Who says 13 is an unlucky number? Week 13 was certainly not unlucky for me. It wasn’t quite the triple crown hit I wanted, but it was close.
I went 10-5 in my ATS expert picks, 11-3-1 straight up, and 3-3 on my best bets as part of the Pick Six podcast. This improves my records to 92-95-8 ATS, 111-77-1 straight and 44-30-3 with my best bets.
So all in all it was a good week. Let’s move on.
Thursday, 8:15 p.m. (Amazon Prime Video)
Featured Game | Los Angeles Rams vs Las Vegas Raiders
The Raiders have won three straight games to get back into the playoff mix. Derek Carr and Davante Adams will be a big problem for the Rams. Josh Jacobs runs it well too. The Rams played hard last week, but they’re shorthanded with all the injuries. Raiders keep it going, even on the street in a short week.
Choose: Raiders 26, Rams 16
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET (CBS, Paramount+)
Featured Game | Buffalo Bills vs. New York Jets
The Jets are playing back-to-back road games while the Bills are resting after last Thursday’s game. Bad combination. The Bills also look like they’re getting it rolling again on offense. The Jets’ defense is good but didn’t look that great last week. Buffalo wins behind Josh Allen as Jets quarterback Mike White can’t keep up.
Choose: Bills 29, Jet’s 13
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET (CBS, Paramount+)
Featured Game | Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Baltimore Ravens
Kenny Picket is 3-1 in his last four starts for the Steelers as they make a small push late in the season. The Ravens had offensive issues with Lamar Jackson, and now he’s out. That means it’s time for Tyler Huntley at quarterback. The Steelers’ defense is playing better, so that’s not good for the Ravens.
Choose: Steelers 24, Ravens 13
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET (CBS, Paramount+)
Featured Game | Cincinnati Bengals vs. Cleveland Browns
Joe Burrow has never beaten the Browns, which will make this a challenge. But the Bengals are playing well. The Browns have Deshaun Watson back, but he was terrible against the Texans. The Bengals and Burrow will keep it going. Bengalis take it.
Choose: Bengal 28, Brown 23
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET (Fox, FuboTV)
Featured Game | Dallas Cowboys vs. Houston Texans
The cowboys play good football, the Texans don’t. Dallas have to be wary of disappointment here, but I don’t think that’s going to happen. Your defense will be the dominant part of this game. You will win big behind. Dak Prescott plays well too.
Choose: Cowboys 33, Texans 10
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET (Fox, FuboTV)
Featured Game | Detroit Lions vs. Minnesota Vikings
This is actually a good game with both teams having impressive wins last week. The Vikings are a shoo-in to win the division, but the Lions live for a wildcard spot. The Lions offense will pose big problems for a Vikings defense that hasn’t played that well. The Lions win behind Jared Goff.
Choose: Lions 31, Vikings 28
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET (Fox, FuboTV)
Featured Game | New York Giants vs Philadelphia Eagles
This is a big game for the Giants in the playoff race, a game between two with Washington. They need this game more than the Eagles, but the Eagles fly high on offense. It’s going to be a big challenge for the Giants, but I think they’re staying in this thing.
Choose: Eagle 27, giant 24
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET (CBS, Paramount+)
Featured Game | Tennessee Titans vs. Jacksonville Jaguars
The Titans have dominated the Jaguars throughout their history, especially in the last 10 years. Both teams have suffered terrible road losses and now the Jaguars are back on the road. The Titans will do what they always do with the Jaguars, which is give Derrick Henry free rein. Titans take it.
Choose: Titans 30, Jaguars 21
Sunday, 4:05 p.m. ET (CBS, Paramount+)
Featured Game | Denver Broncos vs. Kansas City Chiefs
The Chiefs suffered a tough loss against the Bengals and are playing a second game in a row. Big thing. Denver’s offense is terrible. The Denver defense is good, but it won’t slow down Patrick Mahomes. Look for the Chiefs to get back on track, especially after last week’s loss.
Choose: Chiefs 27, Broncos 13
Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET (Fox, FuboTV)
Featured Game | Seattle Seahawks vs. Carolina Panthers
Geno Smith is playing excellent football for the Seahawks, who would be in the playoffs if they started now. The Panthers get away with a bye, but they play for nothing. That’s a long journey for a team with little motivation. The Seahawks will win it behind Smith.
Choose: Seahawks 31, Panthers 17
Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET (Fox, FuboTV)
Featured Game | San Francisco 49ers vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Bucs had an amazing fourth-quarter comeback Monday night to beat the Saints, but the offense struggled for most of the game. That’s never a good thing against the 49ers’ defense. The 49ers will start Brock Purdy as quarterback, but he’ll play well. The 49ers take it.
Choose: 49ers 26, Bucs 17
Sunday, 8:20 p.m. ET (NBC, FuboTV)
Featured Game | Los Angeles Chargers vs. Miami Dolphins
This is Tua Tagovailoa versus Justin Herbert in a battle of 2020 first-round draft picks. Tagovailoa didn’t play well last week and is feeling a little bruised. The Chargers need the game more and should be able to move it against the Miami defense. Herbert brings out the best in Tua as downfield passing play finally explodes for the Chargers.
Choose: Chargers 33, Dolphins 28
Monday, 8:15 p.m. ET (ESPN, FuboTV)
Featured Game | Arizona Cardinals vs. New England Patriots
The Cardinals walk away with a bye while the Patriots put on a terrible performance against the Bills last Thursday. The offense was lifeless. That will change here. They’ll move the ball against the Arizona defense and limit Kyler Murray. The Patriots win.
Choose: Patriots 24, Cardinals 21