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SportsCasting

Colin Lynch

NFL Week 12: Expert Picks, Predictions, and Best Bets

Chargers Baker Mayfield Ravens 49ers Buccaneers Giants Packers Brock Purdy Christian McCaffrey DraftKings Sportsbook

NFL Week 12 is here, and we’re back with our NFL Week 12 expert picks, predictions, and best bets.

Week 12 of the 2024 NFL season arrives quietly, with six teams on bye and a slate that feels unassuming at first glance. Thursday’s Steelers-Browns clash offers little beyond the unpredictable nature of divisional rivalries, a flicker of hope for drama in an otherwise modest matchup.

Sunday’s storylines build slowly but meaningfully. The San Francisco 49ers, desperate to steady their season, travel to Lambeau Field to face the Green Bay Packers in a game loaded with implications. Meanwhile, the Arizona Cardinals and Seattle Seahawks collide in a fight for control of the NFC West, a rivalry rekindled with stakes raised.

And then there’s Monday night in Los Angeles—a stage set for a meeting steeped in football and family. The Chargers, led by Jim Harbaugh, host John Harbaugh’s Baltimore Ravens in a duel between brothers. Both teams eye wild-card berths, their paths intertwined in a matchup that mirrors their shared philosophies.

Check out our Week 12 NFL expert picks, predictions, and best bets!

NFL Week 12 Expert Picks, Predictions, and Best Bets

Buccaneers vs. Giants Betting Preview

All Buccaneers vs. Giants odds are from DraftKings Sportsbook and are correct as of Thursday, Nov. 21.

Spread
Buccaneers -6
Moneyline
Buccaneers -260, Giants +225
Over/Under
41
Game Time
1:00 p.m. ET
Location
MetLife Stadium | East Rutherford, NJ
Predicted Weather at Kick
50 degrees, 14.5 MPH winds
How To Watch
CBS

The New York Giants’ season has spiraled into yet another year of frustration. At 2-8, Brian Daboll’s squad seems destined for a top-5 pick in the NFL Draft, their struggles emblematic of a team searching for answers. The latest move feels less about winning and more about filling seats—naming Tommy DeVito as the starting quarterback for this week’s game against Tampa Bay. While DeVito’s story offered some charm last season, his performance on the field told a different tale. Among qualifying quarterbacks last year, only Bailey Zappe and Tim Boyle had a lower success rate.

On the other side, Baker Mayfield continues to battle through injuries around him in Tampa Bay’s offense. But against a Giants defense ranked 25th in DVOA, Mayfield’s path to success becomes much clearer. The likely return of Mike Evans provides an added weapon, one New York’s secondary seems ill-equipped to handle.

Tampa Bay should find rhythm on offense, exploiting a Giants unit that has struggled all year. For a team like New York, mired in another lost campaign, the hurdles seem insurmountable. I’m not buying Tommy Cutlets this time around. Back Mayfield and the Buccaneers to handle business here, covering the number while it remains under a touchdown.

The Prediction: Buccaneers 24 – Giants 10

Best Bet: Buccaneers -6

Baker Mayfield

– 26+ FPG
– QB5 overall
– Already had bye week

He gets Mike Evans back for week 12 on.

Fantasy football playoffs are SMASH matchups.

Their next 7 games might be the easiest schedule remaining.pic.twitter.com/Dsg1WhvTrD

— Snoog's Fantasy HQ (@FFSnoog) November 21, 2024

49ers vs. Packers Betting Preview

All 49ers vs. Packers odds are from DraftKings Sportsbook and are correct as of Thursday, Nov. 21.

Spread
Packers -2.5
Moneyline
49ers +135, Packers -135
Over/Under
47.5
Game Time
1:00 p.m. ET
Location
Lambeau Field | Greenbay, WI
Predicted Weather at Kick
50 degrees, 14.5 MPH winds
How To Watch
FOX

The San Francisco 49ers head to Lambeau Field this Sunday for FOX’s America’s Game of the Week, carrying the weight of urgency on their shoulders. After a narrow road win against Tampa Bay in Week 10, the Niners stumbled at home last week, falling to Seattle by three points. Now, they sit in last place in the crowded NFC West, with their playoff hopes hanging by a thread and +200 odds to make the postseason.

Quarterback Brock Purdy has been solid for much of the year but struggled against the Seahawks, throwing for just 159 yards with a touchdown and an interception. He now faces a Green Bay secondary allowing only 207.5 passing yards per game, ranked 13th in the league.

The Packers enter this matchup riding the momentum of a dramatic 20-19 win in Chicago, secured by a last-second blocked field goal. Head coach Matt LaFleur remains undefeated against the Bears and can improve to 3-2 against Kyle Shanahan and the 49ers with a win on Sunday.

These two teams last met in the Divisional Round, with the 49ers prevailing 23-20. But this time, the stakes feel even higher. With games against Buffalo and Detroit looming, San Francisco faces what might be a must-win scenario. Desperation often breeds opportunity, and the return of Christian McCaffrey might just be the spark the Niners need. Niners get the job done on the road.

The Prediction: 49ers 23 – Packers 17

Best Bet: 49ers ML +135

it’s his lil spongebob leg dance that just melts my heart. brock purdy’s a dog pic.twitter.com/MUjdoWAxlC

— crys; 🏈 (@crystalscuor) November 17, 2024