Week 13 is upon us, and it is amazing how fast the season flies. It
seems like just yesterday the Seattle Seahawks were upsetting the Green Bay Packers, and the referees were from the local Pop Warner teams. The
Philadelphia Eagles have had an absolutely dreadful season, and the New York Jets can't be too far behind in that category. The Indianapolis Colts have had a dream season, and right now they are in the playoffs.
Andrew Luck has been all that was advertised. The Houston Texans are
also having a great season, but, barring the previously mentioned
Colts, they play in a terrible division. The Patriots once again are
playing well, and they will be a tough out once the post season begins.
The NFC's biggest surprise could be the Atlanta Falcons. Many had high
expectations for this team, but one loss at this stage of the season
wasn't expected. The New York Giants are dominant at times, but tend to
play to their opponents level. Like New England though, the playoffs is
when they shine. The Chicago Bears got off to a great start, and one of
their division opponents to the north, Detroit, can never seem to get
it's act together. There are five weeks left until the playoffs, and
this week is just as important as any. Let's get started.
As always, home team in CAPS.
ATLANTA 3 1/2 New Orleans
This
would be the Game of the Week if it was on Sunday. The Falcons only
loss of the year came at the hands of the Saints, and I don't see the
Falcons losing to them again. The Saints didn't look good last week,
and Atlanta could be in great shape if they get the home field
throughout the playoffs. I think Atlanta gets it done.
Falcons 24-20
Buffalo 5 1/2 Jacksonville
I am fairly certain not that many people care about this one.
Bills 27-16
San Francisco 7 St. Louis
The
49ers are suddenly the talk of the NFL, and the quarterback debate
between Alex Smith and Colin Kaepernick rages on. Sounds like
Bledsoe-Brady from year's past. It won't really matter for this game.
The Rams are game, but the 49ers have the hot hand right now.
49ers 30-21
New England 7 Miami
I
have a feeling this game will be closer than some think. The Patriots
sometimes have trouble with the Dolphins, but New England right now is
playing about as well as anybody. Miami has been no pushover this year,
but I think they will get pushed around just enough this week for the
Patriots to cover the poins.
Patriots 29-17
CHICAGO 4 Seattle
This
is actually a pretty big game in the NFC. I keep waiting for the
Seahawks to fall apart, but they haven't yet, even though they lost
last week. The Bears haven't been great, but their defense could make
them a tough out in the NFC postseason. The Bears should take care of
things, but this is the NFL after all.
Bears 17-10
Houston 6 Tennessee
The
Texans are bearing down on the number one seed in the AFC, but they
need to get their defense squared away before the playoffs start. I
have a feeling they are going to struggle again here. They are due for
a blow out, but the Titans tend to give them fits. I think Tennessee
will cover.
Texans 26-23
Denver 7 Tampa Bay
The
Broncos are cruising in the AFC West, but that isn't saying much. They
do look good, and he Bucs mini streak was snapped last week. The
Broncos will be in the playoffs and fighting for a top seed, but I
think the Bucs last chance was last week. I like Denver at home.
Broncos 31-21
NEW YORK JETS 4 1/2 Arizona
J-E-T-S
Jets.....wait we can't say that anymore. The Jets season absolutely
cannot end soon enough. It will be interesting to see what happens in
the offseason. The Cardinals totally fell apart. The Jets can't
possibly be as bad as they were Thursday. They are still bad, but the
Cardinals aren't much better. A Jets win MIGHT calm the masses.
Temporarily.
Jets 23-17
Carolina 3 Kansas CITY
I don't see any reason at all to go with the Chiefs.
Panthers 20-16
Cincinnati 2 1/2 SAN DIEGO
The
Bengals are looking at a playoff berth, and the Chargers stink. If Norv
Turner is still the Head Coach next year, then there is something
seriously wrong with the NFL.
Bengals 30-24
DALLAS 8 1/2 Philadelphia
Yawn. Both of these teams need major upgrades in the offseason,
especially in Philadelphia. Say goodbye to Andy Reid.
Cowboys 30-20
DETROIT 5 Indianapolis
The
Lions just can't seem to get it together, especially their Head Coach.
The Colts magical season is because of guts and emotion, but sometimes
those qualities win in the NFL. It won't give the Colts a win here but
it will be enough to keep it close.
Lions 27-23
GREEN BAY 7 1/2 Minnesota
Don't
count the Packers out yet. They are still very good, and can beat
anybody on any given day ( I think we have heard that before ). The
Vikings were done a couple of weeks ago, and I don't seem them giving
much of a match up here.
Packers 34-20
New York Giants 3 Washington
The
Redskins are in the playoff chase in the NFC as hard as that is to
believe. They won't get in, but they will be pests for anybody that
plays them. The Giants November swoon could be over, and if it is that
could be a very dangerous thing for the NFC. The Giants should be able
to win here.
Giants 28-24
Game of the Week
BALTIMORE 3 1/2 Pittsburgh
This
isn't the matchup it might normally be, but there were not a lot of big
games this week. This is a huge game for the Steelers, because a loss
might mean no trip to the post season. They are decimated with injuries
though, and with the Ravens being at home, I don't think they can take
out Baltimore.
Ravens 21-13
Stinker of the Week
OAKLAND 2 Cleveland
Look
at the two teams and it should be pretty obvious why it is the Stinker.
The Browns though, to their credit have played hard, so I will pick
them here.
Browns 27-26
Record For Week 12: 7-9 ( 8-8 without the spread )
Record Through Week 12: 75-87-3 ( 93-72 without the
spread )
Game of Week Record: 6-6
Stinker of Week Record: 4-8
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:
Get Patriots Insider updates on Twitter Follow @PatriotsInsider
Want to find out what other Patriots fans think? Join them on the Message
Boards
|