NFL Week 12

The college football picture is crystallizing, and I'm thinking USC will slip past Michigan if they win big again next week. Nice to see my Jersey boy get a touchdown late in the game last night, even though I was disappointed in the outcome. Two words of advice for Charlie Weis: Recruit defense. Meanwhile, had Rutgers not stumbled last week in Cincinnati, they'd have clinched the Big East already. Still, they can get the automatic BCS bid if they win at West Virginia next week.

Now, back to the pros. We started out the week by going 2-1 ATS on Thanksgiving Day. Now for today's games.

JETS -6 over Texans: Jets have a cake schedule the rest of the way, and this is one game they better win, especially at home. Actual final score: Jets 20-10.

TITANS +3 over Giants: Giants better get the ship running smoother now, otherwise it will sink quickly. A loss here and they may crumble. Actual final score: Giants 24-23.

BILLS +3 over Jaguars: Jags are lousy on the road, and Buffalo in late November isn't the most hospitable place. Actual final score: Bills 27-17.

Steelers +3 over RAVENS: Steelers regaining respectability of late and may be worth a shot getting three here, though Baltimore seems to have a little magic going. Actual final score: Ravens 17-16.

Bengals -3 over BROWNS: Cincy snapped out of it last week against the Saints and will cruise. Actual final score: Bengals 33-14.

Cardinals +6 over VIKINGS: Minnesota has been terrible lately, but should be able to topple Cardinals at home. Shouldn't they? I mean, they are the Cardinals. Actual final score: Vikings 20-17.

49ers +5.5 over RAMS: Remarkably, San Francisco is actually the better team now. Will that translate into a win, I'm not so sure, but they should hang in on the road, even in that airline hangar the Rams play in. Actual final score: Rams 24-22.

Saints +3 over FALCONS: Promises to be a shootout, though I'm not liking Vick to match Drew Brees. Jim Mora may soon be checking the classifieds for new employment. Actual final score: Saints 30-27.

Panthers -4 over REDSKINS: Temas going in opposite directions and no reason that won't continue. Panthers feast on fresh QB meat. Actual final score: Panthers 27-13.

CHARGERS -13 over Raiders: First game between the two was 27-0, and the spread may be bigger here. Chargers offense seemingly unstoppable. Actual final score: Chargers 41-7.

Bears +3 over PATRIOTS: Third straight road tilt for Chicago. This could go either way, but New England needs it more. Much more. Actual final score: Patriots 19-17.

COLTS -9 over Eagles: Colts have been lousy laying big spread, but they should be in a foul mood after losing last week and Philly is pretty much toast. Actual final score: Colts 33-13.

Packers +10 over SEAHAWKS: Seahawks have the 49ers breathing down their necks and will manage to win, but rejuvenated Favre will give them fits if elbow isn't bothering him too much. Actual final score: Seahawks 27-23.