NFL Week 13 Picks: Quick Predictions for the Week's Marquee Matchups

Week 13 of the 2011 NFL season kicks off December, the month in which playoff positions are decided for some teams while others see their postseason aspirations vanish.

There are a few marquee matchups on the schedule this weekend, ones that will have a major impact on the postseason picture in both conferences.

Here's how I see those games playing out.  

Cincinnati Bengals (7-4) at Pittsburgh Steelers (8-3)

The Bengals played the Steelers close in Week 10, losing a competitive game 24-17 in which there were no points scored in the fourth quarter. 

Andy Dalton led his team on another ferocious comeback last week against the Browns en route to victory. 

Pittsburgh snuck out of Kansas City with a 13-9 victory in their most anemic offensive performance since the first week of the season. 

Playing in the Steel City will be the difference in this game. 

Ben Roethlisberger will reconnect with his big-play guys down the field and although Dalton has proved to have an uncanny ability to lead his team from a first-half deficit, he won't be able to lead his team on a final, game-winning drive against the Steelers. 

A late interception seals the ninth victory for Pittsburgh. 

Atlanta Falcons (7-4) at Houston Texans (8-3)

Both of these teams could make a case as the most balanced club in their respective conference. 

Michael Turner leads the 14th ranked rushing attack in football and Matt Ryan averages nearly 250 yards through the air a game. 

Their secondary isn't perfect, but they are second against the run. 

The Texans are an eerily similar team. 

The only main difference is they have their third-string quarterback starting behind center. Are either Jeff Garcia or Jake Delhomme ready to step in and face the Falcons defense?

No.  

That's why I have the Falcons winning this game on the road in what should be a closely contested battle. 

Green Bay Packers (11-0) at New York Giants (6-5)

As I've said over the last month, if the Giants cannot get their running game going, they're going to have a tough time making the playoffs because of their brutal schedule. 

Eli Manning didn't have a horrible game last night against the Saints and was the beneficiary of a few blown coverages by New Orleans' secondary, but 73 yards on 22 carries isn't going to cut it. 

Being one-dimensional is rarely a good thing. 

The Packers aren't exactly rushing juggernauts, so why aren't they struggling?

Aaron Rodgers. 

Because of New York's pass rush, this game has the potential to be close in the first half, but Rodgers has proven to make the proper second half adjustments to extend Green Bay's lead. 

He'll do the same against the Giants en route to the Pack's 12th victory. 

Detroit Lions (7-4) at New Orleans Saints (8-3)

Sorry, Lions fans, I can't pick against Drew Brees at home in prime time. 

He mad a respectable Giants defense look like a Junior Varsity unit last evening. 

Without Ndamukong Suh, New Orleans should be able to effectively run the football and the play-action game will be extremely dangerous all night for the Saints. 

Matt Stafford and Calvin Johnson should hit a few big plays, but I can't trust the Detroit signal caller in a huge game like this. 

Yet. 

The Lions are a lot like the Giants—a team with an explosive passing offense that struggles running the football. 

If Kevin Smith plays and is successful on the ground, this game could be loser than many may initially expect, but the Saints get it done at home in the fourth quarter.