Prisco's Week 13 NFL Picks: Giants top Jets, Panthers remain unbeaten – CBSSports.com

This is the week for mini-playoff games.

We have the Seattle Seahawks at the Minnesota Vikings, which would be a real matchup if the playoffs started today. We have the New York Jets against the New York Giants, with the loser in big trouble, and we have a few other games where the winner stays alive and the loser is pretty much done.

That’s what December brings to the NFL.

It means it’s crunch time. It also means that it’s crunch time for the picks. There are just five weeks left. Time to get right.

So dig in. I like this week’s picks, especially those for the playoff-like games.

at

Green Bay (7-4) at Detroit (4-7)
Thursday, Dec. 3, 8:25 p.m. ET (CBS/NFL Network)

The Packers just don’t look like the same offense and the Lions have improved in a big way on defense. The Lions have won three straight, so they are playing well. But I think the Packers get the offense cranked up here and find a way, with Aaron Rodgers looking like Aaron Rodgers again.

The Pick: Packers 27, Lions 20

at

New York Jets (6-5) at New York Giants (5-6)
Sunday, Dec. 6, 1 p.m. ET (CBS)

The battle of MetLife Stadium is almost a mini-playoff game. Both teams are in need of a victory to keep those playoff hopes alive. The Giants have the better quarterback, which will be the deciding factor here. Eli Manning makes the big plays to Odell Beckham Jr.

The Pick: Giants 27, Jets 21

at

Arizona (9-2) at St. Louis (4-7)
Sunday, Dec. 6, 1 p.m. ET (FOX)

The Cardinals are playing consecutive road games and lost to the Rams earlier this season. But this Rams team is banged up and the offense is really limited. That’s not a good thing against Arizona. The Cardinals will get the offense back on track after a bad week.

The Pick: Cardinals 31, Rams 17

at

Atlanta (6-5) at Tampa Bay (5-6)
Sunday, Dec. 6, 1 p.m. ET (FOX)

The Falcons are having major issues on offense. Matt Ryan is struggling. They have to get it going. Both teams are still alive in the playoff chase, but barely. The loser is done. I think the Bucs will find a way to win it.

The Pick: Bucs 21, Falcons 17

at

Seattle (6-5) at Minnesota (8-3)
Sunday, Dec. 6, 1 p.m. ET (FOX)

Seattle got the offense cranked up last week with Russell Wilson. This Minnesota defense on the road will be a tough challenge. Look for the Vikings to win behind the running of Adrian Peterson and the defense.

The Pick: Vikings 24, Seahawks 20

at

Houston (6-5) at Buffalo (5-6)
Sunday, Dec. 6, 1 p.m. ET (CBS)

The Bills have to win here to have any playoff chance. This won’t be easy for the Texans, who have turned their season around. Their defense is the reason why. But I think the offense has issues at Buffalo. The Bills take it.

The Pick: Bills 24, Texans 18

at

Baltimore (4-7) at Miami (4-7)
Sunday, Dec. 6, 1 p.m. ET (CBS)

The Ravens are playing consecutive road games on a short week. That’s a challenge. The Dolphins fired offensive coordinator Bill Lazor, which means they will go to more running this week. That will pay off against the Ravens. Dolphins take it.

The Pick: Dolphins 21, Ravens 14

at

Cincinnati (9-2) at Cleveland (2-9)
Sunday, Dec. 6, 1 p.m. ET (FOX)

Josh McCown is out for the season for the Browns, which means it could be Johnny Manziel again. It should be. He didn’t play well against the Bengals the last time. Cincinnati got back on track last week, and they continue that here.

The Pick: Bengals 28, Browns 7

at

Jacksonville (4-7) at Tennessee (2-9)
Sunday, Dec. 6, 1 p.m. ET (CBS)

The Jaguars beat the Titans two weeks ago at their place and now play at Tennessee. The Jaguars need to be better in the red zone and I think that will start here. Blake Bortles beats Marcus Mariota again.

The Pick: Jaguars 28, Titans 17

at

San Francisco (3-8) at Chicago (5-6)
Sunday, Dec. 6, 1 p.m. ET (FOX)

The Bears are coming off an impressive victory over the Packers on Thanksgiving Day. Jay Cutler is playing good football. The 49ers looked better last week against Arizona, but I think the Bears get them in this one with Cutler playing well again.

The Pick: Bears 30, 49ers 20

at

Denver (9-2) at San Diego (3-8)
Sunday, Dec. 6, 4:05 p.m. ET (CBS)

The Chargers beat the Jaguars Sunday and Denver upset the Patriots. Brock Osweiler is 2-0 as a starter and has done some good things. The Chargers will always challenge with Philip Rivers, but they don’t have enough talent right now.

The Pick: Broncos 24, Chargers 13

at

Kansas City (6-5) at Oakland (5-6)
Sunday, Dec. 6, 4:05 p.m. ET (CBS)

These teams do not like each other, which brings more juice to their games. The Chiefs have won five consecutive games and appear like a playoff team. But this is a tough spot. The Raiders will rise up for this one. I smell an upset.

The Pick: Raiders 27, Chiefs 26

at

Carolina (11-0) at New Orleans (4-7)
Sunday, Dec. 6, 4:25 p.m. ET (FOX)

This would normally be a trap game for the Panthers, but the Saints are awful. But Drew Brees can get hot and really light up a team when he does. It won’t happen here. The Panthers are too good for that to happen.

The Pick: Panthers 30, Saints 20

at

Philadelphia (4-7) at New England (10-1)
Sunday, Dec. 6, 4:25 p.m. ET (FOX)

The Patriots are really short-handed on offense, especially without Rob Gronkowski. But they have Tom Brady and the Eagles are the perfect tonic for any offense right now. Philadelphia has issues. That will show up here. Patriots win it, but Eagles get a late score to make it interesting.

The Pick: Patriots 31, Eagles 23

at

Indianapolis (6-5) at Pittsburgh (6-5)
Sunday, Dec. 6, 8:30 p.m. ET (NBC)

The Steelers expect to have Ben Roethlisberger after he left last week’s game with a concussion issue. If he plays, this is the Steelers’ game. The Colts will again start Matt Hasselbeck. This is his first real tough test. I don’t think he responds. Steelers take it.

The Pick: Steelers 33, Colts 22

at

Dallas (3-8) at Washington (5-6)
Monday, Dec. 7, 8:30 p.m. ET (ESPN)

The Redskins are in first place and the Cowboys are playing out the string. That’s hard to believe. Kirk Cousins has played well at home, but now the pressure is on. I say he plays well in that situation. Redskins keep winning.

The Pick: Redskins 27, Cowboys 20

The Panthers will remain unbeaten after Week 13. (USATSI)

This entry passed through the Full-Text RSS service – if this is your content and you’re reading it on someone else’s site, please read the FAQ at fivefilters.org/content-only/faq.php#publishers.