I’ve finally strung 2 good weeks in a row together and remain hopeful about finishing the season strong. Until the afternoon games last Sunday, I was 8-1 but still finished up with a respectable 11-5 record for the week. It somehow got past me that Chad Henne was back as starter for Miami or I definitely wouldn’t have had Oakland beating them, but no excuses. This is a man’s game we play here on TSJ. Week 13 offers a lot of division games, none more important than the Monday nighter when the Jets visit the Patriots. In Week 2, Sanchez threw for 3 touchdowns in an impressive 28-14 win. Tom Brady and the Pats will have revenge on their mind and do everything they can to get that bitter taste out of their mouths that’s been stuck there for almost 3 months now. An interesting interconference game is Dallas @ Indy. The Colts are slumping due in large part to poor decisions by Peyton Manning and injuries galore. A talented 3-8 Dallas team should give them all they can handle if not moreso. There are a few that had me going back and forth, but now that I’ve consulted with my magic 8 ball, the picks are in. Here are your Week 13 predictions.
**Last Week: **11-5 (.688)
**Season: **100-76 (.568)
**MNF: **7-6
**No-Brainers: **8-4
**Teams Used: **Dolphins, Packers, Patriots, Colts, Saints, Steelers, Ravens, Titans, Giants, Chiefs, Falcons, Jets
Thursday, December 2nd
8:20
Houston @ Philadelphia
The Texans will be looking to get back into the thick of things in the AFC South race, as they’re just one game behind Jacksonville and Indianapolis. Asante Samuel is a gametime decision, so if he doesn’t play we might see a big game out of Andre Johnson who was not suspended after throwing several punches at Cortland Finnegan last Sunday. Philadelphia looks to stop a losing streak before it begins, and with Houston’s poor pass defense I think that’s what will give the edge to the Eagles. Asante or no Asante.
Houston 20
Philadelphia 27
Sunday, December 5th
1:00
Nawlins @ Cincinnati
One team is going to the playoffs. The other can’t wait until the season is over so they can watch from home. Cincinnati has given their fans no reason whatsoever to be optimistic after losing 8 straight games. Carson Palmer might have an alright game, finding T.O. or Ochocinco for a touchdown or two, but the field will be Drew Brees’ playground. Saints win easily.
Nawlins 31
Cincinnati 14
Chicago @ Detroit
Shaun Hill simply doesn’t give Detroit as good of a chance to win as Matthew Stafford does. Chicago will control the game and the defense will force a few turnovers to keep their 1-game lead in the NFC North in tact.
Chicago 27
Detroit 10
San Francisco @ Green Bay
The Niners lost Frank Gore for the season, but that didn’t matter when they were playing the Cardinals last Monday night. Brian Westbrook ran for over 130 yards on their terrible rush defense. Green Bay doesn’t exactly put up a brick wall against the run, but they’re not Arizona. They’ll play well after a late loss to Atlanta that temporarily put them on the outside of the playoff picture looking in.
San Francisco 16
Green Bay 30
Jacksonville @ Tennessee
Jeff Fisher has found his Titans in a devastating downward spiral, losing 4 straight. The Jags are the surprising leader of the division, holding the tiebreaker over the Colts. They let the lead slip away against the Giants last week to fall to 6-5, but should have no problem with Tennessee. Chris Johnson was non-existent last week and Randy Moss has been ever since putting on at Titans uniform.
Jacksonville 26
Tennessee 17
Denver @ Kansas City
I hate to pick another blowout, but the Chiefs at home against Denver? Come on. Cassell, Bowe and Charles have a party and even let Thomas Jones in on the phone. Denver can not stop the run and that spells disaster for them this week, facing one of the most lethal running back combinations in the league.
Denver 19
Kansas City 34
Cleveland @ Miami
Jake Delhomme is getting his 2nd straight start and that means the Dolphins will be getting at least a couple interceptions. Peyton Hillis is a workhorse and will keep them in the game, but in the end Miami will be too much and improve to 7-5.
Cleveland 16
Miami 21
Buffalo @ Minnesota
Adrian Peterson suffered a sprained ankle in Minnesota’s win over Washington last week, and it may come down to game time before a decision will be made about his playing status. Toby Gerhart did an adequate job filling in for him last week and should do fine if called upon again. I think the Bills’ heartbreaker of a loss to Pittsburgh last week will be too much to overcome and the Vikings will go 2-0 under Leslie Frasier.
Buffalo 13
Minnesota 20
Washington @ NY Giants
The Giants just have way more to play for than the Redskins do here. New York is in a tie for the NFC East lead with Philadelphia, and could be looking at a chance to take a 1-game lead if the Eagles lose Thursday night. Washington is just inconsistent and has a lot of issues to work on before they can give the Giants a good game at Meadowlands Stadium.
Washington 7
NY Giants 23
4:05
Oakland @ San Diego
The Raiders are running out of steam while the Chargers have a head full of it. Darren McFadden was nowhere to be found against Pittsburgh or Miami the past 2 weeks. San Diego has won 4 straight and their defense really came to life last Sunday night, picking off Peyton Manning 4 times and returning 2 for touchdowns. Philip Rivers didn’t have to contribute a single one of their 36 points. He’ll do plenty of that this week though as he lights up the Oakland secondary.
Oakland 17
San Diego 42 NO-BRAINER
4:15
Carolina @ Seattle
The Chargers showed they still have plenty of fight in them despite having the worst record in the league. 1-10 or not, I actually think they could be better than Seattle. Mike Goodson has fit in nicely with DeAngelo Williams gone for the season. I call upset in this one. Seattle might be tied for their division lead, but their division stinks. Kansas City demolished them last week and they’ll still be in recovery mode.
Carolina 19
Seattle 14
Atlanta @ Tampa Bay
We all know the Falcons are undefeated at home. They’re just 3-2 on the road though. Then again, Tampa is just 3-2 at home. If there was a trap game for Atlanta, I think this is it. I’m very tempted to pick another upset here, but Tampa’s inability to stop the run and Michael Turner’s great job of racking up yards lately will stop me from doing so. Tight game though.
Atlanta 26
Tampa Bay 20
St. Louis @ Arizona
Derek Anderson should be cracking up before halftime. If the Cardinals gave up over 130 to Brian Westbrook, it could get very ugly when Steven Jackson lines up against them. Sam Bradford is the best offensive rookie without question. Nobody in this division deserves to be in the playoffs, but since someone has to, it should be the Rams.
St. Louis 37
Arizona 13
Dallas @ Indianapolis
Peyton Manning needs to return to form very soon if the Colts are going to have any shot at staying in the playoff hunt. Their 7-year streak of winning at least 12 regular season games came to an end last week after dropping to 6-5. Under Jason Garrett, the Cowboys have beaten the Giants and had New Orleans on the ropes. Their talent is finally showing and they could very well show up in Indy with another game to help Garrett’s chances of remaining the permanent coach. Manning’s bad throws the past few games likely have just as much to do with the new receivers that have been on the field, but he usually makes no-names look like Pro Bowlers. I’ll pick Indy, but not with much confidence.
Dallas 21
Indianapolis 28
8:20
Pittsburgh @ Baltimore
Big Ben has a broken bone in his foot to limit his mobility, but even if he was 100% I would take Baltimore. The Ravens beat Pittsburgh earlier in the year at Heinz Field and will make it a clean sweep to take hold of the AFC North. It will be your typical ugly, low-scoring game with both quarterbacks finding limited time in the pocket to find the open man. Roethlisberger’s mobility makes the slight difference, possibly giving up a fumble or throwing up an interception while being hit in the pocket.
Pittsburgh 10
Baltimore 13
Monday, December 6
8:30
NY Jets @ New England
This should be the best game of the week, hands down. It’s a toss-up, but I have New England at #1 in my power rankings and Tom Brady is my pick for MVP so far this season. On top of that, they’ve got homefield. So the Jets will battle them back and forth and it might even take a late drive by the Pats, but I believe they find a way to win.
NY Jets 23
New England 27
That’s it for me til next week. Enjoy the games, TSJ!