NFL Week 13 Preview

Week 13 Preview

Week 12 was quite a weekend in football, in which two plays defined seasons for two teams. First, no one can forget Thanksgiving night, when Mark Sanchez ran into his own offensive lineman untouched, promptly fumbling and allowing the Patriots to get yet another return touchdown. Then there are the nap time Chargers, who, just when it looked like they were in line for another win, gave up a 4th and 29 conversion to the Ravens and ended up losing in overtime. FOURTH AND TWENTY-NINE. How does that happen? It looks like Norv Turner will join Andy Reid in getting the axe after this season. This week there are more marquee matchups starting tonight with the Saints at the Falcons and ending on Monday Night with the Giants at the Redskins. This week is the first Sunday that we will be in December...behold the greatness of cold weather football. Let’s see if I can do better with my picks this week.

NO vs ATL (-3.5) - The Saints have owned the Falcons in recent years, winning 11 of the past 13 games between these two division rivals. Matt Ryan has had one “win this game to prove that you are elite” game this season, and he lost it. It was the game in New Orleans when he couldn’t win the game with four shots inside the five. With that said, I think the Saints’ loss last week against the 49ers was demoralizing, as they needed that win to stay in legitimate playoff contention. I’m going to be rooting for Who Dat to win, but I’ve got the Falcons by four in this one, barely covering. Either way, it’s going to be a competitive game. New Orleans 30, Atlanta 34.

JAC vs BUF (-6.5) - I’m convinced that the Bills cannot blow anybody out, and it is a lot to ask for them to beat anybody by at least a touchdown. Even the Jags, who are dreadful, but who look like the Patriots with Chad Henne at the helm. I think the Bills will win this game because they are at home against a warm weather team, but I’m taking the Jags and the points. Jacksonville 19, Buffalo 24.

SEA vs CHI (-4.5) - The main news coming from Seahawks camp is the probable four game suspension that will be coming for beastly cornerbacks Richard Sherman and Brandon Browner. They blew a golden opportunity to solidify their position as the number six seed in the NFC and have no more cushion. They have proven that they need to play a perfect game to win on the road. Meanwhile, the Bears are as good as anyone with Cutler at quarterback, even with injuries to Matt Forte, Devin Hester, and Charles Tillman. Bears win comfortably. Seattle 13, Chicago 27.

IND vs DET (-4.5) - I think the Colts will win straight up anyway, but if you’re asking me whether the motivated team on a mission can lose by less than five points on the road against a self-destructive team with a three-game worse record...I’ll take those odds. Indianapolis 27, Detroit 20.

MIN vs GB (-9.5) - The Vikings are on the decline with their gauntlet of a stretch run. However, they still have Adrian Peterson and enough of a defense to hang with the cheeseheads in a division game. The Packers are a superior team, but I think that this will be a single digit game. As long as they can contain Aaron Rodgers. Minnesota 20, Green Bay 28.

HOU vs TEN (+5.5) - Last time these two teams played, the Texans demolished the Titans but Chris Johnson had a pretty good game on the ground. This time it is in Tennessee, and Houston is tired. They have played two overtime games in the span of five games and are banged up. I’m picking the Texans to win, barely, because they have been dominant all year. I was tempted to pick this game as an upset, but I’m not prepared to go that far. Houston 23, Tennessee 20.

CAR vs KC (+3.5) - The Chiefs suck eggs. Carolina 24, Kansas City 14.

SF vs STL (+7.5) - Really? 7 and a half points? These two teams played to a tie in San Fran, and the Rams play really well at home. The difference, of course, is Colin Kaepernick, but do you think he’s worth two possessions? I don’t. I think the Rams keep this one close enough to cover. San Francisco 24, St. Louis 19.

NE vs MIA (+7.5) - Same situation as the game above: superior team on the road against a division opponent who has overachieved this year. Different result: Patriots roll. They are scoring at a mythic pace, and haven’t lost in the second half of seasons since 2010. A lot of points again. New England 34, Miami 20.

ARI vs NYJ (-4.5) - Wow. Ugly matchup. Two teams with pretty good defenses and horrific offenses. So I’ll keep this simple. Jets win by less than five points. Under 35 total points. Arizona 14, New York 17.

TB vs DEN (-6.5) - The Bucs were on fire until last week when they lost to the Falcons by one. Now they have to travel to Denver, who are even more on fire than themselves. Peyton has been the frontrunner for MVP and is looking forward to torching this porous Buccaneers defense. I think that the Broncos impose their will on Sunday. Another game of 300 and 3 TDs for 18. Tampa Bay 17, Denver 31.

CLE vs OAK (-0.5) - It’s a pick’em game between two horrible teams. The Browns have looked better. The Raiders are at home. I’m tempted to call a tie. Instead, I’ll go with a Janikowski field goal in OT. Cleveland 10, Oakland 13.

CIN vs SD (+1.5) - I hate both these teams. But the Chargers aren’t going anywhere. So I want them to knock off the Bengals. I can’t believe I am picking the Bolts to win anything. But here goes nothing. Cincinnati 17, San Diego 20.

PIT vs BAL (-6.5) - It looks like Big Ben is not going to play, but this game is always competitive. I’m taking the points on this one, because the Steelers have too much pride to get blown out. Pittsburgh 13, Baltimore 17.

PHI vs DAL (-9.5) - There are four certainties in life: death, taxes, God hates Cleveland, and NEVER PICK THE COWBOYS TO BEAT A BIG SPREAD AT HOME. They can’t do it. Cowboys win, close. Philadelphia 23, Dallas 30.

NYG vs WAS (+2.5) - What a game this is. Both teams look really good. Super Bowl MVP vs the incredible rookie. Redskins trying to pull within one game of the division. A lot of storylines in this one. But there’s only one team you can pick in December in a big game on the road. Eli and Big Blue. To show the world again who are the beasts of the East. New York 34, Washington 24.