. Poor guy.
Concret3Cowboy: Bryce Young has never been on such a bad roster… oh to be drafted high into the NFL. Tampa by 10.
BrendawnoftheDead: Carolina is @$$
SF @ PHI: SF -3
Blind Owl: This will be the NFC Title game unless the Cowboys can scoot back into the NFC East lead. That process may be started by San Fran winning this game. We saw what happens when San Fran goes up against a good team. They really step up their game. Philly has been on quite a roll, but I think the 9ers are just a more complete team. San Fran takes this one, but it could be different when they meet in January.
Concret3Cowboy: San Fran being favored is odd but Vegas knows. I like the Eagles to cover or to win. Should be a fun game.
BrendawnoftheDead: This is a very even matchup that will come down to defense. Both teams will get theirs but San Francisco has a better chance at making a stop or 2. San Francisco wins on the road.
CLE @ LAR: LAR -4
Blind Owl: Joe Flacco. Need I say more? Rams.
Concret3Cowboy: I’m seeing a Cleveland cover, with a Myles Garrett in the game.. but he is not. Rams still won’t cover by much. 4 seems a little heavy but Cleveland is hurting.
BrendawnoftheDead: Joe Flacco is back…time is meaningless. Short of defensive touchdowns, I don't see how Cleveland can score. The rams are desperately trying to hang in the playoff race, which will eventually prove to be futile, but not this week.
KC @ GB: KC -6
Blind Owl: I would ABSOLUTELY LOVE for the Packers to beat the Chiefs. I don’t see it happening but it would be cool. If Mahomes wasn’t so good, KCs offense would be pretty terrible. Lucky for them, Mahomes exists. Jordan Love showed some gusto, but gusto doesn’t beat the Chiefs.
Concret3Cowboy: Jordan Love is still ass. Weird how this is the first time Mahomie has been to Lambeau.
BrendawnoftheDead: I don't believe in Green Bay, not even a little bit.
CIN @ JAX: JAX -9
Blind Owl: A victory lap is in order. Bengals suck. The Jags aren’t great but they’re better than the Bengals. Are they 9 points better? I don’t know but who cares. Screw the Bengals.
Concret3Cowboy: Yea.. I mean, Jags I guess.. I don’t like the 9 points but damn. Cincy can’t run block and their backup QB is poop.
BrendawnoftheDead: The Bengals should embrace the tank. They were too volatile with burrow, they needed him to play at an MVP level to win. They're not getting that from whoever his backup is.
