Week 13 Picks

Picks on time before a Thursday game?  I am an overachiever this week.

@Philadelphia over Houston
The Eagles lost their game last week moreso than the Bears won it.  Horrible tackling and terrible redzone execution doomed the Birds.  The redzone problems in particular are starting to become worrysome.  In addition to last week's game, the Eagles had redzone issues against both the Colts and Giants.  They won both of those games, but they should have won by a lot more.  What's the issue?  Well, some questionable play calling to be sure, as I'm never a fan of using the shotgun inside the 5 yard line.  However, Vick hasn't exactly made his best throws inside the red zone either.  Yes, I made a critcism of Michael Vick, I'll probably be shot. 
Anyway, the Texans' defense is not nearly good enough to stop the Eagles tonight. 

New Orleans over @ Cincinnati
If the Bengals had any fight left in them, this is the game they might get up for.  But they won't.

@ Detroit over Chicago
Am I bitter after last week?  Yes, but this has upset special written all over it.  A road game after a huge victory in which every analyst is overrating the team now?  I don't care who the Lions QB is this week (Drew Stanton), I like the Lions here OUTRIGHT.

@ Green Bay over San Francisco
I appreciated what he did here in Philadelphia, but Brian Westbrook's performance agains the Cardinals on Monday night was a mirage.  But like everyone in sports does, it has been blown way out of proportion and Westbrook is officially back.  He won't break 50 yards against the Packers.

Jacksonville over @ Tennessee
Randy Moss went from Tom Brady as his QB to Rusty Smith.  Good job getting out of New England, Randy.

@ Kansas City over Denver
Most exciting division race heading down the stretch?  How about the AFC West, where we have the young, upstart Chiefs against the incumbent Chargers, back in their usual right before the playoffs form. 

@ Miami over Cleveland
Watching the Browns-Panthers game on NFL RedZone last week was painful.  The Browns came out on fire led by Peyton Hillis, who was unstoppable in the first half.  Then for some reason, Eric Mangini decided to let Jake Delhomme throw the ball, and he quickly let the Panthers back into the game.  Why Delhomme still has a job is beyond me.  I don't care if your other QBs are hurt, pick up Jeff Garcia before you let Jake Delhomme take another snap in the NFL.

@ Minnesota over Buffalo
Poor Buffalo.  Unlike some other bad teams (Cardinals, Bengals), they're actually trying hard.  They should have beaten the Steelers last week before Steve Johnson somehow dropped a wide open catch.  Now they're playing a Vikings team which will probably finish the season strong for their new head coach, which probably means Brett Favre will come back for another season.

@ NY Giants over Washington
Last week's game against the Jags summed up the season for the Giants.  Lousy one minute, unstoppable the next.  I hope the lousy team stays around a little while longer.

@ San Diego over Oakland
That's the last time I pick the Raiders or pick against the Chargers after Week 9.

@ Indianapolis over Dallas
How pissed off is Peyton Manning right now?  If the Colts lose a third straight against the Cowboys, I don't think anyone inside Lucas Oil Stadium makes it out alive.

St. Louis over @ Arizona
Maybe the Rams are decent, but it doesn't matter, there's no way I'm picking the Cardinals again this year after their last game.  That was pathetic.

@ Seattle over Carolina
It's a shame that Jimmy Clausen is essentially playing for his job already.  If the Panthers get the no.1 pick in the draft, it'll be hard for them to pass up on a QB, whether it be Andrew Luck or Cam Newton if he gets a ton of momentum.  Clausen fell into a terrible situation in Carolina, and it looks like he won't get much of a chance to improve.

@ Tampa Bay over Atlanta
See Bears vs. Lions for why I picked the Bucs in this game.

@ Baltimore over Pittsburgh
The Steelers should have lost to the Bills last week.  Like 99 times out of 100 they lose to the Bills last week.  So I'm not going to exactly have a ton of confidence with them playing at Baltimore on a Sunday night.

@ New England over NY Jets
The Patriots defense is questionable, to say the least, but against a struggling Jets offense, they should get the job done.  I won't say anything more about this game because apparently it's the game of the century and all anyone can talk about.

Last week: 12-4
Overall 112-64