NFL Picks Week 13: Favorites That Will Obliterate Inadequate Spread

The spread is not big enough in three games this week. The matchups are more lopsided than the gambling public realizes.

That is good news for anyone reading this and likes money.

St. Louis Rams at San Francisco 49ers

Line: 49ers -13.5

This is a big spread for a 49ers team that wins with defense. However, they have two big things working in their favor.

St. Louis is horrible, and a win will clinch them the division.

The crowd and team are going to be hyped to win a long playoff drought. Here is Frank Gore, as quoted in the San Francisco Chronicle:

"

This is my seventh year, and a lot of us have been in this locker room for a while and there have been some tough times. Our goal was always to make it to the playoffs. It's the closest we have ever been - if we do it, I'll celebrate a little bit.

"

The Rams are going to make this an easy victory for the 49ers. 

St. Louis is 32nd in the league allowing 159 rushing yards per game. They are also 31st in the league allowing 5.1 yards per rush.

San Francisco likes to run the ball, and they will be able to do just that. This will lead to long sustained drives for the 49ers. And it will put the pressure on the anemic Rams' offense to move the ball on the strong 49ers' defense.

Prediction: 49ers 27, Rams 6

Dallas Cowboys at Arizona Cardinals

Line: Cowboys -4.5

This game may be more of a home game for the Cowboys than the Cardinals. Cowboys fans always show up in droves to Arizona, and with the Cardinals all but out of the playoff picture there should be plenty of tickets for them.

Arizona has won three of their last four, but two of those came against the lowly Rams and the other was against the sinking Eagles.

The Cardinals are not doing anything particularly well, but their defense has bee especially awful.

They are 20th in rushing yards allowed and 25th in passing yards allowed.

Dallas' balanced offense will have a field day with that poor defense. 

The Cowboys are 13th in rushing yards and seventh in passing yards. They will be able to gash them on the ground and go up top through the air.

The Cardinals might find some success on the ground against the Cowboys 13th ranked rush defense, but it will not be enough to keep this one close.

Prediction: Cowboys 31, Cardinals 17

Atlanta Falcons at Houston Texans

Line: Falcons -1.5

This is a bad matchup for rookie, third-string QB TJ Yates to make his first start

The Texans will be able to rely on the NFL's third-ranked rush offense, but that is going to be hard going in this one.

They will be facing a Falcons team that is second in the NFL in rushing yards allowed. This will put too much pressure on Yates. 

Yates is not prepared to make things happen in the passing game. He needs to be in a position where he can be a game manager.

On the other side of the ball, the Texans will have their No. 1 ranked defense on the field. However, the Falcons balance offensive attack will make enough happen to get some points on the board.

The Falcons have scored at least 23 in each of their past five games. This offense is hitting its stride, and it will lead them to victory.

Prediction: Falcons 24, Texans 13

*Point spreads via Football Locks