End Thanksgiving Weekend with Our ‘Intern Mike’ NFL Week 12 ‘Locks of the Week’

Intern Mike’s Season Record: 29-25-2 .537 W/L %

NOTE: Mike picked San Francisco in Thursday night's game as his fifth pick.

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Tampa Bay Buccaneers @ Indianapolis Colts, 1:00, CBS

The Bucs will be traveling to Indy for their fourth game on the road in the past five weeks.

They are very much alive in a weak NFC South, and this could be a game that potentially decides it. Tampa Bay comes into this game with banged up players all around the field; Rachaad White, Carlton Davis and Devin White will be game time decisions. Jamal Dean and Lavonte David are out.

The Colts have shown that they can put up big days on offense, and that’s what may be in store here. Jonathan Taylor has yet to rush for 100 yards in a game this year, and I believe the Colts get him going fresh off their bye against a beat up Bucs team.

PICK: Colts -2.5

Houston Texans @ Jacksonville Jaguars, 1:00, CBS

It has truly been an unbelievable season for rookie CJ Stroud and these Houston Texans.

At this point, it’s become abundantly clear that this is what Stroud and this team are. With eyes set on the division, I expect a great game here, with the edge going to Houston. They’re getting healthier by the week, and they’ve shown that they can not only beat this Jaguars team, but dominate.

They had a 37-17 win over them in the third week of the season. We’ve seen plenty of inconsistency from this Jaguars offense. They can’t be trusted here against a team who has covered five straight as an underdog, winning four of those games straight up.

PICK: Texans +1.5

Pittsburgh Steelers @ Cincinnati Bengals, 1:00, CBS

This game will serve as the measuring stick of what Cincinnati is, and will be going forward.

Losing Burrow for the season will be tremendously detrimental to a team that was already underperforming Super Bowl level expectations heading into the campaign. QB Jake Browning will be making his first career start, and he won’t exactly be eased into it. It’s a game Cincy has to have and he’ll have to deal with this well coached, extremely talented Steelers defensive unit.

The Steelers are also fresh off firing Offensive Coordinator Matt Canada, a move that fans have been pleading for for over two years. This will provide a much needed spark for this Pittsburgh team. Steelers get it done on the road.

PICK: Steelers -2

Kansas City Chiefs @ Las Vegas Raiders, 4:25, CBS

The Chiefs don’t seem like the high octane offense that we’ve come to know in the Pat Mahomes era, averaging the 14th most PPG on the season.

However, this team is just two drops away from being a 9-1 team, and this line is a whole lot different. While KC has struggled to hit their stride on offense this year, it has been their defense that has picked up that slack. They have not allowed more than 21 points in a single game this season, and I doubt it’ll be Aidan O’Connell and the Raiders to be the ones to change that tide.

Mahomes is 29-4 against the AFC West in his career, and off a loss, he’ll take his frustration out on this suspect Raiders secondary. This line has shifted to 9.5 & 10 on most books, but that’s a number that still wouldn’t scare me off.

PICK: Chiefs - 8.5 - Pick made on Wednesday*