Hello readers! Another week of National Football League action is coming upon us yet again. The number 13 usually means good luck or bad luck depending on what you believe in. For Week 13 could bring either of those things to teams this week. In this post I'll post about: The current playoff picture, a preview of the week's action, my picks for the games, and the tv pairings for FOX and CBS in the early and late windows on Sunday. Let's get to work!
Playoff Picture: Week 13
Week 13 presents us with some possible clinching scenarios in the NFC. Not quite there yet for the AFC for clinching scenarios. Let's take a look at the NFC.
Seeding
1st Seed: Philadelphia Eagles (10-1)
2nd Seed: Minnesota Vikings (9-2)
3rd Seed: San Francisco 49ers (7-4)
4th seed: Tampa Bay Buccaneers (5-6)
5th seed: Dallas Cowboys (8-3)
6th seed: NY Giants (7-4)
7th seed: Washington Commanders (7-5)
Wild Card Weekend Matchups
Washington @ Minnesota
NY Giants @ San Francisco
Dallas @ Tampa Bay
In the Hunt
Seattle (6-5), Atlanta (5-7), Detroit (4-7), Green Bay (4-8), Arizona (4-8), Carolina (4-8), New Orleans (4-8), LA Rams (3-8), Chicago (3-9)
Philadelphia can clinch a playoff berth with a win + Commanders loss. Minnesota can clinch the NFC North with a win and Lions loss or tie. Not much there for tiebreakers for seeding as everyone has a different record. Let's go to the AFC.
Seeding
1st seed: Kansas City Chiefs (9-2)
2nd seed: Miami Dolphins (8-3)
3rd seed: Tennessee Titans (7-4)
4th seed: Baltimore Ravens (7-4)
5th seed: Buffalo Bills (8-3)
6th seed: Cincinnati Bengals (7-4)
7th seed: NY Jets (7-4)
Wild Card Weekend Matchups
NY Jets @ Miami
Cincinnati @ Tennessee
Buffalo @ Baltimore
In the Hunt
New England (6-5), LA Chargers (6-5), Indianapolis (4-7-1), Jacksonville (4-7), Las Vegas (4-7), Cleveland (4-7), Pittsburgh (4-7), Denver (3-8), Houston (1-9-1)
As stated before, no clinching scenarios for the AFC yet. Houston is still very much alive but have to think another loss means playoff elimination for them. Should be noted that the Bengals are ahead of the Jets based on head-to-head. Tennessee is ahead of Baltimore based on conference record (Titans have 5-3 and Ravens have 4-3 so had Baltimore won on Sunday they'd be ahead of the Titans).
Week 13 Preview
The thirteenth week of the National Football League's regular season starts in Foxboro, Massachusetts and finishes up in Tampa, Florida. Week 13 will feature a 15-game slate where 30 teams will play. Teams on a bye are the Arizona Cardinals and Carolina Panthers. The week will have a Thursday night game, eight early games, four late games, a Sunday night game, and a Monday night game.
Week 13 Picks
Note: Games times are US Eastern. TW is me and CV is Cardinal Viking, my former roommate.
Buffalo (8-3) @ New England (6-5) (Amazon; 8:15 pm): TW: Bills; CV: Bills
The Bills beat the Lions and the Patriots lost to the Vikings last week. A rematch of the AFC Wild Card matchup in Buffalo. Not also to mention this is a battle of rivals to start the week off. Buffalo comes into this game with two wins at Detroit so they are certainly capable of playing road ball. New England comes into this game with a disheartening loss to the Vikings in a game where they could've won. If Von Miller is not in this game the Bills will have a bigger challenge in stopping Mac Jones. The loss of Damien Harris to the Patriots run game could be a factor as Rhamondre Stevenson will have to carry the ground load. The big matchup in this game will be Josh Allen and the front seven of the Patriots defense. I think the Bills will take this one based on the more experience that the Bills have.
Cleveland (4-7) @ Houston (1-9-1) (CBS; 1:00 pm): TW: Browns; CV: Browns
The Browns beat the Buccaneers and the Texans lost to the Dolphins last week. Jacoby Brissett won't start this game as DeShaun Watson (yeah remember that guy) will get the nod. Personally I don't think Watson should see the field at all this season let alone get the payday he got. Now that I got that out of the way, I think the Browns will still win this game based on their running game. Nick Chubb already has 1,000 rushing yards this year with 12 touchdowns. No sense in thinking that the Browns will go something different in their gameplan. For Houston, maybe they have an outside chance to win but they have to stop turning the ball over and have their quarterback have some time to throw the ball. Or even give it to Dameon Pierce.
Denver (3-8) @ Baltimore (7-4) (CBS; 1:00 pm): TW: Ravens; CV: Ravens
Both teams lost last week as the Broncos lost to the Panthers and the Ravens lost to the Jaguars. Things have been tough for both teams this year. The Broncos can't seem to get going on offense and the Ravens can't hold onto a lead to save their lives. Russell Wilson has been given a lot of blame and it is warranted. With just eight passing touchdowns, Wilson really needs to get going if the Broncos want to salvage at least most of their season. Baltimore just loves smelling their own farts when they take a lead late in the game. Something is going to have to give for this one. Either the Broncos unleash their 2013 offense on the Ravens or Baltimore holds onto a lead and in convincing fashion. I can't trust the Broncos.
Green Bay (4-8) @ Chicago (3-9) (FOX; 1:00 pm): TW: Packers; CV: Bears
Last week the Packers lost to the Eagles and the Bears lost to the Jets. The NFL's oldest rivalry starts a new chapter as the man Nathan Peterman starts for the Bears and Aaron Rodgers starts for the Packers. Both teams haven't had the season they'd wanted but bragging rights are still very much alive in this game. News stories seem to lean toward Rodgers starting and I feel that they are true. Aaron Rodgers wouldn't want to miss his team trying to win against the Bears. A team that he supposedly owns. I feel the Packers will take the win based on better supporting cast. The track record on Nathan Peterman isn't good.
Jacksonville (4-7) @ Detroit (4-7) (FOX; 1:00 pm): TW: Lions; CV: Jaguars
Last week the Jaguars beat the Ravens and the Lions lost to the Bills. Detroit can feel at ease knowing that their 2nd tenant in the Buffalo Bills are back in Western New York. Jacksonville last week had one of the bigger upsets in the season in beating Baltimore. Granted they took advantage of turnovers. If things go well enough for them, they could torch one of the worst defenses in the league and put up points. Trevor Lawrence is somewhat trustable. Detroit has one of the better offenses in the league with one of the least talked about running backs in Jamaal Williams. Amonra St. Brown isn't bad either. In terms of a home environment, I like the Lions in this matchup. It's a gut feeling but I think they'll win.
NY Jets (7-4) @ Minnesota (9-2) (CBS; 1:00 pm): TW: Vikings; CV: Vikings
The Jets beat the Bears and the Vikings beat the Patriots last week. Mike White made the Jets offense look like the days of Joe Namath with the way he was making the Bears defense look silly. He'll have a bigger challenge against the Vikings. Minnesota's defense isn't terrible but it isn't great either. The offense is gotten it done for the Vikings in 2022. They have the best running back and wide receiver in the game right now with Dalvin Cook and Justin Jefferson. New York's defense is not something you can laugh at. They can pressure you and Sauce Gardner can be a shutdown corner when the need arises. I think the Vikings will win but the Jets aren't something you can brush over.
Pittsburgh (4-7) @ Atlanta (5-7) (CBS; 1:00 pm): TW: Steelers; CV: Steelers
The Steelers beat the Colts and the Falcons lost to the Commanders last week. Just when the Steelers finally got something going good, something bad happens to them. The loss of Najee Harris for this game might be detrimental for the Steelers offense. They will need to rely on Benny Snell for the long run. Atlanta seems like the better team in terms of the running game. They have three running backs that can go for long gains in Tyler Allgeier and Cordarrelle Patterson. A winning season is still up there for the Steelers but they can't lose a lot more games. I'll take the Steelers.
Tennessee (7-4) @ Philadelphia (10-1) (FOX; 1:00 pm): TW: Eagles; CV: Titans
The Titans lost to the Bengals and the Eagles beat the Packers last week. Both teams have great running attacks. It's really Derrick Henry vs the running backs roster of the Eagles. It seems that the Eagles are the better team based on record alone. The only time they lost was against Washington who took advantage of turnovers that they caused. Tennessee isn't much of a team that causes turnovers but they will need to if they want to win this game. I'll take the Eagles.
Washington (7-5) @ NY Giants (7-4) (FOX; 1:00 pm): TW: Commanders; CV: Commanders
The Commanders beat the Falcons and the Giants lost to the Cowboys last week. First time since 2016 that both teams had a winning record prior to their meeting. Washington's nickname might change but the its rivalry with the Giants does not. New York has taken a bit of a dive of late and they are underdogs in this game. Washington has gotten better of late with Taylor Heinicke and his running game doing the offensive production. I think this game will be a test to see how well the Giants can comeback against adversity. I can't imagine they'd want to go back to their losing ways prior to this season. I'm still gonna go with the Commanders.
Miami (8-3) @ San Francisco (7-4) (FOX; 4:05 pm): TW: Dolphins; CV: 49ers
Both teams won last week as the Dolphins beat the Texans and the 49ers beat the Saints. A possible Super Bowl preview? Miami comes into this game being one of the better teams in the AFC. San Francisco has been on and off since acquiring Christian McCaffrey prior to the matchup against the Chiefs. The game seems like it'll be a shootout between two great quarterbacks. I think the end result will be a Dolphins victory in that Tua Tagovailoa will throw better than Jimmy Garoppolo. Just a hunch.
Seattle (6-5) @ LA Rams (3-8) (FOX; 4:05 pm): TW: Seahawks; CV: Seahawks
Both teams lost last week as the Seahawks lost to the Raiders and the Rams lost to the Chiefs. The defending champions haven't looked exactly like themselves as of late. Injuries and the hangover have plagued the 2022 Rams. The Seahawks though have looked like a reinvigorated squad that most experts thought they'd be where the Rams are at. Geno Smith has been the main catalyst to this development. I See the Seahawks taking the game but I wouldn't count out the Rams if they have Matthew Stafford back.
Kansas City (9-2) @ Cincinnati (7-4) (CBS; 4:25 pm): TW: Chiefs; CV: Chiefs
Both teams won last week as the Chiefs beat the Rams and the Bengals beat the Titans. A rematch of the AFC Championship game last year is the marquee game. Both teams are mostly the same as they were that had played in January. Kansas City looks like the better team in the matchup and I tend to feel that way. Patrick Mahomes has been playing on another level and as long as he stays upright. The Chiefs have a good shot to win. Cincinnati is a good team as well. I'm leaning more to the Chiefs because of the missing piece in the Bengals offense in Ja'Marr Chase and Joe Mixon. Mixon, if everything goes well in practice and rehab, will likely get to play on Sunday. Joe Burrow will need the help he can get.
LA Chargers (6-5) @ Las Vegas (4-7) (CBS; 4:25 pm): TW: Chargers; CV: Chargers
The Chargers beat the Cardinals and the Raiders beat the Seahawks last week. Justin Herbert and company got a much needed win against the Cardinals. The team gambled their season on a 2-point conversion that yielded in a positive result. Las Vegas had one of the best games out of a running back in franchise history (which says a lot out of the many great running backs they've had over the years) with Josh Jacobs' 303 all-purpose yards. Both teams are similar in the both sides of the ball. It seems like a toss-up matchup but I'll take the Chargers on a coin flip.
Indianapolis (4-7-1) @ Dallas (8-3) (NBC; 8:20 pm): TW: Cowboys; CV: Cowboys
The Colts lost to the Steelers and the Cowboys beat the Giants last week. Sunday night features a meh matchup between a team that's going down in record and one that is going up. Dallas goes into this game as a 11-point favorite and Vegas isn't necessarily wrong in that assessment. Indy has had a terrible season and hasn't had great results from interim head coach Jeff Saturday who kind of took over the job over Frank Reich. Dallas seems to be the team that has everything going for them well on both sides of the ball. Perhaps their defense is underrated in that aspect. In spite of the record, Dallas tends to keep teams in it and if the Colts can just sustain drives and put points on the board, I think Dallas could be in trouble. I don't see it happening but I'll take the Cowboys.
New Orleans (4-8) @ Tampa Bay (5-6) (ESPN; 8:15 pm): TW: Buccaneers; CV: Saints
Both teams lost their games last week as the Saints lost to the 49ers and the Buccaneers lost to the Browns. Tom Brady and company haven't looked like themselves this season and I think their defense isn't as good as it was last year and the year before. I mean they literally let Nick Chubb walk over them. New Orleans is in the same boat as they haven't had the season that they'd hoped. They were on a stretch where they might make the playoffs in 2021 but haven't met expectations in 2022. The joke that Tom Brady couldn't beat the Saints in the regular season is over as he had beaten them earlier this season in a close contest. You know the one where Mike Evans had to step up to defend his quarterback. I'll take the Bucs in the game as I'm not sure what kind of game that the Saints can put in this one.
Early & Late Game TV Broadcast Pairings
Note: Games in bold are being shown in my area. Check local listings.
CBS Early
NY Jets @ Minnesota
Ian Eagle, Charles Davis
Denver @ Baltimore
Kevin Harlan, Trent Green
Pittsburgh @ Atlanta
Andrew Catalon, James Lofton
Cleveland @ Houston
Spero Dedes, Jay Feely
CBS Late
Kansas City @ Cincinnati
Jim Nantz, Tony Romo
LA Chargers @ Las Vegas
Greg Gumbel, Adam Archuleta
FOX Single
Tennessee @ Philadelphia
Kevin Burkhardt, Greg Olsen
Washington @ NY Giants
Kenny Albert, Jonathan Vilma
Green Bay @ Chicago
Adam Amin, Mark Schlereth
Jacksonville @ Detroit
Chris Myers, Robert Smith
Seattle @ LA Rams (Late)
Kevin Kugler, Mark Sanchez
Miami @ San Francisco (Late)
Joe Davis, Daryl Johnston
For more information on which game is being shown in your area, check out: NFL 2022: Week 13 Maps
2022 Pick ‘Em Records
My record:
Week 1: 8-7-1
Week 2: 8-8
Week 3: 5-11
Week 4: 11-5
Week 5: 10-6
Week 6: 8-6
Week 7: 9-5
Week 8: 12-3
Week 9: 11-2
Week 10: 8-6
Week 11: 8-6
Week 12: 10-6
Total: 108-71-1
Cardinal Viking's record:
Week 1: 6-9-1
Week 2: 11-5
Week 3: 5-11
Week 4: 6-10
Week 5: 9-7
Week 6: 9-5
Week 7: 8-6
Week 8: 9-6
Week 9: 9-4
Week 10: 8-6
Week 11: 8-6
Week 12: 9-7
Total: 95-82-1
Previous Picking Records:
2017: 167-89
2018: 156-98-2
2019: 151-104-1
2020: 163-92-1
2021: 167-104-1
2019: 161-94-1
2020: 167-88-1
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