Bills @ Patriots
To start us off, we have the Bills visiting Gillette Stadium to take on the Patriots. The Thursday Night games this season have been under par to say the least. However, this game has the potential to be a good one, within reason. The Bills are 0-2 against their own division and are looking to get a much-needed divisional win on the road. With the AFC East having the possibility of sending all four teams to the playoffs, these divisional games are even more crucial. In the end, the Bills’ high flying offence should be too much for the Patriots to keep up with. Even though the Patriots defence is regarded as one of the best in the league, Josh Allen should be leading his team to a big road victory in Primetime.
Broncos @ Ravens
Coming into the season, the Broncos were slated to be Super Bowl contenders with the blockbuster trade to acquire Russell Wilson. Now, well beyond the halfway point, the Broncos are in the bottom five in the league. To add insult to injury, Denver does not own their first-round pick, which was sent to Seattle as part of the Wilson deal. It is a disastrous season for the Broncos, and with the Ravens finally getting healthy in the back end of the season, all signs point towards the Ravens continuing a strong season and a push for a seventh AFC North Title.
Packers @ Bears
The talk of the second half of the season so far has been the Justin Fields coming out party. However, within his run of dominance, the Bears have failed to register a victory. Writing this after Week Eleven, Fields has looked incredible, but the Bears have lost four straight ones. On the other hand, Green Bay has not been up to their usual standard this year. However, with the recent chemistry of Rodgers and rookie Christian Watson, their offence has looked more alive as of late. I am going to go with history with this pick and say that Rodgers will continue to “own” the Bears. It may be a closer game than we expect, but the Packers will continue their dominance.
Jets @ Vikings
It’s safe to say that it has been a surprising season for both the Vikings and the Jets. The Vikings have a good team on paper, but this season the offense has looked incredible with new head coach O’Connell. However, they are playing a top defence in the Jets, and Sauce Gardner has been locking down top WRs all season. The matchup between Sauce and Jefferson will be one to watch all game and will be a very big deciding factor. If the Jets’ defence can smother the Vikings offence like the Cowboys did to them in Week Eleven, the Jets have a real chance in this game. However, the Jets’ offence is going to need to muster up some points and help their prolific defence. With the inconsistencies from Zach Wilson and company, the Vikings are truly the safest bet.
Titans @ Eagles
It’s the AJ Brown revenge game. After a blockbuster trade on draft day that saw AJ Brown get traded for picks to the Eagles, he now plays his old team in his new home stadium seven months later. The Eagles are one of the top teams in the NFL season, sporting an NFL best 9-1 record. Although people have been whispering that they haven’t played many top teams, the Titans should be exactly what the fans have wanted to see. After a slow start to the season, the Titans have turned it on in the past few games and are looking to add to their AFC South lead. The Titans are sporting one of the best interior defences in the league led by Jeffrey Simmons, and playing a run heavy and very strong Eagles offensive line. The battle in the trenches this Sunday should be one to watch. However, the Eagles will expectedly continue their great season with a big home win over the Titans.
Dolphins @ 49ers
This is one of the games that kicks off an amazing afternoon window for Week Thirteen. In my opinion, two of the top teams from each conference are colliding for a late season clash. The Dolphins have lived up to expectations after acquiring superstar WR Tyreek Hill to round out one of the best WR duos in the league this season, along with second year man Jaylen Waddle. On the other side, the 49ers are just as star heavy on offence with newly acquired Christian McCaffery, alongside Deebo Samuel and George Kittle. However, this game will be a battle of the defences, as these two offences can’t seem to be stopped. I believe the 49ers have a leg up on the defensive side and that will be crucial in this star-studded matchup.
Seahawks @ Rams
Two of the biggest surprises of the season were the fall of the LA Rams and the rise of the Russell Wilson-less Seahawks. Geno Smith has stepped up and taken advantage of an interesting situation. The Rams have had some injuries that held back the team, more noticeable now that we’re hearing that last year’s OPOY and Super Bowl MVP will be out for the rest of the regular season. With all these injuries and the football gods seeming to be on the Seahawks’ side all season, Geno Smith will lead his team to another huge victory. This will bring them that much closer to a possible NFC South title and playoff berth in their first year without former franchise QB Russell Wilson.
Chiefs @ Bengals
This is a rematch of last year’s AFC Championship. On paper this looks like it could be the highest scoring matchup on the slate. With two explosive offences and secondaries that have been lackluster of late, I expect there to be fireworks. Bengals superstar WR Ja’Maar Chase should be rounding into form by Week Thirteen from a hip injury sustained earlier in the season and this is a key matchup to watch. Last year in an epic Week Seventeen showdown between these teams, Chase exploded for 266 yards and three touchdowns. On the Chiefs side, I also expect Patrick Mahomes to heavily rely on start TE Travis Kelce in this soft matchup. Most teams would be reluctant to get into a shootout with the Chiefs’ high powered offence, but the Bengals have the weapons necessary. The Chiefs should come away with this one in what should be a very close game that might come down to the final play.
Chargers @ Raiders
This is an easy one to discuss. The Raiders have had an abysmal season and the Chargers are finally getting healthy after the injury bug was alive and well in their locker room. Finally getting top targets Keenan Allen and Mike Williams back, with emerging receivers like Palmer and Carter, they are now due for a great ending to the season. Derek Carr has been nothing but average this season, even with the acquisition of Devante Adams this offseason. Look for the Chargers to gain a huge momentum boost in a big win over the Raiders.
Colts @ Cowboys
The Colts started off the season abysmally. However, ever since bringing in new Head Coach Jeff Saturday, the team has started to look how everyone thought they would. They are running the ball with star RB Jonathan Taylor and their defence has taken leaps in shutting down the opposition, specifically in the secondary. On the Cowboys side, what is not to like? They have a stout defence that has created nothing but problems for opposing offences and a healthy Dak Prescott with one of the dynamic RB duos in the league with Ezekeil Elliot and Tony Pollard. Most importantly, the Cowboys have one of the best offensive lines in football that can give Dak time to move the ball down field against a tough Colts defence. I also expect the strong Cowboys defence to create issues for aging QB Matt Ryan and a Colts offensive line that underwhelmed. While I do not expect this game to be high scoring, look for the Cowboys to get ahead early and run the ball in the second half, on the way to a big victory on Sunday night.
