NFL Game Picks: Week 13

posted December 2, 2022 in CommRadio, Sports by CommRadio Staff

After Thanksgiving is when things really start to heat up in the NFL, and this week’s schedule is a prime example of that.

Week 13 has you covered in all time slots with huge games, you won’t want to look away. With that being said, here are our staff’s predictions of how things will shake out this week.

Jameson’s Picks

Buffalo Bills (8-3) @ New England Patriots (6-5) (Thursday 8:15 p.m.)

Both squads played tightly contested games on Thanksgiving, but the Bills came out on top and the Patriots failed to do so, albeit against a much tougher opponent.

The later in the season the more coaching matters, and I will always take Belichick in that battle.

My Pick: Bills 20, Patriots 24

Washington Commanders (7-5) @ New York Giants (7-4) (Sunday 1 p.m.)

As it stands, both of these teams would be in the playoffs if the season ended today, something not many can say they saw coming.

I think these teams will split this series, and Washington is better on the road, give me Heinickie to continue his magic.

My Pick: Commanders: 27, Giants 20

Kansas City Chiefs (9-2) @ Cincinnati Bengals (7-4) (Sunday 4:25 p.m.)

Both of these teams seem to have found their groove, and it is an absolutely massive game for the standings in the AFC.

The return of Ja’Marr Chase will certainly help, but I see Mahomes’ unbeaten streak in December continuing, getting some revenge on the Bengals.

My Pick: Chiefs 34, Bengals 30

Indianapolis Colts (4-7-1) @ Dallas Cowboys (8-3) (Sunday 8:20 p.m.)

Head Coach Jeff Saturday got his first dose of how hard this coaching thing really is in a loss to the Steelers on Monday night, having poor clock management that led to a missed opportunity.

With the way the Colts can run the ball, they can hang with anyone, but the Cowboys have a severe rest advantage in this one and are absolutely rolling right now.

My Pick: Colts 17, Cowboys 30

Matt’s Picks

Pittsburgh Steelers (4-7) @ Atlanta Falcons (5-7) (Sunday 1 p.m.)

While both of these teams are having a season they would want to forget, someone must win. The Steelers head to Atlanta to battle the Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium .

The Steelers are coming off a huge win on Monday Night Football over the Colts. TJ Watt is a difference maker for this Steelers defense as he shined. 
The Falcons have blown three of their last four losses late in the 4th quarter. While they aren’t out of the picture yet in an underperforming NFC South, this is a must win at home.

My Pick: Steelers 21, Falcons 17

Jacksonville Jaguars (4-7) @ Detroit Lions (4-7) (Sunday 1 p.m.)

Both of these teams had the worst records in the NFL last season, but both have improved significantly. The Lions host the Jaguars in an entertaining matchup in Motown.

The Jaguars are coming off a dicey victory over the Ravens on the road. Kudos to Doug Pederson going for two and the win at home for the fans to erupt.

The Lions could have used that win over the Bills, but they can still make things very interesting and keep things on track with a win.

My Pick: Lions 28, Jaguars 27

New York Jets (7-4) @ Minnesota Vikings (9-2) (Sunday 1 p.m.)

These teams just want to keep winning to secure spots. Minnesota may have the division locked down, but the Jets want to win out as much as they can. The Vikings host the Jets in Minnesota.

While the Jets have found magic once again with Mike White, the Jets only way to win this weekend is to keep up with the Vikings electric offense.

The Minnesota offense is one of the best in the league, if they can contain a young hot Jets offense, they will be in good hands.

My Pick: Vikings 31, Jets 24

Miami Dolphins (8-3) @ San Francisco 49ers (7-4) (Sunday 4:05 p.m.)

Undoubtedly the game of the week in the NFL this week. A highly anticipated matchup with two electric offenses The Niners host the Dolphins in Santa Clara

There is no doubt Miami is one of the strongest teams in not only the AFC but in the NFL. If the Dolphins can make it look easy on the Niners defense they should be in good hands.

The 49ers defense is probably the best in the league. 0 points allowed in the second half of their last 4 games. If they can contain Miami’s offense and find scoring they will get it done.

My Pick:  49ers 27, Miami Dolphins 24

Jonathan’s Picks

Seattle Seahawks (6-5) @ Los Angeles Rams (3-8) (Sunday 4:05 p.m.)

The Rams have lost five in a row and are merely a shell of the team that won it all last year. Adding to their struggles, they will be without Aaron Donald, Cooper Kupp, Matthew Staffird, and Allen Robinson III in this one.

The Seahawks are coming off their second straight loss, losing 40-34 to the Raiders last week in  a shootout that went into overtime. They should easily right the ship this week and stay in the race for the NFC West.

My Prediction: Seahawks 27, Rams 10

Los Angeles Chargers (6-5) @ Las Vegas Raiders (4-7) (Sunday 4:25 p.m.)

Both the Chargers and the Raiders are coming off of narrow, hard fought wins on the road last week.

While both offenses have some serious firepower, the Chargers’ defense has been better this season and should give them the edge in this one.

My Prediction: Chargers 34, Raiders 27

New Orleans Saints (4-8) @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers (5-6) (Monday 8:15 p.m.)

While the Saints have given Tom Brady and the Buccaneers some trouble since Brady joined the Bucs in 2020, they haven’t quite been able to figure it out this season. They are coming off a demoralizing shutout loss to the 49ers and face another stout defense this week.

The Buccaneers are also coming off a loss, losing 23-17 to the Browns in overtime. They should bounce back against an injury riddled Saints team and stay atop the NFC South.

My Prediction: Buccaneers 27, Saints 10

Rob’s Picks

Green Bay Packers (4-8) @ Chicago Bears (3-9) (Sunday 1 p.m.)

The Packers are coming off a Sunday night loss where Aaron Rodgers had to exit the game due to injury. As for the Bears they were without emerging star QB Justin Fields and got dominated by the Jets and Mike White.

I expect both teams to have their starting QB’s back this week and in the end, I’ll give the edge to the Bears owner himself, Aaron Rodgers who hopes to make a push at the playoffs.

My Pick: Packers 31, Bears 23

Tennessee Titans (7-4) @ Philadelphia Eagles (10-1) (Sunday 1 p.m.)

The Titans are coming off a tough loss to the Cincinnati Bengals this past Sunday while the Eagles won on Sunday Night.

The Eagles seem to be getting themselves into a lot of close games recently that they find a way to win but I don’t think this is the case here.

Derrick Henry should have himself a day vs an Eagles run defense that struggled last week vs the Packers and I think the Titans defense does just enough to get the job done.

My Pick: Titans 34, Eagles 24

Denver Broncos (3-8) @ Baltimore Ravens (7-4) (Sunday 1 p.m.)

The Broncos rode to another L last week vs the Carolina Panthers while the Ravens blew yet another fourth quarter lead, this time to the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Russell Wilson simply doesn’t have his A game this year and that won’t cut it vs a solid Baltimore team that is trying to make a push to win their division.

My Pick: Broncos 9, Ravens 26

Cleveland Browns (4-7) @ Houston Texans (1-9-1) (Sunday 1 p.m.)

The Browns are coming off an exciting and momentum building overtime win vs the Tampa Bay Buccaneers unlike the Texans who got blown out by the Miami Dolphins.

This game is shaping up to be not only Deshaun Watson’s return to the NFL but also his return to Houston, yet I expect Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt to do their thing on the ground and the Browns defense to keep Houston in check.

My Pick: Browns 27, Texans  10

Jameson Kramer is a fourth-year student majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, email jek5650@psu.edu.

Matt Cabram is a third-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, email
mwc5817@psu.edu.

Jonathan Hartley is a second-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, email jdh6293@psu.edu.

Rob Cardini is a second-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, email rvc5706@psu.edu.