USA TODAY Sports Network’s NFL Week 12 game previews, predictions

The USA TODAY Sports Network previews the Week 12 games, including the Cowboys-Patriots, Packers-49ers and Ravens-Rams matchups.

Week 12 of the 2019 NFL season is upon us, and playoff races are ramping up in earnest.

The Houston Texans edged the Indianapolis Colts, 20-17, on Thursday night to take sole possession of first place in the AFC South. That is one of several key games with implications on the playoff picture this week. The Seattle Seahawks visit the Philadelphia Eagles in a battle of teams who sit one game out of first place in the NFC West and NFC East, respectively. The Dallas Cowboys travel to meet the New England Patriots in an interconference matchup of two of the NFL’s most popular teams.

The Green Bay Packers travel to California to take on the San Francisco 49ers in a matchup of division leaders on Sunday night. The Baltimore Ravens, currently ranked No. 1 in the Touchdown Wire Power Rankings, face a road test against the Los Angeles Rams on Monday night.

Without further ado, here are our Week 12 previews with TV info, point spreads, keys to the game for both teams and score predictions.

(The Arizona Cardinals, Kansas City Chiefs, Los Angeles Chargers and Minnesota Vikings have a bye this week.)

Seattle Seahawks at Philadelphia Eagles

Russell Wilson Seattle Seahawks
Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports

TV: Fox, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET

Records: Seahawks 8-2, Eagles 5-5

Line: Eagles by 1½

Seahawks’ keys: The ability of QB Russell Wilson, the highest-rated passer for the bulk of this season, to put stress on the Eagles as a runner and a passer.

Eagles’ keys: QB Carson Wentz and Philadelphia will look to maintain its efficient run-pass balance.

Who wins: The Eagles take advantage of the 1 p.m. ET flex time. Eagles 31, Seahawks 28

— Glenn Erby