Quick Picks; Week Thirteen
Every week throughout the season, we make our Quick Picks (in bold) on the upcoming slate of games, focusing on the key points for each match-up. As teams like the Giants and Browns begin to be eliminated from playoff contention, here are Week Thirteen’s picks.
Washington Redskins @ Dallas Cowboys (TNF)
Alfred Morris will need a big game against his former team if the Cowboys want to keep their slim playoff hopes alive. But Dallas faces a Redskins squad that is playing solid, gutsy football. Kirk Cousins is helping to carry the team, but big games from Josh Doctson and Samaje Perine will make things easier.
Minnesota Vikings @ Atlanta Falcons
Led by one of the league’s best defenses, the Vikings are a serious and balanced contender. But Atlanta’s offense has caught fire over the past few weeks. This could be a high-scoring shootout, but expect Minnesota to edge a Falcons team that needs more consistency.
Detroit Lions @ Baltimore Ravens
Both teams are fighting for wild card spots. Although Baltimore’s offense is a lacklustre unit, their loaded defense has mostly bailed them out. But if the Lions are healthy on defense, they can force mistakes from Joe Flacco while Matthew Stafford finds a way through the Ravens’ defense.
New England Patriots @ Buffalo Bills
The Bills upset free-falling AFC West leaders Kansas City last week, but may not have enough to topple the Patriots. With his defense now playing well, expect Bill Belichick to take away Buffalo’s running game, forcing Tyrod Taylor to pass as Tom Brady slices apart an inconsistent Bills defense.
San Francisco 49ers @ Chicago Bears
The Jimmy G era is go in San Francisco, as it was announced that Garoppolo will start this week against the Bears. Chicago is an inconsistent team but Mitchell Trubisky could have a better game against a weak 49ers defense. This could be a fairly high-scoring game that gives us a chance to watch two future franchise quarterbacks emerge, but it will likely end with a second win for Kyle Shanahan’s 49ers.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers @ Green Bay Packers
Brett Hundley somehow kept the Packers in the game against Pittsburgh right to the end, indicating that there may be some hope for Green Bay. Despite playing better in recent weeks, Tampa Bay still has issues on defense, especially when it comes to pressuring quarterbacks. The Packers should edge this one.
Indianapolis Colts @ Jacksonville Jaguars
Arizona provided the template for beating the Jaguars; shut down Leonard Fournette and force Blake Bortles to throw. But the Colts don’t have the talent to pull that off, and Jacoby Brissett will be under immense pressure from Jacksonville’s dominant defense.
Denver Broncos @ Miami Dolphins
With disappointing former first round pick Paxton Lynch potentially out for a month, Trevor Siemian reclaims Denver’s starting quarterback job. And he should be able to give the offense a faint pulse. Siemian played fairly well before being benched, and a weak, inconsistent Dolphins team could relaunch #TeamTrev.
Carolina Panthers @ New Orleans Saints
New Orleans is reeling from losing their first game since September, but all season long have been the team that Carolina desperately wanted to be. Cam Newton and the ground game have been wildly inconsistent, while the defense gave up 391 total yards and 27 points in a close win against the lowly Jets. Expect the Saints to go 2–0 against the Panthers thanks to a huge advantage in the Superdome.
Kansas City Chiefs @ New York Jets
The Chiefs are officially in free-fall, thanks to an offense that has severely regressed. Kareem Hunt couldn’t get started against Buffalo and now faces another tough defensive front for the Jets. Darrelle Revis will start for Kansas City against a team still paying him almost $6 million, but expect him to get burned by Robby Anderson as the Jets sneak another win.
Houston Texans @ Tennessee Titans
This has no business being a toss-up game, but the Titans have been inconsistent and have struggled against supposedly lesser teams. But Tom Savage is worse and could cost Houston big with more turnovers. Jadeveon Clowney vs Derrick Henry is a must-see match-up.
Cleveland Browns @ Los Angeles Chargers
Last season Cleveland’s only win came against the Chargers. But this year, with LA closing on the free-falling Chiefs in the AFC West, expect a different story. DeShone Kizer ill struggle against the lethal combination of Joey Bosa and Melvin Ingram, while Casey Hayward waits to take advantage of the interception-prone rookie.
Los Angeles Rams @ Arizona Cardinals
Thanks to a fairly dominant win over New Orleans, the Rams are back on track, and could register a second blowout win over the Cardinals. Wade Phillips’ defense is riding a wave and should shut down Adrian Peterson and Blaine Gabbert, while Todd Gurley has another big game.
New York Giants @ Oakland Raiders
In a ugly but perhaps necessary move, Eli Manning has been benched in place of Geno Smith, essentially signalling a tank for the rest of the season. Unlike the Giants, Oakland are still alive in a weak AFC wild card race. This is a must-win for the Raiders, who will be without suspended receiver Michael Crabtree after a brawl against the Broncos. Derek Carr should have a big game against a struggling Giants secondary.
Philadelphia Eagles @ Seattle Seahawks (SNF)
Seattle’s worst nightmare comes to town at the worst time. With injuries piling up on defense, the Seahawks will struggle to contain Carson Wentz and Philly’s loaded attack. Meanwhile, Russell Wilson’s magic should run out against a dominant Eagles front seven, who will make short work of Seattle’s non-existent running game and offensive line.
Pittsburgh Steelers @ Cincinnati Bengals (MNF)
Pittsburgh barely survived two close games against two awful teams in the last three weeks, so a mini-implosion feels imminent. The Bengals have a decent offense after Joe Mixon’s breakout game against Cleveland, and could steal a big win if the Steelers’ recent struggles come to a head.
