NFL picks, predictions for Week 13: Raven destroys Steelers; The Bengals charger bypasses; Lions annoy the Vikings

The AFC playoff race once again took center stage in Week 13 with four key matches between the competing teams.

The Chargers (6-5) make the trip from the West Coast to face the Bengals (7-4) in the 1pm game on Sunday. The Ravens (8-3) and Steelers (5-5-1) continue their head-to-head in a big spot for Pittsburgh at 4:25 p.m.

The early games were even better. The Broncos (6-5) visit the Captain (7-4) on Sunday Night Football, and the Patriots (8-4) visit the Bills (7-4) on Monday Night Football.

Every week, Sporting News picks up NFL games live. Take a look at our achievements to date:

• Week 12: 7-7
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Patriots, 49ers, Buccaneers soar as Rams, Steelers plunge into Week 13

NFL picks, predictions for Week 13

• Dallas Cowboys (-5.5) at New Orleans Saints

Thursday, 12:30 p.m., FOX

Both teams are on the verge of losing Thanksgiving, and Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy (COVID-19) won’t be left out. Saints midfielder Trevor Seimian has struggled for the past two weeks. New Orleans will be in a state of despair, but the Cowboys are the better team. They should also get Amari Cooper and CeeDee Lamb back.

Pick: Cowboys 28, Saints 21

• Tampa Bay Buccaneers (-10.5) at the Atlanta Falcons

Sunday, 1pm, FOX

Tampa Bay is the favorite team this season with 5-6 ATS, but they are surprisingly 4-1 ATS when attacking double digits. The Falcons ranked 31st in the league for pass defense. Tom Brady will exploit that for the second time this season, but it’s a little closer on the road.

Pick: Buccaneers 35, Falcons 20

• The Arizona Cardinals (-7.5) at the Chicago Bears

Sunday, 1pm, FOX

The Cardinals will say goodbye for a week and hope to get Kyler Murray and DeAndre Hopkins back from injury. Justin Fields is still recovering from a rib injury, so Andy Dalton can start again. The Cardinals win along the way, but it’s tougher than it looks.

Pick: Cardinals 26, Bears 19

• Los Angeles Chargers at Cincinnati Bengals (-3)

Sunday, 1 p.m., CBS

Team Bengal is about to play against the Steelers and now the Chargers will take the cross-country flight for an early start. Los Angeles beat Cincinnati 16-13 in Week 1 last season. The Bengals are leading 3-2 S/U at home this year, but Joe Burrow overtook Justin Herbert in a game with AFC Wild Card emotions.

Pick: Bengals 27, Charger 24

• Minnesota Vikings (-7) at Detroit Lions

Sunday, 1 p.m., CBS

It was a game of two of the worst defenses in the league, but Detroit’s DeAndre Swift and Minnesota’s Dalvin Cook could both be out through injury. The Lions lost a heartbroken man with a score of 19-17 in the first meeting. Could this be the moment to get that first win? Flip this time.

Pick: Lions 19, Vikings 17

• New York Giants at Miami Dolphins (-3)

Sunday, 1pm, FOX

It was a battle between Bill Belichick’s former assistants and Joe Judge and Brian Flores. Both offenses averaged less than 20 points per game. The Giants need to get Saquon Barkley on track against a running Miami defense that allows for 104.9 yards of attack per game.

Pick: Dolphin 23, Giant 17

• Philadelphia Eagles (-7) at New York Jets

Sunday, 1 p.m., CBS

The Eagles played a loss in Week 12 to the Giants, but Jalen Hurts should be able to hit back at the Jets’ defense at a rate of 266.2 yards per game. Zach Wilson is on his second game since returning from a knee injury, but the Eagles will hit a key goal in a time of crisis.

Pick: Eagles 26, Jets 20

• Indianapolis Colts (-8.5) in Houston Texans

Sunday, 1 p.m., CBS

The Colts were out of the running game early in the loss to the Buccaneers, but Jonathan Taylor will get the full load in front of the Texas defense at 135.6 yards per game. Carson Wentz also added a pair of passing TDs.

Pick: Colts 31, Texans 22

• Washington football team at Las Vegas Raiders (-2.5)

Sunday, 4:05 p.m., CBS

The Raiders had extra time after a crucial Thanksgiving win over the Cowboys, and tight finish Darren Waller avoided a major injury. Washington will be working for a short week and the team will have 2-3 S/U on the way. Las Vegas continues to maintain its AFC playoff spot with a home win.

Pick: Raiders 29, Washington 23

• Jacksonville Jaguars at Los Angeles Rams (-13)

Sunday, 4:05 p.m., FOX

This is the biggest line of the week, but be careful. The Rams have lost three games and won’t win each in the past five weeks. Jacksonville is also leading 2-0 ATS as a double-digit team. Matthew Stafford will be back at home, but the Jaguars will show some fighting in the second half.

Pick: Rams 30, Jaguars 20

• Baltimore Ravens (-3) at the Pittsburgh Steelers

Sunday, 4:25 p.m., CBS

The Steelers were suddenly in a state of despair against Raven, who could take the AFC North domination with a convincing win. Baltimore can rely on the game running against a shaky defense in Pittsburgh, but the Crows have to defend better football. Pittsburgh can be annoying here, but we want Lamar Jackson to get rid of the revenue in the near future.

Pick: Ravens 27, Steelers 26

• San Francisco 49ers (-2.5) at Seattle Seahawks

Sunday, 4:25 p.m., CBS

The Seahawks have the worst pass defense in the league at 279.6 yards per game. San Francisco’s Jimmy Garoppolo can work with that, but a player playing the role of receiver will need to step up if Deebo Samuel (groin) misses time. Seattle won the first meeting by a score of 28-21, but the 49ers got their payback and paid for the fifth time in six games.

Pick: 49ers 28, Seahawks 21

• Denver Broncos at Kansas City Chiefs (-9.5)

Sunday, 8:20 p.m., NBC

The Chiefs had a bye week, and the Broncos had an impressive win over the Chargers. That sets up a fun matchup between the AFC West rivals. Kansas City are 4-7 ATS this season and have played three consecutive defensive games at home. This one will have more points.

Pick: Chiefs 28, Broncos 20

• New England Patriots at Buffalo Bills (-3)

Monday, 8:15 p.m., ESPN

The Bills are the most popular 5-5 ATS and they are pitted against the hottest team in the league in a live atmosphere. These are the two best scoring defenses in the league so it will be tight. Will the Patriots extend their winning streak to seven games? We think they will.

Pick: Patriot 23, Bills 20