NFL Week 13 Picks: Predictions for Post-Thanksgiving Games

With the Thanksgiving games all wrapped up, it's time to look ahead at the rest of the games for Week 13 of the NFL season.

Without Aaron Rodgers, the Green Bay Packers were dominated by the Detroit Lions, losing 40-10.  Meanwhile, the Dallas Cowboys and Baltimore Ravens came away with victories over the Oakland Raiders and Pittsburgh Steelers.

Below is a full list of predictions for Week 13 after the Thanksgiving games, followed by a breakdown of some of the most intriguing matchups.

Away	Prediction	Home
Tennessee Titans	21-24	Indianapolis Colts
Jacksonville Jaguars	10-17	Cleveland Browns
Chicago Bears	31-24	Minnesota Vikings
Miami Dolphins	14-21	New York Jets
Arizona Cardinals	28-27	Philadelphia Eagles
Tampa Bay Buccaneers	13-24	Carolina Panthers
New England Patriots	31-13	Houston Texans
Atlanta Falcons	24-21	Buffalo Bills
St. Louis Rams	24-27	San Francisco 49ers
Denver Broncos	35-27	Kansas City Chiefs
Cincinnati Bengals	28-21	San Diego Chargers
New York Giants	27-20	Washington Redskins
New Orleans Saints	27-24	Seattle Seahawks

Tennessee Titans (5-6) at Indianapolis Colts (7-4)

Date: Sunday, Dec. 1

Time: 1 p.m. ET

TV: CBS

Prediction: 24-21, Colts

The AFC South could essentially be locked up after this week, but the Indianapolis Colts are going to have to show that they can overcome their recent struggles.

These two teams last met just a couple of weeks ago, with the Colts pulling out the 30-27 win.  However, the Tennessee Titans were in control throughout the entire first half, leading 17-6 at halftime.

The Titans will need Chris Johnson to have a big game in order to give them a chance.  He ran for 86 yards and two touchdowns in their last meeting, but he's struggled with consistency, averaging just 3.8 yards per carry this season.  The Colts struggle defending the run, allowing 125.5 rushing yards per game.

Andrew Luck will have to play well for the Colts, considering he's essentially had to carry the team for the past two seasons.  He hasn't had the best three games, combining for just three total touchdowns and four interceptions.

Still, it's hard to not count on the Colts.  Luck almost always finds ways to adjust, and I expect him to turn things around in this game to give the Colts their eighth win of the season.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-8) at Carolina Panthers (8-3)

Date: Sunday, Dec. 1

Time: 1 p.m. ET

TV: FOX

Prediction: 24-13, Panthers

While this may not seem like an intriguing game at first, considering how well both teams have been playing lately, this could be one of the more entertaining games on Sunday.

After starting the season with an 0-8 record, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have won their last three games, including a big 24-21 win over the Lions.  Mike Glennon continues to develop as a quarterback, and he may very well be a legitimate long-term option at the position.  This season, he's thrown for 1,782 yards, 13 touchdowns and just four interceptions.

For as good as Bobby Rainey was against the Atlanta Falcons, he's going to have to try and bounce back after struggling against the Detroit Lions.  He ran for just 35 yards on 18 carries, but he may struggle once again against the Carolina Panthers, who allow just 81.5 rushing yards per game.

That defense has been one of the best in the league, but Cam Newton has been just as big of a story. Despite having a severe lack of weapons on offense, he keeps making plays, recording 22 total touchdowns and nine interceptions.

The Panthers are certainly expected to win this one, but look for the Buccaneers to give them a scare. This is a more talented team than a lot of people give them credit for, and this could be a close game, although I expect Carolina to pull away late.

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

Date: Monday, Dec. 2

Time: 8:30 p.m. ET

TV: ESPN

Prediction: 27-24, Saints

The top spot in the NFC is up for grabs, which means that these two teams will be fighting for home-field advantage throughout the playoffs.

The New Orleans Saints went just 7-9 last season, but they turned that around quickly, already going 9-2 this year.  Sean Payton gets a lot of credit for the team's success since returning, but the hiring of Rob Ryan has been the biggest reason for the team's success.

After having the worst defense in the league last season, Ryan has turned this defense around.  So far, they're allowing just 309.9 yards and 17.8 points per game, ranking fifth in the NFL in both categories.

Meanwhile, the Seattle Seahawks may be in trouble on defense.  They're allowing just 16.3 points per game, but the secondary is starting to lose a number of key pieces.  Brandon Browner has been hurt, and now, according to the team's official Twitter account, they've lost Walter Thurmond for the next four games.

Considering that the Seahawks will be going against Drew Brees, who has thrown for 3,647 yards and 28 touchdowns, they could be in very big trouble.  Seattle is a great team, but I expect the Saints to come up with their biggest win of the season as Brees lights it up against this depleted secondary.