Total: 5–8
Cumulative Total: 18–21
Coming off the year’s best week during Thanksgiving, hopefully these next picks don’t turn into a “trap game.” Some divisional and conference matchups have huge playoff implications this Sunday. Here are my picks for week 13.
Buccaneers @ Falcons 1:00 Est. Sun.
While this matchup is incredibly lopsided, I think the spot means it probably stays within a possession. The Bucs have simply not been the same team on the road this year (3–3) while the Falcons need this win if they want to sniff the playoffs. Especially at home, I think Atlanta can makes this at least a somewhat close loss.
Pick: Falcons +10.5 🅇
Cardinals @ Bears 1:00 Est. Sun.
This is another game where I think the better team is rightfully the favorite, but it’s also against a home dog with a desperation factor (the heat on Matt Nagy seems like it gets turned up more every week). Add to that a southern team used to Arizona weather coming up to a cold, rainy, windy day at Soldier Field and I don’t think the game ever gets broke open.
Pick: Bears +7.5 🅇
Chargers @ Bengals 1:00 Est. Sun.
Two young, exciting quarterbacks faceoff in a battle of playoff hopefuls, but my pick ultimately comes down to what’s around that quarterback. Despite similar records, over the last few games Cincinnati has been significantly more consistent than San Diego, and Bengals have home field advantage. So, I think they can pull this one out by a field goal.
Pick: Bengals -3 🅇
Vikings @ Lions 1:00 Est. Sun.
The Lions, while a terrible team, have a tendency to keep games close. More than half of their games have been decided by a possession, and the last time they played a vastly superior Vikings team on the road, the game was decided by two points. Add to that the Vikings having a second road game in a row and missing Anthony Barr, I once again think a home-dog keeps it within a touchdown.
Pick: Lions +7.5 ✅
Giants @ Dolphins 1:00 Est. Sun.
The Dolphins look almost unstoppable over the past few weeks, and there’s no reason not to be confident in them going up against a New York team worse than the Carolina team they blew out last week. That, along with Brian Flores having a clear edge over Daniel Jones in his battle with the Miami defense, makes me think the Dolphins win big at Hard Rock stadium.
Pick: Dolphins -6.5 ✅
Eagles @ Jets 1:00 Est. Sun.
While the Eagles and Jalen Hurts keep making their fans think they have a shot at the division and then letting them down, they have been able to record convincing wins against the worst teams in the league. The Jets certainly qualify as one of those teams. But, with Gardner Minshew starting at quarterback one the road for the first time this year and the discouraging loss to New York las week, almost touchdown is too wide of a margin to pick Philadelphia.
Pick: Jets +5.5 🅇
Colts @ Texans 1:00 Est. Sun.
This spread just seems too big for a divisional matchup with the underdog at home and the favorite coming off what should be an emotional letdown in a close home game against Tampa Bay. That Houston has played it’s divisional rivals somewhat closely this year, despite its relative ineptitude against other opponents, gives me some measure of confidence in their making this a tight game.
Pick: Texans +10 🅇
Football Team @ Raiders 4:05 Est. Sun.
The Football Team has been an enigma this year, with an equal number of quality wins of baffling losses to its name. And while its defense continued to prove itself even without Chase Young, I just don’t trust Taylor Heineke and the offense to put enough points to keep pace with a Raiders team that gashed the Cowboys in Dallas last week.
Pick: Raiders -1.5 🅇
Jaguars @ Rams 4:05 Est. Sun.
In a classic get right game at SoFi stadium, everything would point towards picking the Rams even if the line was a thousand points. Coming off of a three game losing streak and badly needing a win to stay in the conversation for a bye, the Rams incredibly talented offense and defense will be fully revved up for this matchup. Expect the game to be over after the first quarter.
Pick: Rams -14 ✅
Ravens @ Steelers 4:25 Est. Sun.
In a classic AFC North rivalry game, some of the luster has come off of it due to the Steelers’ difficulties this season. I think the Ravens’ defense can shut down Big Ben, even at Heinz Field, enough to let Lamar Jackson and the great Baltimore running game win the game.
Pick: Ravens -4 🅇
49ers @ Seahawks 4:25 Est. Sun.
Last week’s Monday night game against Washington shattered my confidence in Seattle once and for all. I think San Francisco, which comes in riding a 3 game hot streak where it’s allowed a little over 15 point per game, will have a much easier time than the three point line predicts, especially since Jimmy Garoppolo is actually outplaying a banged-up Russell Wilson this year.
Pick: 49ers -1.5 🅇
Broncos @ Chiefs 8:20 Est. Sun.
These teams, despite their similar records, got there differently, with Kansas City getting hot relatively recently and Denver recording half of its wins against bad teams at the start of the season. I think the Chiefs look for a statement primetime win to solidify themselves once again as contenders in the AFC and the environment at Arrowhead helps them do it.
Pick: Chiefs -8.5 ✅
Patriots @ Bills 8:15 Est. Mon.
This might be the game of the week in terms of playoff implications: since Buffalo will in all likelihood finish with the divisional record tie-breaker, the Patriots might need to win this game to win the AFC East. Moreover, seeing the two teams’ young quarterbacks in a pressure situation will be incredibly informative. Ultimately, in a very equal matchup, I believe in Bill Belichick in what is shaping up to be a great revenge tour.
Pick: Patriots +3 ✅
