NFL Picks: Week 13

Last Week:
Nick: 8-6-2
Figgs: 9-5-2
AFF: 5-9-2
Joe: 8-6-2
Figgs' $ Picks: 2-0-1
Nick's $ Picks: 1-0-1, 2 Schrute Bucks


Season to Date
Joe: 82-88-4
Nick: 78-92-4
Figgs: 77-93-4
Figgs' $ Picks: 15-15-1
Nick's $ Picks: 8-8-1, +3 Schrute Bucks


Thursday Night Football, 8:20
FALCONS (-3.5) vs Saints
Figgs: Saints. Really looking forward to watching this game. Definitely wouldn't be surprised with any outcome, so I'll take over a field goal to back New Orleans.
Joe: Saints; Finally, a good matchup for Thursday Night Football!  These two always play close, entertaining games.  I look for another one here.  I'll go with the Saints, since they always seem to have Atlanta's number.  However, this is a rare case where, unlike what Ric Flair says, in order to be the man, the Falcons will not have to beat the man.  Even if the defending division champion Saints complete the season sweep, the ATL will still run away with this division. 
Nick: Saints. More than a field goal is significant, the Saints are fighting for their lives, and I continue to think that the Falcons are doing this with some smoke and mirrors.


Sunday 1:00 kickoff
BUFFALOES (-6) vs Jaguars
Figgs: Jills. I don't love this pick, but you know what else I don't love? chad henne. Hey, remember when Ohio St beat michigan last week?
Joe: Jags; I want to take Buffalo, but this seems like too many points to give.  The Jags are capable of playing teams close, and the Bills are not consistent enough or good enough to give nearly a TD.
Nick: Jags. Too many points.

BEARS (-4) vs Seahawks
Figgs: Bears. LOVE this line. I know the Bears haven't been at their best lately, but they're still a good team and Seattle is still on the road. I would have guessed this at 8 or 9. ($)
Joe: Bears; It's at Chicago, so that's all I need to give the 4. 
Nick: Seahawks. These teams seem relatively even to me, and I get more than a field goal? I think the whole "Seattle can't win on the road" thing has been a little overblown; they've had some tough luck.

RAMS (+7) vs 49ers
Figgs: Rams. Every time I start to give up on the Niners they start to dominate. Now that I think they're top-tier again is a good time for them to blow one.
Joe: Rams; They tied in SF, but the niners have looked unstoppable since they started Kapernick.  But in a road environment against a division rival, he might not be so dominant.  I don't know, basically I just don't want to give this many points.
Nick: Niners. I just deleted my Rams pick. Sure, this is probably a little high given that these two teams just played to a tie a few weeks ago, but the Niners are rolling with CK now. SF still has to win to stay ahead in the race for a bye, and they don't have the division wrapped up. If anything, I think the tie makes it more likely that they come out sharp and put the Rams out of their misery.

DOLPHINS (+9) vs Patriots
Figgs: Pats. Their history covering big spreads is well documented. Feel about as confident here without actually being confident enough to bet as you can get.
Joe: Pats; When they are on, they can score 50+ points on anyone.  I think it's safer to never pick against them, no matter the spread.
Nick: Pats. Miami is a playoff contender in the watered down AFC, but the Pats are in "we can score every possession" mode right now, and I'm not going to pick against them even if more than a TD feels high.

JETS (-5) vs Cardinals
Figgs: Jets. Is anyone more of a mess than the Cards?
Joe: Jets; Even though they are a train wreck and they might have the most unproductive, boring offense in NFL history, the Cards STILL haven't won since September and are playing a 3rd string QB.  I feel so sorry for Larry Fitzgerald and people that actually watch Cardinals games.  One of the best talents the WR position has ever seen has been completely wasted since Kurt Warner retired.
Nick: Jets. Classic "Jets crush a lousy team" game. ($ -3)

LIONS (-5) vs Colts
Figgs: Lions. Need a big game from Stafford to get into the fantasy playoffs.
Joe: Colts; I feel a Lions win at home here, but I'll gladly take the 5 points for Indy.  The Colts are a better team this year, have more to play for, and could easily win outright.  If not, I figure they keep it within a FG.
Nick: Colts. Tell me again why the Lions are favored by more than a FG here?

PACKERS (-10) vs Vikings
Figgs: Vikes. I think they keep it close. I just hope they don't go down big early and stop giving it to AD for the aforementioned fantasy purposes.
Joe: Vikings; I like the Pack to bounce back after last weeks embarrassment, but not by this many points.  The Vikes aren't bad, and should be competetive since they are still right in the thick of the playoff race.
Nick: Packers. I HATE giving this many points, but after winning four of their first five, the Vikes have proven to be smoke and mirrors. Minnesota only has one road win

TITANS (+6) vs Texans
Figgs: Texans. Two bad weeks in a row for Houston, but still Ws. They get back on and win big here. ($)
Joe:Texans; The Titans have looked pretty bad recently, and Houston is a Super Bowl contender.  Especially since it's under a TD, I'll gladly give these points. 
Nick: Texans. This feels a little too good to be true, but I'll bite.

CHIEVES (+3) vs Panthers
Figgs: Cats. Remember my question about the Cardinals? Oh yeah, KC.
Joe:Panthers; I finally got to see the Cam I was expecting this year this past Monday Night.  He should do it again against the worst team in football.
Nick: Panthers. I waffled for about two minutes on whether I should make a joke here, but it's way too sad. Still, Panthers.


(4:05 kickoff)
BRONCOS (-7) vs Bucs
Figgs: Bucs. Definitely see this being close. Wouldn't be shocked if they win it straight
Joe: Bucs; Denver is a Super Bowl contender and should win at home, but I still like Tampa to make a playoff run, so this is a big game for them.  They should keep it close.
Nick: Bucs. Tampa still doesn't get any respect.


(4:25 kickoffs)
RAIDERS (-2) vs Browns
Figgs: BROWNS. We gotta beat these guys. ($)
Joe: Browns; Identical records for these two teams, but we have been competitive in every game this year.  The Raiders have been a joke in most of their losses, and two of their wins come against the Chiefs and Jags.  We're a better bad team than them.  (Also, both of us hold victories over the steelers.  FYI.)
Nick: Browns. Love us here. ($ -1)


CHARGERS (+1) vs Bengals
Figgs: Cinncy. I typed in SD and even started writing a reason, but I didn't even believe it myself. I don't like the Bengals much at all, but I still think they are the better team.
Joe:Bengals; Cincy keeps showing me they are better than I thought.  San Diego is showing me that Norv Turner needs to get fired.
Nick: Bengals. As Bill Simmons mentioned on this week's Cousin Sal podcast, the Chargers are in the "don't pick them until they win again" zone. ($ +2)

RAVENS (-8.5) vs steelers
Figgs: ratbirds. Lot of points, but Charlie Batch? C'mon.
Joe: Ravens; ben is probably not playing (not that I would pick them anyway).  Ravens have the division sewn up, but they would love nothing more than to try and knock the steelers out of the playoff race.  (I too, would love nothing more than that).  
Nick: Ravens, but not confidently.


Sunday Night Football, 8:20 kickoff
COWBOYS (-10) vs Eagles
Figgs: 'Boys. Remember my question about the Cardinals? Oh yeah, Philly. And maybe even Dallas. I hate this game. That's a lot of points for a bad team.
Joe: Cowboys; This spread is way too high for a mediocre Pokes team, but I will gladly give it anyway.  Philly stopped playing weeks ago, and they haven't shown they can be competetive with anyone.
Nick: Cowboys. It's pretty clear that the Eagles have quit. It's been fun, coach Reid.


Monday Night Football, 8:30 kickoff
REDSKINS (+3) vs Giants
Figgs: Giants. Actually a better MNF game than Sunday night. We'll see if the Giants want to play or not. If they do, they cover this relatively easy. ($)
Joe: Skins; Great game in their 1st matchup, I hope we see another one on MNF.  The Skins swept NY last year and would have one the 1st one on the road if they wouldn't have let Cruz get behind the D for an 80 yd score when they were playing prevent defense.  Playing at home, with a shot at the playoffs, they have to be fired up to get the job done here.  I'll take em. 
Nick: Giants. An extra half point might have made me take the upstart Skins, but I'll go with the Giants and hope they don't have a letdown game after crushing the Packers. It's a road game and they can basically wrap up the division with a win. What could go wrong?