NFL Week 13 Picks

First off a little Steelers recap. I'm not too sure what to say. They are now 5-7 and pretty much done. Sure, if they win out they might get into the playoff but they are a mediocre football team at best. They will finish with seven or eight wins. It's crazy to think how close the difference between winning an losing is though. Had Shaun Suisham made two field goals in Oakland and had he actually attempted a field goal on Thursday the Steelers might be 7-5. Three field goal attempts costed them two games. I miss Jeff Reed.
Also the Le'Veon Bell no touchdown call at the end of the game because his helmet came off is a preposterous rule. I understand the need to protect a helmetless player. But why is it a dead ball at that spot? He is already falling to the ground. Just give him all of his forward progress. It's not like he was pulling a Jason Witten and running down the field with no helmet. That rule should definitely be tweaked a little bit.

P.S. Mike Tomlin is the man. He clearly got in Jacoby Jones' way and laughed right in Baltimore's face about it.

My picks have been very good lately. I'm finally above .500 for spreads after going 3-0 on Thanksgiving and 3-1 last week. So hopefully I can keep that going. Onto the picks...

Overall: 105-67   Spread: 25-24-2

Jaguars 21, Browns 17 --- JAX +7 The Jaguars are hot right now. Two wins in their past three games. Both on the road. I see no reason why they can't make it three out of four in Cleveland. The Brownies have lost five of six and looked miserable against the Steelers last week, other than Josh Gordon. That kid is an absolute freak. The Steelers had no clue how to stop him. He looked more un-coverable than Calvin Johnson did three weeks ago. 14 catches for 237 yards, sure a lot came late in the game when the Steelers had taken control but he's going to be a beast for a long time. With all that being said he doesn't have a great QB throwing to him just yet so I'll take the Jags on the road.

Colts 27, Titans 21 --- In their past four games, the Colts have been outscored in the first half 93-12. So, they haven't exactly gotten off to great starts. Even though they have been that bad in the first half they are still 2-2 in those games including a win over the Titans. Clearly, they aren't as good as we all thought they were after they beat the Broncos but I can't believe that they are this bad. The Reggie Wayne loss and the lack of run game has damaged their offense but I still have faith in Andrew Luck to right the ship. The Colts can pretty much clinch the AFC South today, so I think with a little help from Ryan Fitzpatrick they will end out getting the win.

Vikings 21, Bears 17 --- The Bears let up 258 rushing yards last week to the Rams so Adrian Peterson could be due for a huge day. If the Bears don't figure out a way to stop their opponents from running the ball down their throats they will be sitting around watching the playoffs in January. I think the Vikings might have a little momentum from their tie last week, so I'll take them at home over DA BEARS.

Jets 20, Dolphins 16 --- Since the Jets win in Atlanta, Geno Smith has thrown one touchdown and ten interceptions. Not exactly hall of fame stuff right there. The Jets have gotten smoked the past two weeks in Buffalo and Baltimore but they return home today. They are 4-1 in JetLife with some impressive wins so I think they can get it done today assuming their defense plays lights out. Geno will have to be careful with the ball but if he is the Jets should get the home win.

Cardinals 27, Eagles 24 --- ARZ +3 I think I'm officially on the Cardinals bandwagon, which only means one thing for Arizona, they are probably doomed today. They have four straight wins now after they destroyed the Colts at home last week. I know the Eagles have won five of seven but they have only won once at home this year. The Cardinals need to keep winning in order to stay alive in the NFC playoff hunt and I think Bruce Arians has what it takes to get a win over Chip Kelly today.

Panthers 31, Bucs 20 --- I think the Panthers got a pretty good scare last week from the Dolphins, so they won't overlook the Bucs today at home. The Bucs have won three in a row so I expect them to play hard but the Panthers are the superior team and Mike Glennon should have some trouble facing the talented Panthers defense.

Patriots 30, Texans 20 --- NE -7.5 Yeah I'll take the Patriots over a team that has lost nine straight games including a 13-6 loss to the Jaguars last week. Blow out city.

Bills 31, Falcons 27 --- I think the Falcons are the most disappointing team in the league this year by far. Sure they have had some bad injuries but they have given up. I mean the Steelers started 0-4 and they at least at a little heart to make themselves competitive. The Falcons have given up. They have lost five straight and eight of nine. I don't see them going into Buffalo and getting a win today. Bills circle the wagons for their second straight win.

49ers 26, Rams 17 --- The Rams have looked pretty impressive during their past two victories but I don't see them going into San Fran today and getting a win. The Niners beat the Rams 35-11 in week four so I think it's safe to call them the better  team. Plus the Niners seemed to have figured some things out last week against the Redskins, so they should get their eighth win of the year today.

Broncos 31, Chiefs 20 --- The Chiefs won't have Justin Houston today and Tamba Hali could be limited with an ankle injury. That certainly does not help their chances considering they couldn't touch Peyton Manning two weeks ago with those two. The Chiefs defense allowed 41 points last week at home to the Chargers, so I don't know what to make of them any more. The problem the Chiefs could have today is if they fall behind the Broncos again. The last thing the Chiefs want is to see Alex Smith in a shoot out against Peyton.

Chargers 24, Bengals 20 --- I still do not know what to make of the Chargers. Last week they went into Kansas City and got a huge win to snap their three game losing streak. Now they are right in the AFC playoff hunt with four remaining home games. Today they get the Bengals, who are off a bye but are only 2-4 on the road this year. I'll pick the Chargers in this one but I have zero confidence in it.

Giants 23, Redskins 17 --- Similar to the Falcons, I feel like the Redskins have given up this year. That could be mostly due to the fact that it seems like nobody in the locker room likes each other. I'm not sure anybody is a fan of Mike or Kyle Shanahan but apparently offensive lineman aren't helping RG III up off the field after he gets blasted. On the other hand the G-Men may be done after their loss to the Cowboys last weekend but I think they are a team that will continue to play hard for their coach.

Seahawks 24, Saints 17 --- SEA -5 I love Drew BREEEEEESSSS but I think he could be headed into a Peyton Manning playing in New England situation on Monday Night. Meaning it won't be as easy to fling the rock around outside in the elements as it is in a dome. The Seahawks haven't lost at home since 2011 and they know this game could basically clinch home field advantage for the playoffs so the 12th man is going to be fired up. I think the Saints are a good team but I also think the Seahawks are the best team in the NFC when they are in Seattle. I'll take the Seahawks and the points.


Enjoy the games people.