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2015 NFL Picks, Predictions for Week 13

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NFL Week 13 Pick 'Em

NFL Week 13 Pick 'Em Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

Here we are in NFL Week 13 -- can you smell the playoffs yet? It's been an exhilarating ride so far in 2015, and it's only bound to get even crazier as we come down the home stretch.

So what can we expect this week? More of the same, with plenty of jockeying for position, a couple of upsets and more of the hard hitting you all love (or hate).

For now, here's my look at this week's slate of games.

Here we are in NFL Week 13 -- can you smell the playoffs yet? It's been an exhilarating ride so far in 2015, and it's only bound to get even crazier as we come down the home stretch.

So what can we expect this week? More of the same, with plenty of jockeying for position, a couple of upsets and more of the hard hitting you all love (or hate).

For now, here's my look at this week's slate of games.

Green Bay Packers (7-4) at Detroit Lions (4-7)

Green Bay Packers (7-4) at Detroit Lions (4-7) Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports

Pick: Lions

It’s not looking good right now for the Packers, a team that has lost four of its last five games and appears caught in a downward spiral. Meanwhile, the Lions have now racked up three wins in a row, and should come away with a fourth-straight victory in this one against a reeling Green Bay squad.

Pick: Lions

It’s not looking good right now for the Packers, a team that has lost four of its last five games and appears caught in a downward spiral. Meanwhile, the Lions have now racked up three wins in a row, and should come away with a fourth-straight victory in this one against a reeling Green Bay squad.

New York Jets (6-5) at New York Giants (5-6)

New York Jets (6-5) at New York Giants (5-6) Getty Images

Pick: Jets

Over the last few weeks, the Giants have stolen from me any confidence I once had in them. They’ve lost three of their last four, and their defense has done next to nothing to slow down opposing offenses. With the way Ryan Fitzpatrick and Brandon Marshall have been playing, this should be an easy win for the Jets.

Pick: Jets

Over the last few weeks, the Giants have stolen from me any confidence I once had in them. They’ve lost three of their last four, and their defense has done next to nothing to slow down opposing offenses. With the way Ryan Fitzpatrick and Brandon Marshall have been playing, this should be an easy win for the Jets.

Arizona Cardinals (9-2) at St. Louis Rams (4-7)

Arizona Cardinals (9-2) at St. Louis Rams (4-7) Mark Zerof-USA TODAY Sports

Pick: Rams

As great as the Cardinals have been this season, there have been some close calls – just look at Week 12 against the 49ers. I think this is the week where they let one of those close calls get the best of them, as this extremely inconsistent Rams team invites them into their home and sends them packing with a loss.

Pick: Rams

As great as the Cardinals have been this season, there have been some close calls – just look at Week 12 against the 49ers. I think this is the week where they let one of those close calls get the best of them, as this extremely inconsistent Rams team invites them into their home and sends them packing with a loss.

Atlanta Falcons (6-5) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (5-6)

Atlanta Falcons (6-5) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (5-6) Getty Images

Pick: Buccaneers

The Falcons are in freefall mode right now, and can’t seem to find any way out of this losing streak. Going up against a quality Buccaneers team won’t help. While Jameis Winston and Co. have had their rough moments this season, Week 13 will provide them an opportunity to gain ground in the Wild Card race.

Pick: Buccaneers

The Falcons are in freefall mode right now, and can’t seem to find any way out of this losing streak. Going up against a quality Buccaneers team won’t help. While Jameis Winston and Co. have had their rough moments this season, Week 13 will provide them an opportunity to gain ground in the Wild Card race.

Seattle Seahawks (6-5) at Minnesota Vikings (8-3)

Seattle Seahawks (6-5) at Minnesota Vikings (8-3) Getty Images

Pick: Vikings

So far this season, the Seahawks have yet to face off against a running back like Adrian Peterson. Sure, they’ve been slowing opponents down and keeping the yards to a minimum, but Peterson is on a tear and won’t be bottled up at home. It’ll be a close, but I give the edge to a confident Vikings team.

Pick: Vikings

So far this season, the Seahawks have yet to face off against a running back like Adrian Peterson. Sure, they’ve been slowing opponents down and keeping the yards to a minimum, but Peterson is on a tear and won’t be bottled up at home. It’ll be a close, but I give the edge to a confident Vikings team.

San Francisco 49ers (3-8) at Chicago Bears (5-6)

San Francisco 49ers (3-8) at Chicago Bears (5-6) Mike Dinovo-USA TODAY Sports

Pick: Bears

Surprisingly, the Bears have turned their season around after winning three of their last four and are only a game out of the Wild Card. Luckily for them, they face a 49ers team that has been disastrous all season long, which should give another prime opportunity to close the gap even further.

Pick: Bears

Surprisingly, the Bears have turned their season around after winning three of their last four and are only a game out of the Wild Card. Luckily for them, they face a 49ers team that has been disastrous all season long, which should give another prime opportunity to close the gap even further.

Jacksonville Jaguars (4-7) at Tennessee Titans (2-9)

Jacksonville Jaguars (4-7) at Tennessee Titans (2-9) Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports

Pick: Jaguars

In what is easily the biggest snoozer of Week 13, the Jaguars will look to keep their playoff hopes alive against a Titans team that seems incapable of stepping up in the clutch. They’ve lost their last two games (one against Jacksonville) on late touchdowns, and will likely fall to the same fate against their divisional rivals.

Pick: Jaguars

In what is easily the biggest snoozer of Week 13, the Jaguars will look to keep their playoff hopes alive against a Titans team that seems incapable of stepping up in the clutch. They’ve lost their last two games (one against Jacksonville) on late touchdowns, and will likely fall to the same fate against their divisional rivals.

Houston Texans (6-5) at Buffalo Bills (5-6)

Houston Texans (6-5) at Buffalo Bills (5-6) Getty Images

Pick: Texans

Even though their offense is far from intimidating, the Texans’ defense suddenly has this team looking like a contender. While the Bills are desperate for a win, they likely won’t get it with how inconsistent their offense has been this season. The Texans stay on the Colts’ heels in the AFC South.

Pick: Texans

Even though their offense is far from intimidating, the Texans’ defense suddenly has this team looking like a contender. While the Bills are desperate for a win, they likely won’t get it with how inconsistent their offense has been this season. The Texans stay on the Colts’ heels in the AFC South.

Baltimore Ravens (4-7) at Miami Dolphins (4-7)

Baltimore Ravens (4-7) at Miami Dolphins (4-7) Getty Images

Pick: Dolphins

Neither of these teams incite much confidence, but someone has to win, right? The Ravens are riddled with injuries, while the Dolphins just seem incapable of turning their talent into production on the field. With home-field advantage and a healthier roster, I give Miami the slight edge this time around.

Pick: Dolphins

Neither of these teams incite much confidence, but someone has to win, right? The Ravens are riddled with injuries, while the Dolphins just seem incapable of turning their talent into production on the field. With home-field advantage and a healthier roster, I give Miami the slight edge this time around.

Cincinnati Bengals (9-2) at Cleveland Browns (2-9)

Cincinnati Bengals (9-2) at Cleveland Browns (2-9) Getty Images

Pick: Bengals

While I am a bit concerned with how inconsistent Andy Dalton has been as of late, I find it hard to believe the Bengals will fall to an Austin Davis-led Browns team. Cleveland couldn’t even win a Week 13 game the Ravens were trying to lose. Dalton and Co. cruise to a win in this one.

Pick: Bengals

While I am a bit concerned with how inconsistent Andy Dalton has been as of late, I find it hard to believe the Bengals will fall to an Austin Davis-led Browns team. Cleveland couldn’t even win a Week 13 game the Ravens were trying to lose. Dalton and Co. cruise to a win in this one.

Kansas City Chiefs (6-5) at Oakland Raiders (5-6)

Kansas City Chiefs (6-5) at Oakland Raiders (5-6) Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Pick: Chiefs

I’ll admit I was buying into the Raiders as a playoff team earlier in the season, but it’s starting to look like it won’t happen. Having a late-season showdown with a surging Chiefs team won’t help, as I fully expect the Kansas City defense to make enough plays to keep the winning streak alive.

Pick: Chiefs

I’ll admit I was buying into the Raiders as a playoff team earlier in the season, but it’s starting to look like it won’t happen. Having a late-season showdown with a surging Chiefs team won’t help, as I fully expect the Kansas City defense to make enough plays to keep the winning streak alive.

Denver Broncos (9-2) at San Diego Chargers (3-8)

Denver Broncos (9-2) at San Diego Chargers (3-8) Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports

Pick: Broncos

I’ve seen quite a few people mentioning this as a trap game for the Broncos, but I’m not buying it. The Chargers have played better than their record, but never seem to make plays when it matters most. Brock Osweiler will keep the train chugging with another win in Week 13.

Pick: Broncos

I’ve seen quite a few people mentioning this as a trap game for the Broncos, but I’m not buying it. The Chargers have played better than their record, but never seem to make plays when it matters most. Brock Osweiler will keep the train chugging with another win in Week 13.

Philadelphia Eagles (4-7) at New England Patriots (10-1)

Philadelphia Eagles (4-7) at New England Patriots (10-1) Getty Images

Pick: Patriots

As bad as the Patriots’ injury issues have been, the Eagles’ overall play has been even worse. They got embarrassed by the Lions on Thanksgiving, and should fall victim to another embarrassing loss on Sunday against one of the best teams the NFL has to offer.

Pick: Patriots

As bad as the Patriots’ injury issues have been, the Eagles’ overall play has been even worse. They got embarrassed by the Lions on Thanksgiving, and should fall victim to another embarrassing loss on Sunday against one of the best teams the NFL has to offer.

Carolina Panthers (11-0) at New Orleans Saints (4-7)

Carolina Panthers (11-0) at New Orleans Saints (4-7) Getty Images

Pick: Panthers

After a short-lived midseason surge, the Saints are looking like the disastrous team that came out of the gates in 2015. Drew Brees is still making plays, but the defense is an absolute mess. It seems crazy to think they’ve made it this far, but the Panthers should keep the undefeated streak alive.

Pick: Panthers

After a short-lived midseason surge, the Saints are looking like the disastrous team that came out of the gates in 2015. Drew Brees is still making plays, but the defense is an absolute mess. It seems crazy to think they’ve made it this far, but the Panthers should keep the undefeated streak alive.

Indianapolis Colts (6-5) at Pittsburgh Steelers (6-5)

Indianapolis Colts (6-5) at Pittsburgh Steelers (6-5) Troy Wayrynen-USA TODAY Sports

Pick: Steelers

In what should be an exciting game, I have to give the edge to the Steelers. Big Ben has been playing well as the passing game continues to flourish, while the Colts have been getting by with the aging Matt Hasselbeck. I think the 40 year old’s luck finally runs out in Week 13.

Pick: Steelers

In what should be an exciting game, I have to give the edge to the Steelers. Big Ben has been playing well as the passing game continues to flourish, while the Colts have been getting by with the aging Matt Hasselbeck. I think the 40 year old’s luck finally runs out in Week 13.

Dallas Cowboys (3-8) at Washington Redskins (5-6)

Dallas Cowboys (3-8) at Washington Redskins (5-6) Getty Images

Pick: Redskins

The Cowboys lost seven of seven games without Tony Romo this season, so why should we expect any different in Week 13? Especially on the road against the (somehow) division-leading Redskins, I expect Dallas to again struggle to put points on the board. Kirk Cousins keeps D.C. atop the division -- for now.

Pick: Redskins

The Cowboys lost seven of seven games without Tony Romo this season, so why should we expect any different in Week 13? Especially on the road against the (somehow) division-leading Redskins, I expect Dallas to again struggle to put points on the board. Kirk Cousins keeps D.C. atop the division -- for now.

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