Before we get to this week’s projected winners, I had a decent week with a 9-4 record and inadvertently forgot to pick the Bills/Texans game. So, through 12 weeks of the NFL season my record is 107-70. Out of curiosity, I compared my season record to that of long time Pittsburgh Post Gazette writer and forecaster Gerry Dulac. At this point of the season, Dulac has a .646 season winning percentage with 115 correct picks and 63 wrongs.
I’m not too far behind this professional writer with a percentage of .604. Now with just six games six games remaining in the season, it gets down to the nitty gritty and dirty and nasty for teams vying for a playoff position. There are some teams on the bubble that can ill afford to lose even one more game if not just a couple. Before we get to that discussion, my quick thoughts on the week 12 action.
Week 12 Knee Jerks
Bears 31 Steelers 28 (Harv’s score: Steelers 23-17). The Steelers are a tough cookie to figure out. They play well one week either defensively or offensively and then look like a different team the next. The Bears are for real, and Caleb Williams has finally come into his own. Pittsburgh is in deep trouble with the games looming ahead.
Packers 23 Vikings 6 (Harv’s score: Packers 17-14). Minnesota is fading fast and there must be some who wish Sam Darnold was still wearing purple. J.J. McCarthy seems injury prone, and the Packers are fine tuning for a playoff run.
Seahawks 30 Titans 24 (Harv’s score: Seahawks 33-6). Speaking of Sam Darnold, it will be interesting to see when the post season starts if he can improve on his 2024 performance. The Titans should tank at this point and go for the top pick in next year’s NFL draft in Pittsburgh.
Chiefs 23 Colts 20 OT (Harv’s score: Chiefs 30-27). Kansas City ain’t dead yet. The Colts, while keeping it close and getting this into an extra period may be proving of late that they can’t be taken seriously as a Super Bowl threat.
Patriots 26 Bengals 20 (Harv’s score: Bengals 24-23). If Mike Vrabel does not win the Coach of the Year honors, then the award is a joke. New England has the longest current winning streak and seem unbeatable at this point. If Joe Burrow could have played, would it have made a difference? I think not.
Ravens 23 New York Jets 10 (Harv’s score: Ravens 41-9). We Steelers fans were hoping for a Jets miracle but that didn’t even come close to happening. Baltimore is rolling with five in a row and is prepped to blow by the Black and Gold. New York? Just another lost season. Or better put for their fans…J-E-T-S: Just end this season.
Lions 34 New York Giants 27 OT (Harv’s score: Lions 37-13). Jameis Winston gave the Lions a scare starting at quarterback for New York, but the better team obviously won this game. Detroit will need to play better to be a serious threat in the NFC.
Browns 24 Raiders 10 (Harv’s score: Browns 20-13). No surprise with the final score but rookie Shedeur Sanders hardly wowed anyone. But he proved he can play in the NFL. What a season to forget for Pete Carroll.
Jaguars 27 Cardinals 24 OT (Harv’s score: Cardinals 24-17). While Mike Vrabel was mentioned above, Liem Coen is new to the Jaguars and in his first season he has Jacksonville playing respectable football. The Jags still have a shot at the division title while Arizona is fading fast. This game was one of three overtime contests on the day.
Falcons 24 Saints 10 (Harv’s score: Saints 25-21). I was trying to give the Saints one last gasp at a win this season, but Kirk Cousins led the way to Atlanta keeping their playoff hopes alive.
Cowboys 24 Eagles 21 (Harv’s score: Cowbooys 28-24). Dallas might be the NFC’s scariest team. No team ahead on their schedule should not taking the Cowboys lightly. Philadelphia might be the winningest team under the most scrutiny.
Rams 34 Buccaneers 7 (Harv’s score: Rams 38-28). While Dallas might be the scariest team in the NFC, the Rams with M.V.P. candidate Matthew Stafford might be the most dangerous. With three straight losses the Buccaneers are in danger of the Carolina Panthers catching them for the division lead and maybe even passing them.
49ers 20 Panthers 9 (Harv’s score: 49ers 30-24). The NFC has several teams playing outstanding football and San Francisco is one of them. Carolina blew a chance to gain ground on Tampa.
