Week 13 NFL Picks: Odds Predictions for Full Schedule and MVP Race

The Chicago Bears looked like they would be one of the league's bottom feeders before the start of the season. Many people picked them to finish last in the NFC North, and they began the season with three straight losses.

But just when it looked like the season was about to spin out of control, as it did in 2014 when they went 5-11, the Bears held it together and started playing respectable football.

Most notably, quarterback Jay Cutler has remained calm under pressure, and he has not turned the ball over at crucial moments, as he has in previous years. Cutler has thrown for 2,510 yards and has a ratio of 14 touchdowns to six interceptions.

The Chicago defense has also exceeded expectations. The Bears don't have stellar personnel on that side of the ball, but defensive coordinator Vic Fangio has given them an excellent scheme that players such as Pernell McPhee, Christian Jones and Lamarr Houston have executed quite well.

The Bears are coming off their most satisfying moment of the year, a 17-13 Thanksgiving victory at Green Bay. That win improved Chicago's record to 5-6, and the Bears have an excellent chance to get to the .500 mark against the struggling San Francisco 49ers.

While the Bears have responded well to first-year head coach John Fox, the Niners have not done so well under rookie head coach Jim Tomsula.

The Niners have scored fewer points than any team in the league and are also 0-5 on the road.

As a result, this game looks like it belongs to the Bears. They are 6.5-point favorites, according to Odds Shark. If they can avoid turnovers and take advantage of the opportunities that the Niners and quarterback Blaine Gabbert give them, the Bears should have an excellent chance to get the cover and win by double digits.

Game	Line	Over-Under	Selection
Houston at Buffalo	Buffalo -3	41.5	Houston; Under
San Francisco at Chicago	Chicago -6.5	43.5	Chicago; Under
Cincinnati at Cleveland	Cincinnati -10.5	43.5	Cincinnati; Over
Baltimore at Miami	Miami -3.5	42.5	Baltimore; Over
Seattle at Minnesota	Seattle -1	42	Seattle; Under
N.Y. Jets at N.Y. Giants	NYJ -1.5	46.5	N.Y. Giants; Over
Arizona at St. Louis	Arizona -4.5	43	Arizona; Under
Atlanta at Tampa Bay	Even	46	Tampa Bay; Under
Jacksonville at Tennessee	Tennessee -1	43.5	Tennessee; Over
Kansas City at Oakland	Kansas City -2.5	44	Kansas City; Over
Denver at San Diego	Denver -4	43	Denver; Over
Carolina at New Orleans	Carolina -7	50	New Orleans; Under
Philadelphia at New England	New England -9.5	49	New England; Over
Indianapolis at Pittsburgh	Pittsburgh -7.5	49	Indianapolis; Over
Dallas at Washington	Washington -4	42	Washington; Under

Jets, Giants likely to light up the MetLife scoreboard

The New York Giants let a big opportunity slip through their grasp last week when they lost 20-14 at Washington.

While the Giants made it fairly close after falling behind early, head coach Tom Coughlin wants to see much better effort from his team.

The Giants have had problems on the defensive side of the ball throughout the season, but Eli Manning is having one of his best seasons passing the ball. He has an excellent rapport with acrobatic and spectacular wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr., and when they are in sync, the Giants can move the ball at will.

Manning and No. 2 wideout Rueben Randle have also connected on a number of plays. Manning has thrown for 3,021 yards and has 23 touchdowns to nine interceptions. Look for the Giants to have their passing game going Sunday against the Jets, who will be playing without All-Pro cornerback Darrelle Revis (concussion).

The Jets should have no trouble scoring either. Ryan Fitzpatrick has been an impressive leader at quarterback, and the one-two wide receiver combination of Brandon Marshall and Eric Decker is explosive. 

That trio should enjoy playing against the Giants defense, which ranks 32nd in the league.

Odds Shark has the total in this game at 46.5 points, and this matchup may go to the team that has the ball last. Look for these two teams to score 50 points or more as the MetLife Stadium fans get their money's worth from these two in-stadium rivals.

Brady remains MVP favorite

Even though the New England Patriots lost their first game of the season last week at Denver, they are still one of the elite teams in the league and should have an excellent chance to repeat as Super Bowl champions.

Dustin Bradford/Getty Images

Tom Brady, their leader, is the favorite to win the league's MVP award, according to Odds Shark. Those who believe Brady is going to win the MVP award have to risk $125 to win $100.

Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton is the second choice at plus-110. 

Brady and Newton are the clear favorites. Carson Palmer of the Arizona Cardinals is listed as the third choice at plus-1,200.