NFL WEEK 12 PREVIEW
Panthers (1-9) at Titans (3-7)
TV: 1 p.m. ET Sunday, Fox Spread (BetMGM): Titans by 4 Carolina has to keep the game low scoring, and the best way to do that is to challenge the Titans offensive line, which has been a sieve and regularly wrecks the offense. Making matters worse, the Titans might be without starting RT Chris Hubbard. Tennessee has been particularly bad at picking up the blitz, so Carolina should bring the heat.
Patriots (2-8) at Giants (3-8)
TV: 1 p.m. ET Sunday, Fox Spread (BetMGM):
Patriots by 3.5
The Giants aren’t going to score many points offensively, so the defense must step up and fill that role as well. Kayvon Thibodeaux has been wildly inconsistent in recent weeks, so he’ll need to find more consistent success against New England LT Trent Brown and RT Mike Onwenu. If Thibodeaux can’t get home, create havoc and help generate turnovers, the Giants have little chance of winning.
Steelers (6-4) at Bengals (5-5)
TV: 1 p.m. ET Sunday, CBS Spread (BetMGM):
Bengals by 1.5
Despite being Cincinnati’s lone source of pressure, Trey Hendrickson has been one of the NFL’s most efficient pass rushers and is up to 9.5 sacks for the season. If the Steelers let him hit home, it could create gamealtering plays and an upset.
Saints (5-5) at Falcons (4-6)
TV: 1 p.m. ET Sunday, Fox Spread (BetMGM):
Falcons by 1.5
Chris Olave has been a stud for the Saints over the last season and a half. The Saints wideout will likely be matched up against Atlanta’s A.J. Terrell, who has followed opposing teams’ No. 1 wide receiver more in 2023 than he has in previous seasons.
Jaguars (7-3) at Texans (6-4)
TV: 1 p.m. ET Sunday, CBS Spread (BetMGM):
Jaguars by 1.5
The Texans find ways to get 2023 third-round wideout Tank Dell his touches. Jacksonville’s Tre Herndon has to be up for the challenge to stay with the shifty receiver and limit his opportunities to make chunk plays.
Buccaneers (4-6) at Colts (5-5)
TV: 1 p.m. ET Sunday, CBS Spread (BetMGM): Colts by 1.5 Tampa Bay WR Mike Evans should be a primary focus for the Colts. Conversely, the Buccaneers need to make sure Evans stays involved throughout the entire game. This is very likely the matchup that will determine the outcome.
Browns (7-3) at Broncos (5-5)
TV: 4:05 p.m. ET Sunday, Fox Spread (BetMGM):
Broncos by 1.5
Myles Garrett has been a wrecking ball on Cleveland’s defensive line, totaling 13 sacks through 10 games. He’ll face off against Mike McGlinchey, who has arguably been Denver’s weakest link on the offensive line in 2023. This could prove to be a big mismatch.
Rams (4-6) at Cardinals (2-9)
TV: 4:05 p.m. ET Sunday, Fox Spread (BetMGM):
Cardinals by 1.5
Tight end Trey McBride has been an integral part of the Arizona offense lately, and he’ll be matched up with the Rams second-year defensive back Quentin Lake often in the middle of the field.
Bills (6-5) at Eagles (9-1)
TV: 4:25 p.m. ET Sunday, CBS Spread (BetMGM): Eagles by 3.5 When Eagles defensive coordinator Sean Desaineeds to put the clamps on a WR, he’ll call upon Darius Slay, and we expect him to travel with Stefon Diggs. Diggs can be dominant, but Slay can stop all that.
Chiefs (7-3) at Raiders (5-6)
TV: 4:25 p.m. ET Sunday, CBS Spread (BetMGM): Chiefs by 9 Rashee Rice continues to have a bigger role for the Chiefs, and they will need him down the stretch to spark the offense. The 2023 second-rounder will see a ton of Nate Hobbs, who is one of the top slot cornerbacks in the league. These are two young players who are ascending on their respective teams.
Ravens (8-3) at Chargers (4-6)
TV: 8:20 p.m. ET Sunday, NBC Spread (BetMGM): Ravens by 4 Los Angeles’ weakness is on defense. Head coach Brandon Staley is going to have to scheme up a game plan to limit Baltimore QB Lamar Jackson and company.
Bears (3-8) at Vikings (6-5)
TV: 8:15 p.m. ET Monday, ESPN/ABC
Spread (BetMGM):
Vikings by 3.5
Minnesota’s Danielle Hunter bested the rookie Darnell Wright in their first meeting, where Hunter generated consistent pressure and recorded two sacks of Chicago QB Justin Fields. Wright will need a better performance this time around.