Bolts Set To Strike In Week 12 Confidence Pool

The only positive about last week was that we won our top two Confidence Pool picks, but after that we experienced a historic freefall that saw us lose 10 of the 13 games on the slate outright. We’ve had several outstanding weeks this season, but we crashed in Week 11 and are now determined to rebound. Let’s check out Week 12 where we rate our most confident straight-up pick from (15) (two teams on a bye) all the way to our least confident (1). The point spread on each game is in parentheses but these picks are not against the spread.

Week 11 Straight Up Record: 3-10 (33 of possible 91)

15. Chargers: Cardinals at Chargers (-12): We’re not sure how Arizona is supposed to keep pace with Philip Rivers’ passing attack but we’re guessing they won’t because, well, they’re the Cardinals.

14. Saints: Falcons at Saints (-13): The Saints were our top pick last week and could have easily been selected again, but we’re just a wee bit concerned that the boys down on the bayou could be looking ahead to a big game in Dallas and overlooking the Dirty Birds this week on Thanksgiving night.

13. Patriots: Patriots (-9½) at Jets: The Patriots suffered a humiliating loss to Tennessee before their bye week but have had ample time to lick their wounds and atone for their sins. The Jets are the perfect rival for Bill Belichick to unleash the hounds and win a laugher in Gotham.

12. Colts: Dolphins at Colts (-10): Don’t look now, but the Colts have mowed down four straight opponents and will have little problem hooking the Fins on Sunday. The best online sportsbooks found all in one place at Sportsbook Review, are so impressed with Andrew Luck and his charges they are dealing Indy as double-digit favorites … as well they should be!

11. Cowboys: Redskins at Cowboys (-7): Alex Smith is ouched, err - we mean out, for this one and Colt McCoy will be under center as a starter for the first time in three years. Enough said for this Thanksgiving game.

10. Ravens: Raiders at Ravens (-11): Oakland celebrated a victory over the hapless Cardinals last week like it was their Super Bowl. This week they face a team not named the Arizona Cardinals, which means they lose.

9. Bears: Bears (-4½) at Lions: Thanksgiving game. While it’s true the Lions were surprising victors over the Panthers last week, this is a different caliber of opponent and one Detroit lost to by a dozen just a few weeks ago.

8. Eagles: Giants at Eagles (-6): Philly has been such a disappointment this year it’s tough to back them under any circumstances, but the truth is they are a better team than the Giants and their fading star Eli Manning under center.

7. Steelers: Steelers (-3) at Broncos: This is not the Denver Broncos of seasons past when Mile High was a graveyard for the opposition and the Denver defense spelled gloom and doom. Pittsburgh is too strong on offense not to win this road tilt.

6. Bucs: 49ers at Bucs (-3): The Bucs may have a spectacularly lousy defense but, man oh man, can they score. Nick Mullens is not your savior, Niners’ fans.

5. Jaguars: Jaguars (-3) at Bills: The only team that has fallen further than the Eagles are the Jacksonville Jaguars. However, their last six losses were all against upper-echelon teams and now they get a chance to play the bully and beat up a weakling.

4. Browns: Browns (+3) at Bengals: The Browns have some fight in them this season and Baker Mayfield is fun to watch. This is an opportunity for Cleveland to give the apathetic Bengals a little payback for all those years of having turf kicked in their face.

3. Texans: Titans at Texans (-6): It’s never easy to fade our boys from Nashville, but the best online sportsbooks are installing Houston as six-point favorites for a reason Monday night. The enormous win over New England was terrific but it’s history, and unfortunately, so could be Tennessee’s playoff hopes after this game.

2. Seahawks: Seahawks (+3) at Panthers: If the Panthers couldn’t stop the Lions last week then what makes us believe that they’ll fare any better against a tough defense and a burgeoning offense like Seattle’s?

1. Packers: Packers (+4½) at Vikings: Minnesota’s offense is listless and their defense is overrated. Aaron Rodgers and the Packers have had 10 days to prepare and that cannot mean anything but bad news for Minny.