Editor Matt Loede’s NFL picks for week 13

Last Week: 8-8
Season: 101-72

Cleveland at Miami – The Dolphins looked good last week in Oakland, and while the Browns won (barely) against the 1-9 Panthers, the Dolphins are the better team, and will get WR Brandon Marshall back this week, and he will have a big game against the Browns secondary and suspect D that can’t get to the QB. Miami 24 Cleveland 17

San Francisco at Green Bay – The Pack rallied but fell short in the ATL a week ago, but return home to take on a 49ers team that won Monday night, but are now without Frank Gore the rest of the way. Look for Aaron Rodgers to have a good day vs the Niners, and the Pack D will force a few mistakes from Troy Smith and the 49ers offense. Green Bay 27 San Francisco 17

Denver at Kansas City – The Chiefs are trying to hold off the pesky Chargers in the AFC West, and need to make sure they don’t have a hiccup here. They were crushed the last time they played the Broncos, and this time they will make sure to learn from their mistakes. This will play out like an old AFL game, but the Chiefs in the end will have enough offense to get it done at Arrowhead. Kansas City 37 Denver 31

Buffalo at Minnesota – Last week Steve Johnson cost the Bills a shot at the upset at home over the Steelers, and now they have to take that hard luck loss and head to Minnesota to play Brett and the Vikings. Minnesota kept their very slim playoff hopes alive with a win in DC, and while the Bills will play the Vikings hard, Minnesota has a few more playmakers that will pull this one out. Minnesota 23 Buffalo 20

Washington at New York Giants – The Giants had issues early with the Jags last week, but found themselves late and pulled out a needed win to keep pace in the East. As for the Skins, they are starting to show wear and tear, and at 5-6 need a win here to keep their playoff hopes alive. Won’t happen, as Eli Manning and the Giants have too much offense for a Skins team that is fading fast. New York Giants 24 Washington 14

Jacksonville at Tennessee – Kerry Collins looks to get the start at QB for the Titans, and he can’t be as bad as rookie Rusty Smith was a week ago, as the Titans laid a big old goose egg on the scoreboard in Houston. The Jags were slammed the last time these two played, and the Titans matchup well with the Jags. Look for another big day for Chris Johnson, and the Titans will roll out a big home win. Tennessee 26 Jacksonville 13

Chicago at Detroit – The Bears look like the best team in the NFC right now, and as long as Jay Cutler doesn’t give up the ball with picks, this team should have enough to get past Drew Stanton and a Lions team that is starting to wear down with too many injuries. Detroit’s two wins this year are at home, but vs the Bears they won’t have much success unless they create at least 3-4 turnovers. Chicago 24 Detroit 10

New Orleans at Cincinnati – Cincy appears to have given up, as they were no match for the Jets on Thanksgiving despite having plenty of chances to take control of the game in the first half. This team needs to re-tool this offseason, and against the Saints they will hang in for a half, but the Saints have way too much offense to fall even on the road in a cold weather city. New Orleans 31 Cincinnati 20

Oakland at San Diego – The Chargers are playing as well as any team in the NFL, and against the Raiders at home they will have no issues getting to Jason Campbell and getting the ball down the field to their wide outs as they roll for another win to keep the heat on the Chiefs in the AFC West. San Diego 29 Oakland 14

Atlanta at Tampa Bay – It was another last second win for the Falcons last week vs the Pack, but they all count, and this week they head to Tampa to look to sweep the Bucs. Tampa Bay needs to get to Matt Ryan, and also need to avoid mistakes to make this thing interesting. They can’t allow Matt Ryan to make plays downfield to Roddy White, but that’s easier said than done. Look for White and Michael Turner to be the difference, as the Falcons fly to 10-2. Atlanta 27 Tampa Bay 23

Dallas at Indianapolis – Last week the Chargers took advantage of Peyton Manning mistakes as the Colts lost a rare home game. This week the Cowboys come in after not playing for a full 10 days, and still smarting after they should have beaten the Saints at home. Dallas is a different team under Jason Garrett, and they have been playing better football. The Colts are in crisis mode, and can’t afford another letdown. Look for Dallas to keep playing better football. Dallas 27 Indianapolis 26

St.Louis at Arizona – Here’s hoping that Derek Anderson doesn’t get caught smiling or laughing, as last week they were awful on Monday night vs the 49ers. Arizona at 3-8 is a team that right now can’t seem to get out of its own way, while the Rams are average at best, but are making strides and will build off a big win in Denver last week. St.Louis 34 Arizona 24

Carolina at Seattle – Can you imagine if the Seahawks, at 7-9, got into the playoffs as the NFC West champs? Don’t laugh, it very well could happen, and a win over a bad Panthers team at home can make it a lot more likely. Look for Seattle, who were beaten at home by the Chiefs last week, to rebound vs a Panthers team that hung in but were wide on what would have been a game winning field goal shot in Cleveland a week ago. Seattle 28 Carolina 14

Pittsburgh at Baltimore – The first of two very good prime time games sees the best two AFC North teams do battle in Baltimore. Ben Roethlisberger’s foot is a big concern, but he says he will be fine, and he’s won his last 5 vs the Ravens, a key. The Steelers should be able to hold the Ravens run game in check, and then try and force some Joe Flacco mistakes. It will be a field goal game, since it always is, and this time the Steelers will get enough and win it late. Pittsburgh 23 Baltimore 20

Monday Night:

New York Jets at New England – Two of the AFC’s best wrap up the week, as the Pats look for revenge vs a Jets team that beat them early in the season. This time the Pats will look to confuse Mark Sanchez, hold the Jets run game, which has had some issues lately, in check, and make sure they are consistent on offense as they have been. They may start a little slow, but look for Brady and his boys to score enough to outduel the Jets and take control of the AFC East. New England 19 New York Jets 13