Happy Thanksgiving! The thirteenth week of the NFL regular season has arrived. My Week 12 picks fared quite well. I picked 11 of 14 games correctly. Through twelve weeks I’m now sitting at 120-58 with
predictions. Let’s see how well I can do with my Week 13 picks.
Thanksgiving Day (Early Game) — Green Bay Packers at Detroit Lions
Winner: Lions
Thanksgiving Day football starts off with an NFC North rivalry. This is matchup is a great way to start the holiday. The Packers are 7-3-1 while the Lions are 7-4, but both trail the Chicago Bears who are 8-3 and lead the division. This is a tough game to predict, as most divisional games are, but I’ll be taking the Lions at home in this one.
Thanksgiving Day (Afternoon Game) — Kansas City Chiefs at Dallas Cowboys
Winner: Chiefs
Both the Chiefs and Cowboys were able to keep their postseason hopes alive with big comeback victories in Week 12. This game means a lot for both of them in pursuit of their playoff aspirations. Which team wants it more? Who is going to step up? I have a feeling the Chiefs wind up winning this one with some late game heroics from Patrick Mahomes.
Thanksgiving Thursday Night Football — Cincinnati Bengals at Baltimore Ravens
Winner: Ravens
After a disastrous start to their season, the Ravens now find themselves as leaders of the AFC North. The Bengals are expecting quarterback Joe Burrow back but will be without wide receiver Tee Higgins. Ultimately, I believe the Ravens will get their sixth straight victory and stand tall at the top of the division.
Friday Football (Early Game) — Chicago Bears at Philadelphia Eagles
Winner: Eagles
The Eagles and Bears sport 8-3 records and are their respective division leaders. This game has a lot on the line with big playoff implications relative to seeding. I like the way Caleb Williams has been playing of late, but I think Vic Fangio and the Eagles defense will hold strong and help the Eagles obtain a big victory.
Sunday Football (Early Game) — San Francisco 49ers at Cleveland Browns
Winner: 49ers
The 49ers are right there with the Los Angeles Rams and Seattle Seahawks in a tough battle for the NFC West. While they might be hobbled due to injury, Kyle Shanahan’s squad continues to impress and find ways to win. I expect them do find a way to topple the Browns on the road.
Sunday Football (Early Game) — Jacksonville Jaguars at Tennessee Titans
Winner: Jaguars
The Jaguars are 7-4 and in the AFC playoff hunt while the Titans are a disastrous 1-10 and the worst team in the NFL. One team clearly has something more to play for than the other. That’s why I’m taking the Jaguars who are just a game back of the Indianapolis Colts in the AFC South.
Sunday Football (Early Game) — Houston Texans at Indianapolis Colts
Winner: Texans
This is a huge AFC South battle. The Colts need to rebound after losing to the Chiefs. Meanwhile, the Texans need a victory to keep up in the competitive AFC playoff chase. Somehow, someway, the Texans propelled by their great defense are winning games. Most will likely disagree, but I like their chances in this one. I’ll take Houston on the road.
Sunday Football (Early Game) — New Orleans Saints at Miami Dolphins
Winner: Dolphins
Neither of these teams are good, but the Dolphins come into this game being victors of two in a row. They have some momentum. I’m not confident the Saints can get the job done on the road. With that said, I’ll be taking the Dolphins at home.
Sunday Football (Early Game) — Atlanta Falcons at New York Jets
Winner: Falcons
Kirk Cousins had an interception, but his two touchdowns last week gave the Falcons the victory over the Saints. This weekend, they travel on the road to take on the Jets who are 2-9. Atlanta isn’t a great team by any means, but the Jets are one of the worst in the NFL. I’ll be taking the Falcons on the road.
Sunday Football (Early Game) — Arizona Cardinals at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Winner: Buccaneers
The Buccaneers are still atop the NFC South, but Baker Mayfield’s status for their game against the Cardinals is uncertain. Both teams have dropped three in a row. If Tampa Bay wants to be serious about winning the NFC South, they are going to have to find a way to win this one—with or without Mayfield. The Buccaneers can’t afford to drop this game, and I believe they will take care of business against Arizona.
Sunday Football (Early Game) — Los Angeles Rams at Carolina Panthers
Winner: Rams
This Rams team is looking really good. Their offense is one of the best in the NFL and their defense isn’t too shabby either. I don’t expect the Panthers to put up much of a fight in this one. I think the Rams absolutely dominate. I’m taking Los Angeles.
Sunday Football (Late Game) — Minnesota Vikings at Seattle Seahawks
Winner: Seahawks
The Vikings continue their downward spiral at the bottom of the NFC North while the Seahawks are 8-3 and fighting for a playoff spot and the NFC West crown. I fully expect Sam Darnold, the superior quarterback in this one, and Seattle to defeat the J.J. McCarthy led Vikings at home.
Sunday Football (Late Game) — Buffalo Bills at Pittsburgh Steelers
Winner: Bills
This is an important AFC matchup with playoff implications. Both are coming off losses and need a victory to get back on track. It’s tough to get a good read on either of these teams. Some weeks they look great, other weeks they look awfully inconsistent. All things considered, I think Josh Allen and the Bills get back on track and come out of Pittsburgh with a big road victory.
Sunday Football (Late Game) — Las Vegas Raiders at Los Angeles Chargers
Winner: Chargers
Truth be told, there is not much worth really writing about this one. I just wonder if Pete Carroll is going to be fired at the end of the season. A loss to the Chargers certainly won’t help his case to keep his job. I’m taking Los Angeles at home.
Sunday Night Football — Denver Broncos at Washington Commanders
Winner: Broncos
The Broncos are coming off their bye week and are going up against a struggling Commanders team that will be without Jayden Daniels. I think the week off and extra time to prepare for Washington will benefit the Broncos. I’ve got them winning this one—their tenth of the season—and extending their winning streak to nine games.
Monday Night Football — New York Giants at New England Patriots
Winner: Patriots
The only team hotter than the Broncos in the NFL right now are the New England Patriots who have reeled off an incredible nine straight victories. Unfortunately, they will be without left tackle Will Campbell and left guard Jared Wilson, rookies who had been performing well, for the foreseeable future. That may give the Giants’ pass rush a bit of an opening to cause a ruckus on the road, but I think Drake Maye finds a way to hang tough and deliver New England their eleventh win of the season.
