The Hail Mary - Week 13

No real marquee, stand-out games in Week 13 but there are some good ones. Five of this weekend's sixteen games pits teams with winning records against each other. With just five more games to go every game becomes crucial as the drive to playoffs rolls on.

Games That I Will Be Watching

New Orleans (11-0) at Washington (3-8), New Orleans favored by 9 1/2

This is the first and probably only Redskins game I will attend this season. I had this one marked on my calendar months ago as a game I wanted to see in person. I wasn't counting on the Saints being 11-0, but I was excited at the chance to see their high powered offense. The Saints put the entire NFL on notice with their demolition of the Patriots on Monday night. If the Saints can secure home-field advantage they will reach the Super Bowl. The Skins are completely banged up but have played pretty well the last three weeks. The offense has looked better and they have been competitive with good teams. They have been unable to finish games though, so any lead the Skins have never feels like enough. The weather is supposed to be about 45 degrees so I don't expect the Saints offense to be as dominant as people think. The Skins will get burned deep a few times, but I think the defense can keep Washington in the game. The Saints are too good to lose to a bad team like Washington, but the Skins will cover in a loss for the third straight week.

Prediction: New Orleans 31, Washington 24

Dallas (8-3) at New York Giants (6-5), Dallas favored by 2

The Cowboys enter another December looking primed for a playoff run. The question is, will this season end up like so many other recent seasons, that is with a disastrous December. The schedule certainly sets the Cowboys up for a fall, beginning with a tough test in New York. These two opened up the new Cowboys Stadium in Week 2, with the Giants winning a shoot out. The Giants have played horribly for most of the last month and a half and will be desperate for a victory. Eli Manning is having toe issues, and the running game has struggled all season. On defense, the Giants put leader Antonio Pierce on IR. All signs point to a Cowboys win, however, until the Boys prove they can win tough games in December, I have to pick against them.

Prediction: New York Giants 24, Dallas 17

Minnesota (10-1) at Arizona (7-4), No line

Cardinals QB Kurt Warner is a question mark heading into this game. The Cardinals offense seemed to sputter last week with Matt Leinart behind center, and will have virtually no chance if he has to start this game. I think Warner will end up playing, but the Vikings tenacious defense will turn him into the bad Warner, that fumbles and throws interceptions. The Vikings know they have to keep winning to keep pace with the Saints. I also expect future league MVP QB Brett Favre to have another sterling performance.

Prediction: Minnesota 31, Arizona 20

Baltimore (6-5) at Green Bay (7-4), Green Bay favored by 3

Very tough game to call as these two teams couldn't be more evenly matched. Both are in the thick of their individual conference playoff races and neither can afford a loss. More than likely, the Ravens will have must win games for the rest of the season. Packers QB Aaron Rodgers is having a fantastic season and seems to be learning to get rid of the ball sooner rather than later. I think he leads the Packers on a last minute drive for the win.

Prediction: Green Bay 27, Baltimore 20

Rest of Week 13

New York Jets (5-6) at Buffalo (4-7), New York Jets favored by 3

The Bills play their annual game in Toronto tonight. Not really sure why they keep having divisional opponents play in Toronto and lose a true home game, but they suck anyway so I suppose it doesn't matter. No real reasoning behind it, just like Buffalo to win tonight.

Prediction: Buffalo 20, New York Jets 17

Philadelphia (7-4) at Atlanta (6-5), Philadelphia favored by 6

Both teams are going to be missing key players in this game. The Falcons will be without QB Matt Ryan, and possibly RB Michael Turner. The Eagles are likely to be without WR Desean Jackson. The side story to this game is the return of Eagles QB Mike Vick to Atlanta. Vick has barely done anything of note with the Eagles but it will be interesting to hear the reaction he receives in Atlanta. I actually expect him to get a lot of cheers, as he was beloved by the Atlanta fans. Even without Jackson the Eagles have plenty of weapons and will have no excuses if they lose to a Chris Redman led team.

Prediction: Philadelphia 30, Atlanta 16

St. Louis (1-10) at Chicago (4-7), Chicago favored by 9

A game between two teams just playing out the string. I think the Bears will relish being able to feast on a lesser opponent for a change.

Prediction: Chicago 28, St. Louis 14

Detroit (2-9) at Cincinnati (8-3), Cincinnati favored by 12 1/2

Since winning at Pittsburgh two weeks ago the Bengals have looked pretty ugly in a loss to the Raiders, and a win against the Browns. They get another chance to look impressive, as the hapless Lions come to town.

Prediction: Cincinnati 27, Detroit 13

Tennessee (5-6) at Indianapolis (11-0), Indianapolis favored by 6 1/2

The Colts have already wrapped up the AFC South, their next goal is to clinch home field. The Titans have miraculously gotten themselves back in the playoff race, going 5-0 since inserting Vince Young as the starter. I have been one of Young's harshest critics but he really showed something with his 99-yard TD winning drive against Arizona last weekend. This will be a close, back and forth game, but Peyton is greater than all.

Prediction: Indianapolis 24, Tennessee 21

Denver (7-4) at Kansas City (3-8), Denver favored by 4 1/2

Denver got a much needed win Thanksgiving night against the Giants. They should be able to get another win at Arrowhead. If they do, they will be in the driver's seat for a wild card spot, and still very much alive in the AFC West.

Prediction: Denver 23, Kansas City 18

New England (7-4) at Miami (5-6), New England favored by 5

A really disappointing performance by the Dolphins in Buffalo last weekend. If they were going to make the playoffs that was a game they had to have. Now they have to face the Patriots, who rarely lose two in a row. The Patriots have had their share of problems playing in Miami over the years, and have been dreadful on the road this season, but I can't pick them to lose back to back.

Prediction: New England 31, Miami 27

Oakland (3-8) at Pittsburgh (6-5), No line

The Steelers played valiantly in Baltimore without QB Ben Roethlisberger and S Troy Polomalu, but fell short, losing their third straight. They expect to have Roethlisberger back and will try to win their first game of the season without Polomalu. If they can't beat the sorry Raiders at home, they should give back their Super Bowl trophy now and save everyone the wait.

Prediction: Pittsburgh 30, Oakland 13

Tampa Bay (1-10) at Carolina (4-7), Carolina favored by 6 1/2

Panthers suck.

Prediction: Carolina 16, Tampa Bay 13

Houston (5-6) at Jacksonville (6-5), Line is EVEN

The Texans are a couple of losses away from getting coach Gary Kubiak fired as they continue their yearly act of teasing being a playoff team, before eventually crumbling. The Jags have beaten no one of note this year and are the worst over .500 team in history. Sounds like a great game!

Prediction: Houston 24, Jacksonville 23

San Diego (8-3) at Cleveland (1-10), San Diego favored by 12 1/2

Watch out for the Chargers in January.

Prediction: San Diego 28, Cleveland 12

San Francisco (5-6) at Seattle (4-7), Line is EVEN

Another must win for the 49ers to keep their very slim playoff hopes alive. They played inspired football against Jacksonville last week, but them playing hard hasn't been an issue this season under Mike Singletary. QB Alex Smith continues to be just a tad above average, and will probably have to play better if he wants to convince the Niners that he is their QB for years to come. Seattle tends to be a tough place to play but the Seahawks aren't very good. Incredibly, if the Niners win, they will be 4-0 in the division but could still be two games out. However, if they can win and the Cardinals lose, then next Monday night at home they would have a chance to play for first place in the division. Huge game for the Niners. Time for a homer pick.

Prediction: San Francisco 19, Seattle 17

Last Week Against the Spread: 9-7
Overall Against the Spread: 93-82-1

Last Week Straight Up: 11-5
Overall Straight Up: 113-63