NFL Week 13 picks

Loren and I split our games last week again, going 3-3. This week we're picking all three Thanksgivign games. I'm now up 42-29-1 why Loren trails at 33-38-1.

 

Chicago at Detroit

Derek - Detroit. While Detroit isn't a dominate team I can't go with Cutler right now. He's way too up an down, and more down recently.

Loren – Detroit. Chicago can’t beat good teams but have won their last two games. Detroit can’t beat good team and have lost their last two games. So…home team?

Philadelphia at Dallas

Derek - Dallas. I think you beat the Eagles by running the ball. Having the leagues leading rusher in Murray should be a good start.

Loren – Philadelphia. The point differential between these two teams is staggering and you know Kelly would like to go into Dallas and run the Cowboys out of the building. Plus, another excuse to pick against Dallas. Ugh, Dallas.

Seattle at San Francisco

Derek - Seattle. I'm not a fan of what I see out of the 49ers recently. I think Seattle will be able to move the ball on offense and control the game.

Loren – San Francisco. I’m not sold on Seattle at all. Seattle’s inconsistencies are less easily explained than the 49ers’ whose problems have stemmed primarily from injuries. While not fully healthy, they’re better off than the last few weeks.

New Orleans at Pittsburgh

Derek - Pittsburgh. The Saints cost me two in a row at home, I'm not picking them or any other NFC South team on the road.

Loren – Pittsburgh. Someone has to win the NFC South, right? Or can we all agree that the conference forfeits their playoff spot this year? Settled.

New England at Green Bay

Derek - New England. I like Green Bay, but the way the Pats are playing, I'm not holding out much hope.

Loren – New England. This should be fun.

Denver at Kansas City

Derek - Denver. Denver is a very good team with some large flaws, but right now they seem to put it together win they need it. Also no one seems to want to gaurd Thomas in the red zone.

Loren – Denver. Did the second half against the Dolphins shake loose the cobwebs for the Broncos? Will CJ Anderson lock down starting back duties with another performance like last week? Will Alex Smith throw a ball further than 6 yards? Hopefully, probably, and no.

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NFL Week 13 picks

Wow what a bad week for both Loren and I we put up 1-4-1 records. 46-25-1 to 34-35-1.

Green Bay at Detroit
Derek - Detroit. The Packers don't look too good right now and are relying on Matt Flynn. While he can be good you can't rely on the guy. The Lions have a bad loss this last week but you know they can explode at any min.
Loren - Detroit. The Lions have burned me lately, but I think they right the ship against the short-handed Packers. Early in the season this would have been one of the games most looked forward to. Now you just hope it doesn't stink up Thanksgiving.

Pittsburgh at Baltimore
Derek - Baltimore. The Steelers are playing better and the Ravens look old and well...bad. Why am I taking them? Still think they're better than Pit.
Loren - Pittsburgh. Can't trust either team this year and I've got a lot of ground to make up. Why not take the coin flip?

Tennessee at Indianapolis
Derek - Indianapolis. I think Indy leaned something from their rough stretch and part of that is how to beat the Titans, make them pass. No comeback needed here 
Loren - Tennessee. Great matchup. Struggling Colts against revived Titans. If the Colts can't get anything going on the ground, the Titans excellent secondary will sit back in coverage make life hell for what's left of the Colts passing attack. This feels like Titans get revenge for the 3 point loss to Indy 2 weeks ago.

Arizona at Philadelphia
Derek - Philadelphia. Tough one, but I'm going with the home team. We'll see if the Cards can keep putting up big numbers. 
Loren - Arizona. Another winnable road game this week. Of course, that probably means the Cards will lay an egg after a long road trip. However, if their D plays up to their standards, I wouldn't trust the Eagles to put up considerable points against them.

Denver at Kansas City
Derek - Denver. Lots of revenge here. KC's loss to Denver two weeks ago. KC's melt down last week to San Diego. Denver's melt down last week to the Pats. Whatever it is, this is most likely for the division and to get a first round bye in the playoffs. Lots at stake and I'll take Manning over Smith.
Loren - Denver. Will there be a huge hangover from the epic meltdown in Foxboro? A loss like that can scar a team. I don't think Manning lets the team dwell on it. They come out and put a smack down on their only worthy division foe, essentially wrapping up the AFC West.

New Orleans at Seattle
Derek - Seattle. Really hard to go against Seattle at home. In fact that's my deciding factor.
Loren - New Orleans. Seattleites (Seattleans? Seattlers?) will hate me for this, but I don't think the Seahawks vaunted pass defense has really been tested yet. I think they're extremely good, but I'm not sure they're ready for the different level the Saints bring. Yeah, Seattle will get big chunks of yards on the ground, but can they keep up the scoring pace the entire game? I don't think they can.

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NFL Picks - Week 13

It’s becoming more and more obvious that Loren and I have no idea what we are doing. Loren put up another “0”fer this past week, while I was able to get 1 right. However that puts me up 5. I’ll go get my Marino Jersey ready.

Derek

Carolina @ Green Bay
Carolina. I think Green Bay is sliding down the charts. I think teams have figured out what they do. Carolina on the other hand will be getting a bad taste out of their mouth. They have the game to play in cold weather. RUN RUN RUN. 24-13

New Orleans @ Tampa Bay
New Orleans. I like the way New Orleans is playing that and they get back Reggie “I catch more than a wide receiver” Bush. 38-14

Atlanta @ San Diego
San Diego. I just can’t trust the Falcons, prove it first. San Diego has been there before and I’ll go with them. 21-17

Pittsburgh @ New England
New England. Mark my words New England will win the rest of their games this season. The O is clicking and will roll people from here on out. 38-20

Chicago @ Minnesota
Minnesota. AP will run over the Bears D. QB’s are a blight on this game. 17-13

Loren

Carolina @ Green Bay Carolina. The Saints exposed a weakness in the Packer's D, and while the Panthers don't have the same passing attack, they can go vertical and have a better ground game to complement it. 34-27

New Orleans @ Tampa Bay New Orleans. Brees is a legitimate MVP and has a chance to break the all time single season passing record. Tampa's D is better than Green Bay's, but the Saints should still be able to get up the field. 35-17

Atlanta @ San Diego San Diego. It's at home, and the Chargers can smell the Bronco's blood in the water. Despite Atlanta thumping Carolina last week, I still think they're too inconsistent to pull off a big road win against a physical team. But they're not far off...27-16

Pittsburgh @ New England Pitt. Like the rest of the country, I'm curious to see if Cassel can handle a team that punches you in the mouth as often as the Steelers. Pittsburgh can also score in a myriad of ways, but if they get in a shootout with New England they're in trouble. 27-21

Chicago @ Minnesota Chicago. Another tossup game. I can't find a reason to pick one team over another other than possibly the QB situation in Minny. They don't have the ability to efficiently execute an offensive scheme on a regular basis. 31-19

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