The Hail Mary - Week 13

Happy Thanksgiving everyone! Hope that you have a great day and enjoy lots of Turkey. One of the best things about Thanksgiving, besides the food, is that there is football. However, the games are pretty lousy this year, except for Philadelphia/Arizona, which unfortunately for me is on NFL Network and not on my Granddad's cable lineup. I won't let this deter me from having a terrific Thanksgiving.

Games That I Will Be Watching

Tennessee (10-1) at Detroit (0-11)

The Titans couldn't hold up their end of the bargain last week and win which would have made this the first ever 11-0 vs. 0-11 game. Instead it will just be one really good team stuffing one really bad team.

Prediction: Tennessee 31, Detroit 13

Seattle (2-9) at Dallas (7-4)

Seattle will cover the 13 point spread but Dallas unfortunately will streak to 8-4.

Prediction: Dallas 28, Seattle 20

New York Giants (10-1) at Washington (7-4)

The big, bad Giants come to Washington. Just about no one is giving the Redskins a chance in this one, which is acceptable since the Giants are obviously a much better team than the Redskins. However, the Skins will be honoring the late, great Sean Taylor by adding him to the Ring of Fame before the game. The Skins will be pumped up to the gills for this one and will hang tough but.... the Giants are just too good.

Prediction: New York Giants 20, Washington 17

Pittsburgh (8-3) at New England (7-4)

Patriots QB Matt Cassel coming off two consecutive 400 yard passing games has me salivating at the thought that maybe the 49ers can sign him next year. I like the Patriots in this one.

Prediction: New England 24, Pittsburgh 20

Chicago (6-5) at Minnesota (6-5)

Huge Sunday Night Football game as the winner will take sole possession of 1st place in the NFC North. If the Bears win they will essentially have a two game lead over the Vikings based on them having the tiebreaker as that would complete a sweep of the season series. The Metrodome will be bumping and Adrian Peterson will literally carry the Vikings to first place.

Prediction: Minnesota 28, Chicago 23

Jacksonville (4-7) at Houston (4-7)

Lousy Monday Night game but it will be on so I will likely at least give it a cursory glance.

Prediction: Jacksonville 19, Houston 15

Rest of Week 13

Arizona (7-4) at Philadelphia (5-5-1)

Donovan McNabb was benched due to poor performance for the first time in his career. With the Eagles not mathematically eliminated from playoff contention yet coach Andy Reid has decided to stick with McNabb as the starter for this one. I expect McNabb to play like a man trying to save his job and take advantage of a weak Cardinals secondary. Plus, Arizona has been awful coming East and this time they had to do it on a extremely short week.

Prediction: Philadelphia 31, Arizona 24

San Francisco (3-8) at Buffalo (6-5)

Chris Berman's favorites do battle in Buffalo. The Bills win over Kansas City doesn't mean they aren't frauds anymore, as either will this win over the Niners.

Prediction: Buffalo 27, San Francisco 14

Baltimore (7-4) at Cincinnati (1-9-1)

The Ravens get one last cupcake before the schedule becomes ridiculously hard the last 4 weeks.

Prediction: Baltimore 28, Cincinnati 10

Indianapolis (7-4) at Cleveland (4-7)

Despite all the injuries the Colts got through the murderous part of their schedule at 7-4, now it eases up quite a bit, making the Colts a playoff lock. The Browns have lost QB Brady Quinn for the year, so will begrudgingly go back to Derek Anderson to play out the string.

Prediction: Indianapolis 31, Cleveland 17

Carolina (8-3) at Green Bay (5-6)

The Panthers are a fraudulent 8-3, while the Packers are the NFC version of the Chargers, underachievers that everyone still believes in. I'll take the underachievers at home against the frauds.

Prediction: Green Bay 24, Carolina 20

Miami (6-5) at St. Louis (2-9)

Dolphins lost a tough one at home to the Patriots, they can't afford to lose this one if they want to keep alive their playoff hopes.

Prediction: Miami 27, St. Louis 23

New Orleans (6-5) at Tampa Bay (8-3)

The NFC South is all about the home teams. Won't be any different in this one as the Bucs will take control of the South.

Prediction: Tampa Bay 26, New Orleans 13

Atlanta (7-4) at San Diego (4-7)

Hard to believe that a team that has Philip Rivers, LaDainion Thomlinson and Antonio Gates is 4-7 but that is the case with the Chargers. Not to mention that despite being 4-7, they still have a legitimate chance at the AFC West. They let me down Sunday but I think they will edge out the Falcons at home in this MUST win game.

Prediction: San Diego 24, Atlanta 16

Denver (6-5) at New York Jets (8-3)

The Jets recent roll has the media talking a New York/New York Super Bowl. The Broncos are unpredictable as they come, they win the games they should lose and lose the games they should win. I worry about the Jets buying into their hype and coming out flat in this one but I think Brett Favre will keep them focused.

Prediction: New York Jets 35, Denver 24

Kansas City (1-10) at Oakland (3-8)

Could the Raiders get on a winning streak!?!?!? I think so.

Prediction: Oakland 21, Kansas City 14

Last Week: 9-7
Overall: 84-44-1