Week 13 NFL Predictions: Can The Ravens Take Control Of The AFC North?
In Week 13, it is a huge week in the AFC. In the AFC East and AFC North, we see battles for first place. The first time around the Jets and Ravens won, will it be different this time?
The week opens up with the Eagles and Texans on Thursday Night Football, two high-flying offenses.
The main events are on Sunday Night and Monday Night, but will any day games steal the thunder?
Enjoy.
Houston Texans at Philadelphia Eagles
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Week 13 opens with a matchup between two of the most high-powered offenses in the NFL. This is a big game for both teams, but even bigger for the Texans.
At 5-6, the Texans have had another disappointing season, and to make the playoffs they are going to have to win out. Don't count on that. I know their defense played well last week, but they were going up against third string rookie quarterback Rusty Smith. It's a much tougher task this week and they will have their hands full with Michael Vick, LeSean McCoy and the rest of the Eagles offense.
At 7-4, the Eagles are in a battle for the NFC East race, and in a competitive conference, the Eagles need this game to keep pace. Michael Vick has looked human since his video game-esque performance on Monday Night Football, throwing his first interception of the season in Chicago, a costly one.
The Eagles shouldn't overlook the Texans, but I do expect them to win this one and improve to 8-4.
Fearless Forecast: Eagles 24, Texans 17
New Orleans Saints at Cincinnati Bengals
2 of 16
I know I probably shouldn't be doing this, but I have a feeling the Bengals will win this game.
At 2-9, the Bengals have been arguably the most disappointing team this season and have lost their last eight games. Marvin Lewis is a dead man walking, and Carson Palmer continues to struggle.
On the other hand, the Saints have won four straight, and are beginning to regain their Super Bowl form. Reggie Bush was a non-factor in his first game back from injury, but Christopher Ivory was able to pick up the slack.
This may be a trap game for the Saints, and I think they will struggle in this one. The Bengals will snap their eight-game losing streak.
Fearless Forecast: Bengals 23, Saints 20
Chicago Bears at Detroit Lions
3 of 16
After their big win over the Eagles, is it time to believe in the Bears? At 8-3, they have won four straight games and are in first place in the NFC North. With a defense that can win them games, this team cannot be taken lightly.
The Lions are 2-9 and because of the injuries to both Matthew Stafford and Shaun Hill, Drew Stanton has been promoted to the starting quarterback. Stanton, a second round pick in 2007, will be making his first career NFL start against Julius Peppers, Brian Urlacher and the rest of that Bears defense. Good luck with that.
Jay Cutler has another good game as the Bears go to 9-3.
Fearless Forecast: Bears 27, Lions 16.
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San Francisco 49ers at Green Bay Packers
4 of 16
Last week, in a game to show they were the NFC's best, the Packers lost in Atlanta in a game they should have won. In three trips to the red zone, the Packers managed just ten points, including a fumble on a QB sneak at the one yard line. They will rebound against the 49ers this week.
In a game that rivaled the Titans-Jaguars for the worst Monday Night Football game of the season, the 49ers dominated the Cardinals in the desert 27-6. The defense was dominant, but I'd say there is a little difference between defending against Derek Anderson than Aaron Rodgers. The Niners are still alive in the NFC West, but will fall further behind with a loss at Lambeau.
Fearless Forecast: Packers 30, 49ers 13
Denver Broncos at Kansas City Chiefs
5 of 16
The image you are seeing right there is Todd Haley refusing to shake Josh McDaniels' hand following a 49-29 loss in Week 10. With the Broncos coming to town this week and the Chiefs in need of a win, you can bet Haley will do his best to run up the score and shove it in McDaniels' face.
The Chiefs, at 7-4, are in first place in the AFC West, but their lead is getting slimmer each week because the Chargers keep winning. They need to keep pace with them, which is why they need to win games like this.
The Broncos have no defense, but have an offense that can score a lot of points. Kyle Orton is having his best season, but only has three wins to show for it.
This game will be ugly, with the Chiefs triumphant.
Fearless Forecast: Chiefs 38, Broncos 24
Buffalo Bills at Minnesota Vikings
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How will the Bills, specifically, Steve Johnson, rebound from last week's overtime loss against the Steelers? Steve Johnson needs to just get over the dropped touchdown and move on. While it would have a good win for the Bills, it does not help them in the sweepstakes to land Andrew Luck.
The Vikings, in Leslie Frazier's debut as a head coach, won a hard-fought game in Washington, highlighted by Brett Favre's first down run with two minutes left. Having looked so lifeless that past few weeks, the Vikings showed that they are not a team to be taken lightly, even though the playoffs are out of reach at this point.
The Bills compete every single week to the very end, and I expect nothing less in Minnesota. It just won't result in a win. Leslie Fraizer gets to 2-0 here.
Fearless Forecast: Vikings 20, Bills 13
Jacksonville Jaguars at Tennessee Titans
7 of 16
The last time these two teams met it was on Monday Night Football when the Titans embarrassed the Jaguars in Jacksonville. However, both of these teams are different now and the tables have turned.
The Jaguars, at 6-5, are actually playing pretty good football. They missed an opportunity last week against the Giants, and now play a Titans team who are reeling.
Luckily Kerry Collins will return to the lineup for the Titans this week as the Rusty Smith experiment went sour. Still, even with Collins, are the Titans a team to fear? Since claiming Randy Moss off of waivers he has been a complete non-factor, and does not appear to have much left in the tank.
I'll take the Jaguars here as they keep their grip on first place in the AFC South.
Fearless Forecast: Jaguars 23, Titans 17
Cleveland Browns at Miami Dolphins
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For the first time in awhile, I'm taking the Dolphins. I have picked against them every week, and can't seem to get a grip on them. This week, they have a favorable matchup against Jake Delhomme and the Browns.
The Browns have been playing hard football all season long, and I'd like their odds in this game if Colt McCoy was starting. I just can't rely on Jake Delhomme though, who nearly gave the game away to the Panthers last week.
The Dolphins have struggled at home all season long, but their struggles won't continue here. Dolphins win.
Fearless Forecast: Dolphins 27, Browns 10
Washington Redskins at New York Giants
9 of 16
I'm tempted to pick the Redskins in this game, simply because it's an NFC East game, and these games are always weird. I'm going with the Giants though because of their home field advantage.
The Giants may have saved their season last week with a comeback win over the Jaguars, and they are in a dog fight with the Eagles for the NFC East crown. With both Hakeem Nicks and Steve Smith out, Mario Manningham stepped up last week, and will need to continue to do so.
The Redskins have been inconsistent all year long and it has plagued them. At 5-6, they cannot another loss, and their only shot at the playoffs may be to win out. The Donovan McNabb experiment has not gone according to plan.
The G-Men win it.
Fearless Forecast: Giants 24, Redskins 14
Oakland Raiders at San Diego Chargers
10 of 16
The first time these two teams met, the Raiders won in a shootout. Things have changed though, and the Chargers have won four straight games and are one of the hottest teams in football.
One other thing: It's December, and the Chargers have never lost under Norv Turner in this month. The only problem is that they haven't carried it into the playoffs.
After people starting believing in the Raiders, they went and have lost their past two games, being outscored 68-19 in the process. They won't have a similar result against the Chargers than they did the first game.
In the voice of Arnold Schwarzenegger, "Go Chargers, Go!"
Fearless Forecast: Chargers 38, Raiders 17
St.Louis Cardinals at Arizona Cardinals
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In the terrible NFC West, the Rams are currently in first place at 5-6. Following their first road win of the season, the Rams will go for two in a row as they travel to the desert to play the Cardinals, who have lost six straight.
The Cardinals are a mess right now, highlighted by Derek Anderson's rant on Monday Night Football. As bad as Anderson has been, the Cardinals have no better option, which really show you just how bad Matt Leinart must have been.
Although no team really deserves to make the playoffs in the NFC West, I am pulling for the Rams as Sam Bradford has been one of the best stories of the season.
The Rams will win their second straight road game of the season, as they improve to 6-6.
Fearless Forecast: Rams 26, Cardinals 20
Dallas Cowboys at Indianapolis Colts
12 of 16
Peyton Manning has thrown seven interceptions the past two weeks, something that is very unlike him. The Colts are coming off of an embarrassing performance at home in which they got rocked by the Chargers, 36-14. At 6-5, the Colts are in danger of missing the playoffs. Can they rally around all their injuries?
Under Jason Garrett, the Cowboys have played like a different team and have showed some life. If it wasn't for Roy Williams fumbling last week, Garrett would be 3-0 as a head coach. He is doing his very best to win the job.
The Colts are struggling, but I expect them to win here. At least, I think.
Fearless Forecast: Colts 27, Cowboys 23
Carolina Panthers at Seattle Seahawks
13 of 16
This game is hands down the least interesting game of Week 13. The scary thing is however, that the Seahawks may very well find themselves in the playoffs. They couldn't ask for a better team than the Panthers coming to town. It could be just what the doctor ordered for the Seahawks, who have been an embarrassment the past few weeks.
There is really nothing to say about the Panthers other than that they had a great chance to win last week, but John Kasay missed a field goal at the buzzer. They won't get any closer than that.
Fearless Forecast: Seahawks 20, Panthers 7
Atlanta Falcons at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
14 of 16
One of the best stories of the NFL season has been the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and the great job Raheem Morris has done with this young team. This game against the Falcons may very well define their season.
The first time these teams met the Falcons hang on late, stopping Josh Freeman at the goal line. The Falcons have the best record in the NFC right now, and have their sights set on home field advantage, where Matt Ryan is 19-1.
I'm going with the Falcons in this game, but I wouldn't be surprised if the Bucs won. To win this game their defense is going to have to step up big time, but I think the Falcons are too much.
Fearless Forecast: Falcons 26, Buccaneers 17
Pittsburgh Steelers at Baltimore Ravens
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On Sunday Night Football this week, we will see an AFC North clash when the Steelers travel to Baltimore in a battle for first place. The Ravens won the first game, but that was without Ben Roethlisberger. Roethlisberger is back, but will be playing this game with a broken bone in his foot.
If the Ravens win this game, then I like their odds to win the AFC North. Sweeping the Steelers is a great step in the right direction to a Super Bowl berth.
With Roethlisberger banged up, and the Ravens at home, I expect Baltimore to come out and win this game. Joe Flacco will have to play well, and he will.
Fearless Forecast: Ravens 20, Steelers 14
New York Jets at New England Patriots
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The most anticipated game of the week comes on Monday Night when the Jets and Patriots clash for control of the AFC East. The first time these two met, the Jets big second half led them to victory. Can they go for the sweep?
I don't think so.
Tom Brady has been the MVP of the season thus far, and nobody can seem to stop him. Good luck trying to stop him on prime time football, even as good as the Jets defense is. For the Jets to win this game, Sanchez will have to step up like he did in Week 2, and the Patriots secondary is not all that good.
I like Tom Brady and the Patriots here as they try to seize control of the AFC East.
Fearless Forecast: Patriots 31, Jets 23
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