NFL Week 13!

Well, it wasn't pretty, but my beloved New York Jets eked out a win in Buffalo on Thursday night to keep their EXTREMELY slim playoff hopes alive. The Jets victory also means that I'm 1-0 on my picks so far this week...time to pick the rest:

Philadelphia (7-4) at Atlanta (6-5): The Falcons are starting Chris Redman, who actually played quite well last week, in place of the injured Matt Ryan...and Michael Turner is questionable. I'll take the inconsistent Eagles, 27-17.

Tampa Bay (1-10) at Carolina (4-7): Josh Freeman is playing really well for the Bucs, and the Panthers are really struggling. Delhomme is out, but the way he's playing this year, that might actually help the Panthers. Still, I'll say the Bucs get their 2nd win of the season, 23-16.

St. Louis (1-10) at Chicago (4-7): Two pretty awful teams, but look for Cutler to put up some points at home against a woeful Rams club. Bears roll, 34-10.

Detroit (2-9) at Cincinnati (8-3): The Bengals are the surprise team of the year, and despite losing to Oakland two weeks ago, they beat a high school team last week (sorry, Cleveland fans)...so they should be able to handle a Lions team that is just a cut above Cleveland. Let's say...21-13 (Yes, the Lions keep it close.)

Tennessee (5-6) at Indianapolis (11-0): It's a popular upset pick this week, and for good reason. The Titans have improbably won 5 in a row after an equally improbable 0-6 start. I'm a huge Jeff Fisher fan, and I'd love to see the Titans triumph...but the Colts are at home, and Peyton Manning is simply too good. Colts 31, Titans 20.

Houston (5-6) at Jacksonville (6-5): An extremely important game for both teams. The Texans must win to keep any playoff dreams afloat, and Jacksonville, if they win, will stay in solid Wild Card position (they are tied with the Steelers and Ravens right now). Look for this to be a game that goes down the wire...and look for Matt Schaub to orchestrate a winning drive for the struggling Texans. Texans win, 27-24

Denver (7-4) at Kansas City (3-8): Two weeks ago, the Chiefs stunned the Steelers. Last week, the Chargers killed them...but the Chargers are playing great football. But look for Denver to have enough (although KC is a tough place to win)...Broncos survive, 24-17.

New England (7-4) at Miami (5-6): Bill Belichick and the Patriots really, really hate to lose. Especially when they get embarrassed, which is what happened Monday night in New Orleans. Miami is tough...but not tough enough. Look for the Pats to win this one, 31-17.

Oakland (3-8) at Pittsburgh (6-5): Somebody help me. Are the Steelers good? Some weeks they've looked really solid (they beat the Vikings by 10), other weeks they look incredibly beatable (they lost to the CHIEFS?) The Steelers should have no trouble with the Raiders, though. If the Raiders were still starting Jamarcus Russell, I'd take the Steelers by about 35, but instead: Steelers 32, Raiders 10.

New Orleans (11-0) at Washington (3-8): Credit the Redskins for this: they play hard every week. But you can't beat the Saints by playing hard...you need to play out of your mind (and that's if you're a good football team, which Washington is not). Saints win, 42-14.

San Diego (8-3) at Cleveland (1-10): How bad are the Browns? They lost to the Lions (after leading 24-3 midway through the first half). San Diego wins another laugher, 33-6.

Dallas (8-3) at New York Giants (6-5): Game of the day? The Giants need it...and they already beat the Cowboys in Dallas this year. When the Cowboys bring their A game, they're very good. But they often don't bring it. Do they bring it today? Yes, against a division rival, and the Cowboys win a good one to watch, 34-28.

San Francisco (5-6) at Seattle (4-7): The 49ers are decent. The Seahawks are less so. Still a tough one to pick...but give me the 49ers on the road, 26-19.

Minnesota (10-1) at Arizona (7-4): A great Sunday night match-up. Both teams are capable of putting up lots of points. The difference is, the Vikings DO it, and the Cardinals don't do it as much. Warner is getting older, Favre is getting older and better. Vikings 34, Cardinals 23.

Baltimore (6-5) at Green Bay (7-4): Since the Packers suffered an embarrassing loss to the Buccaneers, they've rattled off 3 wins in a row, and Aaron Rodgers is proving that he is an elite quarterback. The Ravens could really use another win after their dramatic Sunday night win over Pittsburgh, but I think the Packers get it done at home, 28-17.

Should be a fun day of football, especially since I don't have to suffer through 3 hours of agony watching the Jets.