Key Matchups & Predictions for NFL Week 12: Colts vs. Chiefs Lead the Charge
NFL Week 12: Key Matchups and Predictions
As the NFL regular season heads into Week 12, several games carry weight — with playoff implications, divisional battles, and teams needing a spark. Here’s a look at the key matchups and predictions, based on analysis from Sports Illustrated.
Steelers at Bears
- Key Battle: Pittsburgh’s short passing game vs. Chicago’s defense. The Steelers rely heavily on throws under nine yards, but the Bears are strong in that area.
- Prediction: The Bears take a close one — Chicago 23, Pittsburgh 20.
Colts (8–2) at Chiefs (5–5)
- Key Battle: Colts’ rushing machine vs. Kansas City’s front seven. Indianapolis leads the league in EPA per rush, largely thanks to Jonathan Taylor.
- The Chiefs’ run defense is solid (ninth in the league), but if the Colts get rolling, KC could be in trouble.
- Spread: Chiefs favored by 3.5 points.
- Prediction: SI leans toward a narrow Kansas City win — 27 to 24.
- Alternative views: Some bettors and analysts, like those at BetMGM, think the Colts may cover or even win outright, citing their explosive offense.
Eagles (8–2) at Cowboys (4–5–1)
- Key Battle: Jalen Hurts’ passing efficiency vs. Dallas’s leaky pass defense. The Eagles rank 28th in passing yards per game, and the Cowboys are 30th in pass defense.
- Philly will need to tighten up protection — their right tackle, Lane Johnson, is out, which could be a problem.
- Prediction: Philadelphia 24, Dallas 20 — the Eagles do just enough to pull ahead.
Buccaneers at Rams
- Key Battle: Matthew Stafford and top receivers (Nacua, Adams) vs. Tampa Bay’s secondary. The Bucs give up a lot of yards per throw.
- The Rams’ passing game, powered by Puka Nacua and Davante Adams, could exploit coverage breakdowns.
- Prediction: Rams 30, Buccaneers 24 — expect a high-scoring contest under the L.A. lights.
Panthers at 49ers
- Key Battle: Tetairoa McMillan (Panthers) vs. San Francisco’s secondary. McMillan has been the go-to target for Carolina and racks up production in the intermediate passing game.
- The 49ers also need to contain Rico Dowdle, their dangerous back, but if they can limit McMillan, Carolina’s offense becomes one-dimensional.
- Prediction: San Francisco 27, Carolina 19 — the 49ers do just enough to keep control.
Why Week 12 Matters
- For the Chiefs, a loss could push their season into desperation mode; they really need to win to stay in the playoff picture.
- The Colts, meanwhile, are trying to solidify their place as a top seed in the AFC. A win in Arrowhead could be huge.
- Other games, such as the Eagles-Cowboys and Bucs-Rams matchups, may not have as much immediate urgency for the postseason — but they could affect playoff seeding and momentum.
