The Bills smoked the Patriots last year in the AFC playoffs and this time around, Pats quarterback Mac Jones will look to atone for that terrible game last January. The Bills have been struggling in recent weeks while New England has been up and down throughout the season. They did sweep the New York Jets this season and at at the same time, the Bills recently lost a close one to the Jets.
These two teams know each other very well, so it's just a matter of minimizing any mistakes. The Bills should get the win as they have the better offense, but the Patriots defense will be looking to get after Buffalo QB Josh Allen. Meanwhile, the Pats offense will look to take advantage of no Von Miller (knee injury) for the Bills defense with their mixed attack. Jones not turning the football over will be the key if the Patriots are going to pull out a win in this game.
This Sunday, the New York Giants (7-4) will host the Washington Commanders (7-5) in a huge NFC East battle. The Commanders have been one of the hottest teams in the NFL in recent weeks while the Giants have been floundering after their surprising 6-1 start. This game could go either way, but the way the Commanders defense has been stepping up should be the difference, especially if they shut down running back Saquon Barkley and force QB Daniel Jones to air it out.
The other New York team plays a big road game this weekend in Minnesota. The Jets (7-4) are coming off a blowout win against the Chicago Bears last week and will face a much tougher challenge with the Vikings (9-2), who knocked off the Patriots on Thanksgiving Day. Keep in mind the Patriots swept the Jets this season already. But the Vikes defense is suspect and if Jets QB Mike White has any kind of success like he did last Sunday, the Jets could win this game. The Vikings high powered offense will definitely challenge the Jets tenacious defense. Look for this one to come down to the final possession.
The NFL's best team (record wise) this season is the Philadelphia Eagles (10-1) and they will be at home against the Tennessee Titans (7-4), who dropped a close game last week against Cincinnati. The Eagles are flying high and hung 40 points on Green Bay in the win last week. The Titans are a ground and pound type team, but RB Derrick Henry has to get it going again as he has been limited in the last couple games. The Eagles defense has struggled against the run, so that will be something to watch. Philadelphia is due for a let down game, but with games against the Giants and Cowboys looming, they cannot let their guard down.
Two games that start later in the afternoon include the Miami Dolphins (8-3) at the San Francisco 49ers (7-4) and the Kansas City Chiefs (9-2) at the Cincinnati Bengals (7-4). Both games can be called toss ups, so starting with the game in San Francisco, this one should be a great one.
Both the Dolphins and 49ers are on a roll. Miami has won five straight and the 'Niners have won four in a row, including a shut out against the New Orleans Saints last weekend. The Dolphins have the high flying passing game with QB Tua Tagovailoa and speedy wide receivers Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle, who could shatter the record setting tandem of the Marks brothers (Clayton and Duper along with QB Dan Marino) of Dolphins fame from the 1980s.
But San Francisco's defense will not be daunted. The 49ers will look to QB Jimmy Garoppolo to lead their versatile offense featuring all everything weapons Deebo Samuel and Christian McCaffrey against a suspect Miami defense that does give up big plays. The 49ers should prevail in what could be a lower scoring game, but don't disregard Tagovailoa as he has been on a magic carpet ride this season.
The Chiefs and the Bengals played two memorable games last year, including the AFC Championship Game in Kansas City where the Bengals overcame a big deficit and beat the Chiefs, 27-24 in overtime. Kansas City QB Patrick Mahomes had some rare gaffes in that loss while Bengals QB Joe Burrow pulled it off and got his team to the Super Bowl. This time around, expect much more of the same in Cincy. These two teams can score points and it is very possible they both will top 30 points in this one. The Bengals defense is gaining confidence and if they can take away the Chiefs running game, they should win this one. But it might take overtime.
As for the rest of the games, here is the capsule style break down for each one, followed by the Heftyinfo predictions for all fifteen games.
Pittsburgh (4-7) at Atlanta (5-7) - The Falcons need this one to keep pace with Tampa Bay in the NFC South race. The Steelers are just playing out the string, but want to avoid having a losing season.
Green Bay (4-8) at Chicago (3-9) - Who would have thought the once mighty Packers would be on the verge of elimination from the playoff picture in early December? But the Bears are abysmal and injury depleted, so take the Packers.
Jacksonville (4-7) at Detroit (4-7) - The battle of the big cats. Take the Lions in a close one.
Denver (3-8) at Baltimore (7-4) - The Broncos are reeling and need to play a perfect game to win this one, but if Lamar Jackson doesn't play for the Ravens in this one, call it a toss up.
Cleveland (4-7) at Houston (1-9-1) - The only interesting thing about this game is the debut of maligned Browns QB Deshaun Watson, who hasn't taken a snap in nearly two years.
Seattle (6-5) at L.A. Rams (3-8) - The Seahawks should win this game, but they have struggled after winning four in a row. The Rams are a mess.
L.A. Chargers (6-5) at Las Vegas (4-7) - Can the Chargers make it two in a row and stay in the hunt for a playoff spot? Not if the Raiders have anything to say about it.
Indianapolis (4-7-1) at Dallas (8-3) - Cowboys roll !
New Orleans (4-8) at Tampa Bay (5-6) - The Saints are on life support as far as a post-season spot in concerned. The Buccaneers have been inconsistent all season long. Toss up here in the Monday night game.
The Heftyinfo picks for Week Thirteen . . . . . . . . . . . . (Home teams are listed in bold; Lock of the Week is listed in BOLD CAPS)
Buffalo over New England
Washington over N.Y. Giants
Pittsburgh over Atlanta
Green Bay over Chicago
Detroit over Jacksonville
Minnesota over N.Y. Jets
Philadelphia over Tennessee
Baltimore over Denver
Cleveland over Houston
Seattle over L.A. Rams
San Francisco over Miami
Cincinnati over Kansas City
L.A. Chargers over Las Vegas
DALLAS over Indianapolis
Tampa Bay over New Orleans
Last Week's Record - 10-6
SEASON RECORD - 109-70-1
Lock of the Week Record - 10-2
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