It’s time for my 2012 NFL week 13 predictions and picks. The NFL schedule kicks off on Thursday as usual with New Orleans at Atlanta. My NFL picks for this one? The Saints have rebounded to play solid football over the past few weeks. Atlanta wasted a stellar start and might not even get home field advantage if they lose a few more games. It has the potential to be an incredible shootout like the first time these two divisional foes collided. My guts says Atlanta will weather through the storm in a very tight football game.
Falcons win 31-28 thanks to a late field goal from Matt Bryant.
My picks and predictions continue with the full slate of Sunday games. Jacksonville is in Buffalo to face the Bills. Without Maurice Jones-Drew, the Jags have certainly struggled for the most part. I think that will continue in Buffalo as the Bills win 27-17.
Chicago hosts Seattle in a game with huge playoff implications. The Bears will need a healthy Jay Cutler to beat the Seahawks in a close game. Chicago wins 26-21. Cutler finds Brandon Marshall for 123 yards and 2 scores.
St. Louis hosts San Francisco in a game that looks to be lopsided. But I don’t think that will be the case. The Rams play great football and beat the 49’ers in a huge upset, 24-17. Sam Bradford throws 2 touchdown passes and the Rams defense comes up with 3 interceptions.
New England heads to Miami to face the Dolphins. The Patriots roll in a lopsided 38-17 victory. Tom Brady passes for 338 yards and 3 touchdowns in the win.
The New York Jets welcome Arizona for another Sunday game. My 2012 NFL week 13 predictions and picks for this one? I’ll take the Jets but only because they are hosting the Cardinals. New York wins 23-16.
The Jets defense provides 4 sacks, 1 fumble recovery and 2 interceptions.
Indianapolis travels to Detroit to face the Lions. The Colts took a tough loss at New England a few weeks back but I don’t believe it will be anything like that road loss. In fact, I think Indy hangs close but Detroit pulls away with 14 unanswered in the 4th quarter. The final–Lions win 35-20.
Green Bay plays host to Minnesota elsewhere in week 13. The Packers shouldn’t have any problem despite a decent day from Adrian Peterson. Peterson gets 134 yards rushing and 2 touchdowns but the Packers cruise 38-17. Aaron Rodgers tosses 4 touchdown passes in the win and Casey Heyward returns an interception for a touchdown.
Houston is in Nashville to face the Titans. I don’t think the Titans defense can slow down the Texans offense but it wouldn’t surprise me if Tennessee gets an upset in this one. In fact, I’m going with a 27-24 Titans win in overtime. Tennessee gets 123 yards rushing from Chris Johnson and 2 touchdowns.
Kansas City welcomes Carolina to town. This might be the game nobody really cares about but it’s fun to try and predict a game where no one deserves to win. The Panthers should get the nod here with a 24-13 victory. Cam Newton runs for 2 scores and passes for another to Steve Smith.
Tampa Bay is at Denver for another week 13 matchup. Can the Bucs win in Colorado? I don’t think they have the offense or defense to compete with a consistently improving Broncos team. Denver wins 33-13. Peyton Manning tosses 3 touchdown passes in the win.
Oakland hosts Cleveland. The Browns have been fairly competitive of late but I can’t imagine they’ll win in Oakland. The Raiders put up just enough points to win an ugly one 23-21.
Cincinnati heads to San Diego for what could be an interesting matchup in the Sunday late games. The Chargers are certainly hard to predict but much better at home. I’ll go with Rivers and company to win a tight one 27-23. Ryan Matthews scores the game winning touchdown from 25 yards out in the 4th quarter.
Pittsburgh is in Baltimore. No Big Ben equals no road wins for the Steelers. The Ravens get 125 yards rushing from Ray Rice and they blast the Steelers 27-9.
Dallas hosts Philadelphia in the Sunday night game. What should be an easy win for the Cowboys will be anything but. The Cowboys manage a 31-23 victory in a game closer than the score indicates. Tony Romo hooks up with Dez Bryant for a pivotal 4th quarter touchdown pass.
In the final game of my week 13 NFL predictions and picks, the Giants play at Washington. This game might be one of the toughest to predict this entire week. Eli Manning typically plays big on the road in tough nationally televised games. But Robert Griffin has been spectacular in his first full year. My gut says that New York will win when it counts. Giants edge the Redskins 33-28 in an entertaining Monday night game.
Manning throws for 3 touchdowns and 2 interceptions in the win.
That’s it for my 2012 week 13 predictions and picks. I’ll be back in week 14 for another round of picks.
