NFL picks against the spread, Week 12: Looking to maintain consistency in the SuperContest

Welcome back for Week 11 of the 2015 NFL season. The return of the NFL means gambling is back in our lives. The NFL might frown upon it, but gambling and fantasy football are two of the biggest reasons for the NFL’s insane level of popularity. I think they’ll put up with it.

This year I am back for another crack at the LVH SuperContest. The contest includes over 1,400 participants picking games each week to see who can come out on top. Our partners at OddsShark have staked myself and a handful of other participants in the SuperContest. You can track all of us here, and you can follow the standings here.

The contest involves picking five games each week, for 17 weeks. You get to choose which five games you will pick. The lines are locked in Wednesday evening, and picks are submitted by the end of the week. I am currently sitting at 35-18-2. I bounced back modestly from my worst week, going 3-2 in Week 11. Let’s see if I can bounce back! Here are my five picks for Week 12.

HOUSTON TEXANS (-3) over New Orleans Saints

This Saints team is difficult to figure out with the change at defensive coordinator. The defense was atrocious under Rob Ryan, but will firing him and getting through the bye week make a difference? I’ll roll the dice on the return of Brian Hoyer. Who would have ever thought those words would be typed ?

WASHINGTON (+3) over New York Giants

Washington faces a big problem with Chris Culliver finished for the season due to a torn ACL and MCL. That bodes well for the Giants passing attack, but Kirk Cousins can make this a competition. That is not a normal sentence, but at home, Cousins has done some damage. Washington has lost five straight SU and ATS in this series, but I think they can snap this streak at home against a bad Giants defense.

TENNESSEE TITANS (+1.5) over Oakland Raiders

The Raiders were the belle of the ball for much of the first half of the season. They have lost three straight now, and have failed to cover in their last two, losses to the Lions and Vikings. The Titans are not a good football team, but Marcus Mariota could make this thing interesting. Add in Raiders center Rodney Hudson unlikely to play with a doubtful status, and I think an improving Titans defense, coupled with the return of Kendall Wright could bode well.

KANSAS CITY CHIEFS (-6.5) over Buffalo Bills

The Chiefs are playing well, which means my decision to pick them probably means this is when they stumble. Kansas City has won four straight, covering the spread in all four. Kyle Williams and Mario Williams are both out, which would seem to bode well for Alex Smith and this offense at home.

San Diego Chargers (+4) over JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS

I have very few rules in life, but one is to take the points when I’m offered four from the Jaguars. Jacksonville could very well win this game, but they are not a particularly good team. The Chargers aren’t any good either, but I think this offense can put them in a position to make this a close one.

Here are all my picks for Week 12 (8-5-1 last week, 81-73-5 overall):

DETROIT LIONS vs. Philadelphia Eagles (+2.5): Eagles - Loss
DALLAS COWBOYS vs. Carolina Panthers (+1.5): Cowboys - Loss
GREEN BAY PACKERS vs. Chicago Bears (+8.5): Packers - Loss
HOUSTON TEXANS vs. New Orleans Saints (+3): Texans
ATLANTA FALCONS vs. Minnesota Vikings (PK): Falcons
CINCINNATI BENGALS vs. St. Louis Rams (+8.5): Bengals
INDIANAPOLIS COLTS vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (+3.5): Bucs
WASHINGTON vs. Giants (-3): Washington
TENNESSEE TITANS vs. Oakland Raiders (-1.5): Titans
KANSAS CITY CHIEFS vs. Buffalo Bills (+6.5): Chiefs
NEW YORK JETS vs. Miami Dolphins (+3.5): Jets
JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS vs. San Diego Chargers (+4): Chargers
SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS vs. Arizona Cardinals (-10.5): 49ers
SEATTLE SEAHAWKS vs. Pittsburgh Steelers (+3.5): Steelers
DENVER BRONCOS vs. New England Patriots (-3): Broncos
CLEVELAND BROWNS vs. Baltimore Ravens (+2.5): Browns