NFL Week 13 Picks: Predicting Outcomes for Baltimore Ravens and Division Leaders

The elite teams are separating themselves through head-to-head matchups and overall consistency. In Week 13, here is how the NFL's current division leaders will fare:

Oakland Raiders 7-4

The Raiders do not have an easy game this week. The Dolphins have won three of their last four games, while the Raiders were fortunate to win at home against the Cutler-less Chicago Bears last week.

Darren McFadden is out again, so it will be Michael Bush in the back field.

The Dolphins defense has allowed less than 10 points per game in the last four weeks. The Raiders have routinely shot themselves in the foot this season.

I think the Dolphins will win at home.

Dolphins 17 Raiders 13

Houston Texans 8-3

Perhaps Warren Moon will quarterback the Texans, as they are decimated at the QB spot. TJ Yates will get the start as they host the Atlanta Falcons. The Texans have won five games in a row, but it will be tough to turn back the Falcons, who have won five out of six themselves.

The Texans must adjust their game plan and depend even more on the real strengths of their team: run offense and defense.

The Texans will win this game.

Texans 23 Falcons 17

Baltimore Ravens 8-3

The Ravens are in control in the AFC North and they will visit the offensively challenged Cleveland Browns.

The Browns have a very interesting defensive unit; they are number one against the pass, but near the bottom against the run.

I expect the Ravens to pound Ray Rice in the face of the Dawg Pound. The Ravens should win easy.

Ravens 24 Browns 0

New England Patriots 8-3

This used to be a marquee matchup.

This time, the Patriots will destroy the Colts at home. It could ugly really early, as the Colts simply don't have the weapons to take advantage of the Patriots' deficiencies.

Patriots 32 Colts 7

San Francisco 49ers 9-2

The Niners and Jim Harbaugh will be surly after losing the Brothers Bowl on Thanksgiving. In this game, it could be nearly as ugly as the Pats-Colts matchup.

Why? Because to beat the Niners, you must stop the run.

Guess what? The Rams are the worst defense in the NFL against the run. A blowout is coming.

49ers 24 Rams 3

New Orleans Saints 8-3

This is a very interesting matchup. The Lions will be without the Motown Stomper, AKA Ndamukong Suh. That will impact the Lions' pass rush. 

That is not a good thing when facing Drew Brees, who has been as hot as any QB in the NFL. The game should be a shootout that comes down to turnovers. Matt Stafford has had problems with accuracy, especially in the Lions losses, where he is only 57 percent proficient.

Saints win in a fantasy football owner's paradise.

Saints 35 Lions 24

Green Bay Packers 11-0

This is an interesting game, believe it or not. Sure, the Giants have lost three games in a row and have questions up the middle of the defense, but this will come down to the Giants' pass rush.

Osi Umenyiora is listed as out, but Justin Tuck will play. Eli Manning is having a Pro Bowl season despite the Giants' struggles.

For as good an offense as the Packers have, their defense has been almost as bad. This is the week they will stumble. 

Giants 34 Packers 28

Dallas Cowboys 7-4

The Cowboys are quietly playing very well. They have won four in a row, and this week they travel to Arizona, who will get Kevin Kolb back this week.

The Cardinals ran the ball well last week, but the Dallas defense is certainly better than the Rams.

In addition, the Cowboys' DeMarco Murray has been on fire as of late and the Cardinals are allowing 123.5 yards per game on the ground. Dallas will win their fifth straight.

Cowboys 28 Cardinals 14