Mattie T’s Week 13 NFL Predictions

Time for a Fantasy Football update!! I am somehow only ONE GAME out of the playoffs despite losing 5 of my last 6 games in the money league. Gotta pull it together this week and notch a big win against my good friend Scott to stay alive. We’ll see what fares better between my weekly picks & my team! 🙂

Week 12: 12-4

Overall: 114-62 (.648)

N.Y. Jets at Buffalo.

The Bills have been showing more fight recently with the head coaching switch, and it has resulted in Terrell Owens’ play.

Over the past two weeks alone, Owens has amassed 293 receving yards on 14 receptions, while hauling in receptions of 50+ yards or more in consecutive games for the first time in over 2 years.

Jets stud cornerback Darrelle Revis will most likely draw Owens, but that should leave fellow teammate Lee Evans open for some enticing one-on-one matchups.

The Bills have a stud corner as well, as rookie Jairus Byrd is tied with New Orleans’ Darren Sharper for the league lead with 8 interceptions.

Look for Buffalo to squeak out a close win in front of the Canadian home crowd on Thursday evening.

St. Louis at Chicago.

It’s been a lost season for the Bears, who come into this game with 6 losses in their last 7 games.

Luckily they’ll get to face a woeful Rams team that might be without star back Steven Jackson, who admittely played with a back injury while rushing for 89 yards in their Week 12 loss to Seattle.

Chicago’s defense should tee off on a woeful St. Louis offense that is only averaging 11.8 points per game (ranked 30th in league).

Taking the Bears here for their biggest win of the season.

Tampa Bay at Carolina.

Panthers might be without DeAngelo Williams (ankle) for Sunday, but Jonathan Stewart should be more than enough to punish the Buccaneers’ 30th ranked rush defense.

Tampa Bay has been competitive on the road as of late (last 2 losses were by a combined 5 points), but i think Carolina will have just enough to pull out a close home win.

Houston at Jacksonville.

Really crucial game for Houston, as they have lost 3 straight & haven’t beaten a division opponent since Week 2.

Jacksonville on the other hand is picking up steam, as they have won 4 of their last 5 & can essentially knock the Texans out of the playoff picture with a victory on Sunday.

If Maurice Jones-Drew explodes like he did in his earlier meeting this season with Houston (119 yards & 3 TD’s in Week 3 win), then i think the Jaguars will keep their playoff hopes alive with a big home win.

Denver at Kansas City.

Just when Todd Haley’s team was coming off their biggest win of the season, Kansas City took a huge step backwards with their 43-14 blowout loss to San Diego.

Denver needs to desparately win on Sunday to keep pace with San Diego, who has a very favorable game against Cleveland.

With the halftime ceremony for the late Derrick Thomas, it is sure to be one emotional afternoon at Arrowhead. But, it won’t be enough to pull a huge upset as the Broncos win to improve to 8-4.

Tennessee at Indianapolis.

Don’t look now, but Tennessee is slowly entering the AFC Wild Card picture as they have reeled off 5 straight wins.

They also have the perfect weapon to keep Peyton Manning off the field as much as possible, with league-leading rusher Chris Johnson, as he looks to reel off his seventh straight game with 125 yards rushing or more.

The Colts have had to rally in their last 5 games, so i think that their 2nd half comeback magic will finally come to an end this week.

I’m picking the Titans to hand Indianapolis their 1st loss of the season.

Philadephia at Atlanta.

This game will mark Michael Vick’s return to the Georgia Dome, and the Eagles could use him especially if DeSean Jackson (head) can’t suit up on Sunday.

Donovan McNabb could take some pressure off his teammates with a big game, as he’ll get to face Atlanta’s 27th ranked pass defense.

Atlanta could be in big trouble here, as both Matt Ryan (toe) and Michael Turner (ankle) are doubtful after suffering injuries during their Week 12 win over Tampa Bay.

Falcons should hang around early, but look for Philadelphia to “fly away” with a big road win.

New Orleans at Washington.

Redskins might be able to hang out for a bit with the Saints coming off a short week & big emotional home win over New England, and will see if Drew Brees can overmatch their league-best pass defense.

Washington should beware though, since Brees also faced a top-ranked pass defense of the Giants back in Week 6 for 369 passing yards & 4 touchdowns during New Orleans’ 48-27 rout.

This might be a closer game than people think, but the Saints win to improve to 12-0.

Oakland at Pittsburgh.

This game should mark the much-needed return of Ben Roethlisberger, as Pittsburgh desperately needs to snap their 3-game skid to remain in the Wild Card hunt.

The Steelers’ defense should be able to rattle Bruce Gradowski all afternoon, as their unit is tied with Miami for the AFC lead in sacks with 35.

Pittsburgh gets a big home win here on Sunday.

Detroit at Cincinnati.

Bengals are getting a step closer to clinching division, and should have Cedric Benson back for this game.

Chad OchoCinco is surprisingly not taking any shots at Detroit’s secondary, but a bigger concern should be Matthew Stafford’s left shoulder..but with 10 days of rest, i think he’ll be ready to go.

Lions could make this an interesting game, but i’m going with Cincinnati at home.

New England at Miami.

An angry Patriots team will look to take out their frustrations on Miami after their prime-time embarassment at the Superdome.

Michigan fans will be in for a treat, as ex Wolverines Tom Brady & Chad Henne will square off on Sunday.

New England has remarkably gone over 3 years without losing back-to-back games, so look for that streak to continue here as long as Ricky Williams is contained.

San Diego at Cleveland.

Should be an absolute laugher for a sizzling Charger team that’s pulled off 6 straight wins.

Cleveland is headed in the opposite direction with 6 straight losses & will not have the services of Jamal Lewis, who was placed on IR Wednesday which will most likely end his 9-year playing career.

Look for LaDainian Tomlinson to finally crack the 100-yard mark as San Diego pulls off a blowout victory.

Dallas at N.Y. Giants.

I know the Cowboys are usually known for their December disasters, but i think this year could be different.

There’s no Terrell Owens in the locker room, and Tony Romo seems to have a good grasp of this team’s offense.

The Giants are absolutely in a mess, as they could only have one healthy back (Brandon Jacobs) available for Sunday & will have to play the rest of the season without defensive leader Antonio Pierce (neck).

Look for the Cowboys to pick up a key divisional road win on Sunday.

San Francisco at Seattle.

Huge game for the Seahawks, as they’ll need to pull in a tie with the 49ers & possibly just 2 games behind the 1st place Cardinals.

I could see a stumble here from San Francisco, as they haven’t won on the road since Week 1 at Arizona.

Look for Seattle to deliver a key road win to stay in the playoff hunt.

Minnesota at Arizona.

Vikings are rollin’ with 4 straight wins & could face an Arizona team minus quarterback Kurt Warner, who is still day-to-day after suffering a concussion nearly 2 weeks ago against the Rams.

Matt Leinart was solid during the team’s Week 12 loss to Tennessee, but he hasn’t thrown a touchdown pass since December of 2008.

I think Minnesota will emerge here as Brett Favre should have a big day against Arizona’s secondary.

Baltimore at Green Bay.

Huge game here for Wild Card implications, but Baltimore’s road struggles will show as they haven’t beat a plus .500 team away from M&T Bank Stadium since their Week 2 win over San Diego.

Green Bay also has the defense to shut down Ray Rice on the ground, but will have to pay attention to him as a receiver.

Ravens’ secondary can still be thrown on, so look for Aaron Rodgers to test it quite often as he’ll make just a few more plays than Joe Flacco to lead the Packers to a close home win on Monday night.