NFL Game Picks: Week 13

The NFL regular season is rapidly approaching its conclusion, and with another exciting week of football action coming up, let’s look at our picks for the Week 13 slate.

Ben’s Picks

Denver Broncos (6-5) vs. Houston Texans (6-5)

Two of the more surprising teams in the NFL will square off when the Texans host the Broncos.

The Broncos are one of the hottest teams in the NFL, as the blue and orange are currently on a five-game winning streak and have forced 16 takeaways.

Denver should force CJ Stroud to make some mistakes and improve their win streak to six.

Prediction: Broncos 24, Texans 13

San Francisco 49ers (8-3) vs. Philadelphia Eagles (10-1)

A rematch of last year's NFC Championship is set up to be one of the best matchups of Week 13.

The 49ers are coming off a dominant performance on Thursday, while the Eagles had a challenging game on Sunday against the Bills that required overtime to decide a winner.

With the 49ers a little more rested, they will avenge last year's defeat and upset the Eagles in Philadelphia.

Prediction: 49ers 28, Eagles 17

Seattle Seahawks (6-5) vs. Dallas Cowboys (8-3)

It was a tale of two performances for both sides on Thanksgiving.

The Cowboys dominated the Commanders, defeating them by a score of 45-10, while the Seahawks were dominated by the 49ers losing 31-13.

The Cowboys' explosive offense should give the Seahawks fits, leading to a comfortable victory for the blue and white.

Prediction: Cowboys 34, Seahawks 13

Detroit Lions (8-3) vs. New Orleans Saints (5-6)

After coming off crucial division losses in Week 12, the Lions and Saints are looking to bounce back in Week 13.

The Saints gave up 228 yards on the ground to the Falcons and now face the two-headed Lions rushing attack of David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs.

The Lions should dominate the ground and comfortably defeat the Saints.

Prediction: Lions 27, Saints 10

Jacob’s Picks

Arizona Cardinals (2-10) vs. Pittsburgh Steelers (7-4)

Every season, the Steelers have at least one game that should be an easy win but ends up being a brutal loss.

I think that Kyler Murray can win any game regardless of who they’re facing or who he’s throwing to.

Prediction: Cardinals 17, Steelers 10

Kansas City Chiefs (8-3) vs. Green Bay Packers (5-6)

Jordan Love played the best game of his career on Thanksgiving, and the Packers might have another franchise quarterback on their hands.

Unfortunately for them, they face the Chiefs this week, and it’s almost impossible to pick against a team led by Mahomes.

Prediction: Chiefs 31, Packers 20

Atlanta Falcons (5-6) vs. New York Jets (4-7)

New York’s defense deserves credit for their team's early success, but it’s challenging to win games when an offense is this bad.

Bijan Robinson has recorded two consecutive games with over 90 rushing yards, and Arthur Smith is finally utilizing the generational talent that the Falcons have at their disposal.

I would not be shocked by another terrible outing from the Jets offense.

Prediction: Falcons 20, Jets 12

Indianapolis Colts (6-5) vs. Tennessee Titans (4-7)

For Tennessee, this season is all about developing their rookie quarterback, Will Levis, but for Indianapolis, they are still competing for a wildcard spot in the AFC.

The Colts will likely be without Jonathan Taylor, who suffered a thumb injury in last week's game, but even without him, the Colts are a much better team than the Titans.

Prediction: Colts 24, Titans 18

Carolina Panthers (1-10) vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-7)

Fortunately for Panthers fans, this season is almost over, so they won’t have to suffer and watch this team anymore.

This is a relatively easy pick as I don’t think the Panthers’ offense can operate against a single defense in this league, especially not the solid Tampa Bay defense.

Prediction: Buccaneers 24, Panthers 7

John’s Picks

Miami Dolphins (8-3) vs. Washington Commanders (4-8)

The Dolphins continue to hold their spot as a top team in the AFC, and they should continue improving their record with a convincing win over the Commanders.

Washington has lost five out of their last six games and has been lackluster on both ends of the ball, especially on the defensive end, after losing defensive ends Montez Sweat and Chase Young at the trade deadline.

Washington has solid offensive pieces with their quarterback, Sam Howell, who currently leads the NFL in passing yards, and Pro Bowl wide receiver, Terry McLaurin. Still, the Dolphins will eventually overwhelm a weak Commander's secondary on their way to victory.

Prediction: Dolphins 35, Commanders 14

Cincinnati Bengals (5-6) vs. Jacksonville Jaguars (8-3)

The Bengals have had plenty of ups and downs so far this season but with the heart of their offense in Joe Burrow being out for the season with a torn ligament in his wrist against the Ravens and Tee Higgins still out with his hamstring injury, this AFC matchup isn't at full strength.

The Jaguars are coming off a close win against the Texans last week and should carry that same momentum this week after beating a playoff team on a hot streak.

They have a very balanced offensive attack between running back Travis Etienne Jr. and playmakers at wide receiver with Christian Kirk and Calvin Ridley, and Cincinnati will struggle to return fire.

Prediction: Jaguars 24, Bengals 10

Los Angeles Chargers (4-7) versus New England Patriots (2-9)

The Chargers this season underachieved in many people's opinions, with a star-studded offense and defense in name that, on paper, had them as contenders but simply could not execute.

Despite the disappointing season, they are going up against one of the few teams that are struggling more in the Patriots, who, at this point, are a lock for a top-three pick in this year's draft.

New England had numerous additions to the offense this offseason, running back Ezekiel Elliot and tight end Mike Gesicki. Still, between the poor quarterback play and an offensive line filled with holes, they've struggled to get down the field all season.

The Chargers will overwhelm the Patriots by simply being the better team overall.

Prediction: Chargers 27, Patriots 9

Cleveland Browns (7-4) versus Los Angeles Rams (5-6)

Despite Deshaun Watson's disappointing season between performance and injury, the Browns have remained a solid offense with one of the best defenses in the NFL.

The Rams have been consistent all season long. Still, with their roster getting older, their stars quarterback Matthew Stafford and defensive lineman Aaron Donald are on the tail end of their careers. Losing key pieces such as Jalen Ramsey last offseason has lowered their ceiling considerably.

Los Angeles has some promising young players with wide receiver Puka Nacua, who leads all rookies in receiving yards but lacks the overall roster to compete with a fairly complete Browns team.

Prediction: Browns 18, Rams 10

Ben Palillo is a fourth-year student majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, please email bgp5079@psu.edu.

Jacob Zacharia is a first-year student majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, please email jjz5612@psu.edu.

John Maldonado is a first-year student majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, please email jim6132@psu.edu