The drama in the NFL playoff picture continues to heighten and it looks like we will have a wild finish in December to determine which teams will slide into a wildcard spot. One team to keep an eye on are the Denver Broncos, who have won five straight games, and are knocking on the door in the AFC. Let's dive into the Week 13 game picks.
**All betting lines from bet365.com** (Updated Dec. 3)
Seattle Seahawks (6-5) @ Dallas Cowboys (8-3)
The Cowboys have been a juggernaut at home with a perfect record so far this season and they will host a desperate Seahawks team coming off a blowout loss on Thanksgiving night. The song remains the same for Dak Prescott as he needs to start accumulating wins over playoff caliber teams, and that starts in Week 13. Pick: Cowboys, 30-23.
Line: Cowboys -8.5
ML: Cowboys
Spread: Seahawks
Arizona Cardinals (2-10) @ Pittsburgh Steelers (7-4)
The Cardinals thought they would get a shot in the arm with the return of Kyler Murray, and while he's played fairly well, this team is really starting to show its true colors and are looking closer to the bottom feeder we all thought to start the season. The Steelers win ugly, and their defense will once again be the difference here. Pick: Steelers, 19-13.
Line: Steelers -6.5
ML: Steelers
Spread: Cardinals
Atlanta Falcons (5-6) @ New York Jets (4-7)
The Falcons came away with a big home win over the Saints last week and because of it, they sit atop the NFC South at the moment. They have a chance to strengthen that gap against a woeful Jets squad, that could have their emotions running high with the news that Aaron Rodgers intends to play again this season. Pick: Falcons, 20-16.
Line: Falcons -2
ML: Falcons
Spread: Falcons
Denver Broncos (6-5) @ Houston Texans (6-5)
This might be the most important matchup in Week 13 as both these teams have their sights set on an AFC wildcard spot. The Broncos have won five straight, and Russell Wilson has certainly elevated his play from last season. The key for the Texans here will come down to C.J. Stroud limiting his turnovers, they've been a problem as of late. Pick: Broncos, 26-23.
Line: Texans -3
ML: Broncos
Spread: Broncos
Detroit Lions (8-3) @ New Orleans (5-6)
The Lions lost again on Thanksgiving -- I believe that's 13 straight -- and the score was not indicative of how the Packers controlled the play from start to finish. It was eye-opening for a team that was in the mix for the top seed in the NFC and now they will need to get back on track in a tough road spot against a Saints team fighting for their own division crown. Pick: Lions, 27-24.
Line: Lions -4.5
ML: Lions
Spread: Saints
Indianapolis Colts (6-5) @ Tennessee Titans (4-7)
The Colts held tough at home to the Bucs last week and suddenly find themselves smack dab in the middle of the AFC wildcard race. They got some tough news this week, as Jonathan Taylor will be out for a few weeks, but Zack Moss should be able to step in and fill that void. I like Mike Vrabel's crew here though to pull the upset on the back of his defense. Pick: Titans, 20-17.
Line: Colts -1
ML: Titans
Spread: Titans
Los Angeles Chargers (4-7) @ New England Patriots (2-9)
The Chargers can't seem to get out of their own way and lead the league in one score losses. Is it a coaching problem? I think so. And, Brandon Staley has to be on the hot seat if he wasn't already. The key for the Chargers will be getting Austin Ekeler involved as much as possible in this game to allow him the time to exploit the Pats' linebackers. Pick: Chargers, 23-16.
Line: Chargers -5
ML: Chargers
Spread: Chargers
Miami Dolphins (8-3) @ Washington Commanders (4-8)
With the Bills dropping another game last week, the Dolphins control their own destiny here atop the AFC East. A win in Washington could all but seal the division and their focus could be shifted to home field advantage throughout the playoffs. I think Sam Howell does enough to keep this within a score, but the Fins come away with a road win. Pick: Dolphins, 28-21.
Line: Dolphins -9
ML: Dolphins
Spread: Commanders
Carolina Panthers (1-10) @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-7)
I was on board with the Bucs potentially being a playoff team (at least winning the division) after their 3-0 start. They have absolutely fallen from grace and it's not due to Baker Mayfield's play, but Todd Bowles' defense has been utterly inconsistent. The Panthers might get the new head coach boost here, but I think Bryce Young makes one too many mistakes. Pick: Buccaneers, 19-16.
Line: Buccaneers -3.5
ML: Buccaneers
Spread: Panthers
Cleveland Browns (7-4) @ Los Angeles Rams (5-6)
The Browns will not have DTR available for this game, which means veteran Joe Flacco will get the call. I don't see it going well for the Browns here as they're getting a Rams team that are winners of two straight and hungry for a playoff spot. Pick: Rams, 23-13.
Line: Rams -4
ML: Rams
Spread: Rams
San Francisco 49ers (8-3) @ Philadelphia Eagles (10-1)
This is the highly anticipated NFCCG rematch and I think the edge belongs to the Niners heading into this game. They got their hiccups out of the way a month ago during a three-game losing streak and are winners of three straight since then. The Eagles are definitely battle tested, you can't take that away from them, but this comes down to the fact that they're playing their third game in 12 days and with a couple injuries last week, let's see how they hold up. Pick: 49ers, 27-20.
Line: 49ers -3
ML: 49ers
Spread: 49ers
Kansas City Chiefs (8-3) @ Green Bay Packers (5-6)
The Chiefs opened last week's game with a scoreless first quarter (that was three straight quarters being shutout), but they rallied to push away from the Raiders. I haven't quite figured out what's going on with this team (could be no immediate threat outside of Travis Kelce), but they've seemed off throughout the year. The Packers are playing their best football on both sides of the ball, especially Jordan Love, and will test the Chiefs the whole way. Pick: Chiefs, 24-17.
Line: Chiefs -6
ML: Chiefs
Spread: Chiefs
Cincinnati Bengals (5-6) @ Jacksonville Jaguars (8-3)
Let's face it, the Bengals aren't the same team without Joe Burrow under center, and they have a tough road matchup against the Jags here with their defense struggling of late. This is the Bengals' last gasp at a potential playoff spot, so I'm expecting this game to be closer than people think. It comes down to Trevor Lawrence delivering in crunch time considering he's regressed a bit this year. Pick: Jaguars, 24-16.
Line: Jaguars -10
ML: Jaguars
Spread: Bengals
Results
Week 12
ML: 11-5
ATS: 11-4-1
Overall
ML: 121-59
ATS: 101-70-9
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