NFL Office Pool Picks - Week 13

Presented by Dale Sims

The Crystal Ball

The upward trend continues having gone 12 - 4 last week; which gets me to 106 – 70 on the year straight up; not great but apparently I am learning something about some of these teams.  In what is an almost unprecedented event I managed to come out with the same record, 12 - 4 against the spread, though in a more convoluted fashion, to bring that record up to 89 – 81 for the season making it almost appear like I know something; I don't.

These are my (very) preliminary picks for the week for a pick’em league I participate in.  I will make changes there based on injury reports and other information that comes out after this is submitted, which will be Tuesday in light of the Thursday game.  These choices are made without consultation with anyone else here at Football Forecasters and represent my best guess at the moment.  They are for amusement value only, no warranty expressed or implied.

Week 13

Baltimore at Cincinnati – Both teams are coming off shutouts last week however, the defenses are not equivalent; then again neither are the offenses.  Baltimore has a virtual lock for the division and Cincinnati is struggling for their playoff life, Ravens win 24 – 20.

Arizona at St. Louis – Arizona is playing for next season and the reality is much the same for St Louis but this still is likely to be an entertaining game.  Both offenses can put up points in a hurry and neither defense will be inclined (able) to stop them, Rams win 35 – 27.

Atlanta at Washington – Atlanta is looking more schizophrenic every week; they have the most dominant rushing offense in the NFL by a wide margin yet they have a losing record.  Washington is another team playing for next season, Redskins win 21 – 17.

Dallas at N.Y. Giants – This game is for the immediate control of the NFL East.  Dallas has been on a roll and has an extra few days of preparation for this game.  The New York Giants have been fighting injuries and poor play of late, Cowboys win 28 – 24.

Detroit at New England – New England continues their issues with injuries on the defensive side of the ball.  Detroit is a team that does not travel well but worse does not play very well; while New England might be a bit flat for this game it will not matter, Patriots win 24 – 14.

Indianapolis at Tennessee – Tennessee gave Indianapolis all they wanted to handle in their first meeting and they have won their last two games.  While Vince Young may present problems to the Indianapolis defense Peyton Manning will create more for Tennessee, Colts win 28 – 20.

Jacksonville at Miami - Miami has been winning on the strength of their defense and is on a four game winning streak.  Jacksonville has been injury plagued and up and down all season; their downhill running game gives them a match up advantage here though, Jaguars win 24 - 21.

Kansas City at Cleveland - Kansas City is coming off of a big win but every game counts heavily in their attempt to get to the playoffs.  Cleveland is out-manned here and their run defense will have a very difficult time with Larry Johnson, Chiefs win 28 - 21.

Minnesota at Chicago - Chicago would clinch the division with a win here so the game should have their full attention.  Weather is likely to figure into the result of this one as it is December in Chicago and Minnesota has the best run defense in the NFL, Bears win 21 - 14.

N.Y. Jets at Green Bay - The Jets have already exceeded their expected win total for this season; they have been much more successful than expected.  Green Bay is coming along nicely at this point with their defensive talent coming together, Packers win 21 - 20.

San Diego at Buffalo - San Diego travels to Buffalo, the change in climate is liable to be dramatic.  San Diego is one of the better teams in this division but came out flat last week against an overmatched Oakland team, if they do that here they will lose, Buffalo wins 21 - 20.

San Francisco at New Orleans - New Orleans is playing well enough to win with their prolific offense but they can not afford a let down here.  San Francisco is playing well of late but they simply do not have the tools to keep up here, Saints win 31 - 24.

Tampa Bay at Pittsburgh - Tampa Bay continues to lose players and games in pretty much the same ratio.  Pittsburgh has played poorly on both sides of the ball but their outing last weekend has to be a new low but they should recover, Steelers win 24 -17.

Houston at Oakland - This game only has significance for the 2007 draft.  Houston has had spurts of offensive production that show promise; more than can be said for Oakland this season.  Expect Oakland to have the higher draft choice, Texans win 21 - 14.

Seattle at Denver - Denver goes with the league trend of putting the fate of a playoff team in the hands of an inexperienced, and in this case rookie, quarterback while continuing to play running back roulette.  Still they are tough to beat at home, Broncos win 24 -17.

Carolina at Philadelphia - Carolina has had more than their share of critical personnel injuries but they have been most hurt by lack of a power running game and offensive inconsistency in general.  Of course that also describes Philadelphia also; Panthers win 24 - 17.

Email Dale at: dale "@" footballforecasters.com