Thanksgiving Post / Week 12 Playoff Projections and Picks

Happy Thanksgiving to all of our lovely readers.  We at the BQB are very thankful for your readership, occasional comments, and support.

Abbreviated post this week – just the updated playoff projections and the weekly picks.  Let’s jump right in . . .

 

UPDATED PLAYOFF PROJECTIONS

AFC Division Winners: Texans (12.8 expected wins), Ravens (11.6), Patriots (10.9), Broncos (10.7)

AFC Wild Cards: Steelers (9.7), Bengals (8.4)

AFC Outside Looking In: Colts (8.0), Chargers (7.3)

The 6 seed in the AFC remains a revolving door.   Back into the playoffs this week?  The Cincinnati Bengals.  Meanwhile, the AFC division leaders all won – again – with the key games being divisional wins for the Ravens over second-place Pittsburgh and the Broncos over second-place San Diego.  Barring a late surge from the injury-ridden Steelers, the division races seem all but decided.

NFC Division Winners: Falcons (12.8), Niners (12.6), Packers (11.1), Giants (9.0)

NFC Wild Cards: Bears (10.9), Bucs (9.7)

NFC Outside Looking In: Seahawks (9.5), Saints (9.0), Vikings (8.4), Cowboys (8.0)

The Niners solidify their bye with a big win over Chicago, who drops to a wild card as Green Bay slips in as a division champion.  Green Bay and Chicago play in Week 15, in a game that likely decides the division winner.

WEEK 12 PICKS

Last week: 6-6-1 against the spread, 13-0 outright

Season: 79-75-6 against the spread (.513), 101-58-1 outright (.631)

(picks in order of confidence against the spread; outright winner in parentheses):

JETS +7 over Patriots (Patriots)

CHIEFS +10 over Broncos (Broncos)

LIONS +3 over Texans (Lions)

CARDINALS -2.5 over Rams (Cardinals)

Steelers PICK over Browns (Steelers)

CHARGERS +1 over Ravens (Chargers)

Bills +3 over COLTS (Colts)

COWBOYS -3 over Redskins (Cowboys)

BUCS -1 over Falcons (Bucs)

BEARS -5.5 over Vikings (Bears)

EAGLES -2.5 over Panthers (Eagles)

DOLPHINS +3 over Seahawks (Seahawks)

JAGUARS +3 over Titans (Titans)

Niners -1 over SAINTS (Niners)

BENGALS -8 over Raiders (Bengals)

Think we’re crazy?  Think we’re brilliant?  Tell us in the comments!

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