NFL Week 13 Picks: Playoff Contenders That Will Be Burned

When you're a playoff contender and you're facing another playoff contender, it's inevitable that someone is going to be dropped down a peg.

In Week 13 of the NFL season, we have three matchups in particular that will separate the winners in the playoff chase and discourage the losers.

It's the Atlanta Falcons at the Houston Texans, Detroit Lions at the New Orleans Saints and Green Bay Packers at the New York Giants.

Who will win?

Read on, fellow football fans.

3. Houston Texans (8-3)

The Texans may be 8-3, but with starting quarterback Matt Schaub and backup Matt Leinart out, that leaves rookie T.J. Yates in command of the Texans from here on out.

Given Yates went 8-of-15 for 70 yards against the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 12, that's not very good news.

The Texans still have a superstar in running back Adrian Foster and a nice complement in the backfield in Ben Tate, but that won't overcome having Yates under center.

The Falcons have given up just 3.7 yards per carry this season, which is part of the reason they've been able to hold opponents enough to get off to a 7-3 start.

That's going to force Yates to throw, and that won't end well for the Texans.

2. Detroit Lions (7-4)

After getting off to a 5-0 start this season, the Lions have severely regressed, going 2-4 in their last six games.

That's not good news when you're going up against the New Orleans Saints, who are always dangerous, particularly at home.

It also doesn't help that the Lions are giving up 4.8 yards per carry this season, as their rush defense has been their main weak point all year long.

The Saints have risen as a rushing offense this season, averaging 4.6 yards per carry, good for seventh in the NFL.

That's a whole lot to deal with when the Saints already have quarterback Drew Brees on their side.

1. New York Giants (6-4 before MNF)

The Giants have clearly been scuffling as of late, losing two straight games to the San Francisco 49ers and Philadelphia Eagles before Monday night's matchup against the Saints.

The loss of running back Ahmad Bradshaw to a foot injury has hurt the Giants, and the offense hasn't been as explosive, averaging 22.8 points per game.

So when the Giants aren't playing their best football, excuse me for thinking they will lose to the 11-0 Packers.

That Week 9 victory over the New England Patriots seems like it happened a long time ago.