A Look At Week 13 In The NFL

Last Week: 12-4

Overall: 117-61

Tennessee @ Buffalo

The Titans have suddenly become relevant again in the AFC Playoff picture. They’re only two games behind the quarterback-needy Texans, and Chris Johnson is finally beginning to emerge from the ashes and perform at the high level he’s displayed throughout his career. Buffalo looked better last week, but they’ll struggle against the Tennessee defense, and won’t be able to shut down Johnson.

Pick: Tennessee

Kansas City @ Chicago

Both teams enter the game without their regular starting quarterbacks. Tyler Palko and Caleb Hanie will stand in for Matt Cassel and Jay Cutler respectively. The two young passers each threw three interceptions in their starts in Week 12. Hanie did manage to throw two touchdowns in a late comeback bid against the Raiders, and I believe his supporting cast will give him a distinct advantage in this game.

Pick: Chicago

Atlanta @ Houston

The Texans will start their third quarterback in three weeks, and the T.J. Yates era begins. It’s the first career start for Yates, who threw for 70 yards in relief of the injured Matt Leinart against the Jaguars. Atlanta has been playing much better football over the last month, Matt Ryan has nine touchdown passes in the last four games. I don’t see Yates winning his first start against such a quality opponent.

Pick: Atlanta

Oakland @ Miami

The Raiders are hanging on to their first-place position in the AFC West, though they allowed things to get close against the Caleb Hanie-led Bears a week ago. Miami continues to play much better, and nearly upset the Cowboys in Dallas on Thanksgiving day. It’s a tough road trip for the Raiders, and Miami has the benefit of extra rest, but I still like the Raiders on the road.

Pick: Oakland

Denver @ Minnesota

Tim Tebow keeps finding ways to lead Denver to victory. With last week’s win over the Chargers, the Broncos are now 5-1 with the former top draft pick at the helm. It’s a great story, but I just can’t believe that the magic is going to last forever. Minnesota has been playing a little better lately, and I think its time for them to pick up their third win of the season.

Pick: Minnesota

Indianapolis @ New England

The NFL schedule makers didn’t anticipate this being such a one-sided match up several months ago. The Colts go one step closer to 0-16.

Pick: New England

Cincinnati @ Pittsburgh

It has been a tough stretch for Andy Dalton and the Bengals. They’ve lost two of the last three games, and barely managed to put away the Cleveland Browns last week. Playing against the Steelers this week will make it their fourth straight game in the division. They’ll give a respectable effort, but they’re just not ready to beat either Pittsburgh or Baltimore.

Pick: Pittsburgh

Carolina @ Tampa Bay

Cam Newton may be hitting the rookie wall. He’s struggled heavily in the last three games, throwing just one touchdown and five interceptions. Tampa Bay as a team has hit a wall, losing five in a row since their shocking victory over the Saints in the middle of the season. Quarterback Josh Freeman hasn’t been playing well, and his status for Sunday’s game is uncertain. I think Newton recaptures some of his early season magic this week and wins on the road.

Pick: Carolina

New York Jets @ Washington

Mark Sanchez threw four touchdowns for the Jets last week, but turned in an ugly performance against the Bills. The lack of growth by Sanchez raises serious questions about his future as a starter in this league. The Redskins snapped their losing streak with a 23-17 win over the Seahawks, but Rex Grossman isn’t going to have any success against the Jet defense.

Pick: New York

Baltimore @ Cleveland

The Ravens will be well rested for this game having last played on Thanksgiving. The Baltimore defense won’t have trouble shutting down an anemic Cleveland offense, and Joe Flacco and the offense should put in a much better effort than they did against the 49ers.

Pick: Baltimore

Dallas @ Arizona

The Cowboys nearly suffered a letdown in their game against the Dolphins, but I can’t see them coming out with two poor efforts in a row. Kevin Kolb appears set to return for the Cardinals, but his presence won’t tip the scales one way or the other.

Pick: Dallas

Green Bay @ New York Giants

The Giants seem to be in their annual free fall mode, putting together one disgraceful effort after the next. They were obliterated by the Saints last Monday night, and there isn’t any reason to believe that they’ll be able to fare much better against the undefeated Packers.

Pick: Green Bay

St. Louis @ San Francisco

Earlier in the season, I felt that the Rams were a good team that was just completely overmatched by a brutal schedule. Now, after seeing them lose to the Seahawks and Cardinals (twice) its apparent just how mediocre they are. The 49ers had their long winning streak snapped by the Ravens last week, and will be hungry to get things going in the right direction again.

Pick: San Francisco

Detroit @ New Orleans

The Lions are in danger of falling out of the NFC Playoff picture. They’re facing a difficult schedule, and just haven’t been playing very well over the last month. They’ll try to keep pace with the Saints in a shootout, but New Orleans is going to overwhelm them.

Pick: New Orleans

San Diego @ Jacksonville

Jack Del Rio fired. About time. He should have been out of that job two years ago. It won’t be long until the head coach of the Chargers, Norv Turner, joins him in the ranks of the unemployed. This week however, I have to believe that San Diego finally gets a win. The Jaguars really are that bad, and should be disorganized as they move forward without their coach.

Pick: San Diego