NFL Week 13 Predictions

Srikar Kalapala 

Overall Record: 110-69-1

Last Week's Record: 11-5

New England Patriots (6-5) vs. Buffalo Bills (8-3)

Bills. The Bills are coming off of a down-to-the-wire game against the Lions on Thanksgiving. The Lions looked primed to win that game late in the 4th, but the Bills ended up getting a chance to win the game in regulation after a catch by Diggs near midfield. Josh Allen is still a little concerning, as he threw yet another red zone interception, but I guess as long as they get the win, that’s all that matters. They face off against the Patriots, whose offense seemed to come into way better shape than what they put on the field against the Jets, but now are tasked against the stout Bills defense. I think the Bills will be able to take this one in what is a rematch of the blowout playoff game from last year.

Chicago Bears (3-9) vs. Green Bay Packers (4-8)

Packers. Is it Jordan Love SZN? Love had to play last week due to an Aaron Rodgers oblique injury, and looked good, as he was very accurate and even had a touchdown pass. The Packers are now 4-8, and playoff chances are slim. So why not give Love a chance for the rest of the season and see how it goes? The Bears got blown out by Mike White and the Jets last week, but they didn’t have Justin Fields. If Fields gives it a go this week, I hope to see a really fun matchup between the future of both of these franchises, and I think Love will shock the world with a win over the rival Bears.

Edit: Aaron Rodgers said that he will be able to play this week, which means we will get to see Rodgers potentially owning the Bears again. I hope to see a great performance from Rodgers this week, in what could be one of his final games against the Bears.

Atlanta Falcons (5-7) vs. Pittsburgh Steelers (4-7)

Falcons. With the Bucs upset loss to the Browns last week, and then playing the Saints this week leaves the door wide open for the Falcons in the NFC South. The Steelers boast a great defense led by TJ Watt, but I think the Falcons will take advantage of the opportunity given to them.

Minnesota Vikings (9-2) vs. New York Jets (7-4)

Vikings. Mike White came in and absolutely tore up the Bears last week. He is primed to be their future starter for the rest of this year but now has to take on the Vikings in Minnesota. The Vikings beat the Patriots on Thanksgiving, and are looking to chase Philly for the #1 seed. The coin flip was wrong for the first time last week for the Jets, and I think it will be wrong again.

Detroit Lions (4-7) vs. Jacksonville Jaguars (4-7)

Lions. My major upset pick for last week paid off, as I predicted the Jaguars beating the Ravens. I didn’t expect Justin Tucker to narrowly miss a 67-yard field goal for the win, but I’ll take it. I still like the Lions to win this game though. They are coming off a narrow loss to the Bills in a game where they were competitive for all four quarters, and they will have more rest than the Jaguars. Add in that they will be at home, and I think the Lions’ high-powered offense will win them this game.

Philadelphia Eagles (10-1) vs. Tennessee Titans (7-4)

Eagles. I like this one to be a very close game coming down to the wire. Both teams are contenders, but the Eagles have been a little rocky recently. The Titans are coming off a close loss to the Bengals, and I think it will be another close loss to the Eagles.

Houston Texans (1-9-1) vs. Cleveland Browns (4-7)

Browns. What an amazing win for the Browns last week against Brady and the Bucs. What a way for Jacoby Brissett to go out on his potential last start of the season. That was a team effort win, and now they take on the worst team in the league: the Houston Texans. QB Deshaun Watson is set to make his first start this week after serving his suspension, and he will do so by facing off against his former team. I think this game will be handily won by the Browns.

New York Giants (7-4) vs. Washington Commanders (7-5)

Commanders. This is one of those games where it feels like either team could take it and I wouldn’t be surprised. I just like the Commanders over the Giants a little more in this one. The Commanders are trending up and the Giants are trending down, which is why I think the Commanders have the edge. One thing to note, however, is that Daniel Jones always seems to play well against this team.

Baltimore Ravens (7-4) vs. Denver Broncos (3-8)

Ravens. The Ravens got upset by the Jaguars last week after a 2-minute drive by Trevor Lawrence resulted in a touchdown and a gutsy two-point conversion. The Ravens now come home to face the hapless Broncos, who just got humiliated by the Panthers last week. Yes, the Panthers. This team is not good, and the players aren’t showing much fight for their coaching staff. I see the Ravens blowing this team out very quickly to bounce back and get to 8-4 on the season.

San Francisco 49ers (7-4) vs. Miami Dolphins (8-3) 

49ers. Usually speaking, it is wise to pick the mentor over the disciple in their first matchup, and that is a principle I am willing to stick by for this game. I really like the 49ers pass rush against this banged-up Dolphins O-line. One thing to look out for is the speed of Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle over the top of this Niners defense.

Los Angeles Rams (3-8) vs. Seattle Seahawks (6-5) 

Seahawks. In a lost season for the Rams, the concern for QB Matthew Stafford and WR Cooper Kupp probably outweigh everything else. The Seahawks lost to the Raiders in OT last week after some questionable calls by the refs, but I think that they will be able to bounce back against this Rams team that might also rule out Aaron Donald for this game. 

Las Vegas Raiders (4-7) vs. Los Angeles Chargers (6-5)

Chargers. Despite the Raiders being more than likely eliminated from playoff contention, and the Chargers vying for their playoff spot, I think this game will be really close. The Raiders rushing game exploded in their win over the Seahawks this week, and with injuries on the Chargers’ d-line, that is definitely something to look out for. The reason I’m not picking an upset here is because I still really like a Justin Herbert-led offense, and the Chargers need these types of wins if they want to get a playoff spot- especially in the loaded AFC.

Cincinnati Bengals (7-4) vs. Kansas City Chiefs (9-2)

Chiefs. This game is a rematch of the AFC Championship game from last year, and both teams are good again this year. However, the Bengals just seem to have taken a step back this year, and how much of that was Ja’Marr Chase not playing for some games is unknown. The Chiefs have been on a roll, and I don’t see a reason for it to stop here. Joe Burrow and the Bengals upset the Chiefs the last two times they played, and while that could happen again, I can’t pick against Patrick Mahomes in the clutch. 

Dallas Cowboys (8-3) vs. Indianapolis Colts (4-7-1) 

Cowboys. The Cowboys offense was very good in their game against the Giants last week, and if it wasn’t for some turnovers, it could have been even better. Michael Gallup and Ceedee Lamb showed out, with contested catches left and right. This team is finding its groove after the last two games, and I see no reason for it to stop against the Colts at home. 

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (5-6) vs. New Orleans Saints (5-7)

Bucs. Both of these teams didn’t play well in their matchups last week, and now face off against each other in a game that will be crucial for their division. In the last meeting between these two teams, I picked the Saints, as Tom Brady had never beaten the Saints as a member of the Bucs in the regular season. I thought I was on my way to being right about that pick too, until Marshon Lattimore and Mike Evans got ejected, which totally turned the tide of that game in favor of the Bucs. This game is being played in Tampa, and I guess now that Brady finally beat the Saints, he can beat them again in his home stadium too.