Gridiron Guide: NFL picks for Week 13
Pittsburgh Steelers' Ben Roethlisberger throws against the Buffalo Bills during the first half. (Nov. 28, 2010) Credit: AP
JETS (9-2) at PATRIOTS (9-2)
Line: Patriots by 3 1/2
Over/Under: 46
TV-Radio: ESPN, Ch. 9, ESPN (1050), 8:30 p.m.
This is the NFL's biggest game of the season yet. The Jets are 10-2 ATS their last 12 December road games; the Pats are 4-10 ATS their last 14 home games vs. Jets. But the eyeball test tells me otherwise: The Pats are the better play. Tom Brady has won an NFL-record 25 straight regular-season home games.
The pick: Patriots
REDSKINS (5-6) at GIANTS (7-4)
Line: Giants by 7
Over/Under: 43 1/2
TV-Radio: Ch. 5, WFAN (660), 1 p.m.
Justin Tuck got all the credit for inspiring his teammates, but I think it was because I picked the Jags. Washington is 1-6-1 ATS vs. the Giants in its last eight games on the road.
The pick: Giants
STEELERS (8-3) at RAVENS (8-3)
Line: Ravens by 3
Over/Under: 40
TV-Radio: Ch. 4, 8:20 p.m., WFAN (660)
Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger has been walking around practice in a boot on his right, plant foot, but reportedly will be ready to go. The winner here, along with the Pats-Jets winner, will have the inside track for the top two AFC playoff spots. The Steelers are 1-6 in their last seven trips to Baltimore.
The pick: Ravens
FALCONS (9-2) at BUCS (7-4)
Line: Falcons by 3
Over/Under: 44 1/2, 4:15 p.m.
The Falcons showed they are the top team in the NFC last week. But Atlanta always struggles against the spread vs. the Bucs (1-5 in its last six trips to Tampa Bay). I know the Bucs have covered five straight, but Atlanta is the class of the NFC, and too strong right now.
The pick: Falcons
RAIDERS (5-6) at CHARGERS (6-5)
Line: Chargers by 13
Over/Under: 47, 4:05 p.m.
Five weeks ago, Oakland was riding high and San Diego was in a funk. Now, San Diego may not lose another game!
The pick: Chargers
JAGUARS (6-5) at TITANS (5-6)
Line: OFF (Titans QB questionable)
Over/Under: OFF, 1 p.m.
It doesn't matter who starts; Tennessee is kaput.
The pick: Jaguars
BRONCOS (3-8) at CHIEFS (7-4)
Line: Chiefs by 8 1/2
Over/Under: 48 1/2, 1 p.m.
Coach Todd Haley and KC want payback against Josh McDaniels and Denver for running up the score. Forget about shaking hands; Haley's going to be doing cartwheels after this one.
The pick: Chiefs
BROWNS (4-7) at DOLPHINS (6-5)
Line: Dolphins by 4 1/2
Over/Under: 43, 1 p.m.
Cleveland is 12-5 ATS in its last 17 AFC games.
The pick: Browns
BEARS (8-3) at LIONS (2-9)
Line: Chicago by 4 1/2
Over/Under: 44 1/2, 1 p.m.
If the Bears could stop Michael Vick, then Drew Stanton has no chance.
The pick: Bears
BILLS (2-9) at VIKINGS (4-7)
Line: Vikings by 5 1/2
Over/Under: 44 1/2, 1 p.m.
I just got a tweet from BigManUpstairs: Tell Steve Johnson to keep his eyes on the ball.
The pick: Bills
COWBOYS (3-8) at COLTS (6-5)
Line: Colts by 5 1/2
Over/Under: 47 1/2, 4:15 p.m.
4 INTs to 4 TDs: Peyton Manning bounces back.
The pick: Colts
49ERS (4-7) at PACKERS (7-4)
Line: Packers by 9 1/2
Over/Under: 41 1/2, 1 p.m.
Green Bay is 13-2 overall and 11-2-2 ATS in its last 15 games vs. the Niners.
The pick: Packers
PANTHERS (1-10) at SEAHAWKS (5-6)
Line: Seattle by 6
Over/Under: 40, 4:15 p.m.
Seattle is 8-2 in its last 10 December home games.
The pick: Seahawks
RAMS (5-6) at CARDINALS (3-8)
Line: Rams by 3 1/2
Over/Under: 43, 4:15 p.m.
Arizona, last in the worst division in the NFL, has no reason to be laughing.
The pick: Rams
SAINTS (8-3) at BENGALS (2-9)
Line: Saints by 6 1/2
Over/Under: 46, 1 p.m.
The defending champs haven't played a full, 60-minute game thus far. That changes.
The pick: Saints
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