Top NFL Picks Against the Spread: Handicapping Week 13: Sunday
By Bart
Wednesday/Early Thursday evening was a little too crazy to get a pick in for the New Orleans/Atlanta game. However, unlike in the past, I think I’m happy that I didn’t because I was leaning towards the Saints with an upset. Atlanta is frequently just getting by or beating teams by a narrow margin, so I was thinking that since it was still a dome and NO has their backs against the wall, they’d sneak one out. Glad I didn’t put that in writing, at least prior to the game anyway. Checking back in on last weekend, I had another above 500 day which I’ll always take. Indy took care of Buffalo by seven. I’m glad that the Bears got them the first game of the season, and even noted that in my first post of the year when I picked the Bears against the Colts. The Rams are a better team that Arizona and finally broke their losing streak. Do you think Arizona fans were thinking playoffs when the Cards were 4-0? Denver only won by 8, so they didn’t cover. They sleepwalked through that game and they’re lucky they didn’t lose to the Chiefs like the Bears did last year around this time (December 4th to be exact). Drew Brees started throwing more to Defensive players than his receivers against the 49ers preventing my upset special from coming through. Most importantly, our Beloved took care of the Viqueens and will do so again next week. It’s nice to get up on them early to take Peterson out of the game. In the meantime, the Packers got embarrassed by the Giants last Sunday Night. Do you think everyone is in a panic up in Green Bay the same way they respond around here when the Bears lose? Oh well, on to Week 13:
Pick 3:
San Francisco -7.5 v@ St. Louis – There are a lot of reason to pick the Rams here. Last time these two played, it took 5 quarters to decide it, and it was decided with a sister kiss. This game is a home game for St. Louis and San Fran just spent their last weekend playing a difficult emotional game vs. the Saints. The 49ers could totally look past this game, but Harbaugh won’t allow it and they still are eyeing that first round bye in the playoffs. After this game is over, people will wonder why it wasn’t a double-digit spread.
NY Giants -1 @ Washington – Let’s just say that I won’t be disappointed if I lose this one. Like Green Bay to an extent, Washington will have a tough time slowing down the Giants offense in this one. Manning’s “dead arm” will be alive and well vs. this porous pass defense. As good as RG3 is, he can’t play defense too.
Indianapolis -5 @ Detroit -I cant’ believe I’m taking 3 Road favorites, but it is hard not to. The Colts have a tendency to keep games close (between 3-6), although they have been blown out a couple of times (vs. Bears, Jets, NE). Calvin is starting to come on, but Detroit just isn’t what everyone thought they were going to be this year and the Colts are opposites as well. These are two pretty even teams so I’ll take the 5, even with the Lions at home.
Upset Special
Tennessee +6.5 vs Houston – Houston’s Defense has been a little porous lately with all of their injuries (believe me, I know, they’re my fantasy defense). With New England on the horizon for Houston, something tells me this one is going to be a little closer than everyone expects it to be, I’ll take the home team and the points in this one.
The BELOVED
Bears -3.5 vs Seattle –Seattle is not good on the road, unless it is Chicago. The Bears offensive line shuffling and injuries have kept this line a little lower, which plays right into our hands, here. The Bears embarrassing loss is still on the minds of everyone, despite their solid performance vs. the Vikings last week. The Bears Defense will take care of Seattle’s offense, and the Bears are going to mix it up enough to put points on the board. When the Bears offense puts up at least 11 points – they win. I think they can pull that off, don’t you?
LAST WEEK: Pick 3: 2-1 Upset Special 0-1 Beloved 1-0
SEASON: Pick 3: 16-16-1 Upset Special: 6-4-1 Beloved: 6-4-1 Thursday Night 3-3-2 = 31-26-5