Greg Cote

NFL WEEK 12

Greg Cote’s Week 12 NFL picks

 

gcote@MiamiHerald.com

FALCONS (9-1) at BUCCANEERS (6-4)

Line: ATL by 1.

Cote’s pick: TB 23-21.

TV: 1 p.m., Fox.

This has a little Game of the Week feel and heft, a near pick-’em affair. Surging Bucs have scored 206 points in past six games, with Josh Freeman on a 16-3 TDs/picks roll during that span. Can easily see Tampa come crashing, but I’m-a keep the faith here and roll with a mild upset. Bucs are believing in themselves, and Doug Martin, the rookie you don’t hear enough about, could exploit a so-so Falcs run D.

TITANS (4-6) at JAGUARS (1-9)

Line: TEN by 3.

Cote’s pick: JAC 24-20.

TV: 1 p.m., CBS.

Chad Henne. He’s baa-aa-aaack! Jax’s backup-turned-starter was a near-hero in last week’s OT thriller-loss to Houston. Jags spent so much emotion in that near-shocker that I can see them (and Henne) crashing here. I mean, they’re 0-5 at home, and Titans are coming off a bye. But I don’t care, I’m rolling the dice here. Blind squirrel finds an acorn! Jaguars win a home game! “Hen-ne! Hen-ne! Hen-nie!”

RAVENS (8-2) at CHARGERS (4-6)

Line: BAL by 1.

Cote’s pick: SD 27-24.

TV: 4:05 p.m., CBS.

The phrase once bitten twice shy evidently does not apply to me. I seem to keep picking the Chargers, keep getting bitten, and then keep picking the Chargers. I figure Ravens coming off a big emotional grudge division win over Pittsburgh, then a long trip, and facing a QB (Philip Rivers) who has 955 yards in three career games against Crows. So it’s San Diego, then! (Oh lord will I never learn!?)

RAMS (3-6-1) at CARDINALS (4-6)

Line: ARI by 2 1/2.

Cote’s pick: ARI 20-13.

TV: 4:25 p.m., Fox.

Here is our Dog game first-runner-up. Rams have not won on the road. Free-falling Cardbirds have lost six in a row. What more do you want? St. Louis won first meeting 17-3, now ’Zona has no running game and a rookie, Ryan Lindley, at QB. So naturally I see Cacti winning on big defense. It’s that kind of week, folks. I’m gonna come out of this looking like a genius or looking like a picked-clean turkey — nuthin’ but carcass.

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