In Week 12 of the NFL, the spotlight is on a notable matchup known as “The Harbowl,” where John Harbaugh’s Baltimore Ravens, holding a 7-4 record, will compete against Jim Harbaugh’s Los Angeles Chargers who are currently at 7-3. This Monday night showdown is significant as it marks their third career face-off, with their last meeting dating back to the Super Bowl of the 2012 season.
Among the seven divisional games this week, none feature two teams above .500; the most competitive contest is between the Arizona Cardinals (6-4) and the Seattle Seahawks (5-5), both vying for the top spot in the NFC West. Kicking off the week will be an AFC North duel, pitting the Pittsburgh Steelers (8-2) against the struggling Cleveland Browns (2-8).
In the upcoming games, several teams are projected to prevail by analysts. Starting with the Denver Broncos (6-5) visiting the Las Vegas Raiders (2-8), where the Broncos are tipped to take the win, backed by the impressive performance of rookie Bo Nix who could contend for the AP Offensive Rookie of the Year. Conversely, the Raiders are experiencing a rough patch with six consecutive losses and are seeking rejuvenation under new minority owner Tom Brady.
Next up, the San Francisco 49ers (5-5) will face the Green Bay Packers (7-3). The Packers are favored, but the 49ers still have a glimmer of hope for a playoff position despite their struggles. Both teams have faced challenges in the red zone, making this matchup crucial for capitalizing on scoring opportunities.
The matchup between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Cleveland Browns is significant, noted for the Steelers’ recent dominance in the AFC North. However, they must remain vigilant as the Browns, despite their poor record, have historically been a tough opponent at home.
As for the Minnesota Vikings (8-2) taking on the Chicago Bears (4-6), this game represents a clash of expectations with the Vikings exceeding theirs while the Bears have fallen short of their playoff aspirations. Despite a challenging streak, Bears quarterback Caleb Williams has shown promise without throwing interceptions in recent games.
The Detroit Lions (9-1) will visit the Indianapolis Colts (5-6), where the potent Lions offense is seeking to strengthen their playoff position. On the other hand, the Dolphins (4-6) are expected to fend off the New England Patriots (3-8) despite the Patriots’ rookie quarterback making strides in performance.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-6) look to break a four-game losing streak against the New York Giants (2-8), who are now starting Tommy DeVito at quarterback. Meanwhile, the Dallas Cowboys (3-7) are expected to struggle against the Washington Commanders (7-4), prompting discussions about their future season strategy.
In another intriguing matchup, the Kansas City Chiefs (9-1) will face the Carolina Panthers (3-7), with expectations for the Chiefs to rebound after their first loss of the season. Additionally, the Tennessee Titans (2-8) will look to push the Texans (7-4), who are on a hunt for the AFC South title.
The Arizona Cardinals (6-4) are geared up to meet the Seattle Seahawks (5-5), with both teams vying for playoff positioning. Finally, the Baltimore Ravens will meet the Chargers in a highly anticipated showdown where both teams’ strengths will be put to the test, illustrating the rivalry between potent offenses and resilient defenses.
In summary, last week’s outcomes revealed a record of 8-6 against the spread and straight up, while the overall tally stands at 112 wins to 64 losses outright and 89 wins to 75 losses with bets against the spread.