NFL Week 13 Picks: Predicting the Week's Closest Scores

In Week 13 of the 2011 NFL season, there are few matchups featuring teams with similar makeups.

All of these games have playoff implications in one way or another.  

Bengals and Steelers. 

Falcons and Texans. 

That's just the beginning. 

Next, a preview of the games I envision coming down to the final minutes.  

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

These two clubs played an extremely physical slug-fest in Week 10, and the Steelers came out on top, 24-17. 

No points were scored in the fourth quarter. 

Expect more of the same this weekend. 

Cincinnati's defense is a stout unit that should give the Steelers their fair share of issues, and Andy Dalton is extremely poised in the pocket—especially in the second half. 

When the game's on the line, however, I'll take Ben Roethlisberger at home. 

He should be able to hit Mike Wallace or Antonio Brown on a few deep passes and improvise when protection breaks down. 

His will to win usually prevails in huge games like this. 

Steelers 27, Bengals 21

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

This game would have much more intrigue had either Matt Schaub or Matt Leinart been available. 

Nothing against T.J. Yates, but he certainly forces the Texans to water down their passing-game plan. 

Both teams are balanced in their running game and on defense. 

Houston should be able to limit Michael Turner, and Matt Ryan will have a tough time distributing the football against the second-ranked secondary in football. 

The Texans have lost only once at home this season, but the Falcons defense will prove to be too physical and should keep Arian Foster from having another monster game en route to victory. 

Falcons 23, Texans 20

Tennessee Titans (6-5) at Buffalo Bills (5-6)

A must-win for both teams, although the Bills' playoff hopes were essentially dashed last week when they fell short in the final seconds against the hated Jets. 

It seems like Buffalo has found the correct offensive-line combination, and if Ryan Fitzpatrick has time to throw, he should have a respectable game at home. 

The difference in this one could be the run defenses. 

Chris Johnson ran for 190 last week against the Buccaneers, and he's up against Buffalo's 21st-ranked rushing defense. 

C.J. Spiller is still looking for his breakout game, and the Titans are allowing 124.1 yards on the ground per contest this season. 

Whichever team runs more effectively to set up play-action should win.

Don't forget about turnovers, either. 

Buffalo has forced 16 interceptions this season, while the Titans only have 10 picks.

In the end, the Bills get off their four-game skid with some old Fitzpatrick second-half heroics and win on a last-second field goal.  

Bills 20, Titans 17

Green Bay Packers (11-0) at New York Giants (7-4)

Two more teams that are extremely comparable. 

They're both led by Super Bowl-winning quarterbacks, have fantastic receiving corps, have elite pass-rushers and possess cornerbacks that have the ability to turn the football over in critical moments. 

Neither team is that effective running the football, and really they don't care, because they love tossing the ball all over the yard. 

If one team on the remaining schedule can stick with the Packers, it's the Giants. 

Their defense was torched on Monday Night Football, but they've shown the ability to hit the big play throughout the entire 2011 season. At home, they'll throw everything at Green Bay's susceptible secondary. 

The Packers' affinity for creating turnovers will be the difference in this NFC showdown. 

Packers 35, Giants 31