NFL Picks 2012 - Week 13

So far this season, I haven't said anything about the NFL and I find that just plain unacceptable. I think most of it is fairly self-explanatory. Begrudging kudos to Robert Griffin III, begrudging credit to the Texans, credit due for the Atlanta Falcons, aka the Notre Dame Fighting Irish of the NFL.

What really irks me though is the idea that the Jacksonville Jaguars might retain Mike Mularkey even if Gene Smith is fired. WHAT?? Mularkey is just not cut out for the gig. He proved it in Buffalo and for all his nice words, he hasn't learnt anything in his second go around. He strikes me as someone who coaches scared. H was totally unwilling to give Blaine Gabbert the bit, either that or he failed to properly coach the kid that it was okay to take a chance. Either way, the principal reason he as brought in was to drag Gabbert kicking and screaming out of his comfort zone, something he categorically failed at. The fact that now Chad Henne has come out all guns blazing racking up the points and yardage is an indictment of Mularkey's inconsistency. it is no surprise given the shenanigans plainly evident with the unreliable Falcons offense prior to this year.

Couple his failure at the coaching level with his ludicrous preseason declaration that players who discussed their injuries with the media would be fined and you have a recipe for a guy who just doesn't get what being the head man in this era of football means. I don't have the belief that the Jaguars can move forward with this man as head coach and I'm not even sure why they hired him for that position in the first place.

Picks after the jump.

Week 13
Key: 
Home Team listed in CAPS
(*) = Line Differential


Saints (+3.5) at FALCONS
Panthers (-3) at CHIEFS
Jaguars (-6) at BILLS
Seahawks (+4) at BEARS
Colts (+4.5) at LIONS
Vikings (+8) at PACKERS
Texans (-6.5) at TITANS
49ers (-7.5) at RAMS
Patriots (-9) at DOLPHINS
Cardinals (+4.5) at JETS
Buccaneers (+7) at BRONCOS
Bengals (-1.5) at CHARGERS
Browns (+2.5) at RAIDERS
Steelers (+4) at RAVENS
Eagles (+10) at COWBOYS
Giants (-3) at REDSKINS

I liked the Falcons over the Saints because they just have a little bit extra this year, at home when they should've beaten this same team a few weeks ago. The Chiefs might be the worst team in football this year. Carolina finally has a groove and although not great themselves, should be able to handle KC even on the road. Six points is far too much to pass up given how well Chad Henne has played the last two weeks. Buffalo can be explosive but they are far from consistent. The Seahawks have just been horrendous on the road this year. With Cutler back and firing for Chicago, I think they handle Seattle with a minimum of fuss.

The Lions are in a freefall of sorts while the Colts have some decent mojo. Four and a half is a large spread even given the AFC-NFC disparity. I like the Colts in that spot, Ford Field won't scare them. I pick the Packers purely as a jinx every week. I hate the goddamn Packers . The Titans are a hard team to figure out. At home the spread looks juicy and they might be able to catch their division rival Houston sleeping the way the Jaguars did a few weeks back. Given that the Rams managed a tie on the road just a few weeks back, i think they have a chance to go one better and upset San Fran at home.

The Dolphins got super lucky a week ago against Seattle. I don't think it will hold against the Patriots who are on a roll right towards the Super Bowl at the moment. The Cardinals and the Jets are two horrible teams I wouldn't pay to watch. Four and a half is enough to make me want to pick the Cards, especially if mark Sanchez pulls a repeat of the hilarious butt fumble.The Broncos are pretty darn good unfortunately, but the Buccs are coming up on the rails themselves. This looks like it will be one of the best games of the week, plenty of offensive power on display. I like the Buccs to come close in defeat and cover. The Bengals have strung together a few nice wins but i still don't trust them going on the road across two time zones, even if they are up against Norv Turner.

While the Chargers have just about enough talent to suggest they could win, I have no similar faith in the Raiders. I'm wary of being suckered in by the Browns but on this occasion I think they might just pull one off. Even though the Steelers are still missing Roethlisberger, I still don't believe in Baltimore's ability to pull away from them. I like Pittsurgh plus four and always will as long as Joe Flacco is the Ravens QB. Ten points is far too much to give the Cowboys against anyone, especially a bitter rival like the Eagles. Philly has been fairly atrocious recently but I think they will be fired up for this game. RG3 has been having a nice go of it recently strutting his stuff but we are into December football now where the Giants excel and I think they will crush him on Monday Night.

Season to date:
Me: 86-85-3
Chris: 87-84-3