NFL Week 13 schedule and game-by-game predictions

NFL Week 13: Baker Mayfield, Browns/Titans

NFL Week 13 will not include your traditional Thursday night game due to yet another COVID-19 outbreak within the league. Instead, it will feature yet another doubleheader on Monday night and continue with a Tuesday game between the Ravens and Cowboys.

The Sunday games include the Cleveland Browns and Tennessee Titans taking on one another in a potential playoff preview. Meanwhile, over in the NFC, the Arizona Cardinals and Los Angeles Rams will spar in a game with wide-ranging postseason ramifications.

It’s in this that we provide you with the NFL Week 13 schedule and game-by-game predictions.

Updated: Dec. 6, 10 AM EST

NFL Week 13 Sunday games

NFL injury report: Latest news and updates on top fantasy stars entering Week 13

New Orleans Saints at Atlanta Falcons

Time/station: 1:00 PM EST, FOX

Saints-Falcons Week 13 point spread: Saints -3.0 (over/under 46.5)

Update: Falcons WR Julio Jones will play on Sunday

Now at 9-2 on the season, New Orleans has won eight consecutive games. It’s been more about every other aspect of the team’s roster outside of Drew Brees and Taysom Hill, both of whom have played well this season. After some initial struggles, the Saints’ defense has given up 28 points over the past four games. That’s a ridiculous total and makes this team a top-end Super Bowl contender in the NFC.

As for the Falcons, they are coming off a blowout win over the Las Vegas Raiders. It’s a game that saw Atlanta’s previously troublesome defense force five turnovers. At the very least, interim head coach Raheem Morris has his squad playing competitive football. Don’t expect that to change during NFL Week 13. With Julio Jones active and New Orleans missing a few defensive starters, this should be a close one.

NFL Week 13 predictions: Saints 24, Falcons 20

Jacksonville Jaguars at Minnesota Vikings

Time/station: 1:00 PM EST, CBS

Jaguars-Vikings Week 13 point spread: Vikings -10.0 (over/under 51.5)

Update: Vikings activate Adam Thielen off COVID list

Losers of 10 consecutive after an opening-week win over the Colts, the Jaguars are being outscored by an average of nearly nine points per game. More than anything, it’s been about a lackluster defense. Here’s a unit that has allowed 29.5 points per game while recording a grand total of 11 sacks in as many games. It’s also giving up a healthy 4.5 yards per rush.

Don’t expect that to change Week 13 against the Vikings. Despite their recent loss to the Cowboys, this team’s offense is performing at a high level. That includes Dalvin Cook going for over 827 total yards over the past five games. Heck, Kirk Cousins played brilliant ball in the fourth quarter of last week’s comeback win over the Carolina Panthers. This game should not be close.

NFL Week 13 predictions: Vikings 31, Jaguars 13

Cincinnati Bengals at Miami Dolphins

Time/station: 1:00 PM EST, CBS

Bengals-Dolphins Week 13 point spread: Dolphins -11.5 (over/under 42.5)

Update: Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa expected to start

It is truly unfortunate to see Joe Burrow lost for the remainder of the season to a torn ACL. Without him in the mix, a competitive Bengals team was set to revert back to what we saw during the 2019 campaign. However, Zac Taylor’s squad, once again, played competitive football in a 19-17 loss to the New York Giants last Sunday. At issue here is the quarterback position. Brandon Allen tallied 115 net passing yards against the Giants in Week 12.

As for the Dolphins, they are coming off a 20-3 win over the hapless New York Jets. It wasn’t a pretty performance. In fact, Miami turned the ball over two times against one of the worst teams in modern NFL history. With Tua Tagovailoa returning on Sunday, the Dolphins should easily move to 8-4 on the season.

NFL Week 13 predictions: Dolphins 27, Bengals 13

Cleveland Browns at Tennessee Titans

Time/station: 1:00 PM EST, CBS

Browns-Titans Week 13 point spread: Titans -4.0 (over/under 53.0)

Leave it to Derrick Henry. A legit MVP from the a non-quarterback position, the NFL’s reigning leading rusher took it upon himself to break some recent team-wide struggles over the past couple weeks. Including this walk-off 29-yard touchdown in overtime, Henry racked up 133 yards against the Ravens in Week 11. He then tore apart the Indianapolis Colts to the tune of 178 yards and three touchdowns last Sunday. Henry now leads the NFL in attempts (256) and rushing yards (1,257).

Speaking of big-time performances, Cleveland’s defense has stepped it up big time for the 8-3 squad. That includes this unit giving up an average of just 17 points over the past four games. These Browns also rank in the top 10 stopping the run, making this a strength-versus-strength matchup. In what should be a close affair, I am going with the home team.

NFL Week 13 predictions: Titans 28, Browns 24

Detroit Lions at Chicago Bears

Time/station: 1:00 PM EST, Fox

Lions-Bears Week 13 point spread: Bears -3.0 (over/under 44.5)

Update: Bears QB Mitchell Trubisky to start

Probably the worst game on top for Week 13, Detroit is coming off an ugly 20-0 blowout loss to the Carolina Panthers. It came against a defense that has yielded an average of nearly 40 points over the previous two games. heck, Teddy Bridgewater and Christian McCaffrey sat this one out. It led to head coach Matt Patricia rightfully getting panned following a Thanksgiving Day loss to the Houston Texans.

Chicago is pretty much in the same boat. It has lost five consecutive since a 5-1 start to the season. The team ranks 31st in the NFL in scoring. Nick Foles is banged up. Mitchell Trubisky is on his last legs in the Windy City after a disastrous Week 12 performance against the Packers. With Kenny Golladay and D’Andre Swift out for Detroit, though, don’t expect a lot of points from either team.

NFL Week 13 predictions: Lions 17, Bears 13

Indianapolis Colts at Houston Texans

Time/station: 1:00 PM EST, CBS

Colts-Texans Week 13 point spread: Colts -3.0 (over/under 51.0)

Heading into Week 12, there was every reason to believe these Colts were real. Consecutive wins against the Ravens and Packers in different fashion tells us this story. Against Tennessee back in Week 10, the Colts pretty much dominated throughout the final three quarters. Down double digits in the second half to Green Bay in Week 11, Indianapolis relied on veteran quarterback Philip Rivers. He responded to the tune of nearly 300 yards and three touchdowns. Unfortunately, Indy fell to the above-mentioned Titans by the score of 45-26 this past Sunday. It was torn apart by Derrick Henry and had no real answer on offense.

Related: Top NFL quarterbacks

There’s no reason for Indy to overlook a game divisional opponent to kick off its December schedule. Houston boasts a 4-3 record since firing Bill O’Brien. Deshaun Watson is playing masterful football under center. J.J. Watt is back from the dead and David Johnson is back. While it won’t lead to a Week 13 win over the Colts, expect this game to be close.

NFL Week 13 predictions: Colts 31, Texans 27

Las Vegas Raiders at New York Jets

Time/station: 1:00 PM EST, CBS

Raiders-Jets Week 13 point spread: Raiders -7.5 (over/under 47.0)

Jon Gruden and the Raiders came oh so close to sweeping the defending champion Kansas City Chiefs. A late-game meltdown on defense against Patrick Mahomes prevented that from happening back in Week 11. Apparently, the team was also hungover from its Thanksgiving meal against the Falcons in Week 12. This included Las Vegas turning the ball over five times in a humiliating 43-6 loss.

There normally wouldn’t be any reason to believe that these Raiders will have a hard time with the winless Jets in Week 13. That’s until we realize it was nearly a calendar year ago that a 6-5 Raiders squad was blown out by New York. Simply put, Gruden and Co. can’t overlook this game and that’s especially true with Josh Jacobs out.

NFL Week 13 predictions: Raiders 28, Jets 17

New York Giants at Seattle Seahawks

Time/station: 4:05 PM EST, Fox

Giants-Seahawks Week 13 point spread: Seahawks -11.0 (over/under 47.0)

Update: Giants QB Daniel Jones (hamstring) inactive for Week 13

The Russell Wilson to D.K. Metcalf connection is one of the primary reasons Seattle is sitting pretty as the No. 2 seed in the NFC. Only a sophomore, Metcalf has tallied nearly 1,100 yards and nine touchdowns in 11 games this season. He’s already a top-five receiver in the NFL. This has helped mask a poor defense that’s yielding an ugly 26-plus points per game.

As for the Giants, they are without Daniel Jones (hamstring) in this one. That means veteran backup Colt McCoy will get the start for the first-place team (gasp). While Seattle’s defense should be of concern moving forward on the season and into the playoffs, don’t expect that to impact Pete Carroll and Co. in Week 13.

NFL Week 13 predictions: Seahawks 35, Giants 17

Los Angeles Rams at Arizona Cardinals

Time/station: 4:05 PM EST, Fox

Rams-Cardinals Week 13 point spread: Rams -3.0 (over/under 48.0)

Arizona’s struggles on defense is one of the primary reasons it sits at 6-5 and is in a battle for a playoff spot. This unit has given up an average of north of 27 points per game in its previous four outings. Unfortunately, Arizona’s latest loss to the New England Patriots this past Sunday included struggles on offense. Things are just not clicking for the Cards right now.

This could prove vital Week 13 against another playoff contender in the Rams that is coming off a brutal loss to the injury-plagued San Francisco 49ers. This game could be do or die for both teams. Take the Cardinals to come out on top via a minimal upset win. Simply put, Los Angeles’ home loss to San Francisco makes me question whether this team is even really that good despite a 7-4 record.

NFL Week 13 predictions: Rams 27, Cardinals 24

New England Patriots at Los Angeles Chargers

Time/station: 4:25 PM EST, CBS

Patriots-Chargers Week 13 point spread: Chargers -1.5 (over/under 47.0)

It’s absolutely mind-boggling what rookie quarterback Justin Herbert has done through nine NFL starts. That includes the Oregon product throwing for over 3,000 yards with 23 touchdowns compared to seven interceptions. Just think about that for a second. Averaged over a 16-game schedule, this would have Herbert on pace for 4,800 yards with 39 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. Unfortunately, the Chargers sit at 3-8 under the leadership of embattled head coach Anthony Lynn.

As for the Patriots, they found a way to get it right this past Sunday against Arizona. Despite Cam Newton tallying less than 70 net passing yards with zero touchdowns and two interceptions, New England came out on top by the score of 20-17. Its defense held up big time en route to keeping the team in playoff contention. Expect a huge Week 13 win for Bill Belichick and Co.

NFL Week 13 predictions: Patriots 24, Chargers 20

Philadelphia Eagles at Green Bay Packers

Time/station: 4:25 PM EST, Fox

Eagles-Packers Week 13 point spread: Packers -8.5 (over/under 49.0)

A league-leading 15 interceptions in 11 starts. A total of 10 fumbles thus far this season. Yes, Carson Wentz has been a bottom-five quarterback in the NFL through the first 12 weeks. Meanwhile, there’s absolutely no reason to believe Doug Pederson’s seat is not hot in Philadelphia following a 3-7-1 start to the campaign. Feeling the pressure, Pederson is making big changes to his offense for Week 13.

As for the Packers, they are a mere 4-3 in their past six games. That included the team blowing a double-digit second half lead against Indianapolis in Week 11. The primary difference here? Aaron Rodgers has tossed 33 touchdowns compared to four picks and leads a top-two scoring offense. Please, go ahead and do the math.

NFL Week 13 predictions: Packers 35, Eagles 20

NFL Week 13 Sunday Night Football

Denver Broncos at Kansas City Chiefs

Time/station: 8:20 PM EST, NBC

Broncos-Chiefs Week 13 point spread: Chiefs -13.5 (over/under 51.0)

The Broncos’ quarterback situation aside, this team does not stand a chance against Kansas City. The Chiefs have won 19 of 20 dating back to last season. Patrick Mahomes has accounted for 32 total touchdowns compared to two interceptions on the season.

As for the Broncos, their quarterbacks have thrown 12 touchdowns compared to 19 interceptions in 11 games. That’s not a typo. Drew Lock is also the worst quarterback under pressure, per Pro Football Focus, and Kansas City loves to blitz. This Sunday Night Football matchup is going to end in an NFL Week 13 blowout.

NFL Week 13 predictions: Chiefs 31, Broncos 14

NFL Week 13 Monday Night Football

Washington Football Team at Pittsburgh Steelers

Time/station: 5:00 PM EST, Fox

Washington-Steelers Week 13 point spread: Steelers -7.0 (over/under 44.0)

In an interesting turn, this early-December game might be more important for Washington than Pittsburgh. At 4-7 on the season, Alex Smith and Co. are now tied with the New York Giants for first place in the NFC East. Washington is coming off a blowout 41-16 win over the Cowboys and have won two consecutive games.

At 11-0, Pittsburgh is in a vastly different situation. Its three games up in the AFC North after Wednesday’s win over Baltimore and holds a one game lead over the Kansas City Chiefs for the top spot in the conference. With a game coming up after this against the Bills, it would not be a shock if these Steelers overlooked a darn good Washington defense. That’s especially true after the entire Week 12 COVID drama.

NFL Week 13 predictions: Steelers 24, Washington 17

Buffalo Bills at San Francisco 49ers

Time/station: 8:15 PM EST, ESPN

Bills-49ers point spread: 49ers -1 (over/under 47.0)

Note: Game to be played in Arizona

How disastrous has this season been for the 49ers? They currently have north of two dozen players on various reserve lists. They also don’t have a home to play football due to Santa Clara County COVID-19 restrictions. Heck, the defending NFC champs have dealt with multiple outbreaks of the virus throughout the season.

Despite this, San Francisco was able to go into Los Angeles and come away with a much-needed win against the Rams on Sunday. Unfortunately, I don’t envision a repeat against a vastly superior Buffalo Bills team in Arizona on Monday night.

NFL Week 13 predictions: Bills 28, 49ers 24

NFL Week 13 Tuesday Night Football

Dallas Cowboys at Baltimore Ravens

Time/station: 8:05 PM EST, Fox, NFL network

Cowboys-Ravens Week 13 point spread: Ravens -8.0 (over/under 45.0)

Updated: Game moved to Tuesday

Losers of four out of five, the Ravens seem to be in trouble. They’d be on the outside looking in if the playoffs were to start today as the third-place team in the AFC North. Lamar Jackson had tallied five passing touchdowns compared to four interceptions in his past four starts prior to missing Wednesday’s game with COVID-19. Meanwhile, the Ravens’ defense was eaten alive by Tennessee running back Derrick Henry in Week 11.

Despite the Cowboys’ thrilling win over the Minnesota Vikings in Week 11, it’s hard to envision them being able to hang with a vastly superior team here. That’s magnified by their ugly blowout loss to Washington on Thanksgiving. Things seem to be spiraling out of control in Mike McCarthy’s first season as the Cowboys’ head coach. That won’t change Week 13.

NFL Week 13 predictions: Ravens 34, Cowboys 17