2012 NFL picks against the spread: Take the favorites in the Sunday early games

The San Francisco 49ers won their Thursday game against the Seattle Seahawks, but they didn't win according to the spread, as they came a half point from covering. So that starts our picks off with a loss, but here are the picks we have, using the Vegas line from Bovada.lv.

Here is how we go for these picks, and notice that we only have one underdog pick for these games.

Tennessee Titans at Buffalo Bills (-3): Buffalo turned things around against the Cardinals and now return home against a bad Titans team. Tennessee won last Thursday, but that was with the short week advantage at home. Now they travel. Pick: Bills, -3.

Arizona Cardinals at Minnesota Vikings (-7): Even with the Cardinals' recent struggles and the fact that Kevin Kolb is out indefinitely, there is one thing that you can count on in most games, and that is a close game for the Cardinals. Skelton was technically the starter when he got hurt, so the team is actually getting its starting QB back. The defense is going to be ready and this game is going to go down to the wire again. Pick: Cards, +7.

Cleveland Browns at Indianapolis Colts (-3): Rookie quarterback vs rookie quarterback. Cleveland got a huge win last week. Indy didn't look good and made the Jets look good. However, you don't tend to favor the rookie QB on the road with a bad team. Pick: Colts, -3.

Baltimore Ravens at Houston Texans (-7): A whole touchdown is a lot to give up against the Ravens, but look for the Texans to bounce back after getting shellacked by the Packers. Also, the loss of Ray Lewis for Baltimore will be noticeable. Pick: Texans, -7.

Green Bay Packers (-6) at St. Louis Rams: The Pack and Aaron Rodgers found their groove a week ago. The Rams have a tough defense and guys that can get to the QB, but this is the point in the season in which Green Bay starts to get on a roll. Pick: Packers, -6.

Dallas Cowboys (-2) at Carolina Panthers: Who do you trust more right now? Tony Romo or Cam Newton? Both teams are reeling. But the Cowboys will take advantage of the Panthers and play well. Pick: Dallas, -2.

Washington Redskins at New York Giants (-6): Eli Manning and the Giants don't overlook the Skins this time. They have said as such, and they have the pass rushers and the physicality to counter Robert Griffin, III. Pick: Giants, -6.

New Orleans Saints (-3) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Tampa plays the Saints tough every year. However, what Tampa does well is stop the run. Drew Brees doesn't care about that. They throw the football. That won't help the Bucs. Pick: Saints, -3.