NFL Week 13 Picks: AFC Wild Card and NFL Playoffs Quick Look
By Joe Wedra
Our NFL Week 13 picks are here, and there’s no better place to start than publishing the games that relate to the NFL Playoffs, directly to the AFC Wild Card race. It’s a crucial week in the AFC … Read why the playoff picture could shake up in a big way.
San Diego Chargers (7-4) vs. Baltimore Ravens (7-4), 1:00 pm Sunday, CBS
Game of the Week honors might go to this one. Both of these teams need a win to stay at the top of this race and gain an all-important conference win.
It’s easy to say the Ravens have the edge here. After a huge win against the New Orleans Saints on Monday Night Football, John Harbaugh’s team has momentum and a winning streak as they head home to M&T Bank Stadium. Joe Flacco has a strong history in home games, and he’s never had a season-changing game to play in with an elite weapon in Steve Smith.
For the Chargers, they’ll need to win the battle at the line of scrimmage. Phillip Rivers can’t be under duress all game against a very strong Baltimore defensive line. If San Diego wants to win, they’ll need to keep the pressure on Flacco (tough, as they only have 18 sacks on the year), and keep their signal-caller upright so he can attack a weak Ravens’ secondary.
Prediction: Ravens win by 9
Cleveland Browns (7-4) vs. Buffalo Bills (6-5), 1:00 pm Sunday, CBS
Both the Bills and the Browns are looked at as being on the outside looking in, even in the thick of it.
These certainly aren’t the two strongest teams in the AFC, but the winner of this one might be on the fast-track to make a run late in the season.
Cleveland’s key will be their ground game. Buffalo can rush the passer, so the Browns will need to establish the run in order to set up the play-action pass. You’ve all heard the “run to set up the pass” argument. In this one, that saying should and will come to life.
Buffalo needs to throw the kitchen sink at a very strong Cleveland defense. It’s no secret that this offense is below-average. For Doug Marrone to continue his improbable run, creativity is a must.
Prediction: Browns win by 7
New Orleans Saints (4-7) vs. Pittsburgh Steelers (7-4), 1:00 pm Sunday, FOX
It’s hard to not keep writing “this is the game of the week” in these previews! Here’s another one that is going to excite.
The Saints are already on a short week, as having to travel to Heinz Field won’t be great. However, they’re still in the lead of the NFC South, and can take a huge step towards winning it with a win here. Look for Drew Brees to take advantage of a rough Steeler secondary and have a much-needed big performance.
If the Steelers want to win they’ll need to ensure they have Ben Roethlisberger playing his best game. It’s easy to say games are a battle between quarterbacks, but that’s just true in this one. Big Ben has a big game, Pittsburgh wins. It’s that simple. Watch for Markus Wheaton to break out.
Prediction: Saints win by 2
OTHER GAMES OF NOTE…
Cincinnati Bengals (7-4) vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-9), 1:00 pm Sunday, CBS
Prediction: Bengals win by 10
Denver Broncos (8-3) vs. Kansas City Chiefs (7-4), 8:30 pm Sunday, NBC
Prediction: Broncos win by 8
Miami Dolphins (6-5) vs. New York Jets (2-9), 8:30 pm Monday, ESPN
Prediction: Dolphins win by 3