The Touchdown Three: Week 12
If you thought Week 10 was bad, Week 11 has to be rock bottom. Not only did the Bills easily beat the Dolphins, not only did the Raiders not crush the Bengals, but the Cardinals gave up a TD on the final play of the game to mean that game turned into push. Last week was the first week this season without a win, and it didn’t feel good. I don’t want to be in this position again, and I won’t be in that position again with my Week 12 NFL picks.
Week 11: 0-2-1
Overall Record: 17-14-2
Broncos @ Bills -4
So it sounds like the hire of Vic Fangio is not going well. This week, Jason La Canfora reported that Fangio is struggling to connect with players and coaches, and although it has been denied, the results on the field suggest there could be some truth to it. The team are 3-7 and going nowhere in the AFC West. I wonder if Fangio is on the hotseat already. If he is the big question in Denver will have to be, can you fire the GM who is also the greatest player your franchise has ever seen?
The Bills proved me wrong last week. I expected them to slip up in Miami and it didn’t happen. I think we all know the deficiencies of this team, but what we can’t deny is how well they are coached, and how they are trying to put their players in the best positions to win. It is not the easiest schedule coming up. However, being in a soft AFC should mean the Bills make the playoffs for the second time in three years, which should not be sniffed at.
As mentioned above the Bills schedule is tough the next few weeks, so this is a must win. I expect them to win and win well and for questions to continue about the feasibility of Fangio and Elway long term. Take the Bills
Lions -3.5 @ Washington
Staying competitive with a back-up QB who you never expected to play is not easy, but the Lions and Jeff Driskell have managed that in recent weeks. Last week against the Cowboys, the Lions gave them a fright, and given his performance Driskell has become fantasy viable in certain situations. The Lions are not a good team but they are competitive, and although it wouldn’t save the coaches job for me, I wonder if the owner thinks differently.
This week you can buy tickets to the Washington game, in good seats for $4. I am not sure I need to say anymore about the state of the franchise than that. The eternal optimists will say that Washington finally got their future (Haskins, Guice and McLaurin) on the field last week. Realists will highlight that they still lost heavily and the Vets in the team do not seem to care. Washington is a mess and the sooner the season ends the better.
I haven’t even got a witty comment on this game. Take the Lions
Packers +3 @ 49ers
The Packers are in a serious battle with the Vikings to win the NFC North. They are 8-2 coming off a bye, but there is no room to breathe as it looks like they will need to win 11 or 12 games to get a home playoff game. The Packers have exceeded my expectations this season, and with the team getting healthier after the bye I expect their good play to continue.
The 49ers survived an early scare last week to move to 9-1 on the season. The team should be given a lot of credit for the way they have played this season, however the last few weeks have been a struggle and with a tough schedule coming up they need to be careful the Seahawks don’t catch them. One way to prove the doubters wrong is better play from Jimmy GQ, he has struggled in recent weeks and will need to step up if the 49ers are going to get a bye in the playoffs.
As someone who started watching the NFL in the Early 90’s this game reminds me of my youth and watching Favre vs Young in games that meant so much. Back then I always wanted the 49ers to win. This week I have no allegiance, but I am going to take the team with the better QB, especially as he is getting points. Rodgers beats Jimmy GQ here, take the Packers
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Paul Mainwaring
NFL Analyst
A former UKEndzone writer, Paul has been dragged out of an enforced retirement to give his thoughts on the NFL and anything else he can slide past the editorial team.
Paul is most famous (infamous?) as Mainz one half of Waxing Lyrical. alongside his Partner in Crime Neil ‘Dutts’ Dutton.
Find him @Mainzey7 where all manner of sports are on the menu.
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