NFL Week 13 Picks
Week 12 Totals (Overall)
Mario: 15–1 (112–65)
Parker: 96–65 overall (no picks made in Week 12)
Mike: 15–1 (115–62)
Hunter: 13–3 (103–58)
Teams on bye: Tennessee, Cleveland
Thursday Night Football
Dallas at Minnesota, 7:25 p.m. (NBC/NFL Network/Twitter)
Mario’s pick: Dallas
Mike Zimmer: eye surgery. NFC North defense: Crumbling. Not much is going right for Minnesota as of late, and they welcome in the 10–1 Dallas Cowboys. This one could get ugly, and quick. Unless the Vikings can score early on and keep their defense fresh, Dak Prescott, Ezekiel Elliott and company could turn this into a blowout.
Mike’s pick: Dallas
Even with Mike Zimmer, I had serious doubts about Minnesota keeping this game close. Dallas is as mistake-free as it gets in the NFC this season, and they were likely to ride Zeke Elliott anyway. Now, I don’t see any trouble for the top team in the NFL.
Hunter’s pick: Dallas
Sunday
12 p.m. Games
Kansas City at Atlanta (CBS)
Mario’s pick: Kansas City
They won on the road last week. They can do it again this week. Defensive end Adrian Clayborn is out for Atlanta, as is Desmond Trufant. Kansas City’s defense has been impressive this year (as it usually is), and I don’t think they’re ready to cede the AFC West to Oakland without a fight.
Mike’s pick: Kansas City
Kansas City has a better defense and can hold Atlanta’s offense in check as long as Marcus Peters blankets Julio Jones. On the flip side, Alex Smith is smart enough and mobile enough to avoid Vic Beasley and the Falcons’ pass rush enough to make some plays to get the Chiefs into the 20–28 point range, which should be enough.
Hunter’s pick: Kansas City
Miami at Baltimore (CBS)
Mario’s pick: Baltimore
Mike’s pick: Miami
Hunter’s pick: Baltimore
San Francisco at Chicago (FOX)
Mario’s pick: Chicago
This game is technically a game in the National Football League, but this is more about the race to the bottom of the standings … and top of the 2017 NFL Draft.
Mike’s pick: San Francisco
Hunter’s pick: Chicago
Philadelphia at Cincinnati (FOX)
Mario’s pick: Philadelphia
Mike’s pick: Philadelphia
Philadelphia did not play well on Monday. They get redemption here against a porous Cincinnati defense that will get gashed by Darren Sproles and the three-tight end monster of the Eagles. Defensively, they’ll make Andy Dalton’s life hell as Brandon Graham and Fletcher Cox redeem themselves in a big way.
Hunter’s pick: Philadelphia
Houston at Green Bay (CBS)
Mario’s pick: Green Bay
Mike’s pick: Green Bay
Momentum is on Green Bay’s side after last week, and they should be able to return home and take care of a turnover-prone Texans team to get back to .500. Aaron Rodgers continues to play at an extraordinary level, and the emergence of Davante Adams will only help things.
Hunter’s pick: Green Bay
Denver at Jacksonville (CBS)
Mario’s pick: Denver
Whoa, speaking of terrible teams racing to the bottom of the standings, Jacksonville is 2–9. Their two wins were against Indianapolis and Chicago (weeks 1 and 2, respectively). Yikes.
Mike’s pick: Denver
Yawn.
Hunter’s pick: Denver
Los Angeles at New England (FOX)
Mario’s pick: New England
The Patriots at 9–2, already looking ahead to the playoffs, and the Rams are … idiotic.
Mike’s pick: New England
Hunter’s pick: New England
Detroit at New Orleans (FOX)
Mario’s pick: New Orleans
New Orleans should be able to score plenty of points against Detroit.
Mike’s pick: New Orleans
Detroit is such a heart-attack-inducing team that I’m not sure if Jim Caldwell’s ticker will hold out. They have won every game by one score or less, which is problematic in December. I look for the explosive Saints offense to score 35-plus points and take down the Lions.
Hunter’s pick: New Orleans
3:05 p.m.
Buffalo at Oakland (CBS)
Mario’s pick: Buffalo
Gotta hang some onions! (Shout out to the Around the NFL Podcast). Sammy Watkins is back (3 catches for 80 yards last week) and the Raiders give up nearly 117 yards per game on the ground to opponents.
Mike’s pick: Oakland
Oakland might be the best team in the AFC. They are running on all cylinders, and should get a signature win again here against a resilient Buffalo team. Derek Carr has to be considered for MVP, right?
Hunter’s pick: Oakland
3:25 p.m.
Washington at Arizona (FOX)
Mario’s pick: Arizona
Mike’s pick: Arizona
One team is on the rise. One is the disappointment of the season so far. That being said, I like the disappointment to get their offense back in check and score a lot of points on Washington.
Hunter’s pick: Arizona
New York Giants at Pittsburgh (FOX)
Mario’s pick: New York Giants
New York needs their big-money defense to step up. This could be a signature win for Eli Manning, as his team sits at 8–3 overall. Get the running game going and let Manning sling the ball around.*
*This will also be Pittsburgh’s strategy. Hmm….
Mike’s pick: Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh needs to win this one to keep their hopes for a first-round bye alive. The Giants are playing for a Wild Card berth. The more desperate team wins.
Hunter’s pick: Pittsburgh
Tampa Bay at San Diego (FOX)
Mario’s pick: San Diego
The Bucs are on a three-game winning streak, but San Diego is returning home after a win in Houston last week. Melvin Gordon looks to top 1,000 yards rushing on the year.
Mike’s pick: San Diego
Hunter’s pick: San Diego
Sunday Night Football
Carolina at Seattle, 7:30 p.m. (NBC)
Mario’s pick: Seattle
Mike’s pick: Seattle
Carolina’s descent continues, no thanks to a tough game in Seattle.
Hunter’s pick: Seattle
Monday Night Football
Indianapolis at New York Jets (ESPN)
Mario’s pick: Indianapolis
Whichever team/quarterback turns the ball over less wins. Good luck with this one, ESPN.
Mike’s pick: Indianapolis
Hunter’s pick: New York Jets
Fitz-magic officially runs out against the Luck of the Colts.
Game to Watch
Mario: New York Giants at Pittsburgh
Mike: Oakland at Buffalo
Hunter: Buffalo at Oakland
