After a huge slate of rivalry games last weekend, the road to the playoffs just became a lot smoother or bumpier for several teams around the NFL. Those who came up short will need to rally this week, or their 2025 campaign could end sooner than they’d have hoped. As the final third of the regular season closes in, American Football fans can still catch a perfect pass from BetMGM. Those who haven’t signed up already can do so ahead of this weekend’s games and snatch £40 in free bets. The package of freebies is made up of single bets and bet builders – all of which can be used on the NFL. All you need to do to unlock them is place a £10 bet on any sport. NFL week 12 quick tipsTip the Minnesota Vikings to cover the 6.5-point spread as an underdog in Green Bay – 10/11 with BetMGMTake the over of 49.5 points in the Bengals-Patriots game – 22/25 with BetMGMBack the Atlanta Falcons on the moneyline to defeat the New Orleans Saints – Evens with BetMGMNFL Week 12 schedule:FridayHouston Texans v Buffalo Bills (1:15am)Sunday – early window (all 6:00pm)Baltimore Ravens v New York JetsChicago Bears v Pittsburgh SteelersCincinnati Bengals v New England PatriotsDetroit Lions v New York GiantsGreen Bay Packers v Minnesota VikingsKansas City Chiefs v Indianapolis ColtsTennessee Titans v Seattle SeahawksSunday – late windowArizona Cardinals v Jacksonville Jaguars (9:05pm)Las Vegas Raiders v Cleveland Browns (9:05pm)Dallas Cowboys v Philadelphia Eagles (9:25pm)New Orleans Saints v Atlanta Falcons (9:25pm)MondayLos Angeles Rams v Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1:20am)TuesdaySan Francisco 49ers v Carolina Panthers (1:15am)Possible wind of change in Windy CityWith the Green Bay Packers suffering back-to-back defeats in weeks 9 and 10, and the Detroit Lions’ usually-explosive offence being completely nullified by the Philadelphia Eagles in week 11, the Chicago Bears have emerged as the unlikely leader of the NFC North after 11 weeks.Ben Johnson’s team have won their last three and are 7-3 as they prepare to host the Pittsburgh Steelers, who are currently doing just enough to stay on top of the AFC North. The visitors will, however, be sweating over the availability of Aaron Rodgers after the four-time league MVP fractured his wrist in Sunday’s win over the Cincinnati Bengals. The injury isn’t as bad as first feared, with x-rays early in the week revealing only minor damage and he’ll be 50/50 to play in the Windy City – where he has won many times previously with the Green Bay Packers. Backup Mason Rudolph finished the job on Sunday, completing 12 of 16 passes for 127 yards and a touchdown as the Steelers avenged a dramatic Thursday Night Football loss to their division rivals a month prior.The Bears had their special teams to thank for getting them out of jail in Minneapolis. The Vikings took a 17-16 lead with 50 seconds to go, but an excellent kick return from Devin Duvernay helped set up Cairo Santos for a 48-yard field goal as time expired. They left it late the week before too against the New York Giants, scoring two touchdowns in the final four minutes to flip a 20-10 deficit into a 24-20 victory. The Bears have won seven games, but so far none have come against a team with a winning record. If they can get this one, they may start to get viewed as a genuine playoff threat. BetMGM certainly think they can make a statement here, making them 3-point favourites.Chiefs in danger of losing authority in the AFC WestThe Kansas City Chiefs are 5-5 and are in real danger of missing the playoffs for the first time in Patrick Mahomes’ career having lost a tight battle with the Denver Broncos last weekend. The Broncos now lead the AFC West at 9-2, four games ahead of the Chiefs who have seven left to play. Barring a miraculous turnaround, a run of nine-straight division titles, which dates back to well before Mahomes was drafted, will be coming to an end. If Andy Reid’s men are to even claim a wildcard spot, however, they simply have to beat the Indianapolis Colts – another team who’ve only lost twice this season. They’ll be pleased to be back on home turf, where they’ve won their last four (they’re only 1-4 on the road).It was during a run of three wins against the Detroit Lions, Las Vegas Raiders and Washington Commanders at Arrowhead where pundits started to believe the Chiefs were back to their old selves. They won all these by multiple scores, with Mahomes throwing three touchdown passes in each. In most games against playoff calibre opposition, however, the Chiefs’ roster has looked second-best.The Colts, it’s now safe to say, are definitely that after they bounced back from a rare defeat in Pittsburgh to see off the Atlanta Falcons in Berlin last time out – improving their record to 8-2. It was a historic day for running back Jonathan Taylor, who surpassed Edgerrin James for the most rushing touchdowns in franchise history. He did so with an 83-yarder, which is also the longest carry of his career. He then went on to score the walk-off winner in overtime and finish with 244 yards – his second best outing in the NFL.The bookies are, by and large, refusing to doubt the Chiefs – they’re still ranked the fourth most likely winners of the Super Bowl this year in most places, ahead of the Colts. In truth, they’ve earned that level of respect. Since the 2019/20 season, where they won their first championship in 50 years, KC have become serial winners – reaching the showpiece event a further four times in five seasons and adding another two Lombardi trophies.They’re also 3.5-point favourites here – with BetMGM – to defeat the Colts and keep their hopes of appearing in a sixth in seven years alive. Rams set sights on top NFC seedThe Los Angeles Rams look as though they’ll be locked in a head-to-head for the number 1 seed in the NFC with the Philadelphia Eagles after edging out the Seattle Seahawks in a chess-like battle at SoFi Stadium. It was a struggle for Matt Stafford and the offence, who only threw for 130 yards and completed just 53.6% of his passes – both totals represent season-lows. After two first-quarter scores, one following a turnover and a short field, the Rams didn’t add any more points until the start of the fourth quarter. During that time, the defence held firm – picking off Sam Darnold four times and holding the Seahawks to field goals on all bar one red zone visit. The Rams look durable, and seem to have very few weaknesses on either side of the ball. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have endured a difficult month, losing three of their last four against the Detroit Lions, New England Patriots and Buffalo Bills – all of whom are serious playoff contenders. The Bucs did a good job containing Bills running back James Cook, but simply couldn’t deal with Josh Allen. It was only the third time in NFL history where a quarterback has thrown three touchdown passes and also rushed for three in the same game. Allen has now done it twice.One positive takeaway for the Bucs was third-year running back Sean Tucker, who had just his second hundred-yard game rushing and his first three-touchdown outing in the NFL. He rushed for 106 yards from 19 carries, and two touchdowns, and also caught Baker Mayfield’s one touchdown pass.BetMGM thinks this one will be true to form – making the Rams a comfortable 6.5-point favourite to triumph on Sunday Night Football.Free Bet OffersClaim £1000+ worth of free bets and betting offers from our partners – CLAIM HERE18+ gambleaware.org T&Cs ApplyElsewhere in week 12 of the NFLTurning back to the NFC North, if the Chicago Bears come up short against the Steelers, they could let go of top spot no sooner than they gained it. It’s Packers-Vikings at Lambeau Field, where the hosts will be expected to come out on top. The Cheeseheads, however, will need to put in a better display than their previous two home games – both ending in defeats, both without a Jordan Love passing touchdown and both times the Pack were held to under 14 points. The Detroit Lions have, on paper, the ideal “get right” game against the New York Giants.With the Denver Broncos able to celebrate their huge win over the Chiefs with some extra rest this week, the New England Patriots could become the first team in the league to reach 10 wins. They’re in Cincinnati to take on a Bengals team who’ve lost their last three despite Joe Flacco’s best efforts at quarterback. The Bengals simply don’t have a defence – 27 points is the fewest points an opponent has scored against them since week 1. The Pats are 5-0 on the road and should make it six from six.That makes Buffalo’s trip to Houston on Thursday Night Football even more crucial. The Bills are faultless at home, less so away – tripping up in Miami two weeks ago, where they’ve almost always been successful in the Josh Allen era. Houston are just one game behind the Jacksonville Jaguars – who are second in the AFC South – but there’s no guarantee that a runners-up spot in that division will be enough for a wildcard.Should the Bucs’ struggles continue in LA, the Carolina Panthers – who’ve flown under the radar this season – could leapfrog them in the NFC South. They have a tough task of their own, however, going on the road to San Francisco for the Monday Night Football matchup. They could also be without Bryce Young, who shrugged off two knocks to his ankle in Sunday’s game with the Atlanta Falcons.About the authorNathan HillNathan Hill is an experienced sports writer who obsessively follows football – both the round ball and American kind – as well as range of other sports including F1, basketball, darts and snooker.Commercial content notice: Taking one of the bookmaker offers featured in this article may result in a payment to talkSPORT. 18+. T&Cs apply. 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