Prisco's NFL Week 12 Picks: Lions, Cowboys and Steelers roll on Thanksgiving Day

Once Thanksgiving rolls around, the real season -- and meaningful playoff talk -- begins

By Pete Prisco

Nov 22, 2016 at 11:00 am ET • 4 min read

I love Thanksgiving football, a time when the NFL season truly begins in terms of playoff talk.

So with that, I offer a pledge: I am ready to make a playoff push with my picks. So far, I've been one of those floundering teams trying to find an identity.

It's been bad.

Picking winners has been as tough as picking the winner of this year's presidential race, which was blown by so many pre-election polls. But as Turkey Day approaches, it's time to get right for me and my picks.

Remember: The real season doesn't start until Thanksgiving.

So here goes:

Minnesota Vikings at Detroit Lions

This is for first place in the NFC North, a huge Thanksgiving Day game for both teams. The Vikings broke a four-game losing streak last week, while the Lions edged the Jaguars. The Vikings won with special teams and defense. That won't be the case here. This will be close, but I like the Lions at home.

Pick: Lions 21, Vikings 20

Washington Redskins at Dallas Cowboys

This should be a high-scoring game with both teams moving the football. The Redskins are traveling on a short week, which is tough. But their offense is rolling now, much like the Cowboys. Look for a lot of points and a Dallas victory. Dak Prescott keeps winning.

Pick: Cowboys 36, Redskins 27

Dak Prescott and the Cowboys face NFC East rival Washington on Thanksgiving Day. Getty Images

Pittsburgh Steelers at Indianapolis Colts

This is another game that might see plenty of scoring, although with Andrew Luck possibly out with a concussion that could change things. I can't see Scott Tolzien lighting up the Steelers. The Colts have won two straight to get to .500. But this is a big challenge for their defense with Ben Roethlisberger coming to town. The Steelers will get the best of it.

Pick: Steelers 33, Colts 28

Tennessee Titans at Chicago Bears

The Bears are back home after two road losses, but they are without a lot of key players, including Jay Cutler. The Titans are playing consecutive road games after losing to the Colts. I think they will overcome that here with a hard-fought tight victory against a beat-up team.

Pick: Titans 20, Bears 13

Jacksonville Jaguars at Buffalo Bills

The Jaguars are playing consecutive road games and playing out the string. Buffalo is still alive after beating the Bengals. That matters. The LeSean McCoy injury situation bears watching, but he should play. That matters. Bills take it.

Pick: Bills 23, Jaguars 10

Cincinnati Bengals at Baltimore Ravens

The Bengals will be without A.J. Green, which changes their dynamic. They have issues without him. The Ravens lost to the Cowboys, but hung around on the road last week. Back home, they will put an end to the Bengals' playoff chances.

Pick: Ravens 27, Bengals 20

Arizona Cardinals at Atlanta Falcons

This is a second straight road game for the Cardinals and it's against a good team coming off a bye. Add in the long trip and it's not a pretty picture for the Cardinals. It just hasn't been their season. Matt Ryan will keep it that way.

Pick: Falcons 27, Cardinals 23

New York Giants at Cleveland Browns

The Browns haven't won yet, and I don't expect that to happen here. The Giants have won five straight and they're improving on defense weekly. Look for Eli Manning to put up a big number as well.

Pick: Giants 31, Browns 17

Los Angeles Rams at New Orleans Saints

Jared Goff will make his first NFL road start at quarterback for the Rams in a tough place to play. The Saints will have had 10 days off before this. The battle between Drew Brees and that Rams defense will be fun. I think he does enough.

Pick: Saints 20, Rams 14

San Francisco 49ers at Miami Dolphins

The 49ers are playing better with Colin Kaepernick, but this is a long trip against a hot team in Miami. The Dolphins have won five straight games. The 49ers can't stop the run, which will be a problem in this one. Dolphins take it.

Pick: Dolphins 23, 49ers 13

San Diego Chargers at Houston Texans

The Chargers are coming off their bye, while Houston is playing on a short week. The Texans have offensive issues. The Chargers don't. Look for a close game, but the Texans will find a way at home like they've done all season.

Pick: Texans 21, Chargers 20

Seattle Seahawks at Tampa Bay Buccaneers

This is a long trip for Seattle, but they are riding high. Tampa Bay has won two straight, but this is a big step up in class. Jameis Winston is playing well, but the Legion of Boom will slow him down here. Seattle takes it.

Pick: Seahawks 24, Bucs 13

Carolina Panthers at Oakland Raiders

The Panthers are fighting for their playoff lives, which will show up there. Cam Newton will move the football on the Oakland defense to keep it close. The Raiders will score through the air against the Carolina secondary. It will be fun to watch, but Raiders win a close one.

Pick: Oakland 27, Panthers 26