Week 13 Picks

Green Bay Packers (5-5-1) vs Detroit Lions (6-5)

Packers come in off a tie last week after losing two straight. QB Aaron Rodgers is still out with a broken left collarbone leaving Matt Flynn to start this week. Lions come in off two straight losses. The NFC North has become the most up for grabs division. This game will decide the division leader. Prediction: Lions

Oakland Raiders (4-7) vs Dallas Cowboys (6-5)

Raiders come in off a loss against the Titans last week at home. QB Matt McGloin struggled last week throwing 1 TD and 1 INT. If he struggles today the Raiders may be forced to switch to Terrelle Pryor. RB Darren McFadden is still struggling with a knee injury and will not get the start today. This is a team struggling in a division dominated by two teams. Cowboys come in off a win last week against the Giants in New York. Despite the win the Cowboys have struggled on both sides of the ball with a banged up team all season. They look to take a firm lead of the NFC East division. Prediction: Cowboys

Pittsburgh Steelers (5-6) vs Baltimore Ravens (5-6)

Ravens come in off a win last week against the Jets at home. QB Joe Flacco is 5-6 all time against the Steelers and has thrown as many TDs as INTs this season (14). The running game has struggled this season and the defense has been a major letdown. Steelers come in off three straight wins. This team has struggled on offense since losing C Maurkice Pouncey in the season opener. Rookie RB Le'veon Bell will get the start today though he has not scored a TD in the last two weeks. Prediction: Steelers

Tennessee Titans (5-6) vs Indianapolis Colts (7-4)

Titans come in off a win against Oakland while Indianapolis come in off a loss against Arizona. Titans have had an inconsistent season marred by the loss of QB Jake Locker. RB Chris Johnson has not had the numbers needed to overcome that loss. Colts have looked pitiful in the losses against the Rams and Cardinals. The loss of WR Reggie Wayne has been costly for the Colts. These teams need the win to keep their playoff hopes alive. Prediction: Colts

Jacksonville Jaguars (2-9) vs Cleveland Browns (4-7)

Jaguars come in off a win against the Texans while the Browns come in off a loss against the Steelers. Jags have dealt with poor play at quarterback and the loss of their top WR Justin Blackmon who is suspended indefinitely. Their defense is pitiful. Browns have long had issue at QB and their running game has not proved to be much  better. Prediction: Browns

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-8) vs Carolina Panthers (8-3)

Bucs come in off three straight wins while the Panthers are on a seven game winning streak. Bucs are struggling with an identity crisis and have had numerous injuries to compound their problems. Panthers meanwhile are one game out of first and have finally started to fire on all cylinders. Prediction: Panthers

New England Patriots (8-3) vs Houston Texans (2-9)

Patriots come in off an overtime win against the Broncos last week at home while the Texans are on a nine game losing streak. Patriots have one of the most prolific offenses in the league and their defense has finally started to match. Texans have suffered massive injuries in some of their most key positions including linebacker, running back and tight end. Texans will be lucky to win another game this season. Prediction: Patriots

Chicago Bears (6-5) vs Minnesota Vikings (2-8-1)

Bears come in off a loss last week against Rams in St. Louis while Vikings come in off a tie against the Packers in Green Bay. Bears have managed to scrape together wins with QB Josh McCown but will need Jay Cutler back soon to make a push into the playoffs. Their biggest issue to overcome is having the worst run defense in the league. Vikings have been plagued all season by the inconsistency at the QB position no matter who has started. They rely to heavily on their running game and a defense that has had to constantly come from behind. Prediction: Bears

Arizona Cardinals (7-4) vs Philadelphia Eagles (6-5)

Cardinals come in off a four game winning streak while the Eagles come in off a bye after winning three straight. QB Carson Palmer has been a key figure in keeping the Cardinals in the playoff hunt and their defense finally found a way to beat top contenders last week against the Colts. Eagles QB Nick Foles has thrown for 16 TDs and 0 INTs in all his games for the Eagles. This combined with a decent running game and a mediocre defense has kept them in the win column. Prediction: Cardinals

Miami Dolphins (5-6) vs New York Jets (5-6)

Dolphins come in off a loss last week against the Panthers while the Jets come in off two straight losses. QB Ryan Tannehill has been more reliable for the Dolphins that QB Geno Smith has been for the Jets but neither team has been able to put together a string of consistent wins. This game will be a test to see who wants to be in the playoffs more. Prediction: Jets

Atlanta Falcons (2-9) vs Buffalo Bills (4-7)

Prediction: Bills

St. Louis Rams (5-6) vs San Francisco 49ers (7-4)

Prediction: 49ers

Cincinnati Bengals (7-4) vs San Diego Chargers (5-6)

Prediction: Bengals

Denver Broncos (9-2) vs Kansas City Chiefs (9-2)

Prediction: Broncos

New York Giants (4-7) vs Washington Redskins (3-8)

Prediction: Giants

New Orleans Saints (9-2) vs Seattle Seahawks (10-1)

Prediction: Seahawks