Week 12 NFL Picks. Indy and New Orleans Try to Go To 11-0.

As we enter Week 12, the obvious focus is on the unbeaten Indianapolis Colts and New Orleans Saints. Throw in the 9-1 Minnesota Vikings and you have the three best teams in the NFL today.

However, there is still nothing at wrong with the New England Patriots, the Dallas Cowboys or the San Diego.

In fact, the Chargers are writing one of the most intriguing stories this season.  Back during the bye-weeks, the Chargers found themselves 3 ½ games out of first in the AFC West. In fact, that was just 34 days ago after a Week 6 loss at home to Denver. However, with that impressive 32-3 win over the struggling Broncos last Sunday, the Chargers have now won five straight and moved into first place in the division, one full game ahead of the Broncos.

Meanwhile, the Tennessee Titans have also made an incredible turnaround this season and it would not be crazy to suggest that with Arizona (at home), Indy (on the road), St. Louis (at home), Miami (at home), San Diego (at home) and Seattle (on the road) left on the schedule, the Titans could finish 9-7 and sneak into the playoffs.

In fact, from the moment owner Bud Adams told head coach Jeff Fisher to start Vince Young or else, the Titans have gone 4-0 to get back to 4-6 and give themselves a legitimate shot at a Wild Card.

That's why this week's game against the Cards at LP Field in Nashville is so important. It is one of the biggest games of Week 12.

Let's take a closer look:

THURSDAY AFTERNOON

Green Bay Packers 6-4 at Detroit Lions 2-8 (+10.5)

The Packers are on a roll. They completely shut down a hot Cowboys team and then followed that up with a blowout victory over San Francisco. They'll ride their momentum into this game, where they shouldn't have any problems against a Stafford-less Lions squad.

Dr. Sports: Packers to win and cover.

The Coach: Packers to win and cover.

Oakland Raiders 3-7 at Dallas Cowboys 7-3 (+13.5)

Tony Romo's three Thanksgiving games: 34-9 over Seattle, 34-3 over the Jets, and 38-10 over Tampa Bay. Romo spends too much time golfing and dating celebrities, so winning in the national spotlight on Thanksgiving plays right into his agenda. Romo may choke in the clutch, but he shines in these easy Turkey Day battles.

Dr. Sports: Cowboys to win and cover.

The Coach: Cowboys to win but not cover.

THURSDAY NIGHT

New York Giants 6-4 at Denver Broncos 6-4 (+6.5)

The Giants really needed that victory over the Falcons last week. You could see that Manning and Tom Coughlin were relieved in their post-game news conferences. With confidence now on their side, New York goes into Denver and wins by double digits. You don't want any part of the tanking Broncos right now.

Dr. Sports: Giants to win and cover.

The Coach: Giants to win and cover.

SUNDAY AFTERNOON

Washington Redskins at Philadelphia Eagles (-9.5)

Dr. Sports doesn't think the Eagles will be focused here. They already beat Washington, so with a two-game road trip against the Falcons and Giants coming up, the Doc figures the Iggles might take this game lightly.

Dr. Sports: Eagles to win but not cover.

The Coach: Eagles to win and cover.

Seattle Seahawks 3-7 at St. Louis Rams 1-9 (+3)

The Seahawks stink this year, but they were awful last year and still swept the Rams. In fact, Seattle has taken the past nine from St. Louis.

Dr. Sports: Seahawks to win and cover.

The Coach: Rams to win.

Carolina Panthers 4-6 at New York Jets 4-6 (-3)

Mark Sanchez should be tested to see if he's colorblind. He had wide-open receivers downfield last week, but fired the ball to Patriots corners instead. After starting 3-0, New York's season is over. The victory they had over the Patriots in Week 2 has obviously been exposed as a fraud. The Panthers have more to play for because they have to leapfrog fewer teams to qualify for the playoffs (three, compared to New York's five).

Dr. Sports: Panthers to win.

The Coach: Panthers to win.

Miami Dolphins 5-5 at Buffalo Bills 3-7 (+3)

As long as Sparano sticks with Williams, Miami should easily defeat a Buffalo squad that currently has major offensive line issues. You win games in the trenches in the NFL, and that's a very weak area for the Bills right now. Mike Shanahan can't get to Buffalo soon enough.

Dr. Sports: Dolphins to win and cover.

The Coach: Dolphins to win and cover.

Cleveland Browns 1-9 at Cincinnati Bengals 7-3 (-14)

Unlike last week, Brady Quinn won't have a solid ground attack by his side. The Bengals haven't allowed 100 rushing yards to any team since Oct. 4.However, the Bengals are seldom successful covering a high line. Since 2007, they are 1-7 against the spread when favoured by 3.5 or more.

Dr. Sports: Bengals to win but not cover.

The Coach: Bengals to win and cover.

Indianapolis Colts 10-0 at Houston Texans 5-5 (+3.5)

This is Houston's Super Bowl. If they lose this game, they fall to 5-6, and their season is probably over. They’ll play the Colts tough, but they won’t win.

Dr. Sports: Colts to win and cover.

The Coach: Colts to win and cover.

Kansas City Chiefs 3-7 at San Diego Chargers 7-3 (-13.5)

After three really tough wins, the Chargers get the crappy Chiefs. Sure, KC looked good last week against the Steelers, but lightning won’t strike twice.

Dr. Sports: Chargers to win and cover.

The Coach: Chargers to win but not cover.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers 1-9 at Atlanta Falcons 5-5 (-12)

Atlanta could come out flat after that loss to the Giants, and with two tough battles against the Eagles and Saints after this, they might be looking ahead. However, the Falcons need to win this game, and how can anyone back the Buccaneers with any confidence, given that the turnover happy Josh Freeman will be playing on the road for the second time in his pro career.

Dr. Sports: Falcons to win and cover.

The Coach: Falcons to win and cover.

Jacksonville Jaguars 6-4 at San Francisco 49ers 4-6 (-2.5)

The 49ers were just blown out, while the Jaguars sit at 6-4. This is a strange game for the Jaguars. Traveling across the country to battle a non-conference opponent, and given that they have Houston, Miami and Indianapolis after this contest, Dr. Sports thinks this is a breather.

Dr. Sports: Jaguars to win.

The Coach: 49ers to win and cover.

Chicago Bears 4-6 at Minnesota Vikings 9-1 (-10.5)

These teams hate each other so much, Minneapolis has to hide the bears in the state zoo so the Vikings fans don’t throw stuff on them. The home team has won 11 of the last 13 meetings and Brett, with all those receivers who are young enough to be his sons, are on fire.

Dr. Sports: Vikings to win and cover.

The Coach: Vikings to win and cover.

Arizona Cardinals 7-3 at Tennessee Titans 4-6 (-2)

This game means very little to the Cardinals, who host the Vikings next week. The Titans are playing with fire and they will continue their winning ways at home.

Dr. Sports: Titans to win and cover.

The Coach: Titans to win and cover.

Pittsburgh Steelers 6-4 at Baltimore Ravens 5-5 (-2.5)

The home team has won 12 of the last 14 meetings and the Steelers have won the last 3. With the “Who’ll play QB mystery,” the Steelers are facing, it's hard to get excited about the defending Super Bowl champs right now.

Dr. Sports: Ravens to win and cover.

The Coach: Ravens to win and cover.

THE MONDAY NIGHTER

New England Patriots 7-3 at New Orleans Saints 10-0 (-3)

Huge statement game for the Patriots. They aren't going to catch the Colts, but the Saints bubble has to break sometime, and the Patriots had the chance earlier this season to take down an unbeaten team and it's hard to imagine they’ll blow the chance a second time.

Dr. Sports: The Patriots to win.

The Coach: The Patriots to win.

The Doc is 105-55 on the season, and 86-74 against the spread. The Coach is 99-61 straight up and 81-79 against the spread.