Week 13 NFL Game Predictions
Week 13 has finally dawned upon us fans! Battles for the lead in each division are heating up and each wild card spot is still up for grabs! We can expect wild card leaders to separate themselves from the pack this week, but don’t sleep on the teams who can sneak right up and snag the last spot! Exciting action coming your way! Let’s dig in!
AFC EAST
New England Patriots – (10-1) [4-0]
Buffalo Bills – (6-5) [2-2]
Miami Dolphins – (5-6) [2-1]
New York Jets – (3-8) [0-5]
AFC WEST
San Diego Chargers – (8-3) [3-2]
Kansas City Chiefs – (7-4) [3-1]
Oakland Raiders – (3-8) [1-2]
Denver Broncos – (3-8)[1-3]
AFC NORTH
Pittsburgh Steelers – (7-4)[3-0]
Cincinnati Bengals – (7-4)[3-1]
Baltimore Ravens – (7-4)[2-2]
Cleveland Browns – (1-10) [0-5]
AFC SOUTH
Houston Texans – (10-1) [3-0]
Tennessee Titans – (5-6) [2-1]
Indianapolis Colts – (2-9) [1-2]
Jacksonville Jaguars – (1-10) [1-4]
AFC WILDCARD
Pittsburgh Steelers – (7-4)[3-0]
Cincinnati Bengals – (7-4)[3-1]
Kansas City Chiefs – (7-4) [3-1]
Buffalo Bills – (6-5) [2-2]
Miami Dolphins – (5-6) [2-1]
Tennessee Titans – (5-6) [2-1]
Oakland Raiders – (3-8) [1-2]
Denver Broncos – (3-8)[1-3]
NFC EAST
Philadelphia Eagles – (10-1) [3-0]
Dallas Cowboys – (7-4) [2-2]
New York Giants – (5-6) [2-2]
Washington Redskins – (2-9) [0-3]
NFC WEST
San Francisco 49er’s – (9-2)[3-0]
Seattle Seahawks – (5-6) [2-1]
Arizona Cardinals – (3-8) [1-3]
St. Louis Rams – (2-9) [1-3]
NFC NORTH
Green Bay Packers – (9-2)[2-0]
Detroit Lions – (7-4) [3-1]
Chicago Bears – (5-6) [1-2]
Minnesota Vikings – (1-10) [0-3]
NFC SOUTH
Atlanta Falcons – (9-2) [3-0]
Carolina Panthers – (7-4)[3-1]
Tampa Bay Buccaneers – (6-5) [1-3]
New Orleans Saints – (4-7) [0-3]
NFC WILDCARD
Detroit Lions – (7-4) [3-1]
Carolina Panthers – (7-4)[3-1]
Dallas Cowboys – (7-4) [2-2]
Tampa Bay Buccaneers – (6-5) [1-2]
New York Giants – (5-6) [2-2]
Seattle Seahawks – (5-6) [2-1]
Chicago Bears – (5-6) [1-2]
New Orleans Saints – (4-7) [0-3]
New Orleans (4-7) @ Atlanta (9-2)
Match up to watch: Curtis Lofton v.s. Michael Turner
New Orleans has picked up a little steam in recent weeks and looks to keep it going against Atlanta. The Saints are most likely out of contention for a wild card birth, but should stay within reach until the final week. The only issue with this team is that they have lost their head coach for the season, and Sean Payton was the master mind behind this team. Nobody knows how they will react. Atlanta has been one of the hottest teams in the NFL and they should win this one at home. Atlanta’s offense is overpowering and can put up points with the best of them.
New Orleans – 23 Atlanta – 29
Jacksonville (1-10) @ Buffalo (6-5)
Match up to watch: Justin Blackmon v.s. Stephon Gilmore
Jacksonville is looking to put together a few wins to salvage an already lost season. With 10 losses going into week 13, the team has no playoff hopes. The opposite can be said for Buffalo, who is in the thick of things in the AFC Wild Card race. If the Bills can string together a few wins here or possibly even win out the rest of their season, the Bills will find themselves in the playoffs. I actually expect a pretty close game here, but I see Buffalo winning at home here.
Jacksonville – 21 Buffalo – 23
Seattle (5-6) @ Chicago (5-6)
Match up to watch: Brandon Browner v.s. Brandon Marshall
Both teams are in the thick of things for a NFC Wild Card birth, and a win here would give the victor an upper hand in the battle – the loser would realistically almost be out of it. Seattle has a lot going for them on defense with one of the top units in the league. The team’s success on offense relies on getting steady quarterback play from whoever Pete Carroll gives the keys to – Matt Flynn or Russell Wilson. Chicago on the other hand has an aging defense that can still fight against the best of teams. I feel like the team’s lack of depth at corner and safety could hurt the team down the road against teams that love to air it out. I see Seattle bringing home a W after this one.
Seattle – 27 Chicago – 24
San Francisco (9-2) @ St. Louis (2-9)
Match up to watch: Aldon Smith v.s. Jason Smith
San Francisco was upset last week by a gritty New Orleans Saints team looking for answers. Personally, I would not want to be in this team’s way after they drop a close game to an underachieving team. St. Louis is the lucky team to face this wrecking ball. The Rams are out of contention now and are just looking to salvage the season by picking up a few more wins. It won’t come here. Yes, I am predicting the season’s FIRST shut out of the year.
San Francisco – 30 St. Louis – 0
New England (10-1) @ Miami (5-6)
Match up to watch: Nate Solder v.s. Cameron Wake
UPSET ALERT. Last time Miami played New England at home, Tom Brady threw for over 500 yards and Chad Henne – yes, that Chad Henne – threw for over 400 yards. I expect a similar shoot-out type game here. What gives Miami the upper hand is that the Dolphins defense is far superior to the Patriots and they have a better running back stable. New England is looking to keep their hold on the top spot in the AFC, but they may not walk out of Miami with a win. Miami always plays the Patriots tough at home, regardless of records.
New England – 34 Miami – 36
Arizona (3-8) @ New York Jets (3-8)
Match up to watch: Larry Fitzgerald v.s. Darrelle Revis
It’s not everyday that we get to see two of the best face off against each other – no I am not talking about the teams, coaches or organizations. Arizona is realistically out of contention for a Wild Card Birth and unless something miraculous happens for New York, they are also. This game is more about pride. Although I hate the Jets, I feel like that team has a lot of heart, but the players on the team have no chemistry and do not mesh together well. Arizona has a skilled team with a lot of young talent, but they have no offensive line and no quarterback. New York wins.
Arizona – 17 New York Jets – 27
Indianapolis (2-9) @ Detroit (7-4)
Match up to watch: Robert Mathis v.s. Riley Reiff
Indianapolis is playing for pride from here on out – while also trying to get their young players reps in different situations. The team has no playoff hopes and should be looking ahead to the draft to get some weapons on offense and talent on defense. Detroit is in the thick of things and is a top contender for one of the two Wild Card spots in the NFC – they’re probably one of the favorites for a spot. This really shouldn’t be too much of a game. I would expect a blow out.
Indianapolis – 14 Detroit – 45
Minnesota (1-10) @ Green Bay (9-2)
Match up to watch: Percy Harvin v.s. Sam Shields
Minnesota is trying to find an identity for the remainder of the season. Christian Ponder does look the part of a starting NFL quarterback, but the organization needs to give their young quarterback weapons on offense, not to mention help up front to keep him standing up right. Green Bay is on a mission after missing out on a super bowl birth last season. The team is back and ready to go this season with some fresh faces taking the limelight. Look for Green Bay to win here, but Minnesota can stick with them for awhile.
Minnesota – 17 Green Bay – 38
Houston (10-1) @ Tennessee (5-6)
Match up to watch: Arian Foster v.s. Collin McCarthy
Houston is one of the hottest teams in the NFL and they’re playing like they are the team to beat this season. With a healthy offense and a rejuvenated defense, the team is looking at and thinking about a super bowl. Tennessee has gotten hot as of late. It seems as though the organization made the right choice switching to Jake Locker, it really has given the offense life. I love the Titans, and I think this game will be a very close battle. BUT, I see Houston pulling it out in the end. The Texans are too good in all phases of the game. They really are the best team in the AFC.
Houston – 27 Tennessee – 24
Carolina (7-4) @ Kansas City (7-4)
Match up to watch: Steve Smith v.s. Brandon Flowers
Carolina has possibly been the most pleasant surprise of the season. After a decent season last year, the team has revamped their defense and is looking like a true contender in the NFC. Kansas City could have been a huge contender last season, but when injuries took its toll on the team, the season was lost. This season, the Chiefs are showing everyone what could have been. I expect a hard fought battle, but I’m rolling with the Chiefs in Arrow Head Stadium – Cam will learn that it’s pretty hard to win there.
Carolina – 21 Kansas City – 23
Tampa Bay (6-5) @ Denver (3-8)
Match up to watch: Vincent Jackson v.s. Champ Bailey
Tampa has been cooling off in recent weeks after looking like a huge contender in a jam packed NFC South. The Bucs have been hurt by a void in their defensive back field at corner, which has led to multiple losses to teams who love to air it out. Denver is trying to win out with hopes of making the playoffs with an 8-8 record. Will it happen? No. But they could win out and look to build on that .500 record next season. Denver is tough at home, and the Buccaneers will learn that the hard way unfortunately.
Tampa Bay – 17 Denver – 28
Cleveland (1-10) @ Oakland (3-8)
Match up to watch: T.J. Ward v.s. Oakland’s speedy offense
Cleveland, like Minnesota, is just trying to salvage a lost season while searching for an identity. The team does not have a strong point on offense. The Browns DO have nice pieces on defense. Cleveland needs a few more play makers on offense and some help on defense, and this team could be a force eventually. Oakland has all but lost this season. Yes, they’re technically still in the race for a wild card, but it will not happen. The team really needs help on the offensive line, linebacker, and at corner to be successful. Until that happens, the team should look to get reps in for their young players.
Cleveland – 10 Oakland – 23
Cincinnati (7-4) @ San Diego (8-3)
Match up to watch: Vontaze Burfict v.s. Ryan Matthews
Cincinnati has been keeping up with Baltimore and Pittsburgh in the AFC North, even with their inexperienced and young team. Nice! It really is not surprising that Cincy is still in the thick of things when you take a look at the talent the team possesses. The really are loaded, except for on the offensive line… San Diego is one of my favorite teams. The Super Chargers have been underachieving for years now, and it seems like they are finally ready to make a run. They must keep their winning ways going if they hope to fend off the red hot Kansas City Chiefs.
Cincinnati – 23 San Diego – 35
Pittsburgh (7-4) @ Baltimore (7-4)
Match up to watch: Ike Taylor v.s. Torrey Smith
Revenge time? Earlier in the season, Baltimore was red hot when they visited the Pittsburgh Steelers. Baltimore walked away with a tough loss on the road. The Ravens have that gritty taste in their mouths now and should come out fired up in this one. Pittsburgh needs this victory if they want to make the playoffs, as does Baltimore. Expect a great fight here!
Pittsburgh – 17 Baltimore – 20
Philadelphia (10-1) @ Dallas (7-4)
Match up to watch: Philadelphia linebackers v.s. DeMarco Murray
Philadelphia has been hot as of late, looking like one of the best teams in the whole league. The Eagles are stacked at just about every position across the board. I question whether or not Philly can keep up their electric style of play for the whole season, not to mention if Michael Vick can continue to play on a video game level. Dallas has also been hot as of late. The Cowboys always play great at home, and they will here. I see the Cowboys pass rush and pressing defense giving Michael Vick and company issues on offense.
Philadelphia – 23 Dallas – 30
New York Giants (5-6) @ Washington (2-9)
Match up to watch: Jason Pierre-Paul v.s. Trent Williams
New York has been searching for a way to win key games to catapult themselves into the playoffs in a tight division. The team has been underachieving after winning the big one last year. With no leader on defense and concerns along the offensive line and at tight end, I struggle to see this team making the playoffs this season. Washington is just in a position to get their young players reps against each team they can face. Expect Washington’s young offense to put on a nice show for home fans, but don’t expect an upset here.
New York Giants – 26 Washington – 18
What a week, huh? Two of the top teams in each conference lost in upsets, not to mention numerous other upsets. This is creating a hectic end to the season, already!! Yikes! Keep yourself tuned in for week 14’s predictions, fans!!
Keep your fins up fans!!!
Follow Phinphanatic on twitter and LIKE us on facebook! Hit the “LIKE” button in the upper right hand corner of this article and leave me a comment below! I love to hear your thoughts and I always try to comment back! Thank you!!!