Welcome to our NFL Week 12 Picks Straight Up! Last week, I made the mistake of picking against Bryce Young in his yearly “this is what we drafted him for” game. Who could've seen a 400+ yard game coming from a guy who couldn't even put up 200 yards! Anyway, from the looks of it, this NFL Week 12 slate is a DOOZY, split between some games that will be absolute blowouts and games that could really go either way! 

So without further ado, it is time to bring you our expert NFL Week 12 Picks Straight Up. Below, you will find my picks, some highlighted matchups, and the schedules and spreads for every game this week.

 

 

 

NFL Week 12 Picks Straight Up & Odds For All 14 Games

With Week 12 here, we have some great matchups on paper, and with four teams on bye, we are left with a 14-game slate. In the following section, you will find my predictions, with the teams I anticipate coming away with a victory highlighted in bold. Odds are courtesy of BetMGM:

 

 

 

NFL Week 12 Picks Straight Up: Las Vegas Raiders ML (-192 at DraftKings Sportsbook)

Three things are guaranteed in life: death, taxes, and I will always pick against a rookie quarterback in their first start. Especially a fifth-round quarterback against one of the best pass rushers in the game. I hear you, this isn't any ordinary fifth-round quarterback; this is Shedeur Sanders. I personally viewed Sanders as a second-round talent, but his biggest weakness might have Maxx Crosby on the other side of the line licking his chops with anticipation. 

One of the biggest critiques against Sanders' game is that he holds the ball too long. In his final year at Colorado, his average time to throw was the 15th highest in the entire FBS, and the last time we saw an extended look at Sanders on the field (during the NFL preseason, I'd rather not count the portion of the Ravens game where he was thrown to the wolves with no preperation), his time to throw was  3.31 seconds, which is significantly higher than the NFL averge (2.78 seconds). While Sanders is a decent athlete, typically, the guys who are higher in the time to throw category are elite athletes (like Jalen Hurts) who can make up for holding onto the ball too long by breaking off big runs, or guys like Caleb Williams, who have Houdini-like skills in terms of escapability in the pocket. Sanders showed playmaking and play extension ability in college and even in the NFL preseason, but that was a different level of competition. 

If Maxx Crosby could have a monster game against Williams and the Bears, where he forced a fumble, got an interception, and pressured the young QB on almost every dropback, I expect him to have a massive impact on this game as well. The Browns' offensive line is not a great unit; add on an inexperienced quarterback who likes to play a little recklessly and a lackluster group of weapons, and this could get ugly. While the Browns boast an incredible defense, with both a defensive player of the year and defensive rookie of the year frontrunner, I don't think the Browns' offense is capable of doing enough to pull their weight in this game. Give me the Raiders to capitalize on a golden situation and win an ugly, sloppy game. 

 

 

 

NFL Week 12 Picks Straight Up: Kansas City Chiefs ML (-175 at BetMGM Sportsbook)

This is uncharted territory for us NFL fans. For the first time in the Mahomes era, we get to see a desperate Chiefs team outside of the playoff picture. Even at their 5-5 record, though, they are FAVORED against an 8-2 team. I believe that is with good reason.

Over the past two games, we have seen Daniel Jones start to regress to the Daniel Jones we know and love from New York, turning over the ball consistently. He has accounted for nine turnover-worthy plays in that stretch, which is the most in the NFL. Meanwhile, they are going to need to rely on Jones, as the Chiefs have a top-10 run-stopping unit in the NFL, only giving up 86.7 rushing yards per game over their past three games (fifth-best over that span). I don't think they'll stop Jonathan Taylor, per se, but I think they can do enough to force Jones to have to make plays that I am not sure he will be able to make.

On the other side of the ball, I do like the Colts' defense a lot. I don't see too many glaring weaknesses at any level, but I do think they are a bit vulnerable in terms of linebacker coverage. Travis Kelce has quietly been having a great season, and I think he is lined up for another great game here. With Mahomes, Kelce, and the entire Chiefs team needing a win, with their backs against the wall, I can't bring myself to bet against them. 

 

 

 

How To Bet On NFL Week 12 With The BetMGM Bonus Code & Unlock $150 In Bonus Bets

If you want to make the most of our free picks, try signing up to BetMGM with our exclusive bonus code ALARM!

This welcome bonus is straightforward and inclusive, giving you the chance to place wagers on any matchup you like during NFL Week 12. After registering through this offer, simply deposit at least $10 and place a qualifying bet of $10 or more.

As long as you bet at least $10 with your first bet, you're ready to just kick back and root for it to win. If it does, you’ll get $150 in bonus bets, even if you're betting a big favorite like the Ravens over the Jets! In other words, you’re getting 15/1 odds on anything when you become a new member with our BetMGM bonus code ALARM!

 

 

 

NFL Week 12 Spreads For All 14 Games Provided By BetMGM Sportsbook

We just unveiled our NFL Week 12 picks, and below are the spread odds for each matchup, provided by BetMGM Sportsbook:

  • Bills -6 vs. Texans +6 (TNF) 
  • Vikings +6.5 vs. Packers -6.5
  • Colts +3.5 vs Chiefs -3.5
  • Patriots -7 vs. Bengals +7
  • Steelers +2.5 vs. Bears -2.5
  • Jets +10.5 vs. Ravens -10.5
  • Giants +10.5 vs. Lions -10.5
  • Seahawks -13.5 vs. Titans +13.5
  • Jaguars -3 vs. Cardinals +3
  • Browns +4 vs. Raiders -4
  • Eagles -3.5 vs. Cowboys +3.5
  • Falcons +1.5 vs. Saints -1.5
  • Buccaneers +6.5 vs. Rams -6.5 (SNF)
  • Panthers +7 vs. 49ers -7 (MNF)

Be sure to come back and check out our NFL Week 12 Picks Against the Spread or take advantage of our BetMGM bonus code ALARM by signing up now!