NFL Week 12 Sunday picks

Week 12 of the 2024 NFL campaign kicked off with the Cleveland Browns defeating the Pittsburgh Steelers in a snowy AFC North showdown on Thursday Night Football. Now it’s time to focus on Sunday, and an intriguing schedule is in the cards. It includes a huge NFC battle between the San Francisco 49ers and Green Bay Packers before the Los Angeles Rams host the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday Night Football. Let’s get into our NFL best bets for Week 12.

NFL Week 12 Predictions 

Pick #1: Detroit Lions -7.5 over Indianapolis Colts (-105) 

Pick #2: Chicago Bears +3.5 over Minnesota Vikings (-115) 

Pick #3: Green Bay Packers -2 over San Francisco 49ers (-108) 

PICK #1: Lions -7.5 over Colts (-105) 

Giving more than a touchdown isn’t always the most enticing move when it comes to NFL betting, but there are certainly exceptions to the rule. Whenever Detroit takes the field, it’s often the exception. After all, the Lions are no stranger to positively routing opponents. They have outscored teams by a total of 159 points so far this season and their nine wins have come by an average of 17.2 points. Head coach Dan Campbell’s crew has put up a whopping 52 points in two of its last four contests and has scored at least 42 points on two other occasions during this 2024 campaign. Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery have already set the all-time NFL record for three teammates scoring a touchdown in the same game, having done it eight times. There is a reason – multiple reasons, you could say – why Detroit is favored to win the Super Bowl. Next up for Jared Goff and company is a matchup with the Colts, who rank 26th in the league against the pass and 25th in yards per pass attempt allowed. The Lions should be able to score more than enough to cover a relatively modest -7.5 spread. 

PICK #2: Bears +3.5 over Vikings (-115) 

The revamped Bears had high expectations heading into this 2024 campaign, so a 4-6 record represents a considerable disappointment. However, there is no question that Chicago is better than its record suggests. Head coach Matt Eberflus’ squad lost to the Washington Commanders on a Hail Mary and was in line to beat Green Bay this past week until a chip-shot field goal was blocked on the final play of the game. The Bears may not necessarily win this one outright, but it should be able to make it a low-scoring affair – one in which a field goal plus the hook could come in handy. Chicago is seventh in the NFL in scoring defense, allowing just 18.7 points per game. As for the Vikings, they are 8-2 but have lost two of their last five games and have not defeated an opponent with a .500 record or better since Week 4. Minnesota is 1-5 ATS in its last six contests against NFC North opponents; Chicago is 4-2 SU and 5-1 ATS at home this season. The Bears plus the points in front of the Soldier Field faithful looks like the right play.

PICK #3: Packers -2 over 49ers (-108) 

Fortunately for the 49ers, it won’t be freezing and snowing in Green Bay until Monday. Still, it will be colder in the Frozen Tundra than the California-based visitors would like. And even in good conditions, Lambeau Field is never an easy place to play. This year is no exception, as the Packers are well on their way to another playoff appearance. They are 7-3 and their only three losses have come against teams who are also in line for postseason spots in the Philadelphia Eagles, Lions and Vikings. It’s a much different story in San Francisco, where an injury-plagued squad is just 5-5. Christian McCaffrey is back, but Brock Purdy (shoulder), George Kittle (hamstring) and Nick Bosa (hip) are all questionable for Sunday. It just feels like this isn’t the 49ers’ year, and a road game against the Packers may add to their current woes.