NFL 2014 Week 13 picks

This is the weekend that indicates the start of the home stretch of the NFL season -- Thanksgiving weekend.

Thanksgiving games
Strangely, all of the Thanksgiving Day games are divisional match-ups.

Chicago Bears at Detroit Lions:  A few years ago, when Detroit was playing poorly, there was talk about taking the Thanksgiving Game away from them.  Now the Lions are one of the top teams in the NFC.  They come into this game on a two-game losing streak, while the Bears, openly reviled earlier in the season, come in with a two-game winning streak.  Will each of them extend to three games?  As much as I love the Bears, I have to figure that the Lions will win this contest.  LIONS, 27-20

Philadelphia Eagles at Dallas Cowboys:  Dallas has a great history of winning on Thanksgiving Day, but the Eagles have the chance to put that in jeopardy.  The Eagles offense can't be stopped, but only slowed.  They may have slowed themselves, as Mark Sanchez is proving to hamper the effectiveness of that offense.  Combine that with the excellent year of DeMarco Murray, and the Cowboys have a chance to take the lead in the NFC East.  COWBOYS, 28-27

Seattle Seahawks at San Francisco 49ers:  NBC gains a Thanksgiving night game as these teams, both of whom have been disappointing at times during this season, face off for second place in the competitive NFC West.  Seattle usually plays worse at home than on the road, but recent weeks have seen some great road games.  The 49ers offense has been off recently, while the Seahawks seem to be finally on track.  Like the Seahawks' chances, but I will pick the home team.  49ERS, 20-17

Sunday early games
Carolina Panthers at Minnesota Vikings:  Teddy Bridgewater is improving, while the Panthers continue to struggle.  The Vikings are having a tough year, but I like their chances to win this one.  VIKINGS, 24-20

Cincinnati Bengals at Tampa Bay Bucs  Speaking of tough years, that describes the Bucs perfectly.  The Bengals have had an up and down, but his will be an "up" week.  BENGALS, 24-20

Cleveland Browns at Buffalo Bills:  This will be a close contest.  The difference might be Kyle Orton, the new Bills quarterback.  He has breathed life back into the team, and he's putting up good numbers.  Brian Hoyer started the season strongly, but he's been pedestrian lately.  BILLS, 21-20

New Orleans Saints at Pittsburgh Steelers:  The Saints are in freefall, while the Steelers had a bye week to prepare.  STEELERS, 26-23

New York Giants at Jacksonville Jaguars:  Hey, the Giants may have found an opponent they can beat!  The Jags have shown some life recently, even if they can't quite win, so it may be closer than Giants fans would like.  GIANTS, 23-20

Oakland Raiders at St Louis Rams:  The Raiders are finding some life, but the Rams are too good for them.  Both of them suffer on defense, but the Rams offense is functioning better.  RAMS, 24-20

San Diego Chargers at Baltimore Ravens:  The Ravens definitely have this one in the bag.  The Chargers may get a last minute touchdown to make the score look close, but the game won't be that close.  RAVENS, 24-21

Tennessee Titans at Houston Texans:  Houston can even their record with a victory here.  They should get it, as the Titans are in a state of disarray.  TEXANS, 24-17

Washington Redskins at Indianapolis Colts:  I would have picked the Colts regardless of the quarterback.  With Colt McCoy under center, this is a sure victory for Indy.  COLTS, 27-17

Sunday late games
Arizona Cardinals at Atlanta Falcons:  The Cards were shut down last week, so they have plenty of incentive to show off their offense.  With Atlanta's sputtering defense, they will get the chance.  CARDINALS, 24-20

New England Patriots at Green Bay Packers:  Expect an offensive explosion.  The Patriots defense is a little stronger than Green Bay's, but the game is at Lambeau.  This game could go either way, but I like how Belichick and company prepare for the mighty opponents.  I'll give a slight edge to the Patriots.  PATRIOTS, 31-27

Sunday night: Denver Broncos at Kansas City Chiefs:  The Chiefs have a good defense, but not quite good enough to hold back Peyton Manning and the Broncos.  It'll be a close game, though, which means the Broncos may force some plays.  If they commit a late turnover, the Chiefs could win, but I'll stick with the Broncos.  BRONCOS, 27-24

MONDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL:  Miami Dolphins at New York Jets:  Typically you can throw out the records when these two meet, as they get ultra-competitive.  However, Geno Smith is back under center.  Given his propensity for turnovers, and the Dolphins opportunistic defense, this game won't be close.  DOLPHINS, 27-13