Sunday NFL Week 12 Picks, Seahawks playoff rooting guide

The back half of the NFL season is well under way.

The Seattle Seahawks are going to need some help if they want to secure a playoff spot; despite looking like steaming garbage in the game against the San Francisco 49ers yesterday, they are still very much in contention for a wild card spot. Improbably as it may seem, so much can change so quickly in the NFL that I am keeping my hope alive… so today’s picks double as a playoff rooting guide!

Saints @ Falcons — 10:00am — FOX — O/U 41.5

The Saints are 5-5 and the Falcons are 4-6; my inclination is to root for Atlanta, only because at this point they seem slightly less likely to be a threat to the Seattle’s wild card hopes, but obviously not by a whole lot considering that these two teams are separated by a single game. The Saints and Falcon will meet again in January, so we don’t have a previous matchup to go off of. Currently, the Falcons and Bucs share an identical record and sit one game behind the Saints. The NFC South is still very much in play, so… go with the home team on this one? DraftKings Sportsbook lists the Saints as slight favorites in this one, so I am hoping Atlanta comes out with a little extra incentive and pulls out the victory.

The pick: Over 41.5 points, Falcons win and cover

Buccaneers @ Colts — 10:00am — CBS — O/U 43.5

The Bucs losing here sure would be nice. Which is why it is encouraging news to see DraftKings Sportsbook listing them as underdogs to the Colts, even if by just under a field goal. Despite losing rookie passer Anthony Richardson to injury, the Colts are still the highest scoring team in the AFC South, currently. Maybe it is just wishful thinking, but I think Indy can take this one.

The pick: Under 43.5 points, Colts win and cover

Rams @ Cardinals — 1:05pm — FOX— O/U 43.5

I would love to get some vicarious revenge through the Cardinals. So let’s keep our hopes high but our expectations realistic; DraftKings Sportsbook is showing that the Rams are predictably the favorites in this one, but only barely. Call me incredulous, but I think the Cardinals do something wild and Kyler Murray reminds everybody that he is still actually pretty talented.

The pick: Under 43.5 points, Cardinals win and cover

Bills @ Eagles — 1:25pm — CBS — O/U 48.5

The Seahawks are well outside of contention for the NFC crown, and they looking like they are no longer in contention to win the NFC West. But they are not eliminated, technically, and there is still a lot of football to play this season. Yes, this is a lofty goal, but as Lloyd Christmas famously once said… “so you’re saying there’s a chance?”

DraftKings Sportsbook is accurately listing the Eagles as favorites, but only by a little over a field goal. I don’t think the Bills are the team that some people want to believe them to be this year and Philly proves to be the real contender.

The pick: Under 48.5 points, Eagles win and cover

Ravens @ Chargers — 5:20pm — NBC — O/U 47

DraftKings Sportsbook is less bullish on the Ravens this week than I might expect, but I suppose it makes sense. Baltimore embarrassed the Seahawks a couple weeks ago, then they lost a tight one to the Browns before taking it to Cincinnati by the tune of 14 points. They may not be the best team in the NFL, but they are close, and I think they prove it against a Chargers team that can only seem to beat basement dwellers.

The pick: Over 47 points, Ravens win and cover