Week 13 NFL Picks: Five Games That Will Help Shape the Playoff Picture

The NFL playoffs are rapidly approaching, and several games this week will help determine who is likely to make the postseason, and who has a lot of work to do. 

The Monday night showdown between the New York Jets and the New England Patriots is the closest thing to a playoff game we'll see this regular season. The winner has the inside track to be the No. 1 seed in the AFC playoffs, and the loser would likely be the 5th seed.

Pittsburgh vs. Baltimore is another epic divisional rivalry that will have huge implications in the AFC North race, as well as the entire AFC playoff picture.

In the NFC, the New Orleans Saints and the upstart Tampa Bay Buccaneers battle in a game very important to the NFC playoff race.

The NFC South is arguably the league's most competitive division, with the defending champion Saints, Bucs, and Falcons all believing they are Super Bowl worthy.

Now let's look at the five games with the biggest playoff impact in Week 13.

Oakland Vs. San Diego

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INDIANAPOLIS - NOVEMBER 28: Philip Rivers #17 of the San Diego Chargers celebrates after a touchdown during the NFL game against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium on November 28, 2010 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images

The Oakland Raiders had their fans believing a playoff appearance was possible just a few weeks ago. But at 5-6, they need to beat the red-hot Chargers this Sunday to have a chance at postseason play.

San Diego is once again making their annual December push toward the playoffs. Notorious for their bad starts, the Chargers are once again finishing the season strong.

The Chargers know they must keep pace with current AFC West leaders, the Kansas City Chiefs. The Chiefs have struggled lately, but seem to be heading in the right direction after a fast start to the season.

Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers will be looking to continue his historic passing pace this week, as he has a legitimate chance to break Dan Marino's record for most passing yards in a single season (5,084).

The Raiders' rushing attack was their strength in the first half of the season, but running backs Darren McFadden and Michael Bush have struggled since their Week 10 bye.

If the Raiders are to keep their hopes alive for the AFC West title, they must run the ball effectively.

However, against the Chargers' defense, one of the top-ranked units in the NFL, this task is easier said than done. 

Chargers win 38-21.

Jacksonville Vs. Tennessee

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HOUSTON - NOVEMBER 28: Cornerback Cortland Finnegan #31 of the Tennessee Titans is held back by an official after getting into a fight with Andre Johnson of the Houston Texans at Reliant Stadium on November 28, 2010 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Leve

The AFC South hasn't been a competitive division for a long time. This season, the Indianapolis Colts' stranglehold on this division appears to be gone, and the Titans and Jaguars are real threats to the Colts' division reign.

The Jaguars and Titans square off this week in a matchup that will decide which one of these two is ready to challenge the Colts.

The Titans haven't won since October 24, a victory against the Philadelphia Eagles. Sunday is the first of three straight weeks the Titans will play division rivals at home.

Last week's loss to Houston was remembered for the Andre Johnson-Cortland Finnegan fight, an altercation both players were fined but not suspended for.

Tennessee has had real difficulties scoring offensive touchdowns, having not scored one in their last nine quarters. The Titans also rank last in time of possession. 

Jacksonville is getting great production from running back Maurice Jones-Drew, who is having another stellar season. 

David Garrard is leading a very formidable passing attack, with tight end Marcedes Lewis having a career season.

Jacksonville has the edge in this matchup, and a win for the Jaguars will help them distance themselves from the Titans in the AFC South race.

Jaguars win 24-10.

Atlanta Vs. Tampa Bay

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ATLANTA - NOVEMBER 28: Quarterback Matt Ryan #2 of the Atlanta Falcons rushes out of the pocket away from Brandon Chillar #54 of the Green Bay Packers at Georgia Dome on November 28, 2010 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

The Atlanta Falcons are the best team in the NFC. At 9-2, they have the conference's best record as one of the most complete teams in the NFL.

Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan is having a tremendous season, and receiver Roddy White is having a career year, leading many to believe he is a top-three receiver in the league.

The Tampa Buccaneers were the laughingstock of the NFC South last season, but have turned things around quickly in 2010. 

Josh Freeman has guided the Bucs to a 7-4 record, and a win would put Tampa within a game of the Falcons in the standings.

After a hot start, experts were quick to predict the imminent fall of the Bucs, but they have yet to fold, proving they are a real threat to make the postseason.

Atlanta must prove they are capable of playing with a high level of intensity each week. Last week's great win vs. Green Bay was very emotional, and against a strong Buccaneers team, the Falcons can't afford a lackluster effort.

Tampa Bay wins 31-28.

Pittsburgh Vs. Baltimore

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PITTSBURGH - NOVEMBER 21: James Harrison #92 of the Pittsburgh Steelers pumps up the crowd during the game against the Oakland Raiders on November 21, 2010 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)

The Ravens and Steelers are two rivals who despise each other greatly, and every battle between them is very physical.

Both of these teams are 8-3 and tied for the AFC North lead. A Baltimore win puts them in great shape to win the division, because they already have beaten the Steelers at Heinz Field this year.

The head-to-head tiebreaker would be massive for the Ravens, who are coming off a hard-fought win versus Tampa Bay last week.

The winner of this game will also be on track for the number two seed in the AFC, possibly even the first overall seed too. 

The physical play this rivalry is known for is a bigger issue this time around due to the hard hitting of Steelers linebacker James Harrison.

Harrison was fined this week by the NFL for an illegal hit during last week's win at Buffalo. It was the fourth time he's been fined this season for illegal tackles, with the fines totaling $125,000. 

Defense will be a major factor in the outcome, and Harrison will surely be under the watchful eye of the officials. 

The winner of this game has the inside track to a first-round playoff bye, which will provide some much needed rest for the bodies of some of the most physical players in the NFL.

Steelers win 17-14.

New York Vs. New England

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DETROIT - NOVEMBER 25: Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots hands the ball off to Danny Woodhead #39 during the game against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field on November 25, 2010 in Detroit, Michigan. New England defeated Detroit 45-24. (Photo by Le

The game of the season takes place Monday night in Foxboro between two teams who hate each other. The New York Jets and the New England Patriots will battle for the AFC East crown and the number one seed in the AFC playoffs.

Even though this game does not clinch either accomplishment, the loser of this game will have a very long road to recovery.

The Jets beat the Patriots in September, with quarterback Mark Sanchez out-dueling Tom Brady in the fourth quarter.

But the Patriots' offense is on fire, and Tom Brady was this week's AFC Offensive Player of the Week. 

Randy Moss is no longer with the Patriots, and the result has been beneficial for New England. After Moss' departure, the Patriots acquired receiver Deion Branch, who was an important part of New England's Super Bowl XXXVIII and XXXIX victories.

Brady and the offense are getting a great boost from running back BenJarvus Green-Ellis, and the two rookie tight ends, Aaron Hernandez and Rob Gronkowski.

The Jets have been fortunate the last few weeks, needing heroic late-game drives from Sanchez to win at the end.

Sanchez had become a very good quarterback this season, and with a running game far inferior to last year's, Sanchez's play has saved the Jets.

The Patriots are the home team and are playing better right now, and I expect them to win on Monday night, but the score will be close.

Patriots win 24-21.