NFL Picks Week 13: Chargers, Patriots and Ravens Soar While the Falcons Fall
Week 13 is almost here, and with it my picks for the top games this weekend. Chances are the Thursday night game is over by the time some of you read this.
Fear not, I have a prediction for Texans-Eagles.
Let's just say even though Thanksgiving was last week, Michael Vick and the Philadelphia offense should have no problems carving up the Texans defense—after all, it's one of the worst in the league.
The Eagles win at home.
OK, that was an easy one, but the rest aren't quite so predictable. Enjoy.
Packers Over 49ers
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The 49ers take to the road this Sunday as they clash with the Green Bay Packers, winners of four out of five at home.
The Packers will look to stay in contention for the NFC's best record and should defeat San Francisco rather easily.
I wouldn't want to be the team coming into Lambeau after the Packers Week 12 loss at Atlanta. I really wouldn't want to be that team if I was 1-4 on the road. Good luck San Francisco.
Packers 38 49ers 17
Saints Over Bengals
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This one is pretty much a no-brainer, but it is the NFL, you know, any given Sunday and all that jazz.
The Saints are hot on the Falcons' tails for the NFC South crown, as well as the conference's best record, so a slip up at 2-9 Cincinnati would be disastrous.
I see this being a competitive game early on, then Palmer makes the characteristic untimely turnover leading to a New Orleans victory.
Saints 24 Bengals 20
Jaguars Over Titans
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Jacksonville missed a golden opportunity to take control of the AFC South last Sunday when they blew a late lead at New York.
This Sunday the Jaguars visit the troubled Titans and will look to dish out a little pay back for the beat down Tennessee delivered them in Jacksonville on Monday Night Football two months ago.
Jaguars 20 Titans 13
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Chiefs Over Broncos
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The Chiefs get their second bye week of the season when they take on the Denver Broncos at home this Sunday.
The Broncos are 3-8, and the Chiefs are 5-0 at home, a nasty combination for Denver.
Chiefs 34 Broncos 24
Browns Over Dolphins
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The Cleveland Browns, 1-4 on the road and visit the Miami Dolphins, 1-4 at home, this Sunday.
Miami is still alive for the postseason in the AFC and needs a win on Sunday to keep those chances alive. Unfortunately for Dolphins fans, those chances will flat-line.
The Browns, the best 4-7 team in the NFL, will squeak out a victory over the Fins.
Browns 27 Dolphins 21
Vikings Over Bills
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Steve Johnson and the Buffalo Bills won't recover quickly enough after last Sunday's devastating loss to the Steelers.
Minnesota at home will prove to be too much for the Bills. Expect the rejuvenated Vikes and interim coach Leslie Frasier to get the 'W.'
Vikings 24 Bills 21
Giants Over Redskins
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The Giants rebounded nicely last week after two straight losses dropped them from the good graces of NFL power ranking lists everywhere.
The Redskins, on the other hand, have been wildly unpredictable this season, losing games they should win, and winning games they should lose.
Regardless, its Week 13 and time to get serious, the G-Men win easy.
Giants 31 Redskins 14
Chargers Over Raiders
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The San Diego Chargers, winners of four straight games, have bolted from the basement of the AFC standings and now find themselves a game out of first place in the AFC West.
They host rival Oakland this Sunday, who won the previous matchup this season, but come on, at 5-6 the Raiders can't do it again, can they?
Chargers 35 Raiders 17
Colts Over Cowboys
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The Colts lost for the first time at home last Sunday to the rising Chargers, but this week is a different story when they play host to the Dallas Cowboys.
Peyton Manning proves to much for the porous Dallas defense that was gashed by the Saints at home on Thanksgiving.
Colts 31 Cowboys 21
Buccaneers Over Falcons
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In a huge divisional match up this weekend, the Falcons take their five game winning streak on the road to battle the 7-4 Bucs, who trail Atlanta by two games.
Both of Atlanta's losses have come on the road and Tampa Bay is not to be taken lightly. The Bucs nearly clipped the Falcons in the Georgia Dome a few weeks ago and this time they emerge victorious.
Buccaneers 21 Falcons 17
Ravens Over Steelers
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The Baltimore Ravens, leaders of the AFC North, will be pumped for Sunday night's rivalry game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, who are also 8-3 and trailing Baltimore in the division due to a tiebreaker.
Roethlisberger will go this time around, but he has been in a boot this week and wounded ducks don't tend to do well against the Ravens' defense.
Don't expect Baltimore to roll over in a huge game at home.
Ravens 20 Steelers 17
Patriots Over Jets
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In the Week 13 finale, the Patriots and Jets meet up in Foxborough for Monday Night Football. The winner will leave with the AFC's best record at 10-2.
You can bet that Tom Brady and the Patriots are still bitter about the Week 2 loss the Jets gave them after New England failed to show up for the second half.
This time around Brady and company play four quarters and Mark Sanchez can't produce enough firepower.
Patriots 30 Jets 21
Comments
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Feel free to comment on my picks or tell me who you think wins in week 13.
Patrick Clarke is a student at Towson University and a writing intern for Bleacher Report.
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