- Commissioner’s statement on Ventura, Marte
- Ronnie O’Sullivan: Masters champion ‘felt so vulnerable’ in final
- Arron Fletcher Wins 2017 WSOP International Circuit Marrakech Main Event ($140,224)
- Smith challenges Warner to go big in India
- Moncada No. 1 on MLB Pipeline’s Top 10 2B Prospects list
- Braves land 2 on MLB Pipeline’s Top 10 2B Prospects list
- Kingery makes MLB Pipeline’s Top 10 2B Prospects list
- New Zealand wrap up 2-0 after Bangladesh implosion
- Mathews, Pradeep, Gunathilaka to return to Sri Lanka
- Elliott hopes for rain for Poli
NFL Week 12 Picks: Vegas Odds, Props and Predictions Before Thursday Night
- Updated: November 24, 2016
The action in Week 12 should be quite compelling, starting with Thanksgiving Day, when the NFL has come through with three notable games.
We have a strong opinion on the first of those games, which sees the Minnesota Vikings visit the Detroit Lions.
The Vikings ended their four-game losing streak in Week 11, against the Arizona Cardinals, and that 30-24 victory has allowed head coach Mike Zimmer to breathe a bit easier. However, it may be difficult for the Vikings to make it two in a row against Detroit since the Lions have shown a tendency to compete hard in the fourth quarter and earn late victories.
That’s what the Lions did in Week 9, when quarterback Matthew Stafford rallied the team to a last-second tying field goal against the Vikings before leading a TD drive in overtime. The Lions also rallied for a 26-19 victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 11.
Detroit hosts their divisional rivals as the NFC North leader, and the Lions have won five of their last six games. They have been making a move up the ladder behind their quarterback’s excellent and consistent play.
Stafford is completing 67.8 percent of his passes, and he has an impressive 18-5 TD-interception ratio. Anquan Boldin is leading the Lions with five TD receptions, while Marvin Jones and Theo Riddick both have four. That diversity in the passing game makes the Lions difficult to defend against.
The Vikings are certainly going to try, as Zimmer’s defense ranks third overall and third against the pass. If they are going to be effective, look for defensive ends Everson Griffen and Danielle Hunter to have big games. Those two have combined for 13.0 sacks.
Vikings desperately needed a win, and the Vikings defense showed up when needed the most. Quality victory.
— Paul Charchian (@PaulCharchian) November 20, 2016
If they can put pressure on Stafford, safety Harrison Smith will have a chance to make big plays in the secondary.
This game is nearly a tossup in the eyes of the …
