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2022 NFL picks, score predictions for Week 12

By Sayre Bedinger

NFL Picks: Ezekiel Elliott #21 of the Dallas Cowboys celebrates with teammate Dak Prescott #4 after rushing for a touchdown against the Minnesota Vikings during the third quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium on November 20, 2022 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Adam Bettcher/Getty Images)
NFL Picks: Ezekiel Elliott #21 of the Dallas Cowboys celebrates with teammate Dak Prescott #4 after rushing for a touchdown against the Minnesota Vikings during the third quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium on November 20, 2022 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Adam Bettcher/Getty Images) /
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NFL Picks: Marcus Jones #25 of the New England Patriots scores a touchdown against the New York Jets during the fourth quarter at Gillette Stadium on November 20, 2022 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. The 84-yard punt-return TD was the first in the league this season. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images) /

New England Patriots (6-4) at Minnesota Vikings (8-2)

Thursday, November 24, 8:20 PM ET

Capping off the Thanksgiving slate of games is a really intriguing matchup between the Minnesota Vikings and New England Patriots. Let’s look at the recent stretch of games for the Vikings first and foremost.

The Vikings have been winning on a regular basis this season. Before Sunday’s absolute debacle against the Dallas Cowboys, the Vikings were just riding that winning feeling. Kirk Cousins was celebrating shirtless on the team plane, the Vikings got a road win against Buffalo of all teams, and head coach Kevin O’Connell was looking like a three-point shooter that simply couldn’t miss out there.

The Vikings’ winning feeling came screeching to a halt on Sunday when Dallas came to town and like a 90s movie villain took the Vikings’ lunch money, gave them a wedgie, and shoved them into a locker. The Vikings got beat up, embarrassed, and smacked to the ground against Dallas, and they don’t have very long to lick their wounds. They’ve got Bill Belichick’s defense coming to town and that defense has put forth some impressive performances of late.

New England Patriots key defensive numbers in 2022

  • 5 wins in last 6 games
  • 38 points allowed in those five wins
  • 2nd in NFL in scoring defense (season as a whole)
  • 87 passing yards allowed in last 2 games COMBINED

The last statistic seems like a typo, but it’s not. The Patriots have allowed 87 passing yards in their last two games, wins against the Colts and Jets.

Can Justin Jefferson — probably the best receiver in the league this year — get the better of Bill Belichick, or is the Master going to school the rookie NFL head coach on his own home field in this one?

Prediction: Patriots win 23-16

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