It's time to make the picks for unlucky week number 13 in the NFL. Last week, my locks went 2-3 (20-20 YTD) and I went 8-7 overall (58-56-1 YTD). Here are the best bets for Sunday.
Giants @ Dolphins
The Pick: MIA -6.5
The Miami train just keeps on chugging, four consecutive wins and five spread covers over the last six games. This week the Dolphins get an enticing matchup with the floundering Giants. New York will be down a number of offensive weapons yet again, including the much-maligned quarterback, Daniel Jones. Mike Glennon will be starting this game and that's not good for anyone but the Dolphin defense. Miami is poised to win its fifth straight and post another strong defensive effort, ride the Dolphins Sunday.
Chargers @ Bengals
The Pick: CIN -3
The Bengals effectively dismantled their previous two opponents by a combined score of 73-23, the team is rolling right now. The scary thing is that Burrow was not even that good during those two games with only two touchdowns thrown. Strong defense and spectacular rushing performances from Joe Mixon have had Cincinnati rolling since their bye. Now the Bengals will take on the Chargers in Ohio. The Chargers have struggled to find consistency since starting out 4-1. Four losses over the past six games have Los Angeles treading water with a 6-5 record. The Bengals are too hot right now to pick against and the Chargers can not be trusted. Go with Cincinnati.
The Football Team @ Raiders
The Pick: WAS +1.5
The Football Team has seemingly returned to relevance since their week nine bye. Washington went into the bye with a 2-6 record but has since won three in a row. The most impressive was a double-digit win over Tom Brady and the Bucs. The running game is heating up and the defense has held its own on the field. This week, Washington takes on a Raiders team that is missing its best offensive weapon. The Raiders finally broke a three-game skid against the Cowboys on Thanksgiving, but the overall outlook is still not great. The Football Team has the defensive capability to handicap the Raiders offense. Washington may not be a group of world-beaters, but Heinicke and company will do enough to steal a win on the road.
49ers @ Seahawks
The Pick: SF -3
The 49ers have struggled immensely against the Seahawks over the past eight years with a 2-14 head-to-head record. In week four, the Seahawks battled for a hard-fought 28-21 victory in Levi Stadium. The 49ers would now like to return the favor in Seattle. The Seahawks have fallen off a cliff since that victory with only a single win over their next seven games. Russell Wilson has been terrible since returning from the IR and the team is lacking direction. The 49ers are playing very well right now with two recent impressive wins over the Rams and Vikings. History may not favor San Francisco, but this is arguably the worst Seattle team that the 49ers will have faced in 10 years.
Patriots @ Bills
The Pick: NE +3
Last season, the Bills swept New England for the first time in 20 years. Prior to 2020 though, the Patriots had won 35 out of 40 matchups (wow). This is not the same Patriots team that managed to accumulate that impressive win total, nor is it the same team that got swept last year. The Patriots have experienced a resurgence under the rise of the young-slinger, Mac Jones. Jones and the impressive defense have guided New England to six-straight wins with an average margin of victory of 24.7 points. Teams are just getting steamrolled right now, and the Pats don't show any sign of slowing down. Following a 4-1 start to the year, the Bills have played .500 ball since the week five victory over Kansas City. Josh Allen has posted some incredible games but then proceeds to lay an egg the next week. Allen has thrown seven picks over his last four games, if he continues to be careless with the ball then the Bills are in for a long night, as the Patriots ball-hawking defense will make him pay for mistakes. After a year of riding hotshot over their nemesis, the Bills will return to playing second fiddle to New England with a MNF loss.
The Best of the Rest:
Cowboys @ Saints: DAL -6 (Win)
Buccaneers @ Falcons: TB -10.5
Cardinals @ Bears: ARI -7.5
Vikings @ Lions: MIN -7
Colts @ Texans: IND -10
Eagles @ Jets: NYJ +5.5
Jaguars @ Rams: JAX +13
Ravens @ Steelers: BAL -4
Broncos @ Chiefs: KC -8.5