Week 12 of the season is upon us and it is time to gaze into the crystal football for another set of predictions.
Multiple turnovers in Giants-Bears
Rookie Daniel Jones is a fumbling machine. Mitchell Trubisky or whomever plays QB for Chicago will be shaky at best. And that’s before the ball is thrown out of either QB’s hand. Fumbles could create multiple turnovers. And there will be interceptions, for sure.
Aaron Donald will sack Lamar Jackson
On most weeks, it would not be going out on a limb to say the great Aaron Donald will sack a quarterback. However, when the foe is Lamar Jackson, there is a challenge. Donald quietly, if possible, comes into the Rams’ game with the Ravens with eight sacks. Expect him to add at least another one. The Ravens have allowed 20 sacks in 2019.
Aaron Rodgers will outduel Jimmy G
The Niners were fortunate to get by Arizona Sunday, coming off the loss to Seattle. The torture part of their schedule is upcoming. Not buying into the Cardinals’ game as a “trap.” Think it is more of the reality setting in on a good but not great team. Aaron Rodgers will be tested by the SF defense and will test it. Jimmy Garoppolo will have issues with the Packer sackers. Look for Green Bay to hang one on the Niners.
Multiple picks in Lions-Redskins
There should be a plethora of interceptions in a matchup that features Jeff Driskel and Dwayne Haskins at quarterback. In addition to being one of the most sorry games of Week 12, you can’t get much lower on the ladder when it comes to quarterback duels.
Josh Jacobs will not reach 1,000 yards
The sensational Raiders rookie Josh Jacobs needs 77 yards to reach four figures. Don’t think it will happen against the Jets at MetLife. Gang Green is allowing a league least 79.1 yards per game to opponents on the ground. That is not a setup for a big game for Jacobs and Oakland, which faces an early kickoff in New Jersey on their body clocks
Dak Prescott will outplay Tom Brady
This does not mean the Dallas Cowboys will defeat the New England Patriots in Foxboro. It simply means Dak Prescott will wind up with better stats than Tom Brady. Ezekiel Elliott has stalled over the past couple games. Hard to figure he will erupt against the Pats. So, look for Prescott to have to try and win the game through the air. The QB from Mississippi State continues to make a case for a big contract from Jerry Jones.
The Bucs and Falcons will be tight
The Falcons have won five in a row over the Bucs. However, the last three have been by a combined 10 points. Pretty great stuff when you consider these teams put points on the board with great regularity. Look for another exciting game. Atlanta appears to be going in the right direction. Tampa Bay is not. That does not mean the Bucs can’t upend the Falcons here.
The boobirds will be out in Philly
Eagles fans have to be close to a major feeling of unrest. And the Seattle Seahawks come to Philly for a battle of the birds. Look out below if Russell Wilson & Co. give Philly a rough time. That would make two losses in a row against strong playoff contenders. And the fans are not going to be happy. The memory of the Super Bowl victory is fading … quickly.
Derrick Henry will redeem himself
Tennessee RB Derrick Henry has gone from feast to famine in the last two games against Jacksonville. Last season, he rushed for 238 yards and a quartet of TDs as the Titans throttled the Jags in their second meeting. In the first go-round this year, he rushed for 44 yards on 17 carries. Look for a bigger game out of the former Alabama star.
The Broncos will stun the Bills
There are only so many ways to lose close games. Denver has found pretty much every one of them en route to a 3-7 mark. This feels like it could be the week it finally figures a way to close a victory. The Bills are 7-3 but far from wowing anyone. They beat teams they are supposed to beat, not always in convincing fashion. If the Broncos can get out to a lead, they finally will hold on to a game.
Michael Thomas will continue to amaze
Talk about a steal. How on earth did Michael Thomas slip to the 47th pick in the draft? The New Orleans Saints wideout is on an historic career pace and don’t look for the Carolina Panthers to derail him. Thomas has 1,141 yards on 94 catches already. Don’t be surprised if he cracks the 1,300-yard mark Sunday. He’s unstoppable.
