NFL Week 12 picks against the spread

Earlier today, we took a look at the Phinsider straight up winner picks, and we saw how miserable my selections in Week 11 were. So, we can assume my picks against the spread broke that trend and were amazing, right? I so wish that were true.

Instead, I went 5-7-1 on the week, nearly matching my 5-9 straight up record from last week (I don't pick the Thursday night games in my spread picks). Another sub-.500 week pulls me down to 37-41-1 on the year for my picks (having started these in Week 6 this season).

Here are my Week 12 picks against the spread. You can find all of the current betting lines at the SB Nation odds page.

Tennessee Titans at Philadelphia Eagles (-11) - This is absolutely a huge number, especially with Tennessee having just beat Pittsburgh. The Eagles should win this game, but it should be closer than 11 points. Pick: Titans (+11)

Cleveland Browns at Atlanta Falcons (-3) - The Falcons claimed the top spot in the NFC South this past week, meaning they are in position to be crowned the best team in a sub-.500 division. They have won two straight games, which appears to be why they are giving points in this game, but they won those games against Tampa Bay and Carolina. I don't trust the Falcons and I think the Browns are a much better team than either Tampa Bay or Carolina. Pick: Browns (+3)

Detroit Lions at New England Patriots (-7) - A lot of people are in love with the Patriots right now, and rightfully so given how well Tom Brady is playing. I think they are set for an upset, however, with the Lions winning outright this week. With that, I will take the points. Pick: Lions (+7)

Cincinnati Bengals at Houston Texans (-2) - I'm surprises this line has the Texans as the favorite, especially after Cincinnati went into New Orleans and won. I'm again taking the points, and looking for an outright win, here. Pick: Bengals (+2)

Green Bay Packers (-8.5) at Minnesota Vikings - The line has slid slightly back toward the Vikings, but it's still a big number in favor of the Packers. If anyone is playing better than Tom Brady right now, it's Aaron Rodgers, and he should be able to take it to the Vikings this week. Pick: Packers (-8.5)

Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Chicago Bears (-5) - Chicago has done nothing as of late to garner much confidence in them, which appears to be why this line is as close as it is. No one trusts the Buccaneers, even after their 27-7 win over Washington last week, but this line could be bigger. The Bears offense showed some positive signs last week, and, hopefully, will do the same this week. Pick: Bears (-5)

Jacksonville Jaguars at Indianapolis Colts (-14) - The Colts should win this game against an inferior team. That inferior team, however, is not 14 points inferior. Jacksonville may still be trying to find themselves, and Blake Bortles is still a rookie, but they should be able to stay within two touchdowns. Pick: Jaguars (+14)

Arizona Cardinals at Seattle Seahawks (-7.5) - The Seahawks are not the same team as they were last year, and they are not invulnerable at home. They should win this game, but the Cardinals are a good team that does not seem to be getting much respect with this line. I'll take the points. Pick: Cardinals (+7.5)

St. Louis Rams at San Diego Chargers (-5.5) - The Rams are a hot choice right now, given their win over the Broncos last week, but they do not seem to be able to string multiple big game performances together, and, heading into San Diego, I have to think the Chargers have the advantage in this game, even with giving the 5.5. Pick: Chargers (-5.5)

Miami Dolphins at Denver Broncos (-6.5) - This game opened at 7.5, moved higher, then started sliding back toward Miami. The Dolphins are going to look to their defense to do the exact same thing St. Louis did last week to the Broncos. Denver, meanwhile, will be looking to rebound but will not be 100-percent healthy on offense. This game is set up to be a straight up upset for Miami, but even if the Broncos win, it should be close. Pick: Dolphins (+6.5)

Washington Redskins at San Francisco 49ers (-9) - A big number, but the way the Redskins have been this year, the big number seems appropriate. The 49ers should be able to get up on the Redskins, to the point that Colt McCoy may be inserted into the contest if Robert Griffin III is ineffective. Pick: 49ers (-9)

Dallas Cowboys (-3.5) at New York Giants - This could be a trap game, with New York likely playing better than most people expect. Dallas is still the better team here, so it comes down to the points. The Cowboys have to win by more than a field goal here, which could be exactly where this NFC East showdown lands. I'll take a chance and give the points, but would not be surprised if I am wrong here. Pick: Cowboys (-3.5)

New York Jets vs Buffalo Bills (in Detroit) (-2) - Who knows how this game will go. Buffalo has had a strange week, including their practice schedule being thrown off and the game moving out of Orchard Park and to Detroit, all thanks to a massive amount of snow. The Jets are coming off their bye week and could be looking for revenge based on the Week 8 trouncing they took at the Bills' hands. Buffalo is a better team, and I will give the points, but, for the second game in a row this week, I would not be surprised if I am wrong here. Pick: Bills (-2)

Baltimore Ravens at New Orleans Saints (-3) - The Saints will likely come out trying to prove they still own the Superdome, despite losses to San Francisco and Cincinnati in New Orleans the last two weeks. Will the third straight home game be the charms for the Saints? The Ravens get an extra week to watch exactly how those two losses happened for New Orleans. Even if this becomes a shoot-out, I see Baltimore hanging close to the Saints. Pick: Ravens (+3)