The Week 13 Picks

As Charles Barkley or Dennis Rodman would tell you, rebounding is the key to success. That concept was employed last week, as The Kid bounced back from a dismal 7-9 and 2-14 Week 11 by nailing 14 winners in Week 12 and putting up a 12-3-1 record against the spread. Think Armando Cuko, but on a much smaller scale.

One quick note before we move onto the picks. Those of you who know me had to know I would hit on the Michael Irvin story that broke this week. Irvin, one of my all-time “favorites,” was arrested for an outstanding speeding ticket in Plano, TX and a search of his vehicle turned up drug paraphernalia (which, of course, he claimed was not his). This, of course, was not Irvin’s first run in with the law. Some years back, he pleaded no contest to drug charges when he was found in a hotel room with hookers and dinner plates full of cocaine. Since then, Irvin has stayed relatively clean (loosely translated, he hasn’t been caught doing anything wrong) and appeared to have turned his life around. I guess not. The lesson? A leopard doesn’t change its spots. Maybe I shouldn’t take such pleasure in a guy being busted for drugs, but when that guy is Michael Irvin, somehow I find it justifiable. Maybe that’s just me. But then, I’m the guy who started the standing ovation when Irvin broke his neck on the Veterans Stadium turf, so I guess we’ve all got issues.

Anyway, here are the Week 13 picks.

The Match-up: Tampa Bay (-3.5) @ New Orleans
The Skinny: The Saints always seem to give the Bucs fits, but that’s due in large part to Deuce McAllister, who is on the shelf. Tampa needs this one to keep their playoff hopes alive.
Straight up: Tampa Bay
Against the Spread: Tampa Bay

The Match-up: Dallas (+3.0) @ New York Giants
The Skinny: The winner takes control of the NFC East – for now.
Straight up: New York Giants
Against the Spread: New York Giants

The Match-up: Green Bay (+7.0) @ Chicago
The Skinny: This season can’t end fast enough for the Packers.
Straight up: Chicago
Against the Spread: Chicago

The Match-up: Cincinnati (+3.5) @ Pittsburgh
The Skinny: Tough one to call, because Big Ben is nicked up (again) and will give it a try with a bruised thumb. If he struggles, so will the Steelers. But I’ll take a shot on them.
Straight up: Pittsburgh
Against the Spread: Pittsburgh

The Match-up: Jacksonville (-3.0) @ Cleveland
The Skinny: David Garrard is in at QB for the Jags, which should not hurt Jacksonville’s playoff run, at least not this week against the Browns.
Straight up: Jacksonville
Against the Spread: Jacksonville

The Match-up: Minnesota (-3.0) @ Detroit
The Skinny: Minnesota has been on a pretty good run lately, and Detroit is in turmoil after Steve Mariucci got axed this week. So why do I like the Lions in an upset?
Straight up: Detroit
Against the Spread: Detroit

The Match-up: Tennessee (+16.0) @ Indianapolis
The Skinny: When you’re 11-0 and chasing history, every week is a challenge, only at various degrees. Monday night against the Steelers was a tough one. This week against Tennessee? Not so much.
Straight up: Indianapolis
Against the Spread: Indianapolis

The Match-up: Atlanta (+3.0) @ Carolina
The Skinny: Interesting stat of the week #1 – Ron Mexico is 5-0 lifetime against the Carolina Panthers. Good enough for me.
Straight up: Atlanta
Against the Spread: Atlanta

The Match-up: Houston (+8.0) @ Baltimore
The Skinny: Before blowing a 21 point lead in the second half last week, the Texans looked pretty good. If they play like that for 60 minutes, they’ll beat Baltimore. They should, at the very least, give them a game.
Straight up: Baltimore
Against the Spread: Houston

The Match-up: Buffalo (+4.0) @ Miami
The Skinny: Very impressed by the Dolphins last week, hanging 33 on the Raiders in a big road win. Will the Fish keep it going against the Bills?
Straight up: Miami
Against the Spread: Miami

The Match-up: Arizona (-3.0) @ San Francisco
The Skinny: The QB carousel in San Fran is back to rookie Alex Smith. Right, because that worked well the first time around.
Straight up: Arizona
Against the Spread: Arizona

The Match-up: Washington (-3.0) @ St. Louis
The Skinny: Remember when the Redskins were 5-2 and talking about the playoffs? Now they’re 5-6 and fighting to stay out of the NFC East cellar. That’s why they say “NFL” stands for “Not For Long.”
Straight up: St. Louis
Against the Spread: St. Louis

The Match-up: New York Jets (+10.0) @ New England
The Skinny: You know, I don’t think the Jets are a very good football team. It only took me twelve weeks to figure that out.
Straight up: New England
Against the Spread: New England

The Match-up: Denver (-1.0) @ Kansas City
The Skinny: Interesting stat of the week #2 – Denver is 1-3 in their last 4 games at Arrowhead, and the Broncos are 1-13 all time in 14 December games in Kansas City. Again, good enough for me.
Straight up: Kansas City
Against the Spread: Kansas City

The Match-up: Oakland (+11.5) @ San Diego
The Skinny: LaDanian Tomlinson always torches Oakland.
Straight up: San Diego
Against the Spread: San Diego

The Match-up: Seattle (-4.0) @ Philadelphia
The Skinny: High emotions in Philly on Monday as the Eagles pay tribute to the late, great Reggie White. How can you bet against the Eagles when they’ve got #92 in their corner?
Straight up: Philadelphia
Against the Spread: Philadelphia