The Crystal Ball

 

Last week was a healthy 11 – 5 straight up; taking the record there to 114 for 176.  The bad news came against the spread where everything that could go wrong seemed to, record against the spread to 79 – 71 – 10 for the season.  The spread is taken as it was as of Tuesday morning when I put these picks together, your mileage may vary.

 

Now time for the standard disclaimers; I participate in a pick’em league and this represents my preliminary choices for that and is for amusement purposes only.  Changes are often made later in the week as more information comes in, particularly regarding injuries.  Because of the deadline for this column, those changes do not get reflected in the weekly or the running totals.  This represents my opinion only, not the actual informed football judgment of anyone else here.

 

Week 13

 

Green Bay at Dallas – This will likely determine home field advantage in the NFC so the stakes are high.  Green Bay had several injuries and will need the extra time to figure out who is playing.  Dallas is relatively healthy and ready for this one, Cowboys win 31 – 24.

 

New York Jets at Miami – This is clearly the best chance that Miami has to get a win this season.  The Jets are playing for next season and this should be the ugly game of the week, you should not allow your children watch this, Jets win 14 – 10.

 

Detroit at Minnesota – Detroit is not a particularly good road team historically and is on a three game losing streak.  The Vikings have established their offensive line and a dominating rushing attack, it hardly matters who the running back is, Vikings win 28 – 24.

 

Seattle at Philadelphia – Seattle has control of their division at this point and face their second road game in a row.  Philadelphia played a very solid game in a losing effort; their defense really stepped up which can inspire a team, Eagles win 21 – 20.

 

Houston at Tennessee – Tennessee relies on its defense and without Haynesworth it is a different and less effective unit, he may or may not be back this week.  Houston is a much better offense with Johnson and Schaub and they are back, Texans win 24 – 21.

 

Jacksonville at Indianapolis – This is a must win for Jacksonville if they have hope of winning the division.  Indianapolis has a variety of injuries but also have some extra time to get healthy for this game, Colts win 21 – 17.

 

Buffalo at Washington – Buffalo has probably done more with less than any team in the NFL; they play consistently tough every week.  Washington has been playing solid football though injuries are wearing them down, Redskins win 21 – 20.

 

San Diego at Kansas City – Kansas City had a rare home loss and face their second divisional opponent this week.  San Diego has been an up and down team all season but despite that find themselves in control of their divisional fate, Chargers win 24 – 17.

 

San Francisco at Carolina – This has a lot of potential to contest for the ugly game of the week but there may be flashes of competence here.  Both teams playing backup quarterbacks and have star players without adequate support to excel, Forty-niners win 20 -17.

 

Atlanta at St Louis – Atlanta has had a number of distractions, this season has been more of soap opera than a sports team.  St Louis again loses Bulger, how long is uncertain at this point, but they still have the edge here, Rams win 27 – 20.

 

Cleveland at Arizona – Cleveland has been offensively solid and defensively inept which makes this the shoot out of the week.  Arizona has a somewhat better defense than their opponent this week and about the same quality of skill players, Cardinals win 35 – 31.

 

Denver at Oakland – Oakland is coming off a rare win and get their most hated division opponent this week.  Denver lost a tough road game and should be ready for this one, they will be playing a running back, which one doesn’t appear to matter all that much, Broncos win 28 – 20.

 

Tampa Bay at New Orleans – Tampa Bay has been one of the surprises of the season their defense has come together with a number of new players while their offense has been good enough.  New Orleans offense is back in stride, Saints win 28 – 24.

 

New York Giants at Chicago – Chicago special teams won last week’s game you might think that someone would figure out that kicking to Hester is risky.  The Giants offense lost at home by scoring touchdowns for both teams, Giants win 24 – 20.

 

Cincinnati at Pittsburgh – The Bengals offense looked very good in their win last week as Chad Johnson broke his scoring drought.  Pittsburgh is a team that too often plays to the level of their opponent but a division rival should have their full attention, Steelers win 28 – 24.

 

New England at Baltimore – Baltimore could survive mediocre offense because their defense, but they have aged and their depth is not what it once was.  The New England deep passing game is pointed at the biggest weakness in that once vaunted defense, Patriots win 45 – 10.

 

Dale “at” footballforecasters.com