NFL picks, Week 12: 49ers-Saints just got a whole lot more interesting

The 49ers have been putting together an interesting season, and it's safe to say it just got a little more interesting with last night's news that the 49ers will be giving Colin Kaepernick first team snaps this week. Jim Trotter believes it to be that Kaepernick is starting, Trent Dilfer believes it to be snaps with the chance for either still to start. I think it's mostly semantics, but we'll see.

What I do know is that the this news sent the 49ers from 2 1/2 point favorites to a pick 'em, or even off the board in a lot of situations. It is not particularly surprising to see the line make that kind of change given the QB change, particularly heading on the road to face a resurgent Saints squad. This was going to be a tough matchup no matter who was starting at QB. Kaepernick brings the big play threat, but this will also be another test for him. He faced one of the best defenses in the league last week, and this week he will likely be getting a chance to go into seriously hostile territory for the first time.

As a pick 'em, of course I can pick the 49ers to win this one. Kaepernick is going to be tested by the loud crowd, but he also benefits from facing a bad defense. I am curious to see what the Saints show Kaepernick on defense. The Bears were incredibly aggressive in stacking the box, and it burned them badly. I would imagine the Saints will play a little more conservative and force Kaepernick into more of his reads. It should make for an interesting test.

On to the picks, with odds courtesy of Odds Shark.

Houston (-4) @ Detroit: Texans cover

Redskins @ Cowboys (-3): Redskins win outright

Patriots (-7.5) @ Jets: Patriots cover

Bears @ Vikings (pick 'em): Bears win

Raiders @ Bengals (-8): Raiders cover, Bengals win

Steelers (-1) @ Browns: Browns win outright

Bills @ Colts (-3): Colts cover

Titans (-3) @ Jaguars: Jaguars win outright

Broncos (-10.5) @ Chiefs: Broncos cover

Seahawks (-3) @ Dolphins: Dolphins win outright

Falcons (-1.5) @ Buccaneers: Bucs win outright

Ravens (-1) @ Chargers: Ravens cover

Rams @ Cardinals (-3): Cardinals cover

49ers @ Saints (pick 'em): 49ers win

Packers @ Giants (-3): Giants cover

Panthers (-1) @ Eagles: Eagles win outright

Overall Record
Versus the spread: 73-66-3
Overall: 97-47-1