NFL Week 13 Predictions

Another week, another coach bites the dust. I don't really understand the value of canning the head coach during the season. The only gain I can see is that the remainder of the season can be viewed as a tryout for the interim head coach. However, interim coaches are rarely taken as serious candidates for the permanent job, so it doesn't seem to gain much. Butch Davis was bad, certainly, and the Browns desperately needed to get rid of him. But why now? Why not in January? They aren't going to be able to interview any serious candidates until the post-season or after the Super Bowl. It just doesn't seem to have too much value. At least Terry Robiskie has some experience in this position, having taken over for Norv Turner in Washington a few years ago.

Anyway, unlike Cleveland, I had the joy of another successful week last week, going 12-4. Onto this week.

Bengals @ Ravens
Rumors of an improving Bengal defense are surely now thoroughly debunked. No one should give up 48 points to the Browns. But the Bengal offense has to be taken seriously. The Brown defense is not inept, and Palmer torched them. Of course Baltimore's defense is far superior to Cleveland's. I kind of feel an upset in the making here, but I will go with the favorite. I have to believe there will be a letdown on the Bengal side after such an explosive game, and the Raven offense should be able to get some production, even with Jamal Lewis out for yet another game. Prediction: Ravens.

Vikings @ Bears
Minnesota will continue to exploit a weak section of the schedule. Prediction: Vikings.

Patriots @ Browns
Cleveland's morale has to be in the pits. Score 48 points, and lose? Put up 400+ yards passing, and lose? That has to be devastating. Then they lose their head coach, which sounds like it has gone over well in the locker room actually, unlike Wannstedt's departure from Miami. Finally, as if that weren't enough, it appears Luke McCown will take his first NFL snap when he starts this week. And all this the week they face the defending Super Bowl champions, and who are playing like it. Prediction: Patriots.

Cardinals @ Lions
A few weeks ago, the Cardinals were right in the thick of the race for the NFC West division title, a title no one apparently wants to win. Flushed with such success, Dennis Green promptly benched his starting quarterback and just as promptly lost the next two games, with his offense putting up a staggering 13 points total (while the defense gave up 48). Both games were winnable (they played the last place Panthers and a beat up Jets), and two wins would have put them in a first place tie with Seattle. This week, Green is wisely benching the quarterback, Shaun King, who led those two disasters. Obviously, he's putting McCown, the guy who won the games that put them in contention and who had put up at least 24 points in four of his last six starts, back in right? Remember, no one wants to win this division, and Green is apparently no different. So rather than risk gaining ground on the Seahawks (whom McCown has already beaten), he will start rookie 7th round draft pick John Navarre, who has never taken a snap in the NFL. The Cards will also start undrafted rookie Larry Croom at running back. That makes for a, um, devastating offense (for Cardinal fans, that is). Prediction: Lions.

Titans @ Colts
Once a marquee matchup, the fading Titans will not be able to keep up with the Peyton express. Prediction: Colts.

Bills @ Dolphins
The Bills are starting to play a little more like I thought they would play all season. Moving the ball, scoring touchdowns, and playing strong defense will usually bring victory. (For most of the season, Buffalo played like they thought they had discovered a whole new way to win, only to find it didn't work. Points? We don't need no stinkin' points!) Miami, though coming off a big win in San Fran last week, protecting them from being the absolute worst team in the league, is still pretty bad. Prediction: Buffalo.

Panthers @ Saints
The Panthers are quietly starting to play well. They have won three straight games, and put up 20+ points in their last four (after only doing so once in the first seven). They have actually worked their way back to second place in the division. OK, it's the pathetic NFC South where everybody except Atlanta is 4-7, but second place is second place. In the NFC, 4-7 is good enough for playoff contention. They certainly appear assured of avoiding the title of biggest Super Bowl bust, leaving that in the capable hands of the 2003 Oakland Raiders. While Jim Haslett's halftime tirade lit a small flame under the Saints' collective butts, the phrase "too little, too late" comes to mind. Prediction: Panthers.

Texans @ Jets
With Pennington back at the controls, the Jets should have no problem moving the ball against a weak Houston defense. Prediction: Jets.

39ers @ Rams
After four losses in their last five games, a visit from the inept 39ers (is it time for another demotion to the 29ers?) is just what the Rams need. Prediction: Rams.

Falcons @ Bucs
This is a tough one. The Bucs have been playing well. But for some missed field goals last week, they would have won. But the Falcons have the second best record in the NFC, so you have to think they will prevail against a 4-7 team. Prediction: Falcons.

Chiefs @ Raiders
Two teams, who have combined to win 5 of the last 7 division titles, will fight for a little pride. Only one can succeed. Both possess good offenses and terrible defense. The Raiders are playing better, with Kerry Collins getting comfortable with his new team. The Chiefs are likely going to have neither Trent Green at quarterback nor Priest Holmes at running back. That spells doom. Prediction: Raiders.

Broncos @ Chargers
This game is a must win for Denver. With yet another lapse in play last week (and don't talk to me about the weather, it's Denver's home turf!), the Broncos have fallen a game back of San Diego in the division. A loss here would drop them two games back, with only four to play. With the congestion of teams contending for a wildcard spot, Denver really needs to win the division. On the other hand, with a win San Diego can all but lock up the division for themselves. San Diego is playing better and more consistent football than Denver is. Prediction: Chargers.

Packers @ Eagles
Rematch of the 4th-and-26 game. Green Bay is hot right now, having won six straight games. But none of the vanquished teams were of Philadelphia's caliber. This week, we will see what Green Bay is really made of. The Packers bring the better offense, but the Eagles have the better defense. The Packer secondary does not get much appreciation around the league, nor should they. But it must be noted they have held their last two high-flying offenses (Houston, St. Louis) to a combined 30 points. The Eagles have won 10 games, but have not played many quality opponents. Their defense is ranked 15th in the league, but that's playing against the Giants, Lions, Bears, Browns, Ravens, Cowboys, and Redskins. Not exactly potent opposition. (The Viking defense could even look good against that schedule.) Having locked up the division last week, one expects the Eagles to perhaps have a letdown emotionally. All this sets the stage for an upset Packer win. Prediction: Packers.

Giants @ Redskins
Yet another devastating defense to devour Eli Manning. What a way to start a career. Prediction: Redskins.

Steelers @ Jaguars
I finally saw Leftwich in action last week. What I saw tallied with my expectations based on statistics. I've pointed out several times this season that Leftwich puts up good yardage numbers, but not too many touchdowns. Against the Vikings, the Jags moved the ball reasonably well but were unable to put the ball in the end zone. Drives would stall in the red zone and they would have to settle for field goals. It's not necessarily Leftwich's fault. I saw him throw a beautiful touch pass over the arms of the Viking defender and hit his receiver's outstretched hands in the end zone, only to see the receiver drop the ball. There is clearly potential there, and if he can get a better receiving corps down the road, it will be interesting to see Byron develop. I am getting concerned about Pittsburgh. Big Ben is playing more like a rookie now, and how long can they continue to ride the Bus so heavily? I know Duce will be back this week, but as we saw with Randy Moss, hamstring injuries have a tendency to hang around. Anyway, for this game the Steeler defense will just be too much for Jacksonville. Prediction: Steelers.

Cowboys @ Seahawks
Both teams feature stellar coaches with four NFC titles between them, and unpredictable, inconsistent play from the players. Both made the playoffs last year, and both are struggling just to look respectable this year. Of the two, Seattle has played better and a touch more consistently. Prediction: Seahawks.

Last Week: 12-4
Season: 105-71