NFL Week 13 Predictions

Week 12 of the NFL season is in the books and once again, there were winners that were not expected to be victorious. We begin with my team, the Pittsburgh Steelers, who were in a snow blinding battle in Cleveland with the Browns. Steelers wide receiver George Pickens tried to blame the weather and referees for losing but the fact is, the defense had a letdown as did some of the offense. Pittsburgh was obviously not prepared for a team that in the preseason was predicted to be particularly good and, on this night, Myles Garrett showed up T.J. Watt and was a major factor as the Steelers lost.

I thought for sure the Bears would upset the Vikings, but Minnesota keeps on rolling. It seems we are finding out that the Washington Commanders may just be pretenders and not a legitimate contender as they lost their third straight to a Dallas team without Dak Prescott. While I picked the world champion Chiefs to win big in Carolina, they barely got by. What is up with the Texans? Losing to the Titans and now they are 7-5 and not playing well.

The Eagles are rolling in the NFC as it looks now, they and the Lions are heading for a showdown to decide the NFC champion. We Steelers fans were hoping for a Chargers victory over Baltimore but no such luck. The Ravens have put pressure on the Steelers in their desire to win the division. With just six weeks remaining in the 2024 season all games ahead may have major impacts on the playoff scenarios. Week 13 has plenty of especially important games. There are no byes this week

Chicago at Detroit: Caleb Williams has turned the corner a bit since a new offensive coordinator was put in place. But heading into Detroit where they will run into a juggernaut of a team called the Lions means they stand no chance of winning. Detroit and Chicago are two perennial Thanksgiving day teams. Lions 37 / Bears 13

New York Giants at Dallas: The second of three Turkey Day games has the pitiful Giants taking on a rejuvenated Cowboys team. Another lousy team playing a team trying to redeem their early season misery. Cowboys 27 / Giants 17

Miami at Green Bay: This game is very crucial to the Dolphins playoff chances. The night Thanksgiving game will be tough for Miami but following this game their schedule becomes much easier. If they lose this one and win out a 10-7 record might squeak them in. They will have to win out because they don’t win here. I also heard on the radio today in games where the weather is 40 degrees or less, Tua Tagovailoa is 0-8. Packers 23 / Dolphins 21

Las Vegas at Kansas City: The Chiefs have had some close games and Patrick Mahomes was saying he wants a blowout. He gets one here. Chiefs 48 / Raiders 12

Los Angeles Chargers at Atlanta: This game has major playoff implications. The Chargers are still very much in the wild card race while the Falcons are just one game ahead of the Bucs in the NFC South. Kirk Cousins has not been the spectacular quarterback Atlanta fans had hoped for and now he’s facing a very tough Los Angeles defense. That will be the difference in this game. Chargers 20 / Falcons 13

Pittsburgh at Cincinnati: For me as a Steelers fan, I see this game as a MUST win. With Baltimore hot on their heels, the Steeler can ill afford to lose many more. A win here and a rematch at home the next weekend with Cleveland could result in two straight putting Pittsburgh at 10-3 before a difficult game in Philadelphia. Pittsburgh was not prepared for the Browns last Thursday and while Joe Burrow and Jamar Chase are lethal weapons, I think the defense returns to form here for Pittsburgh. That and Russell Wilson will be much sharper this time out. Steelers 27 / Bengals 24

Arizona at Minnesota: I don’t think the Vikings will catch Detroit for first place so they will keep trying to win to secure a solid wild card spot. Arizona can’t stay consistent yet at 6-5 they are tied with Seattle for first place in the terrible NFC West. The Vikings have no reason playing at home to lose this one. Vikings 30 / Cardinals 17

Indianapolis at New England: The Colts could still catch Houston for first place in the AFC South but down by two games they will need to keep winning and hope the Texans’ opponents will help them out. My gut is telling me the Pats find a way to win. Patriots 20 / Colts 17

Seattle at New York Jets: Aaron Rodgers went public this week to say if he returns to playing football in 2025 his first choice will be the Jets. What if New York does not want him back? They would be extremely stupid to have him back. He’s washed up and has proven that this season. He did all he could to influence who would be on the roster offensively and it completely backfired. The Jets will be sitting at home at playoff time and guess who is coming back to face his old team? Geno Smith who played in the Green and White for four seasons. Seahawks 19 / Jets 13

Tennessee at Washington: You would think the Commanders would snap out of this three-game funk they are in and they get an opportunity to face a team that is very beatable. Commanders 23 / Titans 13

Houston at Jacksonville: The last six games with the Houston Texans that were played in Jacksonville, the Jaguars have lost all six. That does not bode well, especially with Trevor Lawrence possibly not playing as he has not played well this season. When playing in Houston, the Jags have won two of the last three. Lawrence is currently listed as questionable, and he was practicing this week. The Texans are clearly a better team. Texans 35 / Jaguars 18

Los Angeles Rams at New Orleans: The Rams could very easily finish the season with a losing record and still make the playoffs. Their division is that bad. The Saints have won two in a row, and I think this will make it three. Saints 31 / Rams 27

Tampa Bay at Carolina: Bryce Young is playing much better than his rookie season, but no way does he go toe-to-toe with Baker Mayfield. The Bucs have their sights set on a division title and the post season. Bucs 35/  Panthers 14

Philadelphia at Baltimore: The game of the week for sure. This should be a barn burner. Steelers Nation was rooting for the Chargers last week and now they are cheering for their Pennsylvania counterparts. If Baltimore wins and the Steelers win in Philly next weekend, Eagles fans will be hating the AFC North. This will be a true test of two of the best teams in each conference. This is a dead heat and picking a winner is extremely difficult. As much as I want an Eagles victory, my gut is saying Baltimore. Ravens 23 / Eagles 21

San Francisco at Buffalo: The Bills are playing like the best team in the AFC and Josh Allen is on an M.V.P. level. The 49ers don’t stand a chance no matter who is on the field for them. Bills 30 / 49ers 20

Cleveland at Denver: Not the greatest Monday night game of the season but Cleveland will come back down to earth in this one as Bo Nix makes a run at Rookie of the Year honors. Playing in Mile High is always difficult. Broncos 24 / Browns 17

Running Pick Record from Week to Week

Week 1: 12/15

Week 2: 8/16

Week 3: 8/16

Week 4: 11/16

Week 5: 7/14

Week 6: 9/14

Week 7: 9/15

Week 8: 11/16

Week 9: 10/15

Week 10: 5/14

Week 11: 11/14

Week 12: 7/13

Week 13: TBD