WEEK 13 NFL PREDICTIONS
RECORD LAST WEEK 12-4
RECORD FOR THE SEASON 111-68-1
Thursday, December 1, 7:15 PM CT
Buffalo Bills 8-3 @ New England Patriots 6-5
The last meeting between these two AFC East rivals came last January, when the Bills ended the Patriots season during Wild Card weekend, in a 47-17 dismantling of Bill Belichick and the Patriots defense. Josh Allen is 4-1 in his last five games against New England. Both these teams played on Thanksgiving with Buffalo getting a last-second win versus the Lions, while New England lost to Minnesota. I have the Bills winning on the road this week and improving to 9-3.
Bills 27 - Patriots 23
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Sunday, December 4, Noon games
Denver Broncos 3-8 @ Baltimore Ravens 7-4
The Broncos are a mess, and now they have to face a Ravens team who is sure to be upset after blowing a nine-point lead last week against the Jaguars. The Broncos defense seemed to finally break last week against Carolina, and with a lifeless offense, this game could get out of hand quickly.
Broncos 10 - Ravens 24
Cleveland Browns 4-7 @ Houston Texans 1-9-1
Well, the week has come, the week of Deshaun Watson’s return and it’s against none other than his former team. The new Browns quarterback makes his debut, and even if there are some struggles in his first regular season game since January 3rd, 2020, the Browns should still have some success against the lowly Texans.
Browns 28 - Texans 16
Washington Commanders 7-5 @ New York Giants 7-4
This should be a fun defensive game. Two NFC East foes who are fighting for playoff spots. Both these teams would be in if the season ended today, and the Commanders might be the hottest team in football right now, winning six of their last seven. The Giants have lost two in a row. I think the Giants get back on track and end their small losing streak.
Commanders 20 - Giants 24
Jacksonville Jaguars 4-7 @ Detroit Lions 4-7
The Jaguars had their best win of the season in a comeback win over the Ravens. The Lions almost did the same, but suffered a defeat at the last second against the Bills. The Lions defense has been much better in recent weeks, but I do expect a shootout, and I’ll take the Lions at home.
Jaguars 27 - Lions 31
New York Jets 7-4 @ Minnesota Vikings 9-2
The Vikings offense vs the Jets defense is going to be a fun matchup to watch, and the individual matchup between Justin Jefferson and Sauce Gardner. The Jets offense seemed to unlock something last week after they benched Zach Wilson for Mike White. The Vikings defense hasn’t been good and this game could be high scoring if the Vikings can get the best of the Jets defense, which I think they can and will.
Jets 23 - Vikings 30
Green Bay Packers 4-8 @ Chicago Bears 3-9
It sounds like Aaron Rodgers is playing with his beat-up ribs, and as we know, he owns the Bears. Justin Fields is banged up also, but if he plays, he should have a lot of rushing success against a defense that just allowed 150+ rushing yards to Jalen Hurts AND Miles Sanders. I just have to go with Rodgers against the Bears team. He gives nightmares no matter what.
Packers 26 - Bears 24
Pittsburgh Steelers 4-7 @ Atlanta Falcons 5-7
The Steelers are playing consecutive road games, and on a short week against a physical Atlanta offense, it’ll be tough. The Falcons coming off a loss to the Commanders will look to rebound and stay in the mix for the playoffs. I have the Falcons at home getting the win.
Steelers 17 - Falcons 24
Tennessee Titans 7-4 @ Philadelphia Eagles 10-1
This game will be physical with two run-heavy teams. The Eagles have shown some flaws recently, but they did put up an offensive masterclass last Sunday against the Packers. The Titans lost to the Bengals who were missing Joe Mixon and Ja’marr Chase. Tennessee is the team that can go in and win this game, but I just have a hard time seeing them beating the Eagles in Philly.
Titans 21 - Eagles 23
Sunday, December 4, 3:00 PM CT games
Miami Dolphins 8-3 @ San Francisco 49ers 7-4
This game schematically will be fantastic. Two of the smarter offensive head coaches in the league with dynamic weapons all over. However, the 49ers defense is light years better than the Dolphins, and that’s where I start to lean towards the 49ers. I think the Niners get the win behind their defense getting a few key stops.
Dolphins 24 - 49ers 31
Seattle Seahawks 6-5 @ Los Angeles Rams 3-8
The Rams are having one of the worst Super Bowl hangovers in recent memory. They will be without Cooper Kupp, Allen Robinson, probably Matt Stafford, and Aaron Donald, amongst others. Seattle allowed 40 points last week against the Raiders, but there’s no way their defense shouldn’t bounce back against the Rams.
Seahawks 21 - Rams 13
Los Angeles Chargers 6-5 @ Las Vegas Raiders 4-7
Two teams from the AFC West who had higher expectations coming into this season. The Chargers barely beat the Cardinals while the Raiders won their second straight overtime game last week in Seattle. The Chargers defense can’t stop the run, and now this week, they have to face the NFL’s leading rusher Josh Jacobs. However, the Raiders can’t stop the pass, and here comes Justin Herbert. This game should be a high-scoring contest with a lot of big plays, and in the end, I think the Chargers get the win on the road.
Chargers 35 - Raiders 32
Kansas City Chiefs 9-2 @ Cincinnati Bengals 7-4
A rematch of the AFC Championship game from last January in which the Bengals pulled off a crazy second-half comeback to shock the Kansas City Chiefs. The Chiefs are up to their normal success sitting at 9-2, and Mahomes looks as good as ever. The Bengals get Ja’marr Chase back this week, who gave the Chiefs absolute fits last year, including an 11-catch, 266-yard, three-touchdown game against the Chiefs in the regular season last year. Just like the other two games last season, I just think the Chiefs are the better team and we know how Mahomes gets when he has revenge on his mind.
Chiefs 38 - Bengals 34
Sunday, December 4, 7:20 PM CT
Indianapolis Colts 4-7-1 @ Dallas Cowboys 8-3
Now, even before the season, I would've never chosen this game to be on Sunday night, but here we are, the Colts traveling to Dallas to face America’s Team. The Cowboys are rested after getting a few extra days of rest after playing last Thursday, while the Colts will have a short week following their Monday night loss to the Steelers. The Cowboys get my pick.
Colts 17 - Cowboys 30
Monday, December 5, 7:15 PM CT
New Orleans Saints 4-8 @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers 5-6
Somehow, some way, a Saints win would have them in the thick of things to win the NFC South. These two teams absolutely do not like each other, and even had a pretty wild brawl in their previous matchup this season. The Bucs just lost to the Browns on the road, while the Saints got shutout in their loss to the 49ers. This game will be close, and I'm tempted to go with the Saints, but in the end, I have the Bucs getting the W.
Saints 13 Bucs 16
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