Poore's Picks Week 13
Jim Poore
Dec. 1, 2011
Now that everybody has their tummies filled with turkey, it is time to
concentrate on the Christmas holiday and the end of the season football
games. Actually, looking at the schedule this week there really aren't
all that many big games. Yes, teams have to win to keep their post
season hopes alive, but there are only a couple of games where both
teams are involved in the playoff chase. I won't waste any more time I
will get right to the selections.
As always, home team in CAPS.
Philadelphia 3 SEATTLE
The Eagles season is over, and so might Andy Reid's tenure in
Philadelphia. What an awful season for the Eagles. The Seahawks are not
very good but they have been competitive. I'll take them here. I don't
see any reason for the Eagles to play well.
Seahawks 23-20
Atlanta 2 1/2 Houston
Pity the poor Texans. They are now on their third quarterback, T.J
Yates. They will really need their running game and defense now. Good
thing for them they have a playoff spot virtually wrapped up. The
Falcons have been strange all year. Great one week, junk the next. I
think they will play well here but I have a feeling the Texans will
rally around their quarterback and pull out a win here.
Texans 26-21
Miami 3 Oakland
The Dolphins have been playing better lately, but the Raiders have a
playoff berth on the line. Remarkably they are winning the division. I
think Tony Sparano is a lame duck too. I'll take Oakland here just
because they need a win.
Raiders 23-21
TAMPA BAY 3 1/2 Carolina
The Bucs have been a borderline disaster this year. I hope it is one
step backward before going forward. The Panthers have actually been ok
even though their record doesn't show it. I would think the Bucs have
to win at some point. I guess this is probably their best chance.
Bucs 24-17
Buffalo 1 1/2 Tennessee
The Bills have really fallen apart, and the Titans are actually right
in the middle of the wild card chase in the AFC. Buffalo is too, sort
of. But they are very hard to trust right now. I think
Tennessee is better than some think, but I don't see them going
anywhere if they do make the post season. I will take the Titans here
though. The Bills problems from earlier in the season are rearing their
ugly head.
Titans 30-27
New Orleans 9 Detroit
The Saints are flying again, and the Lions are flying right into
suspensions. Ndamukong Suh got suspended for two games, and he deserved
it. The Lions are still good but have faded. I still think they can
make some noise in the playoffs, assuming they make it. I also think
the Saints could be the only real threat to Green Bay in the NFC. I
like the Saints here, as they are home and are simply the better team.
Saints 39-28
Minnesota 1 Denver
Tim Tebow mania continues in Colorado, but it has to end sometime. I
don't think it will end this week however. The Vikings have been lousy
all year, and Denver's defense is actually playing very well right now.
It has nothing to do with Tebow. I'll take Denver's defense here.
Broncos 17-16
SAN FRANCISCO 13 St. Louis
The 49ers are still very good even though they lost last week. The Rams
are not. This should be just another easy NFC West game for the 49ers,
who are just playing out the string until the playoffs.
49ers 37-10
Dallas 4 1/2 Arizona
The Cowboys are in the thick of the playoff race but they won't go
anywhere if they make it. The Cardinals aren't even close. The Cowboys
have more on the line so I will take them here.
Cowboys 27-21
Baltimore 6 1/2 CLEVELAND
The Ravens are playing well, but they seem to play poorer against
weaker teams. Cleveland is a weak team. I don't think the Ravens will
lose this game but I think they will play poor enough to keep the
Browns in it. I'll take Cleveland here.
Ravens 26-23
Green Bay 7 New York Giants
I am not sure anybody is going to be able to beat the Packers, and the
way the Giants are playing lately I don't think it is going to be them.
They badly need a win, but I don't think they can beat the Packers. I
think they will keep it fairly close though.
Packers 35-30
New York Jets 3 Washington
I have a feeling last week's close win might get the Jets rolling. I
still think they are a playoff team. The Redskins have been awful after
a decent start. I don't see too many issues for the Jets here, even on
the road.
Jets 26-13
CHICAGO 7 1/2 Kansas City
The Bears are in the playoff chase, and the Chiefs possibly have been
the worst team in the NFL over the last couple of weeks. I don't think
signing Kyle Orton is going to help them. The Bears should be able to
handle the Chiefs with relative ease this week.
Bears 29-12
San Diego 2 1/2 JACKSONVILLE
Wow is this a lame duck game. The Jags fired Jack Del Rio, and Norv
Turner is likely getting fired at year's end. Both teams are bad right
now. I'll take San Diego, only because they are better. I think.
Chargers 28-17
Game of the Week
Pittsburgh 7 Cincinnati
This is definitely a big game in the AFC North. The Steelers are still
battling injuries, and the Bengals have been a big surprise. I don't
believe in them though. They could make the playoffs but I just don't
see them going anywhere. I think the Steelers will take this one as
they compete for home field advantage.
Steelers 30-20
Stinker of the Week
NEW ENGLAND 35 Indianapolis
Oh boy. This could get ugly real fast. 35 is not the actual number, it
is my number. The real number is 20 1/2, which is the most points I can
ever remember. I will still use 35 as the spread. If the Patriots win
but by less than 35, I will consider it a loss. I actually think they
will cover it. The Colts have already lied down this year. They will
really prove it this game.
Patriots 49-7
Record For Week 12: 8-8 ( 11-5 without the spread )
Record Through Week 12: 80-88-8 ( 109-67 without the
spread )
Game of Week Record: 7-4-1
Stinker of Week Record: 4-8
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Jim Poore has been a long time contributor to Patriots Insider with his weekly picks column. Let him know what you think. Email him here:
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