NFL Picks and Predictions for Week 13

National Football League Picks and Predictions for Week 13

Week 12 gave us a replay of the 2006 Rose Bowl with Vince Young toppling Matt Leinart in the final seconds, a mind-boggling performance out of both the Saints' offense and the Patriots' defense on Monday night and a whole lot of Brett Favre goodness.

What can we expect in Week 13? Let's dig into the Cheat Sheet and find out:

Last week's record: 11-5
Overall record: 118-58 (.670)

Thursday night Football

New York Jets at Buffalo (Toronto): What can we expect from a football game played in Canada? Tons of Bryan Adams during stoppages of play, some classic "SCTV" and "Kids in the Hall" skits on the Rogers Centre scoreboard and a battalion of Mounties roaming the sidelines at all times. As for the product on the field? Gimme Fewell, Gimme Fire in this one. The same Jets fans that were comparing Mark Sanchez to Joe Namath in September will be clogging the sports radio airwaves with Kellen Clemens chatter next week. The Pick: Bills 20, Jets 6

Sunday's 1 p.m. ET games

Philadelphia at Atlanta: There are serious NFC Wild-card implications in this one. There are also the NFC's top two tight ends. In Brent Celek and Tony Gonzalez, we have two of the league's most dynamic players at the position. Look for Donovan McNabb — now the Eagles franchise record holder for career QB starts — to get a big road win in the ATL. The Pick: Eagles 31, Falcons 23

Chicago at St. Louis: Yes, I'm the guy that predicted a Bears Super Bowl run in '09. I know, I know. I'm an idiot. I'm also the same guy who thought Crystal Clear Pepsi would take the world by storm, that my Todd Van Poppel rookie cards would put my children through college and that the rapper Petey Pablo was the future of American music. Can't rely on me for everything, friends. Cutler and Co. survive a close one on the road on Sunday. That you can count on. The Pick: Bears 24, Rams 20

Tampa Bay at Carolina: John Lynch will be doing the color commentary for his former team on FOX this Sunday, and I think he'll like what he sees. The Panthers' offense was dreadful in New York last weekend, while Tampa nearly pulled the upset in Atlanta. Though Jake Delhomme has won nine of his 11 career starts versus Tampa Bay, he's playing some of the worst football of his career right now. It's hard to believe that the guy who was on the field last Sunday afternoon was the same player who took his team to the Super Bowl a few years back. The Pick: Buccaneers 27, Panthers 16

Detroit at Cincinnati: It's sad when you're watching a Lions game on Thanksgiving and you find yourself longing for the days of Mike McMahon, Shawn Bryson and Charles Rogers. That's how I felt last Thursday. This Detroit defense is horrendous. The offense could be worse. Is it too early to shift gears to NFL Draft in the Motor City? Check out Nebraska defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh in Saturday night's Big 12 Championship Game. He'd look awfully good in Lions blue and silver next season. The Pick: Bengals 30, Lions 13

Tennessee at Indianapolis: Chris Johnson had 800 rushing yards in November, the most ever by an NFL player in one calendar month. Another good stat? The Titans are the first team to win five straight games after losing their first six. A third? Kenny Britt, the Titans' up-and-coming rookie receiver out of Rutgers, is the youngest player on an NFL roster. All that's good and well. I'm taking the Colts. The Pick: Colts 27, Titans 21

Houston at Jacksonville: That sound of a weezing balloon emptying itself of air? That's the Texans' playoff dreams flying by into the atmosphere. But there's still time for a late-season run. Matt Schaub needs just 290 yards to surpass David Carr for the franchise record in passing yards. Who'd you think held the record, Dave Ragone? He'll get that and more on Sunday in a must-win at Jacksonville. The Pick: Texans 21, Jaguars 17

Denver at Kansas City: The last time Denver traveled to Kansas City, a winless Chiefs team blew a surging Broncos squad out of Arrowhead Stadium 33-19 last September. Déjé vu all over again? Sure, why not? For some reason, I've been referring to Jamaal Charles as "Jazz" Charles all season. I think it works. I'm hoping it sticks. Look for "Jazz" to have another big all-purpose game in my upset pick of the week. The Pick: Chiefs 33, Broncos 20

New England at Miami: Was there anyone within 40 miles of Devery Henderson on that first-half touchdown pass Monday night? If so, he certainly wasn't in the vicinity of the football field. The Patriots' defense has some serious problems. But the offense does enough on Sunday and carries the load in Miami.The Pick: Patriots 30, Dolphins 20

Oakland at Pittsburgh: Now, here's an old school clash: Steelers and Raiders. Too bad only one of these teams resembles an old-school squad. Pittsburgh rights the course with a much-needed visit from the Raiders. Oakland ruined a lot of Thanksgiving dinners last week. The only thing worse was the dud the Giants laid for dessert. The Steelers keep their playoff hopes alive with a blowout win on Sunday. The Pick: Steelers 28, Raiders 6

New Orleans at Washington: A few weeks ago, I would have pointed to this game on the Saints' schedule and said "Classic Trap Game." After the show New Orleans put on Monday night, though, I can't say that now. This Saints team is for real. Seemingly every week, there's another player making big plays on offense or decisive hits on D. This week's difference maker? Look for backup tailback Lynell Hamilton (who?) to score a couple touchdowns on the ground. I'm not sure if Drew Brees goes to the White House and plays on the lawn with President Obama like he does in those "Play 60" commercials while he's in town, but he enjoys himself quite a bit on Sunday. The Pick: Saints 42, Redskins 17

Sunday's 4 p.m. ET games

San Diego at Cleveland: Upset special! Just kidding. The Browns aren't winning another game this season. The Pick: Chargers 38, Browns 3

Dallas at New York Giants: Tony Romo needs just 67 yards for his third consecutive 3,000-yard season. He'll get them in the first quarter on Sunday. Just one week after a clutch win over the Falcons, the Giants forgot to show up for a Thanksgiving night battle with the Broncos. Look for Jersey native Miles Austin to go bonkers on that non-existent Giants secondary this weekend. Dallas, for all their bumps and bruises a few weeks back, is in first place in the NFC East. They'll move a step closer to a division crown with a win over the G-Men on Sunday. The Pick: Cowboys 27, Giants 13

San Francisco at Seattle: The last time these two met, Frank Gore joined Barry Sanders as the only other player in NFL history to tear off two touchdown runs of 75 yards or more in the same game. Look for the Seattle defense, coming off a dominant performance last weekend in St. Louis, to show a little pride on Sunday. The Pick: Seahawks 24, 49ers 16

 

Sunday night

Minnesota at Arizona: Ah, Arizona. Isn't that where retirees are supposed to go? They hang it up, throw some Wranglers on and go to dinner at 6 p.m. every night, right? Brett Favre's going to 'Zona, but he's doing anything but making Early Bird reservations at the Ocean Club in Scottsdale. Favre — and his NFL-best 8:1 touchdown to interception ratio — will be down in Glendale getting his team one step closer to a first-round playoff bye. NBC used its flex option to secure this one, meaning you may hear Favre referred to as a "gunslinger" or a "kid just having fun" a few times. Just a hunch. The Pick: Vikings 34, Cardinals 23

 

Monday night

Baltimore at Green Bay: Though the Ravens' D gets far more press, the Packers' defense actually leads the league in yards against per game. Green Bay's also tops in the league in Giveaway/Takeaway differential, entering Monday night's game plus-17 on the year. Like I accurately predicted last week, I think this Ravens game comes down to the final seconds. Look for Ray Lewis to keep his team's playoff hopes alive with a game-winning tackle on the goal line. He'll then top his postgame conversation with Andrea Kremer from last Sunday with something even better with Suzy Kolber. The Pick: Ravens 27, Packers 23