1. Minnesota Vikings vs. Chicago Bears
Jay Cutler has been a turnover machine and his last road start (SF) saw him throw five picks. The Vikings are playing very well as a unit and we expect Allen and Co. to put continuous pressure on Cutler and force multiple turnovers. They’ll also sack him a handful of times and they’re our topfantasy football D/ST in Week 12.
2. Dallas Cowboys vs. Oakland Raiders
While the Cowboys offense has been MIA the past few weeks, the same can’t be said about its defense. The unit has stepped up and the front seven is generating more of a pass rush than earlier in the season. Expect that pass rush to create all sorts of problems for QB Bruce Gradkowski and for the Raiders to have difficulty reaching 10 points on Thanksgiving.
3. Cincinnati Bengals vs. Cleveland Browns
The Bengals allowed a very winnable game to slip through their fingers in Oakland and will be ready to go in this one. The Browns are a complete mess offensively, the last game not being a true indicator of what this unit is, and we like the Bengals CBs (Joseph, Hall) to pick off two passes here. The front seven will sack Brady Quinn at least three times.
4. San Diego Chargers vs. Kansas City Chiefs
The Chargers defense has come together and just held the slumping Denver Broncos to three points in their home park. The pass rush has improved considerably and the secondary has played well all year. Look for Merriman and Co. to get after Cassel and force a few turnovers.
Sleepers
1. St. Louis Rams vs. Seattle Seahawks
The Seahawks are a very poor road team and usually fail to show up offensively when they play away from home. In Week 11, it was 35 – 3 before they put up a late game TD at Minnesota. The Rams defense is playing better as a unit and this is a much easier test than the last two weeks (New Orleans, Arizona). They’re a solid fantasy sleeper in Week 12.
2. New York Giants vs. Denver Broncos
What happened to the New York Giants defense? Bill Sheridan is what happened. His defensive play calling is highly suspect and there’s a great deal of confusion amongst his players as to where people are supposed to be. That being said, this happens to a be a good situation for the Giants defense. The slumping Broncos are a mess right now and we expect Tuck and Co. to get after Orton.
Others We Like
Miami Dolphins vs. Buffalo Bills
The Dolphins front seven has found its rhthym and Joey Porter is once again sacking QBs. The Bills offensive line is about as depleted – and poor – as it gets and we like Miami to control the line of scrimmage and thus, the Bills offense.
Green Bay Packers vs. Detroit Lions
After the loss to Tampa Bay, Dom Capers made adjustments to his defense and they’ve been playing both the run as well as the pass much better. They’ve also utilized creative blitz packages to get after the QB. The Lions will probably have to go with Daunte Culpepper on Thanksgiving and his lack of mobility makes him an easy target.
Philadelphia Eagles vs. Washington Redskins
The Skins might be forced to play this game with their 3rd string RB (Portis concussion, Betts torn ACL) and this means the Eagles will make them one dimensional. The Redskins desperately want to avoid putting Campbell into that position because the result will be multiple sacks and turnovers.
A Few More
Atlanta Falcons vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
New York Jets vs. Carolina Panthers
Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Baltimore Ravens
