Bodog NFL Week 12 Picks

These are not, however, your run-of-the-mill sideline patrollers. In an era where teams willingly swap compensatory draft picks to obtain their coach of choice, Lovie Smith and Bill Belichick are two of the most prized commodities in the drillmaster industry.

The pair have combined to capture two of the last three NFL Coach of the Year awards (Belichick got the honors in 2003; Smith in 2005) and have been instrumental in building two of the most efficient defensive units in the modern era.

This weekend, however, both of those units will be missing integral pieces. The Bears will be without Ricky Manning Jr., who has been suspended one game for pleading no contest to assault charges stemming from an incident at UCLA in April. The Patriots have issues of their own, as four players in the secondary - Ellis Hobbs (knee), Asante Samuel (knee), Eugene Wilson (hamstring) and Chad Scott (groin) - are all listed as questionable for the game. Combine that with the loss of Pro Bowl safety Rodney Harrison (shoulder), and the depleted defensive backfield could be ripe for Rex Grossman to pick apart.

Look for Belichick to scheme a variety of blitz packages in the hopes of throwing Grossman off his game. Chicago's gunslinger has a reputation for losing his mechanics under pressure, as evidenced by his dreadful performance against Arizona in Week 6. Against the harassing Cardinals, Grossman was sacked twice, fumbled twice and threw four interceptions.

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If not for the Houston Texans, no one would have any doubts about the Jags. But two losses to the league bottom-feeders are the grains of salt bettors must take with a Jacksonville season that's featured wins over Dallas, Pittsburgh, Philadelphia and both New York teams. A couple other caveats: Jacksonville has only one win on the road and is facing a team that's covered three point spreads in a row. -JB

The Jets are a surprise 5-5 squad that could step into playoff contention. What makes their record particularly odd is that they haven't won games with a very good offense (25th overall) or defense (29th). However, in addition to upsetting elite squads like New England, they've got a good grasp on how to beat teams they should; New York is 4-1 straight up and against the spread versus opponents under .500. - CR

The Steelers are dying, but not quite dead. Winners of two straight, Pittsburgh will have to sweep its last two matchups with the Ravens (and probably every other game) if it hopes to make the postseason and defend the title. QB Ben Roethlisberger threw another three picks last week at Cleveland, and that gives him a league-worst 17 on the year. Not good, especially considering the Ravens' defense also leads the NFL in interceptions. It's snagged 18 of them. - JB

The battle of Ohio is always a spirited affair, but it's been all Cincinnati in recent years. The Bengals have won four straight meetings dating to 2004 and are favored to make it five on Sunday. In Week 2, the Bengals beat the Browns 34-17. Cincy snapped a three-game losing streak last week with a 31-16 pasting of the Saints in New Orleans. It was receiver Chad Johnson's second huge outing in a row. In Weeks 10 and 11 combined, Johnson teamed with QB Carson Palmer for a ridiculous 450 yards and five TDs through the air. - JB

It's pretty apparent opponents have figured out the Vikings’ dink-and-dunk offense. Minnesota has dropped four games in a row and have only once reached 20 points over that stretch. Luckily, the Cardinals are coming to town, and the only thing they've figured out this year is how to underachieve and blow huge leads. In four tries, they've also failed to cover a single spread on the road. - CR

The 49ers have quietly stepped into contention in the NFC West, and you can give most of the props to RB Frank Gore. The second-year back has already topped 1,000 yards rushing on the season and has 100 yards in the Niners' past two victories. Look for him to have another big game in St. Louis. The Rams rank second-worst in the league against the run. - CR

Both New Orleans and Atlanta are hoping to snap losing streaks and keep pace with the charging Carolina Panthers (6-4) in the NFC South. The once-feared Falcons' running attack was stymied last week in Baltimore. The Ravens held QB Michael Vick and RB Warrick Dunn to just 106 yards on the ground, which doesn't sound too bad until you consider Atlanta averages 189.4 rushing yards. The good news if you're backing the Falcons is that the Saints are one of the worst run-stopping units in the NFL, surrendering 4.8 yards per carry. - JB

Evidenced by a shutout over St. Louis in Week 11, the Panthers’ defense seems to have regained its form. The key to its success has been stopping the run. The last four games the Panthers have covered have come against opponents they held to less than 100 yards rushing. Last week, Rams RB Steven Jackson gained just 27 yards on seven carries. Redskins RBs Ladell Betts and T.J. Duckett will have their work cut out against the Carolina front seven. -CR

The Eagles limp into Indy to face a Colts team that figures to be geared up to avoid losing back-to-back games for only the second time in four-plus seasons. Philly will (or, should) run Brian Westbrook hard and often against Indy’s shaky defense, and Jeff Garcia is (or, was) a capable backup quarterback. Despite the absence of Donovan McNabb, it wouldn’t be a surprise if this one stays close. After all, the Colts seem to insist on keeping things interesting to the end. - AB

After an impressive five-game winning streak, the Giants have dropped two straight and surrendered sole possession of first place in the NFC East. Tiki Barber criticized the play-calling after Monday night’s loss in Jacksonville, saying he thought the coaching staff abandoned the run too early. The Giants will likely give him and Brandon Jacobs plenty of carries this week as Eli Manning’s ego recovers from its latest bruising. The Titans are an emerging team and poised to surprise an opponent like New York, a struggling squad playing back-to-back road games in a short week. - AB

The LaDainian Tomlinson Express runs into a defense that has limited its last six opponents to 17 points or less. Behind Tomlinson’s 22 touchdowns, the Chargers have the most explosive offense in the league and will look to light up Oakland. Although this may have “letdown game” written on it, betting against San Diego will take some courage. Are you brave enough? - AB

Brett Favre on Monday night. The words evoke thoughts of bettor beware. Although he’s listed as questionable with a right elbow injury, no one expects that No. 4’s consecutive-starts streak will end at 231. His counterpart, Seattle’s Matt Hasselbeck, is also questionable. Hasselbeck has missed the last four games with a right knee sprain, but is expected to make his return. If both stars are on the field, this one could be a shootout. - AB

PHOTO: Bill Belichick will have to figure out a way to overcome New England's injuries on defense. (AP Photo)

Note: All NFL lines subject to change.

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