Update: The NFL Week 17 TV schedule, point spreads, and picks post is up.
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As you know if you’ve been following these posts, I’ve been on a hot streak lately after having a couple of down weeks. a 22-9 record over the last two weeks put the .500 mark well in my rearview mirror.
Week 12 has been solid so far (posting this before SNF game starts), picking eight of the 14 games right with the Baltimore-Pittsburgh and Patriots-Saints games still to go.
Update: I went 1-1 in the PrimeTime games, finishing 9-7 for the week. Cumulative record is now 97-71.
As we look ahead to Week 13, a couple of key games jump out at me right off the bat.
First, surging Tennessee travels to Indianapolis to take on the 11-0 Colts. This should be a fascinating game between two QBs who are playing superbly right now, but whose styles could not be more different.
Second, the Giants and the Cowboys clash in what is essentially an elimination game for New York. Should Dallas win, the Giants’ playoff hopes are basically dashed. However, Eli and Co. can reassert themselves with a win, as they would then be one game back of Dallas and hold the tiebreaker.
Let’s go game-by-game and look at the the TV info, spreads, and picks for each.
[Editor's Note: I am posting this Sunday night before any spread or announcer info has been posted. I will be updating this post over the next 48 hours until all of the information has been inserted.]
A couple of quick things to keep in mind:
- All times are ET.
- Some games do not have all of the information filled in as of this post being published (i.e. a few games don’t have spreads yet and the announcer assignments have not yet been announced). I’ll update this post as soon as the information is available at the506.com.
- Point spread and over-under listings are as of Monday night, and obviously subject to change throughout the week. If you want update point spread info, or some expert advice as you make your weekly picks, below are a few helpful links.
- DocSports: NFL Odds
- DocSports: NFL Picks
And with all that said, here is your mood music and the Week Thirteen TV schedule, point spreads, announcers, free picks, and byes.
NFL Week 13 Viewer’s Guide
TV Schedule – Announcers – Kickoff Times – Byes
Point Spreads – Free Picks – Odds – Over-Unders
New York Jets at Buffalo Bills
- Jets-Bills Date: Thursday, December 3
- Jets-Bills Date Kickoff Time: 8:20
- Jets-Bills Date TV Network: NFLN
- Jets-Bills Date Announcers: Bob Papa and Matt Millen
- Jets-Bills Date Point Spread: Jets -2.5
- Jets-Bills Date Over-Under: 37.5
- Jets-Bills Date Spread Pick: The Jets’ defense was impressive last week against Carolina, but I don’t trust Mark Sanchez enough to pick them by a field goal on the road. Buffalo isn’t anything special either, and Ryan Fitzpatrick is playing over his head right now, but you have to respect the Bills at Rich Stadium. Jets-Bills free pick: Bills +2.5
St. Louis Rams at Chicago Bears
- Rams-Bears Date: Sunday, December 6
- Rams-Bears Kickoff Time: 1:00
- Rams-Bears TV Network: FOX
- Rams-Bears Announcers: Dick Stockton and Trent Green
- Rams-Bears Point Spread: Bears -8.5
- Rams-Bears Over-Under: 41.5
- Rams-Bears Spread Pick: The Bears suck right now. They can’t run the ball, they can’t throw it without turning it over, and their defense is more like a sieve than a monster. Luckily for Chicago, St. Louis is not all that great either. The Rams have, however, been playing teams close, which might give you reason to take them and the points. I don’t think so. I think Jay Cutler and the Bears offense has a decent day and the Bears get a ho-hum home victory by 10 or so. Rams-Bears free pick: Bears -8.5
Detroit Lions at Cincinnati Bengals
- Lions-Bengals Date: Sunday, December 6
- Lions-Bengals Kickoff Time: 1:00
- Lions-Bengals TV Network: FOX
- Lions-Bengals Announcers: Ron Pitts and John Lynch
- Lions-Bengals Point Spread: Bengals -13
- Lions-Bengals Over-Under: 42
- Lions-Bengals Spread Pick: The Bengals have failed to cover at least two weeks in a row, losing at Oakland and then only beating Cleveland by 11. I’m not worried about picking them here, however, because it’s a home game against a non-divisional opponent with a rookie QB. Detroit hasn’t proven it can run the ball to take pressure off of Matthew Stafford and the Bengals’ DBs will likely make the rookie look foolish on at least a few throws. The Bengals will pound the Lions into submission with their ground game and hit a few big plays deep to put it away. Lions-Bengals free pick: Bengals -13
Philadelphia Eagles at Atlanta Falcons
- Eagles-Falcons Date: Sunday, December 6
- Eagles-Falcons Kickoff Time: 1:00
- Eagles-Falcons TV Network: FOX
- Eagles-Falcons Announcers: Kenny Albert, Daryl Johnston, and Tony Siragusa
- Eagles-Falcons Point Spread: Eagles -5.5
- Eagles-Falcons Over-Under: 44
- Eagles-Falcons Spread Pick: Chris Redman did a nice job in relief last week, the Falcons are at home, and the Eagles haven’t exactly been clicking on all cylinders. Still, I’m taking Philly here. The Eagles have playmaking DBs that could make life very tough on the inexperienced Redman, not to mention the ability to get pressure from all angles. With both their running and passing games in flux, and a defense that isn’t exactly shut-down, I don’t think Atlanta can keep up with Donovan and Co. Eagles-Falcons free pick: Eagles -5.5
New Orleans Saints at Washington Redskins
- Saints-Redskins Date: Sunday, December 6
- Saints-Redskins Kickoff Time: 1:00
- Saints-Redskins TV Network: FOX
- Saints-Redskins Announcers: Sam Rosen and Tim Ryan
- Saints-Redskins Point Spread: Saints -9.5
- Saints-Redskins Over-Under: 47.5
- Saints-Redskins Spread Pick: The Redskins keep on playing teams tough and I think they’ll do it again this weekend. I don’t think they will win — because I cannot in good conscience pick Jason Campbell to beat Drew Brees — but I do think that this game has letdown written all over it for the Saints. They have a short week, having played Monday, plus they cannot possibly have the same emotional level on the road Sunday afternoon facing a 3-win team as they had on Monday night hosting New England. I think this is one of those games that is somewhat sluggish, which plays right into Washington’s hands. Saints win, but in a manner similar to their victory over the Rams. Saints-Redskins free pick: Redskins +9.5
Tennessee Titans at Indianapolis Colts
- Titans-Colts Date: Sunday, December 6
- Titans-Colts Kickoff Time: 1:00
- Titans-Colts TV Network: CBS
- Titans-Colts Announcers: Ian Eagle and Rich Gannon
- Titans-Colts Point Spread: Colts -7
- Titans-Colts Over-Under: 47
- Titans-Colts Spread Pick: How can you not pick the Titans here? They have won five in a row, have a terrific running back, and have a QB playing very well. The Colts are 11-0, but they’ve been trailing in the 4th quarter of their last five victories. Plus, Tennessee’s D is playing much better after a terrible start. I think Indianapolis will win, but Vince Young is playing good enough, and Indy is banged up enough, that the Titans will put another 4th quarter scare into Peyton and Co. Titans-Colts free pick: Titans +7
Oakland Raiders at Pittsburgh Steelers
- Raiders-Steelers Date: Sunday, December 6
- Raiders-Steelers Kickoff Time: 1:00
- Raiders-Steelers TV Network: CBS
- Raiders-Steelers Announcers: Greg Gumbel and Dan Dierdorf
- Raiders-Steelers Point Spread: Steelers -14.5
- Raiders-Steelers Over-Under: 37
- Raiders-Steelers Spread Pick: The Steelers are coming off of a tough Monday night loss and had controversy swirling because of Hines Ward’s comments about Big Ben. I trust Mike Tomlin to get his team ready, especially for a home game, and I think Rashard Mendenhall will have a field day against Oakland’s awful run D. Raiders-Steelers free pick: Steelers -14.5
Denver Broncos at Kansas City Chiefs
- Broncos-Chiefs Date: Sunday, December 6
- Broncos-Chiefs Kickoff Time: 1:00
- Broncos-Chiefs TV Network: CBS
- Broncos-Chiefs Announcers: Dick Enberg and Dan Fouts
- Broncos-Chiefs Point Spread: Broncos -4.5
- Broncos-Chiefs Over-Under: 38
- Broncos-Chiefs Spread Pick: What do we make of this Broncos team? They looked horrible dropping four in a row but then slaughtered the Giants on Thanksgiving. Certainly, we know how important a healthy Kyle Orton is. I was starting to believe a little bit in the Chiefs until they were absolutely destroyed by San Diego. At home, however, Kansas City has been playing teams tough this year. I don’t think they can beat Denver, but I do think they can keep it close enough to cover. Broncos-Chiefs free pick: Chiefs +4.5
Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Carolina Panthers
- Buccaneers-Panthers Date: Sunday, December 6
- Buccaneers-Panthers Kickoff Time: 1:00
- Buccaneers-Panthers TV Network: FOX
- Buccaneers-Panthers Announcers: Barry Tompkins and Eddie George
- Buccaneers-Panthers Point Spread: Panthers -6.5
- Buccaneers-Panthers Over-Under: 42
- Buccaneers-Panthers Spread Pick: Tampa Bay played Atlanta tough last week and Carolina laid a complete egg against the Jets, so you might think Tampa Bay is a good pick here right? I don’t. Carolina’s running game isn’t usually shut down two weeks in a row, and I think DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart will get on a roll against Tampa Bay’s D. Jake Delhomme is always a wild card, and could ruin my pick with three, four, or eleven interceptions, but I trust rookie QBs on the road even less. Bucs-Panthers free pick: Panthers -6.5
Houston Texans at Jacksonville Jaguars
- Texans-Jaguars Date: Sunday, December 6
- Texans-Jaguars Kickoff Time: 1:00
- Texans-Jaguars TV Network: CBS
- Texans-Jaguars Announcers: Gus Johnson and Steve Tasker
- Texans-Jaguars Point Spread: Pick ‘em
- Texans-Jaguars Over-Under: 46.5
- Texans-Jaguars Spread Pick: Good choice for a pick ‘em. I’m taking Jacksonville because they are at home, which usually means that David Garrard has a good game. The Jaguars are still in the playoff race, whereas the Texans are now fighting just to stay out of last place in the AFC South. If the game was in Houston, I’d be tempted to pick the Texans, but I’m going with the Jags here. Texans-Jaguars: Jaguars
New England Patriots at Miami Dolphins
- Patriots-Dolphins Date: Sunday, December 6
- Patriots-Dolphins Kickoff Time: 1:00
- Patriots-Dolphins TV Network: CBS
- Patriots-Dolphins Announcers: Jim Nantz and Phil Simms
- Patriots-Dolphins Point Spread: Patriots -5
- Patriots-Dolphins Over-Under: 46.5
- Patriots-Dolphins Spread Pick: New England has not won a true road game on an opponent’s field all year. They also have consistently had trouble with Miami. I certainly think that Tom Brady, Wes Welker, and Randy Moss will find the goings a bit easier against the Dolphins’ secondary than they did against New England’s, and they may very well win, but divisional games are usually tight and New England has not earned five points worth of trust on the road. Patriots-Dolphins free pick: Dolphins +5
San Diego Chargers at Cleveland Browns
- Chargers-Browns Date: Sunday, December 6
- Chargers-Browns Kickoff Time: 4:05
- Chargers-Browns TV Network: CBS
- Chargers-Browns Announcers: Kevin Harlan and Solomon Wilcots
- Chargers-Browns Point Spread: Chargers -12
- Chargers-Browns Over-Under: 43
- Chargers-Browns Spread Pick: Let’s see, Brady Quinn and the Browns’ offense totaled about 100 yards against the Bengals. The team’s best defensive player, Shaun Rogers, is now out for the season. The Chargers, on the other hand, are one of the hottest teams in the NFL on both sides of the ball. Oh, and before you think about taking the Browns because they are at home, Cleveland has played some of its worst football at home this year. Slam dunk choice as far as I’m concerned: Chargers-Browns free pick: Chargers -12
Dallas Cowboys at New York Giants
- Cowboys-Giants Date: Sunday, December 6
- Cowboys-Giants Kickoff Time: 4:15
- Cowboys-Giants TV Network: FOX
- Cowboys-Giants Announcers: Joe Buck and Troy Aikman
- Cowboys-Giants Point Spread: Giants -1
- Cowboys-Giants Over-Under: 45
- Cowboys-Giants Spread Pick: I know that it’s December, so the Cowboys are supposed to start their swoon, but I don’t see it coming this week. The Giants were terrible on Thanksgiving night and there are even more health questions surrounding Eli Manning’s foot. The Cowboys have an up and down offense, but their defense keeps them in every game regardless. I like the Cowboys to go on the road and steal this one as they motor towards a playoff berth. Cowboys-Giants free pick: Cowboys +1
San Francisco 49ers at Seattle Seahawks
- 49ers-Seahawks Date: Sunday, December 6
- 49ers-Seahawks Kickoff Time: 4:15
- 49ers-Seahawks TV Network: FOX
- 49ers-Seahawks Announcers: Chris Myers and Ross Tucker
- 49ers-Seahawks Point Spread: Pick ‘em
- 49ers-Seahawks Over-Under: 41
- 49ers-Seahawks Spread Pick: Tough one. Seattle is much better at home than on the road, but the 49ers are the better team overall. And while no one has been looking, former bust Alex Smith has turned in a pretty solid season since taking over the QB job. I’m taking the Seahawks mainly because they are at home and Qwest Field provides one of the strongest home field advantages in the NFL. Mike Singletary’s crew will be able to win games like this in the future; but not yet. 49ers-Seahawks free pick: Seahawks
Minnesota Vikings at Arizona Cardinals
- Vikings-Cardinals Date: Sunday, December 6
- Vikings-Cardinals Kickoff Time: 8:20
- Vikings-Cardinals TV Network: NBC
- Vikings-Cardinals Announcers: Al Michaels and Cris Collinsworth
- Vikings-Cardinals Point Spread: Vikings -3
- Vikings-Cardinals Over-Under: 48.5
- Vikings-Cardinals Spread Pick: My pick hinges on whether or not Kurt Warner will play…but we don’t know that yet. He sounds optimistic, but we’re talking about a concussion and we know that the NFL and the teams are being extra cautious. I still think, though, that the Vikings are ripe to be beaten, especially on the road against a good team. The Cardinals may not get it done, but I do think they’ll give us some solid Sunday night drama and keep it close. Vikings-Cardinals free pick: Cardinals +3
Baltimore Ravens at Green Bay Packers
- Ravens-Packers Date: Monday, December 7
- Ravens-Packers Kickoff Time: 8:30
- Ravens-Packers TV Network: NBC
- Ravens-Packers Announcers: Mike Tirico, Ron Jaworski, and Jon Gruden
- Ravens-Packers Point Spread: Packers -3
- Ravens-Packers Over-Under: 43.5
- Ravens-Packers Spread Pick: Tricky spread here. My first instinct is to say Green Bay — and I do think they will win — but the more I think about it, the more I think Baltimore will keep this one close. And why not, they keep every game close. The Ravens will be able to pressure Aaron Rodgers, but I do think that he’ll be able to find some big plays against the Ravens’ secondary. Ray Rice will keep the Ravens in it, but Mason Crosby at home gets the edge over Billy Cundiff on the road in the battle of the kickers. So Green Bay wins the game, but the Ravens make it an exciting one. Ravens-Packers free pick: Ravens +3
About Jerod Morris
