2016 BBS Week 13 Pick 'Ems

(Nov. 19, 2016 - Source: Andy Lyons/Getty Images North America)

Lines are accurate as of Tuesday 9:00PM*

Thursday
Dallas Cowboys (-3.5) @ Minnesota Vikings
Niko: Minnesota’s offense is anemic (to put it kindly), and to keep it simple, the Cowboys’ certainly isn’t. Can’t see the Vikings keeping Dallas out of the mid-20s, and can’t see Minny getting there. The ‘Boys cover on the road. 

Pete: This has all the makings of a trap game for the Cowboys. They are rolling and probably feel pretty good about themselves. However, nobody plays well on Thursday Night Football and the 'Boys haven't played since Thanksgiving. The Vikings are a desperate team after looking like a Super Bowl favorite earlier in the season. Nonetheless, I think the Cowboys win on talent alone. Don't be surprised if this one is tight and ugly, but I think the Cowboys squeak this one out. 

Jordan: Look, I seriously doubt the Cowboys are going to go 15-1 this year, so get off the exhaust coming from the bandwagon. This will be a key test to what kind of team the Vikings are. After starting 5-0, they-re 1-5 since and lost possession of first in the NFC North. Will Bradford bounce back? Will the Vikings defense contain Zeke? Probably not. Cowboys cover.

Sunday
Kansas City Chiefs (+3.5) @ Atlanta Falcons
Niko: This is an interesting one. Classic offense (ATL) vs. defense (KC) showdown. I’ll take the home team and roll with the Falcons. Coin flip. 

Pete: The Chiefs really showed me something against the Broncos at Mile High last week. Justin Houston is the real deal and they have an AWESOME defense. The real question will be can the Chiefs keep up on offense, and I simply don't think they can. Falcons.

Jordan: After an impressive/lucky win vs. the Broncos last week at Mile High, the Chiefs have a lot of swag, especially on defense. It will be interesting to see if the Chiefs can sustain that against another tough opponent in Atlanta. I like their odds. Chiefs pull it out.

San Francisco 49ers (+2) @ Chicago Bears
Niko: Linebacker Danny Trevathan’s season ended on Sunday with an injury, adding another solid Chicago starter to the shelf. San Fran is bad, but played competitively Sunday at Miami. I’ll take the 49ers in a mini “upset” in Chicago. 

Pete: Talk about a suck-fest. I will roll with the Bears at home here.

Jordan: Gross. Bears because I hate Kaepernick.

Philadelphia Eagles (-1) @ Cincinnati Bengals
Niko: Sans AJ Green and Gio Bernard, Cincy’s offense lacks playmakers and becomes extremely manageable to game plan against for opposing defenses. Philly has been downright terrible on the road this season. Something has to give. I’ll take the Eagles, for the sole reason that they are easier to root for. 

Pete: This could be a sneaky great game. Carson Wentz has some issues, but I think he can be a franchise quarterback on a pretty good team. The Bengals have drastically underperformed this season and I just don't think they will sack up and turn things around. Eagles. 

Jordan: Eagles should bounce back against an underachieving and undisciplined Bengals team this week. In doing so, their playoff hopes are still alive. Philly covers.

Houston Texans (+6) @ Green Bay Packers
Niko: Houston might have the better record, but Green Bay definitely has the better quarterback. And they’re at Lambeau. Packers cover. 

Pete: Another pretty good game here. At Lambeau, its tough to bet against the Packers, but they aren't the Packers this year. I think they switched decals and became the Chicago Bears. I am going to go with the hot hand here and say the Texans pull off the upset. 

Jordan: The Packers may not be a good team, but despite the record, they are still better than the Texans. Plus, they're at home. Packers win, I don't know about if they'll cover however.

Los Angeles Rams (+13.5) @ New England Patriots
Niko: On paper, this isn’t remotely fair. LA just gave up 49 to the Saints. Patriots cover at Gillette. More on this one coming in the roundtable piece this weekend. 

​Pete: The Patriots are clearly the better team here, and I would be surprised if this one is evenly remotely close. Against statistically the worst offense in the NFL, I hope the Pats generate some turnovers and have a statement game. 

Jordan: Move over Peyton Manning. Brady and co spank the Rams and improve to 10-2. Pats cover, more on the Roundtable.

Detroit Lions (+5.5) @ New Orleans Saints
Niko: Drew Brees is cooking and the New Orleans offense is firing on all cylinders, coming off a 49-point output last weekend. You have to respect what Matt Stafford is doing for the Lions this season, especially in the clutch, but I don’t see it happening at the Superdome on Sunday afternoon. Saints cover. 

Pete: This is another decent game. I guess we have some legitimate match-ups this week, huh? I will roll with the hotter team and say the Saints, but I could see this one going either way. Both teams have truly surprised this season. 

Jordan: Game of the week? At least at QB. Brees and Stafford will certainly be able to chuck it. Flip of a coin, I'll take Brees and the Saints at home, covering the spread.

Denver Broncos (-5) @ Jacksonville Jaguars
Niko: Jacksonville stinks. Denver should bounce back in a big way. The AFC West race is just getting started. 

Pete: Big statement game here for the Broncos. I don't see a way the Jags hang around in this one. 

Jordan: Boy Jacksonville is bad. Denver covers and then some.

Miami Dolphins (+3) @ Baltimore Ravens
Niko: Low key contender for game of the week? Major AFC Playoff implications with this one. I’ll take the Ravens, a team that’s done it before, at their own place. 

Pete: Another really good game. Like Niko mentioned, there are some big playoff implications in this one. I will go with the more experienced team and say the Ravens, but don't be surprised if the Dolphins keep this one close. They are red-hot. 

Jordan: Could be a pretty entertaining game. Another game where if you flip a coin, you're confident with who you pick. Given the setting, I'll take the Ravens covering at home.

Buffalo Bills (+3) @ Oakland Raiders
Niko: I’ll take Buffalo because why not? No rhyme or reason to this one. I just think Oakland is due for a dud and Buffalo typically plays up to their competition. Bills shock the Raiders in Oakland. 

Pete: It sucks for the Bills that they have a relatively decent team this year and are completely forgotten. For some reason, the Raiders SUCK at home, so this could actually go both ways. I guess you would suck if you had to play in Oakland, right? I hate to agree with Niko on almost every pick, but I am going to roll with the Bills too. 

Jordan: I agree with the guys before me. This isn't my homer self speaking, but I think the Raiders might play down to their competition and get blitzed by the Bills, who are playing spoiler at this point. Upset incoming: Bills win.

Washington Redskins (+2.5) @ Arizona Cardinals
Niko: ‘Zona is in shambles, and Kirk Cousins has his offense playing at a very high level. “Fat Rob” has added some balance, and brings an element of physicality to their ground game. I’ll take the ‘Skins in the desert. 

Pete: Super Bowl favorite, right? LOL. Redskins get it done, no reason to think the Cardinals can force this one into being a legitimate game. 

Jordan: Cards suck and Kirk Cousins has played like a god this season. Recipe for disastere for Zona. Skins take this one by roughly 10.

New York Giants (+5.5) @ Pittsburgh Steelers
Niko: As it stands, New York is the worst 8 win team in the NFL, and Pittsburgh is the best squad with only 6 wins. They’ll drift closer to where they’re supposed to be this Sunday. Steelers win in a shootout and cover at Heinz. 

Pete: Both teams scare the shit out of me for obvious reasons as a Patriots fan. If they could both lose, that would be great. Nevertheless, I think the Steelers get it done at home. Against a relatively weak defense, Big Ben should have a good day, but Pitt's o-line has to make sure they keep their QB upright. 

Jordan: Another good game. Pittsburgh has their guns back and, at Heinz, they should be able to outslug the Giants. Steelers cover behind a big game from Big Ben.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (+4) @ San Diego Chargers
Niko: Don’t look now, but the Bucs are 6-5 and coming off wins against two legitimate playoff teams, and arguably Super Bowl contending Seahawks and Chiefs. I’ll take Jameis and Tampa to pick up another one on the road. 

Pete: Tampa Bay is playing some good football, led by Crab Legs himself, Jameis Winston. The Chargers give me no reason to think that they will stop the Bucs' hot stretch. 

Jordan: The Bucs should forfeit the rest of their season if they can't beat the Chargers on Sunday. They just allowed 5 points to Seattle. I mean, come on! Bucs win.

Carolina Panthers (+6.5) @ Seattle Seahawks
Niko: The Panthers are 1-4 away from home, just gave up 35, and are still expected to be without Luke Keuchly, the best linebacker in the game. Seattle will prove to be too much and overwhelm the Panthers on both sides of the ball. Seahawks take it by double digits.

Pete: The Seahawks have a bunch of injuries, but this isn't the 2015 Panthers. This is a BAD football team. Against a stout defense and with Russell Wilson under center, I just can't see the Panthers going into Seattle and pulling off the upset. 

Jordan: No rhyme or reason, I just think the Panthers are going to finally put a good game together from start to finish. Cam Newton erupts and the Panthers pull one off by a field goal.

Monday
Indianapolis Colts (-1.5) @ New York Jets 
Niko: Credit to the Jets, who gave the Patriots absolutely everything they could handle Sunday. Was New England banged up? Sure. But New York pushed Belichick and co. to the brink as usual. While that was for all intents and purposes their Super Bowl this season, they’ll have enough to beat up on a soft Indy team on Monday night. Jets take care of business at the Meadowlands.

Pete: YUCK. Not sure I will be able to watch this one. Ryan Fitzpatrick is going to go under center again and revert back to his old ways. For some reason, he plays his best football against the Patriots. This Indy team is horrendous, but I think they get it done if Andrew Luck is able to suit up.

Jordan. Not watching this, without a doubt. All depends on Luck's status. Assuming he plays, Colts cover the spread and win at the Meadowlands.