UTTQ Predictions: Week 13

It's already Week 13 in the 2011 NFL season. With the playoff picture starting to clear up (and the chance for several teams to clinch playoff berths this weekend), here are my picks for this week's games:

ATLANTA 38, HOUSTON 24
Houston could be in for some big trouble. They have already lost the perennial Matt Schaub, and his backup Matt Leinart (who didn't look too bad in his brief action against the Jags). TJ Yates will presumably be the signal-caller for the rest of the season, with Kellen Clemens and/or Jake Delhomme providing assistance when needed. Unfortunately, Yates faces a tough playoff-caliber opponent in the Falcons as his first test. I still think that Houston will make the playoffs, but they will need Yates to develop first to beat tough teams like Atlanta.


NEW YORK JETS 28, WASHINGTON 23
Washington got a surprising win against Seattle last week, with Rex Grossman seemingly returning to his old ways. But the Redskins face a new challenge against the Jets, a team that has suffered many highs and lows this season. Although they may not be Super Bowl bound anymore, they should be able to beat a team like the Redskins.

BALTIMORE 20, CLEVELAND 27
The old Browns face the new Browns in a classic AFC North rivalry game. The Ravens have been incredibly inconsistent all year and may not have the fortitude to endure a playoff run. But a game against Cleveland should be an easy win. Of course, anyone who has followed the Ravens this year knows that they have followed up tough wins with disappointing losses on the road against teams they should be able to beat. I'll go with the upset in this one.

DALLAS 28, ARIZONA 17
The 'Boys are riding a 4 game winning streak, and are looking to get back into the groove of things after two close games against the 'Skins and the 'Phins. The Cards may have found a new superstar in return man Patrick Peterson, but overall this team has struggled to compete. Dallas should be able to win this game easily.

GREEN BAY 31, NEW YORK GIANTS 38
The Packers are without a doubt the number one team in football, and their long Thanksgiving rest should give way to an impressive win over the sweltering Giants. However, something tells me I should be on upset alert for this one. The Giants have certainly disappointed, but let's not forget that no one expected them to even make an attempt at the playoffs this year. The Packers may have eaten a little too much turkey before this one.

ST. LOUIS 10, SAN FRANCISCO 42
The best meets the worst in the tumultuous NFC Western division. The 49ers are coming off against a tough loss to the Ravens and are looking to keep a dominant lead in the NFC. Meanwhile, the hapless Rams are on the verge of losing their head coach and perhaps another starting player in a very disappointing season. This one should be no contest.

DETROIT 24, NEW ORLEANS 38
The Saints are absolute beasts at home. After their most recent shellacking of the New York Giants, the Saints will look to continue their winning ways against the spiraling Lions. The loss of Ndamukong Suh is big both on and off the field, in that it will surely hamper the Lions D-line rush while also causing a distraction in the locker room. Questions about Schwartz's competence as head coach are sure to arise after letting the great start to the season get out of control.

SAN DIEGO 23, JACKSONVILLE 21
The second Jaguars Monday Night Football appearance features a pair of downtrodden franchises. The Jags have looked inept as usual, while the Chargers have been surprisingly sputtering as of late. Of course, the main storylines will focus on the recent turn of events in Jacksonville, from the firing of coach Jack Del Rio to the notion that Wayne Weaver will be selling the team. With so many distractions, it's hard to see the Jags winning this one. But the Chargers have also found ways to lose close games this year, and I think this one may be closer than most people imagine.