Shack’s NFC North Predictions: Week 12
Happy Thanksgiving NFL fans! Week 12 features a Thanksgiving day showdown between the Houston Texans and the Detroit Lions, a division clash between the Vikings and Bears, and a rematch between the last two Superbowl champions in the Green Bay Packers and the New York Giants. Can the Lions beat the Texans and salvage what little playoff hopes they have left? Will a beat up Packers squad continue their winning ways against a struggling Giants team? Will Jay Cutler return to action this week and help the Bears take down the Vikings?
Nov. 25, 2010; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Lions fans dressed as pilgrims during the second quarter of the Thanksgiving game against the New England Patriots the at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-US PRESSWIRE
Here are my week 12 predictions:
Green Bay Packers at New York Giants
The Packers may be on a five game winning streak, but they are struggling to stay healthy and their kicker is in a rut. It looks like the Packers will be without their best defensive player in Clay Matthews for the second straight week, and Aaron Rodgers will be without one of his favorite targets in Greg Jennings for at least one more week. While the Giants have lost their last two games, I expect them to bounce back this week at home, especially since Eli Manning is 4-0 after the bye week.
Prediction: Giants win 28-21
Minnesota Vikings at Chicago Bears
I am still shocked that the Lions were beat the way they were in week 10 against the Vikings. While I’m not sold on the Vikings as a team, when you have a player that dominates the game like Adrian Peterson you’ll always have a chance to win. However, if Jay Cutler returns this week, the Vikings have no chance against the Bears at home. Cutler’s status is still unknown for at this point, but he has been cleared to practice on a limited basis. I’m still not solid that Cutler is playing as concussions are tricky and this is Cutler’s sixth career concussion. If Peterson can break off a few long runs like he has been doing all season and Christian Ponder can avoid turning the ball over the Vikings should be able to pull of the upset.
Prediction: Vikings win 17-14
Houston Texans at Detroit Lions
The Lions’ annual Thanksgiving day game is by far my favorite day of the year. There’s nothing like eating some of mom’s home cooked turkey, drinking some punch, and watching my beloved Lions play some football. The only thing that will make Thanksgiving perfect will be a Lions win. Unfortunately the way they have been playing, a win might be asking too much.
The Texans may be the best team in the NFL, but Lions players are getting tired of losing, and the Lions will get their energizer bunny back on defense in Louis Delmas. The Lions’ front four is getting better every week and I think Matthew Stafford will have a bounce back week. I may be one of the only people who believes the Lions win today, but that will make this prediction that much sweeter. Even if the Lions don’t win, I anticipate this being a close game and don’t forget it’s turkey day, my favorite day of the year. With that said, this is Shack’s Game of The Week.
Prediction: Lions win 27-21
Recap: I have the Lions and Vikings winning close games and the Bears and Packers losing, closing the gap between the teams in the NFC North. Don’t forget to leave a comment and share your NFC North Predictions! I’ll do my best to respond to any questions or comments you might have.
Last weeks record: 1-1
Record so far this season: 22-14