Week 12 kicks off with Buffalo at Houston on Thursday night and wraps up Monday with Carolina visiting San Francisco. We’ve got 14 games on tap, with four teams on bye: Denver, Miami, the Chargers, and Washington.
Monday night’s action finished with Dallas handling Las Vegas 33-16. Dak Prescott threw four touchdowns to four different guys, and George Pickens went off for 144 yards. The Cowboys moved to 4-5-1 while the Raiders dropped to 2-8.
NFL Week 12 Quick Picks
| Date | Matchup | Pick | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thu, Nov 20 | Bills @ Texans | Bills | 24-20 |
| Sun, Nov 23 | Steelers @ Bears | Bears | 23-17 |
| Sun, Nov 23 | Patriots @ Bengals | Patriots | 27-20 |
| Sun, Nov 23 | Giants @ Lions | Lions | 34-13 |
| Sun, Nov 23 | Vikings @ Packers | Packers | 24-20 |
| Sun, Nov 23 | Seahawks @ Titans | Seahawks | 27-10 |
| Sun, Nov 23 | Colts @ Chiefs | Colts | 31-28 |
| Sun, Nov 23 | Jets @ Ravens | Ravens | 30-13 |
| Sun, Nov 23 | Browns @ Raiders | Browns | 20-17 |
| Sun, Nov 23 | Jaguars @ Cardinals | Cardinals | 26-23 |
| Sun, Nov 23 | Eagles @ Cowboys | Eagles | 31-20 |
| Sun, Nov 23 | Falcons @ Saints | Saints | 23-20 |
| Sun, Nov 23 | Buccaneers @ Rams | Rams | 27-20 |
| Mon, Nov 24 | Panthers @ 49ers | 49ers | 30-17 |
We also made a Free Printable NFL Week 12 Pick’em Sheet for you. Hope you enjoy it.
Thursday Night Football
Buffalo Bills (7-3) @ Houston Texans (5-5)
Thursday, November 20, 8:15 PM ET | Prime Video
Buffalo just dropped 44 on Tampa Bay, with Josh Allen responsible for six touchdowns. That’s the good news. The bad news? They’re heading to Houston on a short week, and this place has given them problems before.
C.J. Stroud’s still in concussion protocol, so Davis Mills is probably getting another start. Mills has won both games he’s started, but let’s be real—the Texans defense is doing the heavy lifting. They’re allowing just 162 passing yards per game over their last eight, which is nuts.
The Bills have been shaky on the road with losses in Miami and Atlanta. Last year in Houston, Allen looked completely lost with just 130 yards on 9-of-30 passing. The Texans know how to make him uncomfortable.
Still, Buffalo’s the better team. Their defense should contain Mills, even if Houston’s D makes things interesting.
Pick: Bills 24, Texans 20
Sunday 1:00 PM ET Games
Pittsburgh Steelers (6-4) @ Chicago Bears (7-3)
Aaron Rodgers hurt his wrist against Cincinnati and probably won’t play. Mason Rudolph came in and looked fine—12 of 16 for 127 yards and a touchdown. He knows this offense cold after all his years in Pittsburgh.
Chicago’s rolling at 7-3 under Ben Johnson. They run the ball well and play smart football. The Bears have only six turnovers all season, which is impressive. The Steelers live off turnovers, so if Chicago protects the ball, they’re in good shape.
Pittsburgh’s defense isn’t what it used to be. They’re middle of the pack in most metrics. The Bears should be able to move the ball at home.
Pick: Bears 23, Steelers 17
New England Patriots (9-2) @ Cincinnati Bengals (3-7)
The Patriots are tied for the best record in football. Drake Maye’s playing like a rookie of the year candidate, and they’ve won five straight. Cincinnati’s at 3-7 and basically done.
The Bengals got demolished by Pittsburgh 34-12 last week. Their defense can’t stop anybody. New England’s defense has been excellent lately, holding three straight opponents under 225 yards.
This should be a comfortable Patriots win.
Pick: Patriots 27, Bengals 20
New York Giants (3-7) @ Detroit Lions (6-3-1)
Detroit lost a tough one in Philly on Sunday night, scoring just one touchdown in horrible weather. They’re coming home to Ford Field where it’s nice and warm, and they should take out their frustrations on the Giants.
New York’s defense is terrible against the run—149.9 yards per game and 5.5 yards per carry. The Lions will pound them early and often. Whether it’s Jaxson Dart or Jameis Winston at quarterback, Detroit’s got way too much talent.
Pick: Lions 34, Giants 13
Minnesota Vikings (6-3-1) @ Green Bay Packers (6-3-1)
NFC North battle between two 6-3-1 teams. The Packers just beat the Giants to snap a two-game skid. Minnesota lost to Chicago on a last-second field goal.
Green Bay’s banged up on offense. They’ve lost Tucker Kraft, Jayden Reed, and Josh Jacobs to injuries. They’re averaging just 15 points over the last three weeks.
Minnesota’s got issues too. J.J. McCarthy’s still learning, and the offense hasn’t clicked consistently. This feels like a low-scoring grinder, and Lambeau in November gives Green Bay the edge.
Pick: Packers 24, Vikings 20
Seattle Seahawks (7-3) @ Tennessee Titans (1-9)
Seattle needs a get-right game after Sam Darnold threw four picks against the Rams. Tennessee’s the perfect opponent at 1-9. They’ve been blown out in four of their last five.
The Seahawks should establish the run early and let their defense feast on Tennessee’s limited offense. This is the kind of game good teams win by two touchdowns.
Pick: Seahawks 27, Titans 10
Indianapolis Colts (8-2) @ Kansas City Chiefs (5-5)
Game of the week, easily. The Colts are 8-2 and coming off a bye. The Chiefs are 5-5 and desperate. Kansas City just lost to Denver and can’t afford to fall further behind.
Jonathan Taylor’s playing like an MVP for Indy. The Chiefs struggle stopping the run. If the Colts control the clock with Taylor, they can keep Patrick Mahomes on the sideline.
Kansas City’s having a rough year, and the bye gives Indianapolis an extra edge. The Colts pull the upset at Arrowhead.
Pick: Colts 31, Chiefs 28
New York Jets (2-8) @ Baltimore Ravens (5-5)
The Jets are a mess at 2-8. Aaron Rodgers might not play because of his wrist injury. Baltimore’s at 5-5 and needs to stack wins.
The Ravens defense has been solid lately, allowing under 100 rushing yards per game over the last five weeks. The Jets can’t run the ball without establishing something through the air first, and that’s been impossible for them.
Baltimore should dominate this one.
Pick: Ravens 30, Jets 13
Sunday Afternoon Games
Cleveland Browns (2-8) @ Las Vegas Raiders (2-8)
Two terrible teams playing for draft position. Myles Garrett’s been dominant for Cleveland with 15 sacks, but the offense is awful. The Raiders just got smoked by Dallas and look defeated.
Cleveland’s defense gives them a slight edge. This game will be ugly, but the Browns squeeze it out.
Pick: Browns 20, Raiders 17
Jacksonville Jaguars (6-4) @ Arizona Cardinals (5-4)
Jacksonville blew a 19-point lead in the fourth quarter against Houston last week. That’s a tough one to shake off. Trevor Lawrence got pressured on half his dropbacks.
Arizona beat San Francisco without Kyler Murray. Jacoby Brissett threw an NFL-record 47 passes. Neither defense can really stop anyone, so expect points.
The Cardinals at home should edge this one.
Pick: Cardinals 26, Jaguars 23
Philadelphia Eagles (8-2) @ Dallas Cowboys (4-5-1)
Philly’s defense dominated Detroit last week in a 16-9 win. They shut down the Lions’ usually explosive offense and looked like legitimate contenders.
Dallas played well Monday night, but that was against a bad Raiders team. The Eagles are a different beast. Philly’s defensive line should wreck Dallas’s offensive line, and the Eagles offense will exploit a Cowboys defense that’s been terrible all year.
This one won’t be close.
Pick: Eagles 31, Cowboys 20
Atlanta Falcons (5-5-1) @ New Orleans Saints (6-4)
Toughest game to call this week. Atlanta just played two straight overtime games and traveled overseas. They might be without Kirk Cousins and Drake London.
New Orleans is playing better defense lately and gets them at home in the Superdome. That crowd will be loud. The circumstances favor the Saints.
Pick: Saints 23, Falcons 20
Sunday Night Football
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6-4) @ Los Angeles Rams (8-2)
Sunday, November 23, 8:20 PM ET | NBC/Peacock
The Rams beat Seattle 21-19 last week to take control of the NFC West. Matthew Stafford’s playing some of the best football of his career, and the defense intercepted Sam Darnold four times.
Tampa’s lost two straight, including that 44-32 loss to Buffalo. They’re dealing with multiple injuries at receiver, which severely limits what Baker Mayfield can do.
The Rams defense should give a depleted Tampa offense fits. Stafford will spread the ball around to Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp, and LA pulls away in the second half.
Pick: Rams 27, Buccaneers 20
Monday Night Football
Carolina Panthers (4-7) @ San Francisco 49ers (5-5)
Monday, November 24, 8:15 PM ET | ESPN
Carolina beat Atlanta in overtime last week and is somehow just a half-game out of first in the terrible NFC South. Bryce Young’s showing improvement.
San Francisco’s been destroyed by injuries all year, especially on defense. They’re allowing 306 passing yards and 3.5 passing touchdowns per game over the last month.
Christian McCaffrey faces his old team, and he should have a big game. Carolina’s defense has allowed 149 rushing yards per game over the last four weeks. Even with all the injuries, the 49ers have too much firepower.
Pick: 49ers 30, Panthers 17
Week 12 Storylines to Watch
The biggest question heading into Thursday is C.J. Stroud’s status. He’s been in concussion protocol for almost two weeks. If he can’t go, Davis Mills gets another start against Buffalo’s tough defense.
Aaron Rodgers’ wrist injury adds drama to the Steelers-Bears game. Mason Rudolph knows the offense, but replacing a four-time MVP changes everything. Chicago needs to capitalize if Rodgers sits.
The Colts-Chiefs game could define both seasons. Indianapolis wants to prove they belong among the AFC elite. Kansas City desperately needs a win to stay in playoff contention. Jonathan Taylor versus KC’s run defense is the matchup to watch.
Matthew Stafford’s building an MVP case with the Rams. Sunday night against Tampa Bay gives him another primetime stage. The NFC West is his to lose now.
Division games bring extra heat this week. Eagles-Cowboys determines if Dallas has any hope left. Falcons-Saints could swing the NFC South. Vikings-Packers impacts the NFC North race.
Christian McCaffrey facing Carolina adds emotion to Monday night. Dak Prescott tries to build on his four-touchdown performance from Monday. Myles Garrett keeps chasing the single-season sack record.
Key Injuries
C.J. Stroud (concussion) probably won’t play Thursday. Aaron Rodgers (wrist) is questionable for Sunday. Tampa Bay’s got multiple receivers hurt. Kirk Cousins and Drake London are questionable for Atlanta.
Green Bay’s already thin at receiver after losing Kraft, Reed, and Jacobs. San Francisco’s defense keeps getting more depleted. Keep checking injury reports—things change fast.
Playoff Picture Impact
Bills-Texans affects AFC wild card positioning. Colts-Chiefs is huge for both teams’ playoff hopes. Rams-Bucs could determine NFC seeding. Eagles-Cowboys essentially ends Dallas’s season.
The Bears want to maintain their NFC North lead against Pittsburgh. The Saints can take control of the NFC South by beating Atlanta.
Final Thoughts
Week 12 separates contenders from pretenders. The Colts face their biggest test at Kansas City. The Rams keep building momentum. The Patriots extend their surprising run.
Division games will clarify playoff races. The NFC North and NFC West should come into sharper focus. The AFC remains wide open with multiple teams fighting for wild card spots.
Stay updated on injuries throughout the week. Weather could factor in some games too. Good luck with your picks!
Note: All game times Eastern Time. Information current as of November 18, 2025.
