The Week 13 Picks:
Last Week: 10-6 This Week: 1-0 Season: 83-87-7
Cleveland at Miami (-4.5)
First, Cleveland fans were forced to watch LeBron go into Quicken Loans Arena and put up the following stat line, all with a smirk on his face: 38 points, five rebounds and eight assists. Now, those same fans are forced to watch Jake Delhomme play quarterback. I'm not sure which is worse.
Chicago (-5) at Detroit
Absolutely everything about this contest screams Trap Game! But then you realize that Drew Stanton is at the helm for Detroit. And that anytime you can pick against a Drew Stanton-led team and give up less than a touchdown, you take the gift from the gambling gods and don't ask questions. Don't let me down, Jay Cutler.
New Orleans (-7) at Cincinnati
When did Carson Palmer become this bad? How amazing would it have been if Cincy claimed Randy Moss off waivers? Why is Marvin Lewis still employed? These are questions we need answers to!
Denver at Kansas City (-8.5)
I only care about three things in this game: 1.) Knowshown Moreno's fantasy football production. 2.) The postgame handshake between Josh McDaniels and Todd Haley. (Desperately trying to think of a third reason.)
San Francisco at Green Bay (-9.5)
Frank Gore's injury now means opposing defenses have officially zero players to fear when they play San Francisco. Add in the fact that this is a West Coast team, traveling to Green Bay, in December, for a 1 p.m. kickoff with a spread that is somehow below 10? Sign me up!
Buffalo (+5.5) at Minnesota
How many fantasy football games were decided on Steve Johnson's drop in overtime last week against Pittsburgh? And how many will be decided this week when Adrian Peterson sees if he can go or not?
Jacksonville (+3) at Tennessee
The proverbial "you couldn't pay me to watch this" game (at the 1 p.m. time slot, at least). I know Jacksonville is leading the division, but does anyone really expect them to finish ahead of Indy? And in times like these, I'll take a healthy David Garrard over an injured Kerry Collins. I think.
Washington (+7.5) at New York
I have spent my junior high and high school years watching Donovan McNabb beat New York. And giving up more than a touchdown against a divisional rival fighting to keep its season alive seems like too much, especially for a team not playing that well right now.
St. Louis (-3.5) at Arizona
Derek Anderson puts his heart and soul into the game. Unfortunately, he puts his right arm into it as well. Zing! And a win here will keep the 5-6 Rams atop the NFC West. No really, a 5-6 team is leading a division.
Dallas at Indianapolis (-5.5)
Besides Peyton Manning, I'm not sure Indianapolis has any healthy players. But a Manning-led team can't let his team lose three consecutive games, and two straight at home. (At least that's what I keep telling myself).
Carolina (+5) at Seattle
After tracking the 4 p.m. games all season long from my spot behind The Eagle's sports desk, I have seen my share of horrible games. And this one ranks right up there with them, believe me.
Oakland at San Diego (-13)
Two teams going in completely opposite directions. Remember when Oakland was 5-4 and actually resembled a football team? Yeah, well now they're 13-point underdogs in a divisional game.
Atlanta at Tampa Bay (+3)
This just has the feel of a game Atlanta will lose. Coming off a huge 20-17 home win over Green Bay, the Falcons have to have some sort of a letdown. Meanwhile, to this point, Tampa Bay's only impressive win has been at home against St. Louis. So if they are a legitimate contender, they win this game.
Pittsburgh (+3) at Baltimore
New York at New England (-3.5)
I'm putting these two games together because I can not remember a weekend where I have been anticipating a Sunday Night-Monday Night combo for weeks in advance. Divisional rivals, teams with great records (PIT@BAL: Each 8-3, NYJ@NE: Each 9-2); these will be great, great games. Roethlisberger's injury will be of little concern and I think he comes in with a little extra motivation knowing he missed the first game between these two teams. As for Monday, it's tough to go against Belichick when he has 10 days to prepare. And because Tom Brady rarely makes mistakes, I don't trust Mark Sanchez enough to move the ball on long fields Monday.
As always, enjoy the games!
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