NFL Week 12, 2025: Key Matchups, Predictions, and What to Watch

Experts Split on Colts-Chiefs; Packers, Lions, and Ravens Heavily Favored

Buckle up, football fans—Week 12 of the NFL is rolling in like a freight train, packed with pivotal games, bold predictions, and all the resources you’ll need to sound like the smartest person at your Sunday watch party. Let’s break down who’s hot, who’s not, and where to dig up more info before the opening whistle blows. For bettors focused on player-driven outcomes rather than just spreads, our NFL touchdown predictions anytime scorer guide breaks down which players are most likely to find the end zone in high-impact matchups.

All eyes are on one of this week’s marquee matchups: the Indianapolis Colts, sitting pretty at 8-2, are heading into Arrowhead to face the 5-5 Kansas City Chiefs. Vegas has the Chiefs favored by 3.5 points, but don’t let that fool you—analysts are split right down the middle like a Thanksgiving wishbone. ESPN’s Football Power Index (FPI) gives Kansas City a 4.5-point edge, but this one’s tighter than a drum. If you’re looking for drama, this is your ticket.

Meanwhile, the Green Bay Packers (6-3-1) are rolling out the welcome mat for the 4-6 Minnesota Vikings, and they’re six-point favorites. The FPI is even more bullish, giving Green Bay an 8.6-point cushion. Over in Detroit, the 6-4 Lions are licking their chops as 10-point favorites against the 2-9 New York Giants, with the FPI showing an 8-point gap—let’s just say the Giants have their work cut out for them. In Baltimore, the Ravens are expected to soar past the New York Jets by about 13 points, according to both the spread and FPI. Even with heavy favoritism this week, Baltimore’s broader postseason outlook remains uncertain, as reflected in this Ravens playoff hopes fade amid Harbaugh unity report. That uncertainty is magnified across the AFC North with the Joe Burrow Thursday night return, a development that reshapes Cincinnati’s outlook and tightens the divisional playoff race If you’re a Jets fan, maybe keep the remote handy.

But not every game is a runaway. The Patriots, boasting a 9-2 record, are favored by 6.5 points in Cincinnati, but the FPI only gives New England a 1.4-point edge over the 3-7 Bengals—talk about a nail-biter in the making. The Chicago Bears (7-3) are hosting the Pittsburgh Steelers (6-4) as slight home favorites, with the FPI showing a razor-thin 0.6-point difference. Jacksonville is heading to Arizona, favored by 3 points over the 3-7 Cardinals, but the FPI says it’s closer—a 1.6-point advantage. And in Texas, the Eagles (8-2) are swooping into Dallas to face the Cowboys (4-5-1), favored by 3.5 points, with the FPI modeling a 2.7-point difference. In other words, don’t blink.

Some games, though, look more like David vs. Goliath—minus the slingshot. Seattle is favored by 13 points over the Titans, and the FPI sees a 10.7-point win for the 7-3 Seahawks. On Monday Night Football, the 49ers (7-4) are seven-point favorites over the Panthers (6-5), with the FPI giving San Francisco a 9.2-point lead. The 8-2 Rams are also favored by 7 points over the Buccaneers (6-4). Sometimes, the odds just aren’t in your favor.

If you’re hungry for more, ESPN’s guide is your all-you-can-eat buffet: full scoreboards, schedules, league standings, ticket info, ESPN BET access, fantasy football tools, expert picks, power rankings, and draft previews—all at your fingertips, courtesy of ESPN and their partners. If you want a deeper look at how individual markets shift around specific regions, our breakdown of Florida professional football teams highlights how the state’s franchises influence betting angles and divisional dynamics.

So, whether you’re bracing for a photo finish or expecting a blowout, Week 12 is serving up a smorgasbord of football drama. For readers tracking earlier-week angles that shaped these lines, our NFL Week 10 matchups sleepers and betting tips break down the under-the-radar spots bettors focused on before markets tightened. The predictions and spreads are backed by multiple sources, and ESPN’s links are there to keep you in the loop before, during, and after every snap. Let the games begin!