Saturday, November 29, 2008

TD's Official NFL Picks - Week 13

Five weeks remain. In the past few, we've seen the resurgence of the likes of Indy and Dallas. Not to mention Cassel's back to back 400+ games. We see that Arizona may play spoiler, if any role in the playoffs, since they can't seem to win against good teams. The NFC Norse division keeps battling - well, all except for the Lie Downs. Is there any question that the NFC East is the best division in football? The only people that might question are those in the AFC East. Every team in both eastern divisions is now above .500.

Now, for the picks...

San Francisco @ Buffalo
Apart from the Cardinals, I don't think I can pick another NFC West team to win again. Unless they're playing each other. And even then, who knows? Buffalo beat the hell out of a bad KC team. And I think Trent can lead them to beat the hell out of a bad 49ers team. That's why I picked him up this week for my fantasy team. TD chooses: Buffalo Bills

Baltimore @ Cincinnati
I've heard many people say over the past few years that Cincy best beware the karma to be repaid. Methinks that karma has settled sqarely over these Bagels. The Ravens, however, are fighting for something. They're playoff hopes are alive and well. TD chooses: Baltimore Ravens

Indianapolis @ Cleveland
As stated in the preface, Indy's coming about. And that's not a team anyone wants to face on fire. Cleveland needs to play for pride at this point. And perhaps to save their coach's job. If they want to do so. TD chooses: Indianapolis Colts

Carolina @ Green Bay
Green Bay in its last outing was blown to proverbial smithereens by the pass happy Saints. But Carolina's certainly not the Saints. They are a more balanced team with less of the aerial attack. Does this mean Green Bay can keep up? Better than last week. And the Pack has just as good a shot at winning the Norse as the Vikings or Bears. Still, I think the Panthers are up for the challenge. TD chooses: Carolina Panthers

Miami @ St. Louis
I was rooting for the Dolphins against New England. I and everyone else who isn't a Pats fan. I was hopeful as they traded point leads. But Miami just wasn't strong enough to overcome Cassel's arm. Miami's a good team. They're just not there yet. As for St. Louis, see the 49ers @ Buffalo pick above. TD chooses: Miami Dolphins

New Orleans @ Tampa Bay
The Saints come off a drubbing of the Packers. Tampa has won three in a row. New Orleans has a scary passing attack, but their defense is terrible. Tampa has a satisfactory defensive attack and a shut down D. New Orleans won earlier this year 24-20. It really is a toss up. And in a difficult NFC both are fighting for the playoffs. TD chooses: New Orleans Saints

New York Football Giants @ Washington
First game of the year, Giants win 16-7. Not a convincing win, to be sure. But a win nonetheless. Washington has grown since then. An effective Jason Campbell. Portis healthy. Taylor who hasn't seemed to have lost a step at DE. But the Jints have grown too. They've proven that they can win without Jacobs. Without Plax. They're a deep and dangerous team. I think it'll be another dogfight, but TD chooses: New York Football Giants

Atlanta @ San Diego
If the football happened to bounce in a different direction, San Diego could easily be 8-4 right now and in control of the AFC West. As it is, they still have the ability to win the West at 4-7, which doesn't say much for the West. But they keep losing to scrappy teams that can put it together at the last minute. Atlanta's just as capable as Carolina, Indy, and Pittsburgh. Not to mention the fact that Turner makes a big return to the field where he backed up LT. This should be a good game. TD chooses: San Diego Chargers

Denver @ New York Jets
When people start talking about a dream Super Bowl - at least this year - they think the Manning Bowl or Jints-Jets. I've never seen the dream Super Bowl happen, to be honest. So, eh. As for this game, Denver is holding on for dear life to that first position in the AFC West. But they lost to Oakland. Oakland? Really? The Jets, meanwhile, have put together a five game winning streak that looks like it could become six. As long as they show up to play. TD chooses: New York Jets

Kansas City @ Oakland
Ugh. I mean, I know the teams have to play the games. The draft's at stake. And there's pride too. But these two? Ugh. Don't get me wrong. They're showing signs of life. Thigpen looks pretty good, but he's young. And Oakland beat Denver last week rather handily. It's better to see that than the mess that is Detroit. In this toss up TD chooses: Oakland Raiders

Chicago @ Minnesota
This could be the game of the week, except it isn't. Both teams at 6-5. Only one team from the Norse division will be going to the playoffs this year. Which of these will it be? Or could it be the Pack? Right, the game. The Bears and Vikes played a homerun derby tennis match earlier in the year. Back and forth, they kept scoring. 48-41. Not a typical score for these two teams that supposedly have strong defenses. This time around, I think there will be a lower score, and we'll see more from Peterson and Forte. Who wins the matchup between these two RBs? Tough call. TD chooses: Chicago Bears

Jacksonville @ Houston
Another klunker on Monday Night. Both 4-7. Both dead in the water in a division that includes Indy and Tennessee. And since they're rather evenly matched, I must make this one personal. Every time I've chosen Jacksonville this year - because I thought them better than their record - I've lost. Well, maybe not every time. I've picked Jacksonville seven times. They've lost four. Against the likes of the Ohio teams. Really? TD chooses: Houston Texans

PICK OF THE WEEK
New England @ Pittsburgh
Both are fighting for their playoff lives. New England can't afford to fall back much further in the wild card race. And Pittsburgh can't afford to leave this weekend behind tied for first in the AFC North. And yet, one team will fall - no I'm not accounting for a tie. All signs point to the Pats being the faller. Cassel hasn't faced the likes of the Pittsburgh D; I don't think he'll be having another 400+ yard day. And Pittsburgh just has a more balanced team. TD chooses: Pittsburgh Steelers

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