IT was billed as the clash of the two best defences in the NFL, and it was on Monday Night Football, prime time with no distractions.

So, every fan in the world was focused and geared up to see the epic battle between the Chicago Bears and the San Francisco 49ers. Instead of the close contest that we all anticipated, it turned out to be a romp as the 49ers ripped the Bears, 32-7, in a display of total dominance. This defeat raised more questions than answers.

Let’s set the stage. Both teams were going with their backup quarterbacks — Colin Kaepernick of the 49ers and Jason Campbell for the Bears, replacing Alex Smith and Jay Cutler, respectively. Both starting quarterbacks suffered concussions and were not cleared by their medical team to play. Kaepernick grasped the opportunity and impressed everyone with his debut performance, passing for 243 yards and two touchdowns.

Campbell, on the other hand, was sacked five times by the Bears’ awesome defence and threw three interceptions. The 49ers are on top the NFC West and already there is talk about a quarterback controversy arising when Alex Smith is due to come back as their starter.

As we recap some of the events of week 11, another match-up that precipitated a lot of attention was the contest between rookie Colts quarterback Andrew Luck and the Patriots veteran quarterback Tom Brady.

It was no-contest as the Patriots beat Indianapolis, 59-24. On the downside for the Patriots, the very talented Patriots tight end, Rob Gronkowski, suffered a broken right arm and will be sidelined or at least a month.

Meanwhile, the Philadelphia Eagles got blown out on the road by Robert Griffin III and the Washington Redskins. This defeat is yet another nail in the coffins of coach Andy Reid and QB Michael Vick.

Peyton Manning and the Denver Broncos kept rolling as they beat AFC West division rivals San Diego Chargers, 30-23. Manning, an all-time great and future Hall of Famer, is now certainly in the MVP debate this season.

And in another big division clash, this time in the AFC North, the Pittsburgh Steelers, without their starting QB Ben Roethlisberger — out with rib and shoulder injuries — lost a close defensive slugfest to the Baltimore Ravens, 13-10.

To make matters worse, Steelers’ back-up QB Byron Leftwich, who in any case looked ineffective against the Ravens, also got injured and it out for this week’s game.

So the Steelers will have to rely on another back-up, veteran Charlie Batch, to lead the team this week against the Cleveland Browns. I’m sure the Steelers fans can’t have Big Ben back too soon.

Incidentally, the Steelers signed veteran wide receiver Plaxico Burress during the week. You remember him — the guy who accidentally shot himself in the leg in a nightclub a few years back and ended up serving time in prison. Funnily enough, it was in Pittsburgh that Burress began his career back in 2000.

And now to the games on tap for what is arguably one of the biggest weekends in the NFL schedule — Thanksgiving. There were three games on Thursday. The Houston Texans visited Detroit to take on the Lions who lost a close one to Green Bay on Sunday.

RGIII and the Redksins rolled into Cowboy Stadium to face the Cowboys, who barely got past Cleveland with a 23-20 victory last week, and the Patriots faced the pathetic Jets, who can’t seem to keep their dirty laundry in the locker room where it belongs.

A very big game on Sunday is the matchup between the 49ers and the Saints. It may very well be the game of the week, considering how much the Saints have rebounded since their poor start and how much a well-oiled machine the 49ers are.

The Giants vs Packers, Chargers vs Ravens and Buccaneers vs Falcons, should also provide some great viewing.

In our on-going battle of NFL tipsters making predictions against the point spread, my colleague Andrei Roper was top dog last week, going an impressive 11-3, as he maintained his overall lead over Andre Hutchinson, me and Peter Lindo.

Nice going Andrei. There are no teams on a bye this weekend, so you have a full slate of games to enjoy.

Enjoy the Week 12 action, and remember to bet on the games with JustBet !!!

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NFL WEEK 12 SCHEDULE

Thursday Nov 22

Det Lions +4.5 v Hou Texans, U/O 50.5

Dal Cowboys v Was Redskins +4.5, U/O 48.5

NY Jets +7.5 v NE Patriots, U/O 50.5

Sunday Nov 25

Chi Bears v Min Vikings +5.5, U/O 41.5

Cin Bengals v Oak Raiders +7.5, U/O 49.5

Cle Browns +3.5 v Pit Steelers, U/O 39.5

Ind Colts v Buf Bills +3.5, U/O 52.5

Jac Jaguars +3.5 v Ten Titans, U/O 43.5

Kc Chiefs +10.5 v Den Broncos, U/O 44.5

Mia Dolphins +2.5 v Sea Seahawks, U/O 37.5

TB Buccaneers +1.5 v Atl Falcons, U/O 48.5

SD Chargers v Bal Ravens +1.5, U/O 46.5

Ari Cardinals v StL Rams +2.5, U/O 37.5

NO Saints +2.5 v SF 49ers, U/O 48.5

NY Giants v GB Packers +2.5, U/O 49.5

Monday Nov 26

Phi Eagles v Car Panthers +2.5, U/O 44.5

*Handicaps and Under/Over included*

*Handicaps and Under/Over subject to change without notice, prior to kick-off

EXPERTS’ PICKS AGAINST THE SPREAD

Andrei Roper’s Week 12 Picks (in bold)

Lions v Texans

Cowboys v Redskins

Jets v Patriots

Bears v Vikings

Bengals v Raiders

Browns v Steelers

Colts v Bills

Jaguars v Titans

Chiefs v Broncos

Dolphins v Seahawks

Buccaneers v Falcons

Chargers v Ravens

Cardinals v Rams

Saints v 49ers

Giants v Packers

Eagles v Panthers

Last week: 11-3

Season to date: 87-73

Andre Hutchinson’s Week 12 Picks (in bold)

Lions v Texans

Cowboys v Redskins

Jets v Patriots

Bears v Vikings

Bengals v Raiders

Browns v Steelers

Colts v Bills

Jaguars v Titans

Chiefs v Broncos

Dolphins v Seahawks

Buccaneers v Falcons

Chargers v Ravens

Cardinals v Rams

Saints v 49ers

Giants v Packers

Eagles v Panthers

Last week: 10-4

Season to date: 84-76

Tony Scott’s Week 12 Picks (in bold)

Lions v Texans

Cowboys v Redskins

Jets v Patriots

Bears v Vikings

Bengals v Raiders

Browns v Steelers

Colts v Bills

Jaguars v Titans

Chiefs v Broncos

Dolphins v Seahawks

Buccaneers v Falcons

Chargers v Ravens

Cardinals v Rams

Saints v 49ers

Giants v Packers

Eagles v Panthers

Last week: 8-6

Season to date: 76-84

Peter Lindo’s Week 12 Picks (in bold)

Lions v Texans

Cowboys v Redskins

Jets v Patriots

Bears v Vikings

Bengals v Raiders

Browns v Steelers

Colts v Bills

Jaguars v Titans

Chiefs v Broncos

Dolphins v Seahawks

Buccaneers v Falcons

Chargers v Ravens

Cardinals v Rams

Saints v 49ers

Giants v Packers

Eagles v Panthers

Last week: 9-5

Season to date: 75-85