NFL Week 13 Picks: Predicting Winners and Losers of the Weekend's Top Matchups

All of a sudden it's Week 13 and there are only five more rounds of NFL action before the playoffs start.

While the postseason picture is becoming clearer in the NFC, the same can't be said about the AFC, where there are currently six 5-6 teams tied for the sixth and final postseason position. The past few weekends have also brought us surprises as the previously undefeated Kansas City Chiefs (9-2) have lost two straight while the previously winless Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-8) have now won three consecutive contests.

The drama is sure to pick up as squads gear up for the playoff push heading into January. Every team has had a bye week, so let's take a look at the full slate of 16 games on tap for Week 13, followed by predictions for three of the weekend's marquee matchups:

Away	Home	Winner
Green Bay Packers	Detroit Lions	Lions
Oakland Raiders	Dallas Cowboys	Cowboys
Pittsburgh Steelers	Baltimore Ravens	Ravens
Tennessee Titans	Indianapolis Colts	Titans
Jacksonville Jaguars	Cleveland Browns	Browns
Tampa Bay Buccaneers	Carolina Panthers	Panthers
Chicago Bears	Minnesota Vikings	Bears
New England Patriots	Houston Texans	Patriots
Arizona Cardinals	Philadelphia Eagles	Eagles
Miami Dolphins	New York Jets	Dolphins
Atlanta Falcons	Buffalo Bills	Bills
St. Louis Rams	San Francisco 49ers	49ers
Cincinnati Bengals	San Diego Chargers	Bengals
Denver Broncos	Kansas City Chiefs	Broncos
New York Giants	Washington Redskins	Giants
New Orleans Saints	Seattle Seahawks	Seahawks

Arizona Cardinals (7-4) at Philadelphia Eagles (6-5)

Carson Palmer and the Cardinals made a big statement Sunday with a rousing 40-11 win against the Indianapolis Colts. In the victory, Palmer outdueled Andrew Luck by going 26-of-37 for 315 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions.

More importantly, he led the Cardinals to a noteworthy win against a solid, albeit inconsistent, Colts team. Palmer now has eight touchdowns and two interceptions during the current four-game Cardinals winning streak, which also features victories against struggling teams like the Atlanta Falcons, Houston Texans and Jacksonville Jaguars.

Now Arizona has to head east to face the streaking Eagles, who have won three straight behind the hot hand of quarterback Nick Foles. The second-year player has burst onto the scene since taking over the main duties in Week 5, guiding the Eagles to five wins in the six games in which he's played major minutes.

Foles has 16 touchdowns and no interceptions this year, and his arm will be counted on to attack an Arizona defense that's stingy against the run. The Cardinals rank No. 2 in rushing yards allowed per game (81.3) and eighth in points allowed per contest (20.3) this season under the guidance of first-year coordinator Todd Bowles.

It will be interesting to see if the Cardinals try to match up top cornerback Patrick Peterson against top Eagles wideout Desean Jackson. When these two teams faced off in 2012, Jackson was held to just three catches for 43 yards in a 27-6 Arizona win.

But the Eagles are a completely different team from last year with Chip Kelly on the sidelines and Foles in the huddle. Philadelphia also possesses the NFL's No. 2 rushing attack (150.6 YPG) led by LeSean McCoy and will present big problems to the Arizona defense.

While Palmer should also be able to exploit Philadelphia's league-worst pass defense, which gives up 300.1 yards per game, the Eagles are more well-rounded on offense and will put up some major points.

Prediction: Eagles win 38-30

Denver Broncos (9-2) at Kansas City Chiefs (9-2)

We don't have to wait long to see a rematch of these two AFC West heavyweights after the Broncos claimed a 27-17 win against the Chiefs in Week 11 in Denver.

Both teams enter this matchup following disappointing losses in Week 12. Kansas City will be trying to avoid a three-game losing streak after suffering a tough 41-38 loss against the San Diego Chargers on Sunday, while Denver saw a 24-point halftime lead evaporate in a 34-31 overtime defeat to the New England Patriots.

For the first time all year, Peyton Manning had major problems against a defense, as the Patriots held him to 19-of-36 passing for season-low 150 yards, two touchdowns and an interception. But Kansas City's defense suffered two major injuries on Sunday when star pass-rushers Tamba Hali and Justin Houston went down.

Lindsay Jones of USA Today shared an update from Chiefs coach Andy Reid on Monday regarding the injuries:

Sean Keeler of FOXSportsKansasCity.com reported that the Chiefs will know more about the situation by Wednesday's practice. Initially, the team is relieved after fearing that Hali might have suffered a more severe ankle sprain, while Keeler speculates Houston's dislocated elbow could keep him out two-to-four weeks.

If the Chiefs couldn't slow down Manning and the Broncos at full strength two weeks ago, they'll be hard-pressed to do it this week. Manning is still having an immensely productive 2013 campaign with 3,722 yards, 36 touchdowns and seven interceptions, and it's hard to see him having two off weeks in a row.

According to Les Shapiro of FOX 31 in Denver, tight end Julius Thomas (knee) and cornerback Champ Bailey (foot) are expected to return to the team, which is sure to be fired up with Wednesday's anticipated return of coach John Fox, who has been battling heart issues.

The odds looked stacked against the Chiefs in this divisional rematch with the Broncos, who will also have home-field advantage in a contest with big AFC playoff seeding implications.

Prediction: Broncos win 35-21

New Orleans Saints (9-2) at Seattle Seahawks (10-1)

Two of the NFC's most well-rounded teams will clash in Seattle on Monday Night Football in a possible preview of the NFC title game.

Seattle is still the only 10-win team in the NFL and will host the Saints at raucous CenturyLink Field, where second-year quarterback Russell Wilson is a perfect 13-0 to start his career. The Seahawks had a bye last week, while the Saints will play following a 10-day layoff after their 17-13 victory against the Falcons on Thursday Night Football in Week 12.

Statistically, these two teams are very similar. Seattle ranks No. 2 in scoring offense (27.8 points per game), while New Orleans is third (27.7). Defensively, Seattle is tied for second (16.3 points allowed per game), while New Orleans is tied for fourth (17.8), with both teams featuring stronger league rankings against the pass than the run.

They have major differences on the offensive side of the ball, though.

The Saints have primarily relied on the arm of Drew Brees, who is putting together another monster campaign with 3,647 yards, 28 touchdowns and eight interceptions so far this year. Tight end Jimmy Graham (65 catches, 946 yards, 11 TD) is a matchup nightmare and serves as the most explosive weapon in the New Orleans offense.

The Seahawks feature a more balanced attack with quarterback Russell Wilson and running back Marshawn Lynch, who is having another Pro Bowl-worthy season in Seattle. Through 11 games, Lynch has 925 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns (nine rushing, two receiving), while Wilson has 2,362 yards and 19 touchdowns through the air.

The recent addition of Percy Harvin makes Seattle more dangerous going forward, and with a serious home-field advantage, the Seahawks should pull off a close victory.

Prediction: Seahawks win 28-24