NFL Game Week 12 - Schedule, Best Picks & Where to Watch
It is crazy to think that we have already reached Week 12 of this 2024 season, and I think it’s fair to say that some teams have already given up. Jacksonville entered their Week 11 game as 14-point underdogs, which turned out to be generous, as they fell to a 46-point deficit to the Detroit Lions. It is surely just a matter of time before head coach Doug Pederson becomes the next to lose his job this year. Another team that appears to have very little to fight left in them is the New York Giants, who are benching Daniel Jones in favor of Tommy DeVito. At 2-8, their eyes are already on the draft, and in the same division, the 3-7 Cowboys also have very little to cheer for, as proven by their one-sided hammering by Houston on Monday night.
At the other end of the draft order, Kansas City was finally handed its first loss by a very talented Buffalo side, which is now in a great spot to challenge them for the first seed in the AFC. With Pittsburgh, Houston, LA, and Baltimore all within two wins of Kansas City, every week is going to be crucial from now on. Let’s see what’s on the menu for Week 12.
If you want to read more about the NFL Power Rankings ahead of week 12, you find that information on the NFL official website.
Best Games to Watch - Week 12
San Francisco 49ers @ Green Bay Packers
- Date & Time: Sunday, November 10, 2024, at 4:25 p.m. ET
- Venue: Lambeau Field, Green Bay, WI
- Broadcast Details: FOX, Fubo Sports
San Francisco is looking increasingly less likely to make it back to the Super Bowl for a second year running, giving away yet another win last week against Seattle. This week, they will do battle with the 7-3 Green Bay Packers, who had to rely on a blocked field goal to prevent them from suffering an upset loss to the struggling Chicago Bears.
The biggest concern for San Francisco this year has been injuries, and they were dealt another blow last week when Nick Bosa was unable to finish the game against Seattle. San Fran needs all the help they can get at the moment, and they will be hoping he can return to the field to help them tackle a Packers offense that ranks inside the top 10 for both points and yards per game.
Jordan Love only attempted 17 passes last week against the Bears, and in true Jordan Love fashion, he threw as many touchdowns as he did interceptions, with one apiece. You never know which of the Green Bay wide receivers is going to pop off in any given week, which is a strength of the team. Last week it was Christian Watson, enjoying a season-high 150 yards on four catches. This week, they will be tested against a San Francisco defense that is giving up the eighth-fewest passing yards per game, with 197.2, although they will be a much less daunting opponent if Bosa is out.
Prediction/Analysis:
It really does feel like there is something off with the reigning NFC champions this year. The injuries have not helped, but the 49ers have come up small on both offense and defense this year in the big moments, giving up several games they looked in charge of. Green Bay might have been a bit lucky to get the win last week against Chicago, but they are the healthier and better-coached team at the moment. They should get a win here at home.
Philadelphia Eagles @ Los Angeles Rams
- Date & Time: Sunday, November 10, 2024, at 8:20 p.m. ET
- Venue: SoFi Stadium, Inglewood, CA
- Broadcast Details: NBC, Peacock
All of a sudden, the Philadelphia Eagles are once again looking like legitimate contenders in the NFC. After falling apart last year, they have collected themselves very nicely in 2024, performing well on both sides of the ball.
Their 25.9 points scored per game on offense rank seventh best in the league, and their 17.9 points conceded per game rank sixth best. A big reason for this is the competence of their offensive and defensive coordinators, with Kellen Moore and Vic Fangio both thriving and making up for the occasional Nick Sirianni blunder.
This week, they are taking on another team with playoff ambitions, in the form of the Los Angeles Rams. The Rams have had an up-and-down season, not helped by injuries, but they have rounded into form nicely over the last few weeks. Their defensive front is stocked full of rookie and sophomore talent, producing the sixth-highest pressure rate in the NFL this year at 26.1%.
Getting pressure on Jalen Hurts will be key this week, as his offensive skill players A.J. Brown, DeVonta Smith, and Saquon Barkley are simply too good when given time to work.
When LA is on offense, who knows what to expect? Last week, Matthew Stafford looked back to his brilliant best, passing for 295 yards and four touchdowns against the Patriots, but he was underwhelming in the two weeks prior, despite having his top two receivers on deck. When firing on all cylinders, Stafford is among the best in the NFL, but he will be tested this week against a stingy Philadelphia pass defense that is giving up only 173.2 passing yards per game, the second-best in the NFL.
Prediction/Analysis:
It’s always dangerous to go against the LA Rams when they have Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp on the field, but I think Philadelphia is a completely different beast this year. They are a top-10 offense and defense at the moment and look set for a deep playoff run. I back them to get a big win over an NFC rival this weekend and strengthen their case for the NFC East title.
Baltimore Ravens @ Los Angeles Chargers
- Date & Time: Sunday, November 10, 2024, at 8:15 p.m. ET
- Venue: SoFi Stadium, Inglewood, CA
- Broadcast Details: ESPN (ManningCast on ESPN2)
The focus of our last game is the highly anticipated Harbaugh Bowl, with brothers John and Jim facing off in a very important clash in the AFC. Both teams are neck and neck in the AFC playoff race with seven wins apiece, and you know that bragging rights are going to play a big role here.
Jim Harbaugh’s LA Chargers have been one of the stories of the season, rebounding from a 5-12 season last year to already post seven wins after just 10 games this time around. Justin Herbert and his offense have been brilliant, but the real stars of the show have been the Chargers defense, which is holding opponents to the fewest points per game this year at just 14.5.
They have been awesome so far, but they will have their work cut out this week going up against a Baltimore offense that is scoring the second-most points per game this year, with 30.4, and gaining the most yards per game at 430.1. Baltimore had an uncharacteristically frustrating game on offense last week against Pittsburgh, although the Steelers are a team that Lamar Jackson has struggled with throughout his career. He will be desperate for a bounce-back game this week to keep Baltimore in touch with Pittsburgh in the AFC North and to keep his bid for a second consecutive MVP award alive.
The Chargers can be proud of their work on offense as well, with Justin Herbert piecing together an MVP bid of his own. He has passed for 2,186 yards, 13 touchdowns, and just 1 interception on the year so far, working very nicely with rookie wideout Ladd McConkey, and even revitalizing last year's first-rounder Quentin Johnston, who appeared to be a lost cause. They should have some fun this week against Baltimore's last-placed pass defense, which is giving up 284.5 yards per game through the air.
Prediction/Analysis:
There’s no doubt that LA has been one of the best surprise stories of the 2024 season, and their defense is a very daunting unit to go up against, but Joe Burrow and the Bengals showed last week that it can be done. Baltimore is the more well-rounded team with better skill players, and they will be extra motivated after last week’s defeat.
Honorable Mentions:
Minnesota Vikings @ Chicago Bears
- Sunday, Nov 24 | 6:00 p.m. | FOX, Fubo Sports
Caleb Williams and the Bears rebounded under their new offensive coordinator last week—can they do it again this week against Brian Flores?
Author: Venuse, Inc.