Week 12 Predictions

For the first time in a long time, the Detroit Lions Thanksgiving game will actually be entertaining; the Lions will face off against their division rivals in the Green Bay Packers. Today's match-up may bring the Packers their first loss of the season. However, if the Packers win today's game, their is a large chance they will remain undefeated by season's end. The other great game this Thanksgiving is the battle of the Harbaughs as the Baltimore Ravens play the San Francisco 49ers. This game will be the first time two head coaches who are brothers play each other in a football game. Today should have many great games, and The NFL Report wishes you a Happy Thanksgiving!

Patrick Willis

Game-to-Watch: Packers at Lions: There is now way to avoid it; the Green Bay Packers have a great chance at becoming the second team to have a 16-0 regular season record. As they travel to Detroit, however, the Lions may be the only team who can stop the Aaron Rodgers and the Packers. Last weekend, Detroit almost lost to Cam Newton's Panthers, which would have been an amazing upset. Luckily, Matthew Stafford passed for five touchdowns in this shootout, rallying past the Panthers to give his team a 7-3 record. On the other hand, the Packer played Tampa Bay at Lambeau Field. Green Bay led the entire game, yet their were times where it looked like the Buccaneers may come from behind. Once again, Rodgers had a spectacular game, winning 35-26. The Packers defense has done well the past few games, but it is clearly not as dominate as last year's. The Lions depend a lot on their offense, but the key for them to come out on top is to stop Aaron Rodgers (5th in passing yards allowed per game this season). The game will be close, but Aaron Rodgers will be too much for Detroit, and his Packers will improve their record to 11-0.
Packers over Lions 23-16



Stand-Out Performance: WR Steve Smith: Four years ago, Steve Smith was considered one of the top wide receivers in the league. Then, Smith began to show signs of aging, as he no longer put up Pro Bowl stats. Once the Panthers drafted Heisman winner Cam Newton, Smith's performance completely game. In the first game of the season, Smith caught two touchdown passes with 178 receiving yards. The football world was shocked, but ever since that game, Smith has been extraordinary (in just 10 games he has 992 receiving yards). This weekend, Smith goes up against the Colts defense, ranked dead last in terms of receiving touchdowns given up (19). Smith should tear apart the weak secondary, so expect 30+ fantasy points from this star wide receiver.
Steve Smith: 145 receiving yards, 2 TD's


Player to Watch: RB Kevin Smith: The most interesting headline from Week 11; Lions back-up running back Kevin Smith scored 3 total touchdowns (2 rushing, 1 receiving) and ran for 140 yards. Before the Week 11 game, no one believed Smith could do so well in his first game as a starter. This weekend, he goes up against the Green Bay Packers, a team with a mediocre rush defense. Smith will  try and prove that last weekend's game was not a fluke, so it will be important to keep an eye on him this Thanksgiving.
Kevin Smith: 50 rushing yards, 1 rushing TD


Week 12 Predictions:


Packers over Lions


Cowboys over Dolphins (OT)


Ravens over 49ers


Falcons over Vikings


Bengals over Browns


Panthers over Colts


Texans over Jaguars


Jets over Bills


Cardinals over Rams


Buccaneers over Titans


Bears over Raiders


Seahawks over Redskins


Patriots over Eagles (OT)


Broncos over Chargers


Steelers over Chiefs


Saints over Giants