NFL - Week Thirteen Preview

The month of December is here and that means the 2017 NFL season is into the "home stretch" as Week Thirteen takes place this weekend.
The Seattle Seahawks (7-4) host the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday Night Football in what should be an exciting game. The Eagles (10-1) have won nine games in a row while the Seahawks have been sputtering of late with three of the four members of the famed "Legion of Boom" secondary in their defense missing games recently with injuries, including (cornerback) Richard Sherman and (safety) Kam Chancellor being out for the season.
Philadelphia leads the entire NFL in scoring while Seattle ranks ninth overall in points allowed, so something may have to give. But keep in mind the Eagles defense (190 points allowed) has given up less points this season than the Seahawks.
Minnesota plays Atlanta this Sunday in a huge NFC showdown. The Vikings (9-2) have been rolling (seven straight wins) while the resurgent Falcons (7-4) have won four of their last five games to get back into the thick of the NFC South race with both Carolina and New Orleans standing at 8-3 and facing each other in the Superdome on Sunday with first place at stake.
The Panthers have won four straight while the Saints just had their eight-game win streak snapped last week in s 26-20 loss to the Los Angeles Rams. It's always a great battle when quarterbacks Cam Newton and Drew Brees go head to head on the gridiron.
The Monday night game will have the Pittsburgh Steelers (9-2), winners of six in a row,  facing the host Cincinnati Bengals (5-6) as they look to increase their stranglehold on the AFC North division lead. The Bengals might have to win out to get a wild card spot in the AFC post-season.
The rest of the action can be seen below in the capsule style previews followed up by the Heftyinfo predictions for Week Thirteen.


Detroit (6-5) at Baltimore (6-5) - The Ravens defense will look to shut down the Lions attack in this key battle for two teams looking to gain a wild card in the playoffs.

New England (9-2) at Buffalo (6-5) - The Bills need to win this one to maintain momentum after snapping their three-game losing streak. The Patriots have won seven games in a row.

San Francisco (1-10) at Chicago (3-8) - The 49ers will have Jimmy Garoppolo starting at QB and he will face a decent Bears defense. Flip a coin in this one.

Tampa Bay (4-7) at Green Bay (5-6) - The Packers would like to win this one at home against a lackluster Buccaneers squad.

Indianapolis (3-8) at Jacksonville (7-4) - The Jaguars should win this one, but the Colts will not just roll over for them.

Denver (3-8) at Miami (4-7) - Dolphins QB Jay Cutler faces his old team in battle of crappy teams.

Kansas City (6-5) at NY Jets (4-7) - Is it time to panic in Kansas City?

Houston (4-7) at Tennessee (7-4) - Titans should roll in this one . . . The Texans are awful.

Cleveland (0-11) at LA Chargers (5-6) - The surging Chargers are on a big time roll, but keep in mind they were the only team to lose to the Browns last season. Not this time !

LA Rams (8-3) at Arizona (5-6) - Just going on a hunch and picking the Cardinals at home in this game.

NY Giants (2-9) at Oakland (5-6) - No Eli Manning starting at QB for the Giants for the first time since 2004 season.  Doesn't matter because the Raiders should crush them.



Heftyinfo picks for Week Thirteen . . . . .    (Home teams are listed in bold; Lock of the Week is listed in BOLD CAPS)

Dallas over Washington
Atlanta over Minnesota
Baltimore over Detroit
New England over Buffalo
Chicago over San Francisco
Green Bay over Tampa Bay
Jacksonville over Indianapolis
Miami over Denver
New Orleans over Carolina
Kansas City over NY Jets 
Tennessee over Houston
LA CHARGERS over Cleveland
Arizona over LA Rams
Oakland over NY Giants
Seattle over Philadelphia
Pittsburgh over Cincinnati  

Last Week's Record -  14-2

SEASON RECORD -  119-57

Lock of the Week Record -  10-2