NFL Picks Week 12: Expert Predictions, Odds Guide and Over-Under Lines

Thursday is an overstuffed day of NFL action thanks to the welcome tradition of football on Thanksgiving Day. There are three games on the slate for Thanksgiving, which means those fans making picks or bets have been under a little extra pressure to do their research early for Week 12.

While the traditional feast is being prepped, fans can watch the Detroit Lions host the Minnesota Vikings. The afternoon will see the Dallas Cowboys play the Washington Redskins, and fans looking to enjoy a post-meal game will take in the Indianapolis Colts hosting the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Even with a couple of extra games on the midweek docket, the Sunday lineup of games shouldn’t seem barren. The bye weeks are in the past, so all 32 teams are suiting up this week. For a primer on Week 12, here’s a look at the latest odds, over-under lines and expert predictions from around the web.

Washington Should Cover Against Dallas (-7)

The Dallas Cowboys beat the Washington Redskins 27-23 in Week 2 of this season, and the NFC East rivals could be in store for a similarly close battle on Thursday. Both teams are led by bright young stars on offense and have been playing excellent football for most of the season.

The Cowboys own the best record in the league at 9-1, with their only blemish a one-point loss to the New York Giants in the season opener. Rookies Dak Prescott and Ezekiel Elliott have been revelations in the backfield, propelling the Cowboys to 28.5 points per game. Working behind a brilliant offensive line, Elliott leads the league in rushing with 1,102 yards, and Prescott has looked wise beyond his years with 17 touchdown passes against just two interceptions. 

The Cowboys may appear nigh unstoppable, but the Redskins aren’t looking too shabby themselves these days. Washington is 6-1-1 after dropping the first two games of the season. Rookie Rob Kelley has energized a long-dormant running game, racking up 321 yards and four touchdowns over the past three games. 

Quarterback Kirk Cousins (17 TDs, 7 INTs) is busy making waves on Vine again, which means the passing game is in fine working order as well. Cousins threw for 375 yards and three scores in a Week 11 shredding of the Green Bay Packers. 

Two offenses led by bright young stars should mean fans are in store for a back-and-forth thriller on Thursday. The Cowboys’ lack of a pass rush will allow Cousins to keep his recent string of fine performances intact. He has a reliable target to move the chains in tight end Jordan Reed and an emerging big-play machine in wide receiver Jamison Crowder. 

Containing Elliott is going to be key to this game, as Washington can’t rely on the rookie Prescott to make mental errors. Prescott has been …

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