Another week of NFL picks and predictions is in the books, and we've had better weeks. A number of home favorites failed to come through in Week 12 so it's back to the drawing board for Week 13 matchups. And this particular week of NFL football is one of the uglier ones you'll see throughout the course of a season.
But it's still a week of NFL games, and in just a few months, we'll be wishing we had football to watch, so in the spirit of Thanksgiving, let's all be grateful.
With that being said, bad games make for tough NFL picks and score predictions. You've got to expect the unexpected a little bit...
NFL picks and score predictions for Week 13
Teams on Week 13 Bye: Bills, Bears, Vikings, Raiders, Giants, Ravens
Seattle Seahawks (6-5) @ Dallas Cowboys (8-3)
Thursday, November 30, 8:15 PM ET
The Dallas Cowboys have been absolutely blowing teams out in their eight wins this season, and have a point differential of 162 points this season, which is the best in the NFL by a decent margin (49ers at 140). Dallas has been getting it done with an explosive offense and a defense that can also put a bunch of points on the board.
Namely, DaRon Bland can put a bunch of points on the board. He's got five interceptions returned for touchdowns this season, and Geno Smith has historically thrown a lot of those. Can Bland get himself a sixth pick-six this week? That would be wild...
The Cowboys are simply playing much better football than the Seahawks right now, but they've also beaten up on a lot of bad teams this season. The Seahawks will give them a better fight, but I still think we'll see Dallas come away with a win.
Prediction: Cowboys win 31-23
Indianapolis Colts (6-5) @ Tennessee Titans (4-7)
Sunday, December 3, 1:00 PM ET
The Indianapolis Colts are one team that no one is really talking about, but people probably should be.
The Colts are now 6-5, and they’ve been doing a tremendous job despite the fact that Jonathan Taylor was unavailable for the first few games of the season and despite the fact that Anthony Richardson has missed most of the year due to injury at this point.
Gardner Minshew isn’t out there doing anything crazy (just 8 touchdowns and 7 INTs in 7 starts) but under the guidance of head coach Shane Steichen, he’s out there making plays and the Colts’ defense is setting this team up with chances to win games.
They’ve got a good test coming up this week against the Tennessee Titans, who have been very hit or miss offensively this season, but they still have the potential to dominate on the ground and they still play fast and tough defensively. And that’s where I think the Titans have an edge and can bring the Colts back to earth a little bit this week.
Tennessee has the type of defense to be able to rattle Gardner Minshew and I think we see the Colts drop a tough one on the road this week.
Prediction: Titans win 20-17
Los Angeles Chargers (4-7) @ New England Patriots (2-9)
Sunday, December 3, 1:00 PM ET
This game is both easy to predict and one of the dudliest games of the week.
Unfortunately, the Los Angeles Chargers are in such a bad position right now because they can’t play well in close games. At least, not well enough to win. The Chargers find themselves at 4-7 and looking up at the rest of the crowded AFC, but they’ve put themselves at such a disadvantage that they truly have no room for error going on the road to face off against New England this weekend.
And while anything can happen at any moment in the NFL, I think this one is pretty clear: The Patriots haven’t done anything to deserve a straight up pick here. They have been one of the worst offenses in the league in 2023, they just benched Mac Jones in a loss to the lowly New York Giants, and it feels like Bill Belichick’s time with the franchise is coming to an end at some point in the near future.
All of that is looming over this team right now and I just don’t think they have what it takes to win a game against a team like the Chargers, who is capable of eclipsing the 20-point mark offensively even against this Patriots defense, which has still done some good things in 2023.
I think the Chargers take this one easily.
Prediction: Chargers win 23-16
Detroit Lions (8-3) @ New Orleans Saints (5-6)
Sunday, December 3, 1:00 PM ET
The Detroit Lions didn't leave Thanksgiving with any turducken legs. They let the Green Bay Packers come in and sort of have their way offensively, if we're being brutally honest about it.
Which has raised questions about whether or not the Lions' defense is playoff-ready in my opinion. I think this Detroit offense can hang with anybody, and they've proven that. They have so many great weapons on that side of the ball, and a tremendous offensive line. But while we saw Detroit really finish strong last season, could we be looking at them hanging on for dear life as this season progresses because of the defense?
I think it's possible, although they get a good opportunity to bounce back in Week 13 aginst the New Orleans Saints. I realize the Saints have a lot to play for at this point with the state of the NFC South, and I think they have confused me enough this season with the way their offense has played so well (and so poorly) at times, but I think this is a good matchup for Detroit.
Dan Campbell will lead his team on the road to face off against one of his former teams and get a much-needed bounce-back win.
Prediction: Lions win 28-20
Atlanta Falcons (5-6) @ New York Jets (4-7)
Sunday, December 3, 1:00 PM ET
As this article is being put together for the week, the Atlanta Falcons just finished off a victory against the New Orleans Saints. In this game, we nearly witnessed the Holy Trinity of things that typically should equal an Atlanta Falcons victory.
Those things are: Bijan Robinson being involved as both a runner and receiver, Drake London making a big play, and Kyle Pitts getting involved. Pitts had just two catches in this game for Atlanta, so he wasn’t overly involved, but we did see both Robinson and London making big plays for Atlanta, as they improved to first place in the lowly NFC South with that win over the Saints.
And now, they have a real shot at getting to 6-6 with a road trip to face off against the New York Jets, who have one of the most pathetic offenses I have witnessed as a football fan.
I just don’t know how you can look at any Jets game right now and project them to win unless they are playing against an offense that is equally inept, and right now, that list is short and would include teams like the New England Patriots.
But the Falcons have a competent offense and a playmaker in Bijan Robinson who needs to continue to be fed. If the Falcons can do that, I think they come away with a win here.
Prediction: Falcons win 21-12
Arizona Cardinals (2-10) @ Pittsburgh Steelers (7-4)
Sunday, December 3, 1:00 PM ET
This is a Super Bowl rematch but it’s not a great matchup in Week 13. The Arizona Cardinals are 2-10 and just got boat-raced by the Los Angeles Rams after I stuck my neck out for them. We saw the Cardinals play pretty well in a loss against the Texans last week and they won the week before that, so with the way the Rams had been playing, this past weekend’s game was one of the bigger stunners in my opinion.
On the other side in this one, you have the biggest frauds in the NFL in the Pittsburgh Steelers, who are the NFL’s version of the Iowa Hawkeyes masquerading as a good team at 7-4.
Hey, you are what your record says you are. The Steelers have a phenomenal defense and an opportunistic offense. And they seemingly keep getting exactly the right matchups to keep their winning ways going.
How are we supposed to expect anything but a win from the Steelers in this one? I mean, they’re playing at home against a 2-10 team. They’re favored by 5.5 points.
Welcome to another Big Ten matchup featuring the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 13.
Prediction: Steelers win 22-15
Miami Dolphins (8-3) @ Washington Commanders (4-8)
Sunday, December 3, 1:00 PM ET
The Miami Dolphins have beaten one team with a winning record this season – the Denver Broncos. And yes, the Denver Broncos just got above .500 this weekend, so does that one really count? At any rate, the Dolphins are taking care of business against bad teams, and if that’s a path to the playoffs, who really cares?
The unfortunate aspect about the Dolphins’ Black Friday win over the New York Jets is the fact that they los Jaelan Phillips for the season (Achilles), but this defense has allowed 17 points or less in three of their last four games.
Miami now has to go on the road and face off against the 4-8 Washington Commanders, who just fired defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio. Is this team going to rally after firing a coordinator? Or will the Dolphins simply go out and have their way against the Commanders defense like they have against just about everyone else this season?
Even going on the road, the Dolphins are favored in this game by 9.5 points, and I think that’s probably a good spread. The Commanders are coming off of a really ugly loss on Thanksgiving against the Dallas Cowboys, and they haven’t really given us any reason lately to believe they’re going to come out swinging against a team like Miami, even playing at home.
Prediction: Dolphins win 27-17
Denver Broncos (6-5) @ Houston Texans (6-5)
Sunday, December 3, 1:00 PM ET
The Denver Broncos and Houston Texans were flexed out of the late afternoon slot because the NFL wants to get as many eyes on this game as well as the 49ers-Eagles game as possible, so we’re looking at a showdown in the early window between two 6-5 teams vying for a playoff spot after finishing in last place in their divisions last season.
It’s been an incredible job turning each team around by head coaches Sean Payton (Broncos) and DeMeco Ryans (Texans) and both men are candidates for NFL Coach of the Year.
The Broncos have won five straight games including wins over the Chiefs, Bills, Vikings, and Browns, all teams competing for playoff spots as well. Heck, you could even throw the Packers into that mix as well. The Broncos’ five wins have been very high quality, and what’s really impressive is that this team seems to be getting better every single week.
The Texans are coming off of a tough loss this past weekend against the Jaguars, but I don’t think anyone’s holding that against them in this one. They are early 3.5-point favorites at home over Sean Payton’s Broncos and that’s pretty bold considering how well Denver has played lately. The Denver defense is allowing 16.5 points per game in their last six.
I think the Broncos go on the road and gut out a tough win.
Prediction: Broncos win 27-21
Carolina Panthers (1-10) @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-7)
Sunday, December 3, 4:05 PM ET
Typically the New England Patriots are featured in the "dud" of the week, but I think this one takes the cake.
The Carolina Panthers have shockingly decided to fire head coach Frank Reich after just 11 games on the job with the team. Owner David Tepper has seen enough, and he has the type of money at his disposal just to let go of a coach like that. It’s going to be fascinating to see what coaches want to take a job working for him, but also, Frank Reich and his staff have failed miserably with first overall pick Bryce Young.
It’s really been a shame to see, and I’m sure it’s been torturous for Panthers fans to watch CJ Stroud – who went one pick after Bryce Young – have such a fantastic start to his career with DeMeco Ryans and the Texans, a head coach candidate the Panthers also missed out on.
They’ll have to go on the road this week for a divisional matchup against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who are 4-7 but primed to bump up to 5-7 as long as they don’t completely wet the bed against this Panthers team. We all know that teams typically rally around the interim head coach for a bit, but it might take the Panthers a week or two to figure some things out.
We’ll see how much of a problem Frank Reich truly was but I’m not sure Carolina’s issues are going to be fixed overnight just by letting him go.
Prediction: Buccaneers win 23-19
Cleveland Browns (7-4) @ Los Angeles Rams (5-6)
Sunday, December 3, 4:25 PM ET
It feels like every time I start buying into the Los Angeles Rams a little bit, they falter and have a horrible game. And every time I start expecting them to get taken to the cleaners, they come out and have a blowout win against the Arizona Cardinals.
Needless to say, the Los Angeles Rams have been a brutal team to try and “figure out” this season. But playing at home in Week 13 with a chance to get back into the playoff picture? I mean, this is a golden opportunity for Sean McVay and his young roster.
The Cleveland Browns right now are as beaten up as just about any team in the NFL. Clearly, they have some serious grit to be 7-4 at this point in the season with Nick Chubb missing so many games, Deshaun Watson being limited, and now Dorian Thompson-Robinson in concussion protocol.
Amari Cooper left the Browns’ loss against the Denver Broncos with a chest injury. Myles Garrett was in a sling after that game.
As good as Cleveland has been this season despite their injuries (they didn’t have Denzel Ward, either), it’s safe to say that not many teams could sustain this many injuries. I think the Rams will be ready to roll in this one, and I think they get back to .500 with a home win over the Browns. They are 4.5-point favorites.
Prediction: Rams win 27-16
San Francisco 49ers (8-3) @ Philadelphia Eagles (10-1)
Sunday, December 3, 4:25 PM ET
In a week with a bunch of duds on the schedule, it's no wonder that the NFL basically cleared the afternoon deck to make this game the most-watched across the country in Week 13.
The league flexed the Broncos and Texans into the 1:00 PM ET window so this game could stand alone in the afternoon slate, and for good reason. This is a matchup between two teams that are playing extremely well right now, the 49ers dominating opponents and the Eagles showing incredible resilience.
The Eagles have played a few really tough games in a row, including an overtime win against the Bills this past weekend and a really gutty win against the Chiefs on Monday night before that. The Eagles’ resilience and mental toughness is going to be tested in this game.
While I typically don’t like to predict road teams coming from the West to the East to get wins, especially in games like this, I think the 49ers (coming off of a Thursday game) could be better rested for this one while the Eagles might be due for a letdown or reset type of week.
The oddsmakers are wise to the way the Eagles are playing with fire lately and San Francisco is favored by 2.5 points in the early betting lines.
I’ll take San Francisco by one score.
Prediction: 49ers win 31-24
Kansas City Chiefs (8-3) @ Green Bay Packers (5-6)
Sunday, December 3, 8:20 PM ET
The Green Bay Packers put forth what I believe to be their best performance of the entire 2023 season against the Detroit Lions on Thanksgiving.
They not only got themselves a quality win on the road against a really good opponent, but more importantly for the Green Bay Packers in an evaluation season was the play of their young offensive core.
This was a really great week for Packers QB Jordan Love, who was absolutely dealing from the very first drive of this game. Love was out there distributing the ball to all of his young studs at receiver, getting Christian Watson, Jayden Reed, Romeo Doubs, and even tight end Tucker Kraft involved. Heck, we saw UDFA Malik Heath out there making plays in this game.
Green Bay is going to be charged up for this matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs and I think they actually are much more of a threat than the masses may realize if they can keep this momentum going.
The Chiefs are favored by 6.5 points in the early betting lines for this game and I personally think we could see the Packers pull off an upset here. There’s no doubt that Kansas City is the smarter pick, but you’ve got to take some risks when it comes to NFL picks and predictions and I’m taking the Packers in an upset at home.
Prediction: Packers win 30-27
Cincinnati Bengals (5-6) @ Jacksonville Jaguars (8-3)
Monday, December 4, 8:15 PM ET
This could have been one of the best games of the year if Joe Burrow would have started for the Cincinnati Bengals, but unfortunately, we've seen the last of Joe Burrow this season. The former Heisman winner and number one overall pick, who signed the richest contract in NFL history earlier this year, is done for the year with torn ligaments in his wrist.
It'll be Jake Browning again for the Cincinnati Bengals as they attempt to keep their playoff hopes alive.
And with the way things have been going in the AFC this season, those hopes are dwindling by the day. It's not looking particularly good for them in this game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, either.
The Jaguars have been one of the better teams in the NFL this season after coming on strong in the second half of the 2022 campaign. Doug Pederson has done a tremendous job and the Jaguars have one of the best young quarterbacks in the league in Trevor Lawrence.
As much as you'd love to see Lawrence and Burrow -- two former #1 picks -- going at it in this game, that's out of the question and I think the Bengals will find themselves a bit overmatched, especially offensively. You never say never, of course, but I think this one is pretty clearly in favor of the home team Jaguars.
Prediction: Jaguars win 26-17