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Week 13 NFL Picks
12/6/09
As we head down the stretch here in the NFL season, we can't help but mention the mediocrity in this league once again. It's an incredibly diluted product that the NFL is putting on the field. Anyone that recalls the NFL of 20 years ago surely can't be enjoying the NFL today. There are more games involving below .500 teams than every before along with more double digit favorites than any year in recent memory.
As a result, we find fewer and fewer NFL games to bet each year. This looks like another week with no NFL Key Releases. We are certainly looking forward to the NFL playoffs where we seem to shine each and every year. In the meantime, let's take a quick look with some opinions on each of this weeks NFL games.
Broncos at Chiefs - The Broncos have played one of the tougher schedules in the NFL. It's been a who's who of top teams and to the Broncos credit, they have managed to beat some of those teams (Cowboys, Pats, Chargers). For the Chiefs, after a huge upset of the Steelers, it was business as usual a week ago as the Chargers crushed them 43-14. The Broncos find a way here. Broncos -4.5
Raiders at Steelers - The Steelers may have come up short on the scoreboard at Baltimore without Big Ben but still looked every bit like a solid playoff contender in the process. What better way to break a 3 game losing streak than to beat up on the hapless Raiders at home? We'd be very surprised if the Steelers aren't a factor in January this year. Steelers -14.5
Texans at Jaguars - These two teams are fighting for their playoff lives. Can you say, "must win"? The Jags are in the drivers seat at 6-5 over the 5-5 Texans but their schedule might be a little more difficult down the stretch with both the Pats and Colts on their dance card. Speaking of the Colts, make note that 2 of the Texans last 3 games have been against the Colts. They lost by a field goal the first time out and let the Colts come from 17 down last week. The Texans have been competitive in every game this year, unlike the Jags who have some very lopsided losses. The first time these two met, the Jags came away with a 31-24 win. Payback time as the Texans keep that elusive 1st every playoff birth alive for another week. Texans pk
Titans at Colts - Is this the week of the letdown? Might be a blessing to get a loss out of the way now for the Colts, who have locked up a playoff spot and the division title. 7 of the Colts 11 wins have been by 7 points or less and 6 of those were by 4 points or less. Meanwhile, other than a 3 loss stretch no one can explain, the rest of the Titans losses are by a TD or less as they have rattled off 5 straight wins to get right back into the thick of things. Not surprising considering this team has much of the same talent it did a year ago on their way to a 13-3 record. The Titans need this one more and are capable of getting it. Titans +6.5
Eagles at Falcons - Two banged up teams fighting for one of the Wild Card spots in the NFC. No Westbrook for the Eagles, but no Matt Ryan and Michael Turner for the Eagles. Edge to the Eagles. The Falcons defense has been fantastic at home where the Falcons are 5-0 this year but without the two main spokes in their offensive wheel, it could be a long day Sunday. Eagles -5
Lions at Bengals - The Bengals have been winning, but not by wide margins. They have had just one win by more than 13 points all year. Lucky for them they get the Lions this week who have lost 6 games by 14 points or more. A big week for the Bengals on the scoreboard. Bengals -13
Saints at Redskins - Dangerous spot for the Saints after last weeks emotional win over the Patriots. Classic letdown week here. In fact, if the Saints are able to avoid a letdown this week and walk through the Skins as their talent suggests they should, then just hand the Lombardi Trophy to this team right now as there will be no stopping them the rest of the way. Saints -9.5
Bucs at Panthers - A meaningless game. Why waste time with it. Forced to make a pick. Ok, we'll take the Panthers -5.5
Rams at Bears - Yet another space filler. We'll take the Rams only because the Bears don't deserve to be favored by this many over anyone. Rams +9.5
Chargers at Browns - Chargers playoff steam train has started rolling and unfortunately for the Browns, they are in the way. Chargers -13
49ers at Seahawks - The 49ers are the best team below .500 on the NFL. They can compete on a playoff level. 49ers +1
Vikings at Cardinals - Great matchup for Sunday Night football. These two appear evenly matched. The Cards are a bit banged up, with Warner probable but coming off a concussion and they have played their best ball on the road. Should be a good one to watch without any stake in the outcome. We'll take the Brett Favres -3 here but certainly nothing strong. Just a lean. Vikings -3
Cowboys at Giants - Not the matchup everyone hoped for when looking at the schedules before the season started. This is do or die for the Giants and while they have always played the Cowboys tough, and a straight up Giants win wouldn't shock us, the wheels really have fallen off for the G-men. They have lost 5 of their last 6 while the Cowboys have won 6 of their last 7. Can't trust the Giants here. Cowboys -2.5
Patriots at Dolphins - Pats in off emotional loss to the Saints with a short week of preparation to boot. You can be sure The Jets and their fans will be rooting for the Fish this week as this amounts to a crucial AFC East matchup. Pats not the talent they used to be, but it's still Brady, it's still Belichick, and it's still the Dolphins. Patriots -4
Enjoy the games!