I went 14-2 last week straight-up, and 11-5 against the spread. For the season, that puts me at 116-60 straight-up, and 91-79-6 against the spread. For a comparison, check out the "experts" over at ESPN.
Here are my picks for the NFL's Week 13 games:
*THURSDAY, DECEMBER 1*
Philadelphia 4-7 at Seattle 4-7 - 8:20 P.M. [Line: Eagles by 2.5]
The Seahawks looked to be on the way to their third consecutive victory last week before imploding in the fourth quarter against the Redskins. Meanwhile, Eagles offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg and defensive line coach Jim Washburn got into a physical altercation on the sideline last week during their team's blowout loss to the Patriots.
--RJ's Pick: Seattle by 4
*SUNDAY, DECEMBER 4*
Carolina 3-8 at Tampa Bay 4-7 - 1:00 P.M. [Line: Buccaneers by 3.5]
The Buccaneers have dropped five straight. The Panthers held an opponent under 20 points for the first time since Week Three in their 27-19 win over the Colts last Sunday.
--RJ's Pick: Carolina by 3
Cincinnati 7-4 at Pittsburgh 8-3 - 1:00 P.M. [Line: Steelers by 7]
The Steelers beat the Bengals in Cincinnati 24-17 back in Week 10.
--RJ's Pick: Pittsburgh by 2
Atlanta 7-4 at Houston 8-3 - 1:00 P.M. [Line: Falcons by 2.5]
The Falcons have not lost a game in regulation since losing to the undefeated Packers in Week Five. The Texans will start rookie quarterback T.J. Yates this week, who replaces the injured Matt Leinart.
--RJ's Pick: Atlanta by 9
New York Jets 6-5 at Washington 4-7 - 1:00 P.M. [Line: Jets by 3]
The Jets are 1-4 on the road this season. Redskins rookie RB Roy Helu is averaging 4.8 yards per carry.
--RJ's Pick: Washington by 5
Indianapolis 0-11 at New England 8-3 - 1:00 P.M. [Line: Patriots by 20.5]
The winless Colts will start Dan Orlovsky under center this week, replacing the ineffective Curtis Painter. The Patriots have won three in a row, and they have allowed just 39 total points in those three victories.
--RJ's Pick: New England by 35
Oakland 7-4 at Miami 3-8 - 1:00 P.M. [Line: Dolphins by 2.5]
The Raiders have won three straight games, and are 4-1 on the road this season. Dolphins QB Matt Moore has thrown just one interception in his last four games, while tossing seven touchdown passes.
--RJ's Pick: Miami by 7
Denver 6-5 at Minnesota 2-9 - 1:00 P.M. [Line: Vikings by 1]
The Broncos are the only team in the league that averages more rushing yards per game than passing yards. The Vikings have lost three in a row.
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Article comments
1 - Steve
New England by 35! Wow! It's pretty uncommon to see a line +20 points for a team but Indy is terrible.
2 - Dr Dreadful
At this point, the Chargers would still manage to lose to them.
3 - Todd Thompson
I think you're right on Seattle and Phillie. Detroit beating N.O. at home stretches my imagination too far. Bold pick.
4 - RJ
Final Score:
Seattle 31, Eagles 14 - RJ 1-0 [1-0 ATS]
5 - C2E
Well, I'm 120-56 Straight Up through Week 12. This week, we differ on several matchups:
Eagles-Seahawks: Obviously, I missed this one! Eagles are done. Shoulda listed to JJ when he said it was time to stick a fork in them.
Panthers-Bucs: Here, I just went with the home team. CN is impressive, but team needs to chalk up a few more Ws.
Falcons-Texans: Can the Texans deal with much more adversity? What brought on this kind of Karma?
Actually, Yates is like Schaub but more athletic. Still, he was drafted as a project. I don’t think he can be worse than Leinart, but can he be at least as good as Schaub? Can he get timing down with receivers in a week? Probably not, but maybe he can get lucky. Texans by 3.
Jets-Redskins: Both teams are not good. Helu is doing well. Here, I just think it’s time for the Jets to win another road game. Jets by a missed Washington field goal.
Raiders-Dolphins: Dolphins have played well recently. Raiders will have jet lag and begin drinking early that day. Nothing like that initial buzz to get you going...
Titans-Bills: I’m not a fan of either team, but the Bills will take this one. Both play inconsistently, so the Titans should slip and the Bills get it together this Sunday.
Won’t comment on the Lions pick…I seem to remember you always picked them, regardless.
Good luck this week! Still enjoy your column, even when I can’t get my picks listed in time.
6 - RJ
Thanks for your continued readership, C2E.
7 - Arch Conservative
Indy may win a game this year but it won't be against the Patriots in New England. The Colts seem content to piss away the rest of the season say goodbye to Peyton and hello to Andrew Luck.
8 - C2E
So far, looks like I should have read your column BEFORE I made my picks!
9 - RJ
Final Scores:
Carolina 38, TB 19 - RJ 2-0 [2-0 ATS]
Steelers 35, Bengals 7 - RJ 3-0 [2-1 ATS]
Houston 17, Atlanta 10 - RJ 3-1 [2-2 ATS]
10 - RJ
Final Scores:
Jets 34, Washington 19 - RJ 3-2 [2-3 ATS]
NE 31, Colts 24 - RJ 4-2 [2-4 ATS]
Miami 34, Oakland 14 - RJ 5-2 [3-4 ATS]
Denver 35, Vikings 32 - RJ 6-2 [4-4 ATS]
11 - RJ
Final Scores:
Titans 23, Bills 17 - RJ 7-2 [5-4 ATS] (and I nailed the spread!)
KC 10, Bears 3 - RJ 7-3 [6-4 ATS]
12 - RJ
Final Scores:
Ravens 24, Browns 10 - RJ 8-3 [7-4 ATS]
13 - RJ
Final Score:
SF 26, Rams 0 - RJ 9-3 [7-5 ATS]
14 - RJ
Final Score:
Arizona 19, Dallas 13 (in OT) - RJ 9-4 [7-6 ATS]
15 - RJ
Final Score:
GB 38, Giants 35 - RJ 10-4 [7-7 ATS]
16 - RJ
Final Score:
NO 31, Lions 17 - RJ 10-5 [7-8 ATS]
17 - Tariq Rashid
nice it is
18 - RJ
Final Score:
SD 38, Jaguars 14 - RJ 11-5 [7-9 ATS]
19 - RJ
ESPN's NFL "experts" in Week 13:
Allen
8-8
Golic
9-7
Hoge
9-7
Jaworski
7-8
Mortensen
9-7
Schefter
9-7
Schlereth
10-6
Wickersham
8-8
Accuscore
10-6
Pick 'em
9-7
20 - RJ
ESPN's NFL "experts" through thirteen weeks:
Allen
125-66
Golic
124-68
Hoge
123-68
Jaworski
119-60
Mortensen
116-76
Schefter
117-75
Schlereth
128-64
Wickersham
125-67
Accuscore
133-59
Pick 'em
131-61
21 - RJ
RJ through thirteen weeks:
127-65 straight-up
98-88-6 against the spread