WEEK 13: ELITE TEAM PICKS OF THE WEEK

The NFL season is heating up! The playoffs are weeks away, and multiple divisions are still up for grabs. While there are actually no divisional battles occurring this week, the results nonetheless will greatly impact the races! Enjoy NFL Fans!!

Dallas Cowboys (10-1) at Minnesota Vikings (6-5)

This game is a pretty important one. Minnesota is hanging on to their tight second place in the NFC North. The Cowboys continue on their 10 game winning streak. Elliot and Co. just cannot be stopped. I think that continues this week.

Dallas Cowboys 25 Minnesota Vikings 20

Kansas City Chiefs (8-3) at Atlanta Falcons (7-4)

The Chiefs were able to slide by last Sunday night with an overtime victory off a close field goal. The Falcons, meanwhile, dominated the Cardinals from start to finish, as they won 38-19. This one will be in the Georgia Dome, and I forecast a dominant offensive performance by the birds.

Atlanta Falcons 28 Kansas City 23

Detroit Lions (7-4) at New Orleans Saints (5-6)

The Lions control their destiny to the playoffs for the first time in quite a while, and Matthew Stafford is in MVP form. He has led multiple fourth quarter comebacks in this season alone. But this game just feels different to me. I think the Saints have an upset in them, and it comes here in week 13.

New Orleans Saints 20 Detroit Lions 17

Los Angeles Rams (4-7) at New England Patriots (9-2)

Tom Brady looked surprisingly human last week against New York. But it is also important to note that historically #12 hasn’t fared particularly well against the Jets. The Rams got destroyed last week in the Superdome. The Pats bounce back at home.

New England Patriots 34 Los Angeles Rams 20

Denver Broncos (7-4) at Jacksonville Jaguars (2-9)

Jacksonville cannot seem to pull off a win. Last week they got exposed again against the Bills and their relatively underwhelming offense. The Broncos lost in OT despite a very good performance by Trevor Siemian. As long as Denver’s D picks it up from last week, they should fly out of Florida with a win.

Denver Broncos 27 Jacksonville Jaguars 23

Houston Texans (6-5) at Green Bay Packers (5-6)

The Packers are in must win mode. They drew a great matchup here in Houston who lost yet another game last week to San Diego in a dire affair. If my predictions hold true for this week, the Packers would control their playoff destiny with a win this week. I think #12 goes out and gets that W.

Green Bay Packers 30 Houston Texans 16

Philadelphia Eagles (5-6) at Cincinnati Bengals (3-7-1)

The Eagles lost in a tight one last week at home against the Packers. Their defense looked helpless trying to control the Packers passing attack. Luckily, they face a Bengals squad that may be the most disappointing team in the NFL. I say Eagles skid by in OT.

Philadelphia Eagles 23 Cincinnati Bengals 20

Miami Dolphins (7-4) at Baltimore Ravens (6-5)

Miami looked good in their win against the 49ers last week, especially previously struggling receiver Kenny Stills. The Ravens leaned on their defense and some significant luck to squeeze by divisional rival Cincinnati last week. I think the hotter team prevails, and the Fins leave B-town successful.

Miami Dolphins 23 Baltimore Ravens 22

San Francisco 49ers (1-10) at Chicago Bears (2-9)

Colin Kaepernick did all he could possibly do last week down in Miami. He ran for over 100 yards and almost threw for 300. Their limping defense couldn’t hold them up. Chicago is in a similar boat, as Jordan Howard and even Matt Barkley played relatively well. These two losing teams will not put up a fun game to watch, but Chicago prevails at home.

Chicago Bears 19 San Francisco 49ers 14

Buffalo Bills (6-5) at Oakland Raiders (9-2)

Buffalo may have found some momentum after beating the Jags, but their next opponent is a whole new monster. Possibly the hottest team in the NFL right now, Oakland has just dominated their opponents. Derek Carr is a rising star, and I have little doubt they will win again this week.

Oakland Raiders 24 Buffalo Bills 10

New York Giants (8-3) at Pittsburgh Steelers (6-5)

The Giants are in a great position right now, and are actually holding steady in an increasingly competitive NFC Easy. The Steelers played a perfectly executed ball game on Thanksgiving night. I am smelling an upset here in the Steel City.

Pittsburgh Steelers 20 New York Giants 12

Washington Redskins (6-4-1) at Arizona Cardinals (4-6-1)

The Redskins are a great football team. They fought hard last week in Dallas, but couldn’t finish the deal. The Card’s playoff chances are diminishing fast, but I think this is a trap-like game for the ‘Skins. I take the Cards in the desert.

Arizona Cardinals 30 Washington Redskins 17

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6-5) at San Diego Chargers (5-6)

The Buccaneers defense put on quite the show last week in holding the Seahawks to just 5 points. That is a feat not many teams can claim. With the return of Doug Martin, this game could be a battle between the two talented young running backs. I’ll take the Chargers at home.

San Diego Chargers 19 Tampa Bay Buccaneers 17

Carolina Panthers (4-7) at Seattle Seahawks (7-3-1)

The Sunday night game this week pits two teams struggling with different sides of the field. The Panthers allowed five touchdowns last week to Oakland, while Seattle failed to garner a scoring play. Seattle should bounce back at home, though.

Seattle Seahawks 26 Carolina Panthers 20

Indianapolis Colts (5-6) at New York Jets (3-8)

The Colts have yet to know who their starting quarterback for this game will be, but I do not think that will matter much. Whether it’s Scott Tolzien or Andrew Luck. I just do not think the Jets offense will be able to generate enough to keep up.

Indianapolis Colts 17 New York Jets 13