Week 13 NFL Picks

So I'm a little late with starting this up, but its still one of the most amusing things to do in sports so why not? Here are my Week 14 picks:

Pittsburgh (-9.5) over Cleveland: Don't be surprised if this is closer than you think it may be. The gametime temp is well... 0. Hines Ward will probably not risk the hamstring when its gonna be colder than the moon for kickoff in Cleveland. Of course it is the Browns, who at this point are even wondering who to take with the first or second pick in April. "With the first pick in the NFL draft, the Cleveland Browns select... Jimmy Clausen?"

Denver (+7) over Indy: Im hedging here that Denver can at least cover. Indy had a tough test against the Pats in November, but now that Pats are miring in mediocrity and how impressive does that win look now? Broncos have had a much tougher schedule and have put up some real quality wins at home and on the road. Moreno and Buckhalter need to run like they have the last two games so they can keep Manning and the no-name offense off the turf in Indy. This isnt Shanny's teams who played like seventh graders on defense against the Colts. Indy's secondary is banged up and it comes down to the 2009 Orange Crush to pressure Manning the whole game.

Minnesota (-6.5) over Cincy: No way Favre and the Vikings let this one slip away after a dismal game against the Cardinals. The Bengals are solid, but has shown weak points and flashes of Bungle Syndrome in losing to the Raiders on the road. The dome will be rockin' and the Vikings keep pace with the Saints for #1 in the NFC. Also, how have the Oakland Raiders become AFC North slayers this season?? Just a thought.

NY Jets (-3) over Tampa: How sad is this that Vegas gives the Jets only 3 against a one win Tampa team? Maybe Sanchez can make a quick stop at the Yankees spring training complex where Joe Girardi can put him through some more sliding drills. Josh Freeman has looked solid in his first few games but the Bucs need a few more seasons to get back into contention. Clemens should be fine against a horrific Tampa D.

Buffalo (pk) over Kansas City: Maybe T.O. finally gets going against the god awful KC defense. Look for a 10-9 game in this one. How much does Todd Haley want to be back in Arizona right now as opposed to Arrowhead Stadium in December?

Green Bay (-3) over Chicago: I'll pretty much go on the record saying I hope Jay Cutler throws 5 INT's a game and gets booed out of town after this game. More practically, Cutler has been way too inconsistent this year to the point that Urlacher calls him out from the bench. Ouch. Green Bay has really come on as of late, winners of four in a row. They get to 5 in a row and solidify their playoff chase with a big win in Chicago.

New Orleans (-10) at Atlanta (without their starting QB and RB): This is the joke of the week. I'll be surprised if Brees throws for under 4 TD's. Atlanta started out strong but has really faded and will miss the playoffs this year. The Saints keep rolling and wrap up a dominant win before their Dallas showdown.

Baltimore (-13.5) over Detroit: The Lions are the Lions. That's really all that needs to be said. Baltimore will be able to control every aspect of the game and gets within reach of Jacksonville in the Wild Card race.


Miami(+3) over Jacksonville: The Dolphins outcoached and outplayed the Patriots and take that momentum to upset the Jags and really open up the race for the 6th AFC playoff team. Jones-Drew has a big game, but the Dolphins pull wins out when you least expect them to. Not a huge upset, but the type of game that has Miami winning written all over it and keeps the chase in the East interesting.


New England (-13.5) over Carolina: Carolina just has to hope another storm hits and Bellicheck sends Randy Moss home again. By the way, that story receiving more than 2 minutes of coverage was ridiculous. 48 other guys got there on time, 4 didnt. But its the Patriots so lets talk about it for the next three weeks. Unfortunately the Panthers have no QB and no chance in this one.

Houston (-6) over Seattle: Gary Kubiak has won NFL: Survivor each of the last three seasons. Death, Taxes, and Houston's hot start and talk of "this is the year they break through" turns into a series of questionable losses and a 7-9 record. More of the same here with a meaningless win against Seattle.

Tennessee (-13) over St. Louis: Rams fans should root hard for a Cleveland win this week so they are assured the top pick in the draft. Maybe they'll take an O Lineman because that's worked out so well for the last 10 years for them. Vince Young and Chris Johnson will terrorize the Rams' defense. Titans remain strong in the race for the wild card, and who thought anyone would even consider that about a month and a half ago?

Oakland (+1) over Washington: Its just too fitting that the Redskins would drop a game to a team like the Raiders. Although, the site of JaMarcus Russell riding the pine is classic and Al Davis deserves every second of paying him tens of millions to do nothing. But, Gradkowski shredded the Steelers and may have brought some much needed stability to their offense.

Dallas (-3) over San Diego: This is my wishful thinking pick of the week. Yeah, Romo and Wade Phillips are clowns in December and the Chargers are red hot but maybe its one of those flip-everything-on-its-head type of games. Cowboys need this to keep their hold on the NFC East with the Giants and Eagles still creeping up. Rivers will keep playing big, but I like Dallas to snap out of their December coma.

Eagles (+1) over Giants: I just don't see the Eagles dropping this one Sunday night at the Link. Manning is clearly not the same with his injury and when the Eagles welcomed the division rival Cowboys in Philly, they waxed the floor with them. Vick got a lot of momentum in Atlanta last week and look Andy Reid to use him in key situations.The Giants are going to have their hands full with Maclin and McCoy, and I dont see Brandon Jacobs busting another 75 yd. run to save the G Men.

Arizona (-3.5) over Niners: Cards are regaining their "we're mediocre... wait were really solid... oh my god were in the Super Bowl?" form of last year. Warner destroyed the Vikings last Sunday night and not exactly like the Niners are the '85 Bears. Here comes the Arizona push toward the playoffs.

Go Broncos and (gulp) Cowboys?