NFL Week 13 Picks - Early Games

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Fearless Rick & Coin Flip NFL Week 13 Early Games

All times Eastern

Click here for late games.

Week 12 Results:
Rick: 6-6-1; Flip: 7-5-1
Cumulative: Rick: 87-85-7; Flip: 79-93-6

ALL TIMES EASTERN

Thursday, November 28 (Thanksgiving)

Chicago Bears at Detroit Lions (-10, 48.5), 12:30 pm (CBS) - Cruising toward the post-season with nine straight wins, the Lions haven't been challenged very often. Other than a week 7, 31-29 win at Minnesota and week 10's 26-23 victory at Houston, they've won the remaining seven games by at least seven points and most by two, three or more scores.

The Bears have had bad news at the ends of games, losing again last week in overtime to the Vikings, 30-27, for their fifth straight loss. Of their seven losses (4 wins), five have been by six points or fewer. They actually have a +4 points differential.

Considering both the Bears' close calls and Lions' romps, it's a tough call, but sticking with the winning Detroit squad seems a fair assessment.

Coin Flip: Chicago

Fearless Rick's Pick: Lions 34 Bears 17


New York Giants at Dallas Cowboys (-3.5, 37.5), 4:30 pm (FOX) - Battle of the walking wounded here, with back-up QBs on both squads, though the Cowboys' win over Washington last week rates well compared to the 30-7 beating the Giants took from Tampa Bay. Danny, er, Tommy DeVito isn't very good. Giants have lost sic straight and may be thinking about dumping games to get the top draft pick.

The Cowboys at least have a serviceable defense and Cooper Rush has solid experience. The Cowboys seem to be on the improve.

Coin Flip: Dallas

Fearless Rick's Pick: Cowboys 23 Giants 13


Miami Dolphins at Green Bay Packers (-3, 46.5), 8:20 pm (NBC) - Green Bay was fortunate to win at Chicago, 20-19, two weeks ago and last week made it look easy against the damaged goods that are the current 49ers with a 38-10 home win.

Miami has won three straight since Tua Tagovailoa returned at QB. Their two losses prior to that were against Arizona (28-27) and at Buffalo (30-27), so they're back to playing at a high level. They're now 5-6 and need every win they can get to make the playoffs.

Coin Flip: Green Bay

Fearless Rick's Pick: Dolphins 24 Packers 21


Friday, November 29

Las Vegas Raiders at Kansas City Chiefs (-12, 42.5), 3:00 pm (Prime Video) - Kansas City has been living on borrowed time and the skills of Patrick Mahomes. After losing to the Bills in Buffalo, 30-21, the Chiefs nearly lost a second straight game when Carolina (yes, Carolina!) rallied to tie the score late, eventually falling 30-27 on a last-second field goal. KC hasn't covered the spread in four weeks.

Desmond Ridder or Aidan O'Connell will get the start for the Raiders, with QB Gordon Minshew out for the season after suffering a broken collarbone against Denver last week. That's probably good news, as Minshew led them to seven straight losses. If the trend is your friend, it says take the dogs to win the fight against ugly spreads. The Chiefs just survived the Raiders a month ago, winning 27-20 in Vegas, baby.

Coin Flip: Las Vegas

Fearless Rick's Pick: Chiefs 24 Raiders 20


Sunday, December 1

Los Angeles Chargers at Atlanta Falcons (-3, 48.5), 1:00 pm (CBS) - The Chargers ran into a wrecking ball in the form of the Baltimore Ravens Monday night and now have to travel cross-country. They're also going to be without stud running back J.K. Dobbins, out with a sprained knee.

The Falcons come off a bye week after getting thumped and abused at Denver, 38-6. For both teams this figures to be a closer game than recent experiences, though the Chargers are probably the better play, depending on their defense to counter Kirk Cousins and RB Bijan Robinson.

Coin Flip: Los Angeles Chargers

Fearless Rick's Pick: Chargers 26 Falcons 24


Pittsburgh Steelers at Cincinnati Bengals (-3, 48.5), 1:00 pm (CBS) - The 4-7 Bengals need to win virtually every game if they hope to make the post-season. No better place to start than coming off a bye at home vs. a division rival. They'll face the Steelers again, in Pittsburgh, at the end of the regular season. It's interesting to note a few of the Bengals' stats. They're 1-4 at home, have beaten only Carolina, the Giants, Cleveland and Las Vegas, teams with a combined record of 10-34. They have not beaten a team with a winning record this season.

The Steelers lost to Cleveland, 24-19, last Thursday, so they've had time to assess and prepare. Losing that road game in a short week was understandable, given they had just beaten Washington and Baltimore in successive weeks and were likely somewhat drained. They should be up to taking down the Bengals.

Coin Flip: Pittsburgh

Fearless Rick's Pick: Steelers 23 Bengals 16


Houston Texans (-4.5, 43.5) at Jacksonville Jaguars, 1:00 pm (FOX) - Houston has looked horrible for at least the last month. Their 24-22 loss at Green Bay on October 20 seems to have been the limit for their abilities. Since then, they're only 2-3, the wins coming against the Colts and Cowboys (without Dak Prescott). Losing at home last week to the Titans, 32-27, exposed their weaknesses on both sides of the ball, but mostly on defense.

The Jaguars are just playing out the string now, and have nothing to gain or lose against their division rivals from the Lone Star state. Trevor Lawrence may be available after missing two games, but even if Mac Jones is the starter, Jacksonville has an excellent opportunity to knock off the Texans. C.J. Stroud, last season's hero, seems more apprehensive and doubtful as this season has progressed.

Coin Flip: Jacksonville

Fearless Rick's Pick: Jaguars 30 Texans 20


Arizona Cardinals at Minnesota Vikings (-3, 45), 1:00 pm (FOX) - This game looks like a real showdown, a put up or shut up kind of contest between two playoff hopefuls. Minnesota is desperate to stay just a game behind the Lions, and come off a very fortunate, 30-27 OT win at Chicago. It was Minnesota's fourth straight win and third straight road game, so they'll be happy to be back on familiar turf.

Arizona has played a rugged schedule and has done well to get to 6-5. For a team that went 4-13 last season, it seems a bit unfair that they'v had to play the Bills, Rams, Lions, Commanders, 49ers, Packers, and Chargers.

Losing last week at Seattle shouldn't worry anybody. They're still tied with the Seahawks in the conference.

Coin Flip: Arizona

Fearless Rick's Pick: Vikings 27 Cardinals 21



Indianapolis Colts (-2.5, 42.5) at New England Patriots, 1:00 pm (CBS) - At this point in the season, New England seems to be on the improve with Drake Maye getting a taste at QB in the NFL, while the Colts appear to be treading water, coming off a 24-6 drubbing by the LIons. New England's offense still leaves much to be desired.

New England is, however, just 1-4 at home, while the Colts are 1-3 on the road. With Houston looking somewhat vulnerable, Indianapolis may have an opportunity to pick up another game, get to 6-7 and possibly win the AFC South. This is a game the Colts should win, though it probably won't be easy.

Coin Flip: Indianapolis

Fearless Rick's Pick: Colts 26 Patriots 20


Seattle Seahawks (-2, 41.5) at New York Jets, 1:00 pm (FOX) - It's been a tough season for New York fans. The Giants are 2-9, the Jets, 3-8. Aaron Rodgers should hang up his cleats after this season so the rebuilding process can begin.

Seattle looks to be the class of the NFC West and should be able to win this by a touchdown or more. Face it, the Jets stink. Geno Smith should make his return to his former team a memorable one.

Coin Flip: Seattle

Fearless Rick's Pick: Seahawks 27 Jets 13


Tennessee Titans at Washington Commanders (-5.5, 45), 1:00 pm (CBS) - Is Washington flaming out or are the Commanders just a young team still learning how to manage games? It's probably more the latter, now having lost three straight, to Pittsburgh, Philly (both understandable), and last week to the Cowboys is a wild 34-26 loss.

They're home for the visiting Titans, who are 2-4 in road games, and haven't beaten an NFC foe this season, with losses to the Bears, Lions, Packers, and Vikings, the whole North division. They may break that streak against the Commanders or at least keep it close. Don't expect too much in the way of defense here.

Coin Flip: Washington

Fearless Rick's Pick: Commanders 34 Titans 31


Click here for late games.


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