UTTQ Predictions: Week 13

With only about a month left in the season, most teams fates have been decided already. This week's Thursday night match up features a pair of teams that have disappointed this season.

PHILADELPHIA 24, SEATTLE 17
The now mathematically eliminated "Dream Team" comes into Seattle as one of the most disappointing teams of all-time. The Seahawks have also been mediocre following a 2010 season that saw them take the NFC West crown. With the recent news of Sidney Rice going on IR, this match up comes down to which team's skill players can be more impactful. Philly may be a bad team, but they still have a world of talent even without Mike Vick and Jeremy Maclin. It should be enough to get the "W", which don't seem to matter as much anymore.

TENNESSEE 27, BUFFALO 21
Similar to their 2008 edition, the Bills are in absolute free fall following their loss to the Jets on Sunday. Ryan Fitzpatrick just isn't anywhere near as impressive as he was earlier in the season and the loss of Fred Jackson is devastating. Did I also mention that CJ2K just had a huge 190 yrd effort against the Bucs this past week? Things don't look good for Buffalo again this week and one can only wonder where it all went wrong.

KANSAS CITY 14, CHICAGO 28
Lost in the shuffle of the Bears loss to the Raiders on Sunday is that Caleb Hanie actually wasn't that bad. After three early INTs, Hanie seemed to settle down and do a fine job apart from the huge brain fart on the final play. The Bears may be seeing old friend Kyle Orton on Sunday though he won't make a difference. The Chiefs are another team that was hot at one point this season but has fizzled as of late. Chicago gets back to its winning ways come Sunday.

OAKLAND 23, MIAMI 18
Speaking of team's being red hot, the Dolphins were on a three game win streak before losing on a last second Dan Bailey FG in Dallas on Thanksgiving. Reggie Bush seems to have found his niche in the Miami offense while Matt Moore is playing great football. However, the Raiders are a very confident team with Carson Palmer seeming to have found his groove. At this point, Oakland controls it's own destiny in the AFC West with Denver coming on hot. This game could easily go either way though I think that the experience of Palmer will lead the Silver and Black to victory.

DENVER 18, MINNESOTA 12
Tim Tebow is 5-1 as a starter this season. Let that soak in for a second. I have yet to buy into the Bronco's new option attack which has conquered the Jets, Chargers and Raiders in past weeks. That being said, I do think that Tebow and company get the win in Minnesota this weekend. Christian Ponder has performed well above expectations but without Adrian Peterson, the Vikings just don't have a very dynamic offense.

INDIANAPOLIS 10, NEW ENGLAND 35
The Colts have made the move from Curtis Painter who's 0-8 as a starter this season to Dan Orlovsky, who quarterbacked the 2008 Lions to an 0-16 record. Needless to say, things look great for the Pats this weekend.

CINCINNATI 20, PITTSBURGH 30
The last time these two teams met, the Bengals had plenty of chances to take the lead but couldn't. Cincinnati has struggled in the past couple weeks with losses to the aforementioned Steelers and Ravens and near loss last week against the hapless Browns. Much like Ponder, Andy Dalton has also been quite impressive to this point in the season with AJ Green attributing much to that success. On the other hand, Pittsburgh has quietly been one of the best teams in the AFC despite being swept by Baltimore this season. When it comes down to it, the Steelers beat Cincy in Cincy and they'll beat em in the 'Burg.

CAROLINA 21, TAMPA BAY 23
With a five game losing steak on their hands, the Bucs can't be having too much fun. On the other hand, despite a 3-8 record, the Panthers seem to be having lots of it. Cam Newton has been nothing short of marvelous thus far and if Carolina can improve their defense through the draft and free agency, 2012 will look mighty fine. Tampa is also looking forward to next season with injuries and subpar play having marred 2011. Another match up that could easily fall either way, I say the Bucs break their streak on a game-winning drive by Josh Freeman and crew.