The New Orleans Saints face off against the Miami Dolphins in South Beach this Thanksgiving weekend. The last time the Saints played in Miami, they had the very best of memories, but this a very different era. So, hopefully the Saints won’t get carved up like the Thanksgiving turkey, especially after last week’s performance. Let’s take a look at this and all of the NFL action in Week 13.
Last week I went 10-4
I told you so: Bears over Steelers!
What do I know: Saints over Falcons?
Thursday, November 27th - Thanksgiving Day
Early Game - First Plate
Packers(7-3-1) at Lions(7-4)
This NFC North showdown kicks off the Thanksgiving holiday in a big way, as Green Bay and Detroit are surprisingly fighting to keep pace with Chicago for the lead in the division. This game will be a battle all the way through, but Detroit will avenge their Week 1 loss at Lambeau here in the end. Detroit wins 24-23.
Pick: Lions
Late Game - Second Plate
Chiefs(6-5) at Cowboys(5-5-1)
Both teams are coming into this one off of massive last-second victories against a pair of the NFL’s best. Now they will once again find themselves in a game that comes down to a game-winning field goal, and it will be KC that pulls it out again. Kansas City wins 23-20.
Pick: Chiefs
Primetime Game - Dessert
Bengals(3-8) at Ravens(6-5)
The Thanksgiving nightcap will be just as close as the first two games, but will have even more offensive explosion, or defensive implosion, depending on how you look at it. Cincy will be thankful for a massive boost from the return of Joe Burrow, but Lamar Jackson gets the home win in the end. Baltimore wins 38-36.
Pick: Ravens
Friday, November 28th - Black Friday NFL Special
Bears(8-3) at Eagles(8-3) - Game of the Week
Chicago has been one of the biggest surprises in the NFC so far, but this week starts a brutal stretch to end the season, with only one game remaining against a losing team in their final six. Philly is coming into this showdown fresh off a disappointing collapse in Dallas. If Philly hopes to keep pace with the Rams atop the NFC, they have to win this one at home. This will be another razor-close game to close out the holiday, and Philly finds a way, where they didn’t a week prior. Philadelphia wins 24-23.
Pick: Eagles
Sunday, November 30th - Early Games
Rams(9-2) at Panthers(6-5)
After four great matchups to start Week 13, we get our first lopsided game, as LA easily smacks around another NFC South opponent, as they keep a tight grip on the top seed in the NFC. Los Angeles wins 34-10.
Pick: Rams
49ers(7-4) at Browns(3-8)
San Francisco needs a win to keep pace with Seattle for second in the NFC West, and they will easily get it in Cleveland. San Francisco wins 24-10.
Pick: 49ers
Texans(6-5) at Colts(8-3)
Indy let a tremendous opportunity slip through their fingers in Kansas City last week, and now their lead in the AFC South is beginning to shrink. Houston is on a hot streak and hot on the Colts’ heels, along with the Jags. This divisional showdown will be a close one, but Indy finds a way at home. Indianapolis wins 26-24.
Pick: Colts
Falcons(4-7) at Jets(2-9)
***UPSET ALERT*** The Jets will dominate at home in their most complete performance of the season, against a hobbled Atlanta team without their starting quarterback, Michael Penix Jr, and top wide receiver Drake London. The Jets will take advantage of those losses by giving Kirk Cousins a very long afternoon thanks to their pass rush, as well as punishing the Atlanta defense thanks to a punishing rushing attack. This one will get ugly. New York wins 37-12.
Pick: Jets
Cardinals(3-8) at Buccaneers(6-5)
Whether Baker Mayfield plays through his injury or Teddy Bridgewater gets the start at QB, this game will turn out to be much closer than it had any business being. Tampa Bay finds themselves lucky to be facing one of the NFC’s bottom four this week. Tampa Bay wins 24-21.
Pick: Buccaneers
Jaguars(7-4) at Titans(1-10)
Jacksonville finds themselves just a game behind Indy in the AFC South, and looks to keep pace with a win over the one-win Titans in Tennessee. Familiarity, home-field advantage, and divisional play will keep this one closer than it should be. Jacksonville wins 14-10.
Pick: Jaguars
Saints(2-9) at Dolphins(4-7)
Miami is on a two-game winning streak, thanks to a defense that is playing the best they have all season, facing the AFC and NFC runners-up from a season ago. Now they face a Saints team that is their easiest opponent in six weeks. Miami may not be good, even after winning back-to-back games, but they’re better than this year’s Saints. Miami wins 23-13.
Pick: Dolphins
Sunday, November 30th - Late Games
Vikings(4-7) at Seahawks(8-3)
Seattle stands a game behind LA and a game above San Francisco in a tough NFC West, and they will win this one a home to keep the pace. Seattle wins 30-21.
Pick: Seahawks
Raiders(2-9) at Chargers(7-4)
The Chargers are seeing their division title hopes fall further away, as Denver continues to soar, but they get just what they need, against a flatlining Vegas team that hasn’t looked good since Week 1. Los Angeles wins 24-13.
Pick: Chargers
Bills(7-4) at Steelers(6-5)
Buffalo and Pittsburgh have watched their leads in their respective divisions evaporate. Now both teams need to right the ship before they find themselves left out of the playoff race completely. Realistically, Buffalo is simply better, and they will show it in this crucial matchup. Buffalo wins 35-20.
Pick: Bills
Sunday Night Football
Broncos(9-2) at Commanders(3-8)
Denver has proven to be one of the NFL’s most impressive teams while Washington stands as arguably the most disappointing. Both teams will showcase why they are seen that way here in primetime. Denver wins 33-10.
Pick: Broncos
Monday, December 1st - Monday Night Football
Giants(2-10) at Patriots(10-2)
The Pats are one of the NFL’s best teams, while the Giants are one of the NFL’s worst. Enough said. New England wins 31-20.
Pick: Patriots
That’s how I see Week 13 going down. Can the Saints beat the Dolphins this Sunday? That would make this holiday something to be thankful for. Leave us your picks, comments, and insight below! Happy Thanksgiving, Who Dat Nation!