NFL Week 13 Predictions

November 30, 2005, 8:49 PM | 0 Comments

Week 13 in the NFL and the biggest story this year is the 11-0 Indianapolis Colts. They’re winning in so many different ways that it really looks like they have a chance to go undefeated. I certainly hope they do.

Last week on Monday Night, Peyton Manning opened off the game with an 80 yard touchdown pass to Marvin Harrison on their first play. It was a huge statement that set the pace of the game. Pittsburgh was pretty much finished after that, and the Colts never looked back.

Yes, the Packers are out of the playoffs, but I’m glad my 2nd favourite team is the best team in the NFL this year. It gives me something to cheer for come playoffs. Odd how that worked out. Go Indy!

Last week I had a good week going 12-4. Hopefully it’ll be another great week this week. 

ESPN Expert Picks: Last Week | This Week.

These are my picks for week 13!

Atlanta Falcons (7-4) at Carolina Panthers (8-3) - Last week the Falcons rushed for almost 260 yards against the Lions. That’s impressive. The Panthers meanwhile barely squeaked by the Buffalo Bills. I think the Falcons need this win to stay in the division race. I’ll take them in a close game. Pick: Falcons.

Buffalo Bills (4-7) at Miami Dolphins (4-7) - Two inconsistent teams, same record, hard game to predict. Take the Dolphins at home. Pick: Dolphins.

Cincinnati Bengals (8-3) at Pittsburgh Steelers (7-4) - This is a BIG game. If Cincinnati can win this game, they’ll have a strangle-hold on the division race. If Pittsburgh can come out on top (which I think they will at home, with a healthy Ben Roethlisberger) they will have the advantage as they’ve already beaten Cincinnati once this year. Pick: Steelers.

Dallas Cowboys (7-4) at New York Giants (7-4) - Cowboys, Giants, Part two. Last time the Cowboys were able to win by a field goal in Dallas. I think it’ll probably be the other way around this time and that Eli and the G-Men will take the division lead. Pick: Giants.

Green Bay Packers (2-9) at Chicago Bears (8-3) - The Bears are one of the NFC’s elite teams this year, I’ve even heard comparisons to the ‘85 Superbowl champion Bears. The Packers are well on their way to a top-5 pick in next year’s draft, and they’re out of the playoff picture. As always, when I pick against the Packers, I really hope I’m wrong. Pick: Bears.

Houston Texans (1-10) at Baltimore Ravens (3-8) - Well, the Texans really should have picked up their second win of the season last week against the Rams, but they caved when it really mattered. I think they have a ton of talent on their team, and they’re starving for a win. My risky pick of the week goes to the Texans. Pick: Texans.

Jacksonville Jaguars (8-3) at Cleveland Browns (4-7) - Byron Leftwich is probably done for the season. If David Garrard plays well over the next 5 weeks of the season, chances are that even if Leftwich is healthy enough to play come January, he wont start. The Jags should easily win this game against the Browns, but we’ll see. Pick: Jaguars.

Minnesota Vikings (6-5) at Detroit Lions (4-7) - Brad Johnson has really impressed me this year. He’s 4-0 as a starter this year and has turned the Viking’s ship around. Detroit played horribly on Thanksgiving against the Falcons last week, had their head coach fired, and yet another QB change will take place this week. I expect it’ll be smooth sailing for the ‘Vikes. Pick: Vikings.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-4) at New Orleans Saints (3-8) - Tough loss for Tampa last week. Is it just me, or were there a lot of missed field goals last week? Anyways, this shouldn’t be a difficult game for the Bucs to win, but you never know. Pick: Buccaneers.

Tennessee Titans (3-8) at Indianapolis Colts (11-0) - The Titans will probably get a couple more wins this season, but they wont come against a very focused Colts team that has a definite shot at a perfect season. Pick: Colts.

Arizona Cardinals (3-8) at San Francisco 49ers (2-9) - Arizona has been playing well the last few weeks. They lost their first match up in Mexico City earlier this year, but a lot has changed for both teams since then. I think the Cardinals will get another W this week. Pick: Cardinals.

Washington Redskins (5-6) at St. Louis Rams (5-6) - What a story last week. Jamie Martin goes down and makes room for the first player ever from Harvard to play in the NFL, QB Ryan Fitzpatrick. Not only does he play well, but he leads the Rams back to victory in the dying seconds of the game and becomes an instant star. Not to take anything away from that brilliant performance, but it was the Texans. The Redskins will simply not allow that to happen to them. Pick: Redskins.

Denver Broncos (9-2) at Kansas City Chiefs (7-4) - In a league with so much change, it’s nice to see the Broncos under head coach Mike Shanahan doing well again. They should continue to roll this week towards a first week bye in the playoffs. Pick: Broncos.

New York Jets (2-9) at New England Patriots (6-5) - Tom Brady had a terrible game last week against the Chiefs, throwing for 4 interceptions. One thing about Tom Brady though, he always bounces back. I wouldn’t want to be the Jets this week. The Patriots will win. Pick: Patriots.

Oakland Raiders (4-7) at San Diego Chargers (7-4) - Now, I’m not as old as Marty Schottenheimer, but I’d have to agree with his comment when he said ‘LT is the finest back I’ve ever seen’. I’ll echo what I’ve said earlier for their game plan against the Raiders this week. Give the ball to LT. Pick: Chargers.

Seattle Seahawks (9-2) at Philadelphia Eagles (5-6) - The Seahawks didn’t really prove much in last week’s win over the Giants. They really shouldn’t have won. How often does any kicker miss 3 field goals in a game, let alone 3 potential game winning field goals in a row? They should continue their dominance this week in Philly though. Pick: Seahawks.

Picks Summary

AWAY - HOME - PREDICTION - RESULT
Falcons - Panthers - Falcons - Panthers Χ
Bills - Dolphins - Dolphins - Dolphins √
Bengals - Steelers - Steelers - Bengals Χ
Cowboys - Giants - Giants - Giants √
Packers - Bears - Bears - Bears √
Texans - Ravens - Texans - Ravens Χ
Jaguars - Browns - Jaguars - Jaguars √
Vikings - Lions - Vikings - Vikings √
Buccaneers - Saints - Buccaneers - Buccaneers √
Titans - Colts - Colts - Colts √
Cardinals - 49ers - Cardinals - Cardinals √
Redskins - Rams - Redskins - Redskins √
Broncos - Chiefs - Broncos - Chiefs Χ
Jets - Patriots - Patriots - Patriots √
Raiders - Chargers - Chargers - Chargers √
Seahawks - Eagles - Seahawks - Seahawks √

UPDATE: 12-4 this week for another good week.
Running total: 121-71.

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