NFL Picks Week 12

After a disappointing 1-2 week, my total for the shortened season if picking is 5-4.  Still over .500 but not great.  Here are my picks for week 12.

NY Jets (6-5) at Washington (4-7) +3
The Jets are coming off a rather unconvincing victory over the Buffalo Bills while Washington has just won a gritty game in Seattle where they trailed by 10 in the 4th quarter.  Washington is getting healthier while they are showing they are not going to completely quit on their coach like it seemed previously.  Maybe the individuals on the team are playing for roster spots next season.  Sometimes just the idea of having a job is motivation enough for some guys.  The Jets have been absolutely atrocious traveling this season albeit with their only win a dominating performance at Buffalo.  Washington has been playing their opponents well in their building not losing by more than one score in any of their home loses.  I like the +3 here as the Jets defense may have to pitch a shutout of they are going to win this game.  Washington does one thing exceedingly well and that's rush the quarterback.  Look for Sanchez to be running for his life early and if the Jets can't get any running game going, it might even be a long day.  I'm taking Washington as home dogs and they might even win the game outright.
Pick: Redskins

Oakland (7-4) at Miami (3-8) -3.5
The Dolphins are hosting the Raiders who are flying across the country to play a 1 o'clock game.  Normally, this is never a good thing for the west coast team.  I don't think this will be a good thing for the Raiders.  Oaktown had a lot of trouble putting away a Bears team lead by Caleb Haine in their own building last week and had to rely on the leg of Seabass to win that game.  Miami is a team that is playing more like a playoff contender, than a former Andrew Luck contender.  One could make a case that the Dolphins could or should be 7-4 with their late game losses.  Their defense has been flying around of late and Matt Moore has actually been playing like a useful NFL quarterback.  They have weapons on offense with Marshall, Bess and Fasano.  I don't think the Raiders are a team that's ready to cross the country and beat a team that's playing good football.  It's weird picking a 3-8 team to cover against a 7-4 team but that's exactly what I'm doing today.
Pick: Dolphins

Detroit (7-4) at New Orleans (8-3) -9
The Saints are rolling right now.  They are scoring over 40 points per game in their building and they're playing a Lions defense without the suspended Suh.  It doesn't really matter who comes in to play them right now.  Drew Brees is going to pick them apart and it's not going to change with Detroit.  The Lions offense will score points, but they won't come within 20 points of the Saints offense. I think this is an easy one, even with the -9.
Pick: Saints