Free Week 13 NFL Expert Picks

By Jeff Wilson: Week 13 has four selections, plus another three games that just missed the cut. You don’t have to wait until Sunday for NFL action, as there is a Thursday night game every week for the rest of the year. Maybe Santa did answer my prayers.

Editor’s Note: The selections in this column are purely the opinion of the writer, and are not being endorsed by any parties.

Games Considered But Not Picked

Baltimore (+3) at Cincinnati: Considered picking Cincinnati. This is the Thursday night game and it is all by its lonesome. Baltimore is 9-2 and has likely wrapped up the AFC North division no matter what happens in this game. However, they still need to win games to get a first round bye in the playoffs.

Cincinnati is 6-5 and has won two games in a row, but currently sits one game behind Denver and Kansas City for the last AFC playoff spot. The Ravens defense is stifling, but the Bengals are more used to it having to face them twice a year. Cincinnati should get the job done in front of a very loud home crowd.

Dallas (-3.5) at NY Giants: Considered picking Dallas. The Giants are 6-5 on the year, and they are reeling emotionally and physically after their dramatic loss at Tennessee. Coach Tom Coughlin has openly questioned quarterback Eli Manning, and Manning seems to be losing the confidence of his teammates.

Dallas is 7-4 and playing extremely well right now. A win would give them a great leg up on the NFC East division race, but a loss would actually put the Giants in first place as they would own the head-to-head tie-breaker. The Cowboys also cut kicker Mike Vanderjagt this week, another reason to like Dallas.

Jacksonville (+1.5) at Miami: Considered picking Jacksonville. Miami (5-6) has won four games in a row and kept up the playoff hopes of their players and fans. The bad news for Miami is that running back Ronnie Brown is out, and Sammy Morris is not going to be able to run against this Jacksonville front seven.

Jacksonville is 6-5 and trying to improve their awful road record of 1-4. To do that, the Jaguars must get their passing game going along with their improved running attack. I think Jacksonville will win this week and end Miami’s playoff dreams, much like what happened to Pittsburgh last week.

NFL Week 13 Selections

Tampa Bay (+7.5) at Pittsburgh: Pittsburgh is 4-7 and they have finally realized that their playoff hopes are over. The Steelers are a battered team after last week’s 27-0 beating from Baltimore. Two of their best players, wide receiver Hines Ward and safety Troy Polamalu, are both out for this game.

Tampa Bay (3-8) is coming off their embarrassing 38-10 loss at Dallas on Thanksgiving Day. They are 0-5 on the road this year, and have lost their last three road contests by an average margin of 18.6 points. It is hard to get too excited about this team, but I expect the Buccaneers to hang close with a dejected Pittsburgh team. NFL Free Pick: Tampa Bay

Houston (+3) at Oakland: Houston is 3-8 this year and just 1-5 on the road. Surprisingly, their one road win was versus a great home team in Jacksonville, showing just how crazy this league can be. The Texans are getting nothing out of their run game, which means it will be all David Carr against a good Raiders pass defense.

Oakland is just 2-9, and they are on a four game losing streak. However, the Raiders played very close games in the last two weeks at Kansas City and San Diego, and those are two very tough places to play. The team also seems more comfortable with Aaron Brooks at quarterback, and their good efforts get rewarded with a home win. NFL Free Pick: Oakland

Seattle (+3) at Denver: Seattle is 7-4 after beating Green Bay, 34-24 in a snowstorm in Seattle. Quarterback, Matt Hasselbeck had three interceptions and a fumble in the first half, but he settled down and should be much better this week. Shaun Alexander looks to be 100% healthy after rushing for over 200 yards against the Pack.

Denver (7-4) has its own quarterback situation going on as Jay Cutler will start the rest of the year over Jake Plummer. Coach Mike Shanahan is going for the “Tony Romo” effect, but Romo was not a rookie when he stepped in, although his experience was very limited.

Even with Cutler aboard, there is no reason to believe that Denver’s offense will suddenly start clicking.
NFL Free Pick: Seattle

Carolina (-3) at Philadelphia: This is the Monday night game, the second night game in a row for the Eagles who lost at Indianapolis (45-21) last Sunday. Although technically still alive for the playoffs, Philadelphia (5-6) knows they are not going anywhere without the injured Donovan McNabb, and this team could start fading fast.

Carolina (6-5) is not feeling too good about themselves after losing at Washington, 17-13. Quarterback, Jake Delhomme has struggled lately, although he is not in jeopardy of losing his job. The Panthers have played pretty tough overall on the road this year, and I think they bounce back this week.
NFL Free Pick: Carolina

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