By: Kevin Cottrell Jr. 

I. NFL Week 12 Predictions: (Last Week: 10-5-1) Last week was a pretty good one for me (well excluding the Bears debacle) and a weird one as I witnessed the Eagles and Bengals end in a 13-13 tie. As we approach week 12 teams are hitting their stride making their push towards the playoffs. Division races are heating up so let's take a look at how things make shake out!

1. Jets (7-3) @ Titans (10-0)- The AFC East leading Jets looks to clash with the AFC South leading Titans for a potential conference title preview. The preview may be a stretch but a hard fought 60-minutes is not. Favre and the Jets have all the confidence in the world coming off a win over the last team that was undefeated in the league (Patriots).  The Jets will attempt to move the ball on the ground with Thomas Jones and Leon Washington but if that doesn't work they always have the great Brett Favre to step back and sling the ball all over the field. As for the Titans they've won games on the ground, stopping the run and even with Kerry Collins' arm. Sunday they too will try to find a way to keep their flawless record in tact. My guess will be they will do all they can to keep things close and make the Jets one-dimensional forcing Favre into one of his many interceptions. This game will be one to keep your eye on. I know I will. Prediction: JETS by 3

2. Patriots (6-4) @ Dolphins (6-4)- This time last year the Patriots were trying to accomplish a perfect 16-0 season whereas the Dolphins were trying to avoid a 0-16 season. Both accomplished their goals but that was then...now they two are tied for second in the division (with the Fins winning their first meeting). The Patriots have had time to gel with inexperienced QB Matt Cassell and after falling short to the Jets in OT, will do all they can to avoid the two game skid at the hands of two division foes. Look for the Patriots to attack the mouthy LB Joey Porter with the run and various passing plays to keep him out of the backfield. As for the Dolphins I still find it hard to believe that this team is playoff bound although they do their best to prove me wrong every week. As for the Fins plans they can't rely on their wildcat offense because Belichick will have his defense prepared to stop this effective formation. There is no love lost between these two so expect things to get rough but expect the Patriots to come out on top. Prediction: PATRIOTS by 7

3. Vikings (5-5) @ Jaguars (4-6): This game will feature two of this year's disappointing teams. The Vikings were viewed upon as the early favorites to run away with the NFC North and many thought the Jaguars would be challenging the Colts for the AFC South title and not the Titans. Nevertheless the Vikings still have a chance to win their division and the Jags' are one good loss away from pulling the plug on their season. With that said look for Jacksonville play with more since of urgency at home both running the ball and do their best to stop Adrian Peterson. As for the Vikings until they can get more consistent play out of the QB position they will continue to be a mediocre team. This game has 20-16 all over it. As for who will have 20... Prediction: JAGUARS by 4

4. Colts (6-4) @ Chargers (4-6)- This game has recently been a fight between two AFC heavyweights but this year the two have dropped in weight class. The Colts started out slow but they've found a way to get their offense on track. The problem is consistently reaching the end zone. As for the Chargers their defense has not played to its level of the past and their offense is very inconsistent. L.T. has yet to have a break out game and Phillip Rivers continues to put up more quotes than touchdowns. Regardless of what's happened this Sunday the two will square off in San Diego a place where the Colts tend to struggle. This game will be tough to watch for both sets of fans but look for Manning to exercise his Southern Cal ghosts in picking apart the Chargers secondary. This game may not be as appealing as it has been in the past but they two will be playing for their post-season lives! Prediction: COLTS by 3

**GAME OF THE WEEK**

5. Giants (9-1) @ Cardinals (7-3)- The defending Super Bowl Champion Giants have overcome retirement (Michael Strahan) and injury (Osi Umenyiora) and posted a 9-1 record. Their defense still haunts offenses on Sunday's and the Cards too should be worried. They come into this week looking to get closer to clinching a division title led by the ex-Giant Kurt Warner. Warner has come up in recent MVP conversations with the likes of ironically Eli Manning- who Warner eventually backed up in New York prior to his departure. Warner has been successful throwing over 3,000 yards through the first 10 games but my guess would be that their running game must be effective to keep the Giants front four out of the Cardinals backfield. This sounds good but the truth of the matter is Warner is as stiff as a statue so if his O-Line can't do an excellent job of protecting the veteran he may not be able to finish this game. Prediction: GIANTS by 10

***Quick Picks***

Saints over Packers

Steelers over Bengals

Buccaneer over Lions

Bills over Chiefs

Bears over Rams

Eagles over Ravens

Browns over Texans

Cowboys over 49ers

Broncos over Raiders

Redskins over Seahawks

Falcons over Panthers

II. Sports Ventz