Week 12 of the 2019 NFL season is upon us, and playoff races are ramping up in earnest.
The Houston Texans edged the Indianapolis Colts, 20-17, on Thursday night to take sole possession of first place in the AFC South. That is one of several key games with implications on the playoff picture this week. The Seattle Seahawks visit the Philadelphia Eagles in a battle of teams who sit one game out of first place in the NFC West and NFC East, respectively. The Dallas Cowboys travel to meet the New England Patriots in an interconference matchup of two of the NFL’s most popular teams.
The Green Bay Packers travel to California to take on the San Francisco 49ers in a matchup of division leaders on Sunday night. The Baltimore Ravens, currently ranked No. 1 in the Touchdown Wire Power Rankings, face a road test against the Los Angeles Rams on Monday night.
Without further ado, here are our Week 12 previews with TV info, point spreads, keys to the game for both teams and score predictions.
(The Arizona Cardinals, Kansas City Chiefs, Los Angeles Chargers and Minnesota Vikings have a bye this week.)
Seattle Seahawks at Philadelphia Eagles
TV: Fox, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
Records: Seahawks 8-2, Eagles 5-5
Line: Eagles by 1½
Seahawks’ keys: The ability of QB Russell Wilson, the highest-rated passer for the bulk of this season, to put stress on the Eagles as a runner and a passer.
Eagles’ keys: QB Carson Wentz and Philadelphia will look to maintain its efficient run-pass balance.
Who wins: The Eagles take advantage of the 1 p.m. ET flex time. Eagles 31, Seahawks 28
— Glenn Erby
Carolina Panthers at New Orleans Saints
TV: CBS, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
Records: Panthers 5-5, Saints 8-2
Line: Saints by 9½
Panthers’ keys: They must get their MVP candidate, RB Christian McCaffrey, going early against a stout New Orleans defense to supplement their inconsistent passing game.
Saints’ keys: Better execution on offense. They’ve committed too many penalties and settled for too many field goals recently.
Who wins? Carolina is struggling while the Saints appear to have purged any lingering demons from their loss to the Falcons two weeks ago. Saints 20, Panthers 14
— John Sigler
Oakland Raiders at New York Jets
TV: CBS, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
Records: Raiders 6-4, Jets 3-7
Line: Raiders by 2½
Raiders’ keys: TE Darren Waller, QB Derek Carr’s favorite target, could be in for a big day.
Jets’ keys: Much like the Jets, Oakland doesn’t defend the pass well, which means QB Sam Darnold could be in for a fun afternoon.
Who wins? The Raiders, still holding on to playoff aspirations, have more talent than the Jets. Raiders 30, Jets 23
— Gary Phillips
Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Atlanta Falcons
TV: Fox, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
Records: Buccaneers 3-7, Falcons 3-7
Line: Falcons by 4½
Buccaneers’ keys: Balanced teams have hurt the Falcons, and QB Jameis Winston can throw to two of the best wide receivers in the game, Mike Evans and Chris Godwin.
Falcons’ keys: Take advantage of Tampa Bay’s struggling secondary with WRs Julio Jones and Calvin Ridley.
Who wins? After consecutive wins over NFC South teams, it’s difficult to see the Falcons stumbling. Falcons 30, Buccaneers 27
— Matt Urben
New York Giants at Chicago Bears
TV: Fox, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
Records: Giants 2-8, Bears 4-6
Line: Bears by 6½
Giants’ keys: Establish the run early with RB Saquon Barkley and attack the middle of Chicago’s defensive line, which has been thin with DT Akiem Hicks on injured reserve.
Bears’ keys: Get off to a fast start by establishing the run with RB David Montgomery.
Who wins? The Bears are still clinging to slim playoff chances and will be playing with a purpose. Bears 24, Giants 17
–Alyssa Barbieri
Denver Broncos at Buffalo Bills
TV: CBS, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
Records: Broncos 3-7, Bills 7-3
Line: Bills by 3½
Broncos’ keys: The Bills are suspect against the run, which means Denver should hand the ball to RBs Royce Freeman and Phillip Lindsay regularly.
Bills’ keys: Even if QB Josh Allen struggles, they must allow him to try to make plays through the air to keep the defense honest.
Who wins? The Bills need this one to keep their playoff hopes alive, and their secondary at home will be too much for the Broncos to handle. Still, it has the makings of a close one. Bills 17, Broncos 10
— Nick Wojton
Pittsburgh Steelers at Cincinnati Bengals
TV: CBS: Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
Records: Steelers 5-5, Bengals 0-10
Line: Steelers by 6½
Steelers’ keys: If RB James Conner can’t go, RB Jaylen Samuels has enough juice as a receiver (five catches and a score against Cleveland).
Bengals’ keys: Keep RB Joe Mixon cruising; he put up 62 yards on a 4.1-yard average against the Steelers.
Who wins? No matter how battered and bruised they are, the Steelers have the advantage. Steelers 30, Bengals 17
— Chris Roling
Miami Dolphins at Cleveland Browns
TV: Fox, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
Records: Dolphins 2-8, Browns 4-6
Line: Browns by 10½
Dolphins’ keys: Miami’s run defense has stepped up lately, but it will be challenged by Browns RB Nick Chubb.
Browns’ keys: They have gone three games without turning the ball over and are good when they play smart.
Who wins? Miami has played better of late but doesn’t have the horses to run with the talented Cleveland offense. Browns 33, Dolphins 21
— Jeff Risdon
Detroit Lions at Washington Redskins
TV: Fox, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
Records: Lions 3-6-1, Redskins 1-9
Line: Lions by 3½
Lions’ keys: If QB Matthew Stafford (back) sits and Jeff Driskel gets the start, Detroit will need to heavily shift its focus to the ground game.
Redskins’ keys: With a 1-2 punch of RBs Derrius Guice and Adrian Peterson, Washington can continue to find success in the screen game.
Who wins? Detroit probably wins no matter who plays QB. Lions 17, Redskins 13
— Zac Neel
Jacksonville Jaguars at Tennessee Titans
TV: CBS, Sunday, 4:05 p.m. ET
Records: Jaguars 4-6, Titans 5-5
Line: Titans by 3½
Jaguars’ keys: QB Nick Foles has made his return, but the Jaguars are still getting embarrassed. On defense, the Jags have struggled against the run, which will be one of their next opponents’ top strengths.
Titans’ keys: It’s important to feed RB Derrick Henry to snag the momentum and keep it rolling in their favor. QB Ryan Tannehill is 3-1 in Marcus Mariota’s place and has been efficient.
Who wins? Tennessee has home-field advantage. Titans 30, Jaguars 24
— Crissy Froyd
Dallas Cowboys at New England Patriots
TV: Fox, Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET
Records: Cowboys 6-4, Patriots 9-1
Line: Patriots by 6½
Cowboys’ keys: The Ravens showed New England’s biggest weakness: run defense. The Cowboys can put that issue on display in Week 12 with Ezekiel Elliott using power to attack the middle and speed to exploit the edges.
Patriots’ keys: QB Tom Brady will have to attack a solid Dallas secondary in a mistake-free game. Defensively, the Patriots might have to tinker with their personnel at linebacker if they find Elliott’s productivity overwhelming.
Who wins? The Pats should get a boost from the return of tackle Isaiah Wynn and WR N’Keal Harry from injuries. Patriots 27, Cowboys 24
— Henry McKenna
Green Bay Packers at San Francisco 49ers
TV: NBC, Sunday, 8:15 p.m. ET
Records: Packers 8-2, 49ers 9-1
Line: 49ers by 3½
Packers’ keys: Get behind the run game against a defense that’s been susceptible to strong ground attacks. If RB Aaron Jones gets going, that opens up everything QB Aaron Rodgers will need.
49ers’ keys: Jimmy Garoppolo has been terrible with ball security. TE George Kittle could return from a knee injury, which dramatically improves the pass game. DE Nick Bosa has been quiet since his three-sack game vs. Carolina.
Who wins? Green Bay has the offense to expose the 49ers’ weaknesses on defense and the pass rush to slow the 49ers’ attack. Packers 28, 49ers 23
— Kyle Madson
Baltimore Ravens at Los Angeles Rams
TV: ESPN, Monday, 8:15 p.m. ET
Records: Ravens 8-2, Rams 6-4
Line: Ravens by 3
Ravens’ keys: Shouldn’t have much trouble moving the ball behind QB Lamar Jackson, but the defense has to match up with L.A.’s receivers.
Rams’ keys: Have to stay disciplined on defense. The Rams’ speed on defense with their three-safety sets and LB Cory Littleton in the middle gives them a chance to slow the Ravens.
Who wins? The Ravens’ offense is simply going to be too much for the Rams, while the L.A. offense will be held in check by the revamped Baltimore defense. This isn’t a good matchup for the Rams. Ravens 28, Rams 21
— Cam DaSilva
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