Mike Sando, ESPN Senior Writer 7y

NFL evaluators predict Week 12's best games

NFL, Detroit Lions, Minnesota Vikings, Pittsburgh Steelers, Indianapolis Colts, Carolina Panthers, Arizona Cardinals, Atlanta Falcons, Oakland Raiders, Denver Broncos, Kansas City Chiefs

ESPN senior writer Mike Sando asks league insiders to pick winners in selected games each week. Three personnel evaluators took the challenge in Week 12. The games remaining on the docket: Panthers-Raiders, Cardinals-Falcons, Chiefs-Broncos. The insiders' analysis for Vikings-Lions and Steelers-Colts was moved to the bottom of the story after the games were played. 


Arizona Cardinals at Atlanta Falcons

Sunday: 1 p.m. ET, Fox | Point spread: ATL by 4

The Cardinals are leading the NFL in defensive expected points added per game, but their issues on offense and special teams are pushing them out of the playoff race. All three insiders took the Falcons to win at home coming off their bye week.

"For the longest time, I was thinking Arizona would finally wake up and put a little run together," one evaluator said. "But Carson Palmer is playing inconsistently, and now you have Bruce Arians' health problems, Atlanta coming off a bye and Arizona is traveling. It's not too late for the Cardinals, and they are capable of making a run, but it just feels like there are a lot of moving parts."

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