Week 13, here we go! Getting down to the wire!
GAME OF THE WEEK – Los Angeles Chargers (8-3) at Pittsburgh Steelers (7-3-1), PIT by 3.5 – Huge game here for the playoff picture. While both of these teams will almost definitely be playing in January, Pittsburgh needs a win if it’s going to stay in the race for a first-round bye. Meanwhile, the Chargers are just a game back in their division and still have a chance to take over first place from Kansas City. Big stakes in this matchup of 2004 QB picks. I’m going with the red-hot Philip Rivers. UPSET! – Chargers 24, Steelers 23
THURSDAY NIGHT – New Orleans Saints (10-1) at Dallas Cowboys (6-5), NO by 7 – Just when the Cowboys get a break by playing the Colt McCoy Redskins on short week, they have to come back and play the best team in the league for their second Thursday game in a row. Not a great matchup here for Dallas. Saints 33, Cowboys 20
Indianapolis Colts (6-5) at Jacksonville Jaguars (3-8), IND by 4 – The Colts have had a hell of a comeback from an awful start this year, while the Jaguars have just completely tanked after a nice start that included a win against New England that they made look easy. I’m taking the team with all the momentum as the Colts continue pushing toward the postseason. Colts 23, Jaguars 13
Carolina Panthers (6-5) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-7), CAR by 3.5 – A couple big losses in a row for Carolina, and suddenly their postseason berth is no longer a sure thing. The Bucs will put up a big fight in this divisional matchup, but it’s a game the Panthers have to have. They should have beaten Seattle last week. They’ll finish the job this week. Panthers 20, Bucs 17
Baltimore Ravens (6-5) at Atlanta Falcons (4-7), BAL by 1.5 – It just makes no sense that the Falcons are as bad as they are this year. The Ravens need this game if they’re going to keep pace in a wild card race that is quickly heating up. But this just feels like a game the Falcons will play spoiler in. UPSET! – Falcons 27, Ravens 20
Cleveland Browns (4-6-1) at Houston Texans (8-3), HOU by 6 – The Texans are the first team in NFL history to win eight straight after starting 0-3. They’re as hot as anyone in the league right now. But the Browns are playing with a lot of moxie, and they’re definitely no longer a push over. I think this is going to be hard-fought contest, and the Texans will escape with a win. Texans 23, Browns 20
Chicago Bears (8-3) at New York Giants (3-8), CHI by 4.5 – At this point, it’s smooth sailing to a divisional championship for the Bears, who have to be the surprise of the year this season. Bears 24, Giants 16
Denver Broncos (5-6) at Cincinnati Bengals (5-6), DEN by 4 – The Bengals are in a free fall and just lost their starting quarterback for the season. Meanwhile, the Broncos are showing some life, taking down two contenders in a row after a rough start to the season. Don’t count the Broncos out of the wild card race yet—the AFC West may very well send three teams to the tournament this year. Broncos 23, Bengals 17
Los Angeles Rams (10-1) at Detroit Lions (4-7), LAR by 10 – Yeah, this isn’t going to go well for Detroit. Rams 42, Lions 17
Arizona Cardinals (2-9) at Green Bay Packers (4-6-1), GB by 14 – The Packers will underwhelm in a meaningless victory. Packers 23, Cardinals 19
Kansas City Chiefs (9-2) at Oakland Raiders (2-9), KC by 15 – Lol. Chiefs 40, Raiders 13
New York Jets (3-8) at Tennessee Titans (5-6), TEN by 9.5 – A good start to the season for the Titans is now a distant memory, but they’re certainly not out of it yet in the AFC. The Jets are probably looking at a coaching change this offseason after yet another rough season. Don’t see them playing spoiler here. Titans 21, Jets 10
Minnesota Vikings (6-4-1) at New England Patriots (8-3), NE by 6 – The Vikings have one of the most talented teams in the league yet underachieve week in and week out. A team this good shouldn’t be this exhausting to watch. Patriots 34, Vikings 20
San Francisco 49ers (2-9) at Seattle Seahawks (6-5), SEA by 10 – The Seahawks need a few games against cupcakes after a tough stretch of games. They’ve now got the inside track on a wild card spot in the NFC. Seahawks 33, 49ers 13
Washington (6-5) at Philadelphia Eagles (5-6), PHI by 6.5 – It’s been a tough year for Philly, but they’re not out of it yet. A win here and a loss for Carolina puts them one step closer to being right back in it in the NFC. With Alex Smith done for the year, Washington doesn’t have much hope left. Eagles 24, Washington 17