Gerry Dulac's NFL Forecast: Week 13
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Last week: 13-3 (.813)
Season record: 114-62 (.647)
New York Jets (5-6) at Buffalo Bills (4-7), 8:20 p.m., Thursday
The Skinny: Two teams on the south end of the AFC East are going north of the border to play this game in Toronto. Maybe interim coach Perry Fewell, who won his home debut in Buffalo last week, can win his Canadian debut this week.
Prediction: Bills, 24-21
Oakland Raiders (3-8) at Steelers (6-5), 1 p.m., Sunday
The Skinny: The Steelers have lost three in a row for the first time under Mike Tomlin, but they are playing a team that can't throw and can't stop the run. Hey, isn't that what we said about Kansas City?
Prediction: Steelers, 24-6
Philadelphia Eagles (7-4) at Atlanta Falcons (6-5), 1 p.m., Sunday
The Skinny: The Atlanta birds are without QB Matt Ryan, but his replacement, Chris Redman, threw the inning TD last week. And they are unbeaten in their Georgia Dome nest (5-0).
Prediction: Falcons, 23-20
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1-10) at Carolina Panthers (4-7), 1 p.m., Sunday
The Skinny: The Buccaneers are one of just three teams who haven't won a road game. That is good news for Carolina, which is having a hard time at home and on the road.
Prediction: Panthers, 17-13
St. Louis Rams (1-10) at Chicago Bears (4-7), 1 p.m., Sunday
The Skinny: Repeat after me: How did the Bears, who have lost games by scores of 45-10, 41-21 and 36-10, ever beat the Steelers? Probably the same way the Rams managed to win a game.
Prediction: Bears, 17-12
Detroit Lions (2-9) at Cincinnati Bengals (8-3), 1 p.m., Sunday
The Skinny: The schedule gets a little tougher for the Bengals after this. Three of their remaining four games are on the road against Minnesota, San Diego and the Jets. Time to fatten up.
Prediction: Bengals, 28-17
Tennessee Titans (5-6) at Indianapolis Colts (11-0), 1 p.m., Sunday
The Skinny: The Colts can tie an NFL record with their 21st consecutive regular-season victory, But the Titans, who have won five in a row, are the last team to beat the Colts (10/27/08).
Prediction: Colts, 23-20
Houston Texans (5-6) at Jacksonville Jaguars (6-5), 1 p.m., Sunday
The Skinny: Once upon a time, the Texans and Jaguars were wild-card possibilities. Then Houston lost three in a row and the Jaguars managed a field goal in San Francisco. Bye bye.
Prediction: Jaguars, 17-16
Denver Broncos (7-4) at Kansas City Chiefs (3-8), 1 p.m., Sunday
The Skinny: The Broncos' turkey night victory against the Giants put an end to their four-game losing streak. But they struggle at Arrowhead Stadium, where they are 1-5 in past six.
Prediction: Broncos, 23-13
New England Patriots (7-4) at Miami Dolphins (5-6), 1 p.m., Sunday
The Skinny: Which was more surprising The Patriots getting blasted by the Saints, 38-17, or the Dolphins being embarrassed by the Bills, 31-14? When in doubt, go with Tom Brady.
Prediction: Patriots, 27-17
New Orleans Saints (11-0) at Washington Redskins (3-8), 1 p.m., Sunday
The Skinny: How good are the Saints? They have beaten the Eagles by 26 and the Giants and Patriots by 21. Usually, the Redskins don't even score that many points.
Prediction: Saints, 28-16
San Diego Chargers (8-3) at Cleveland Browns (1-10), 4:05 p.m., Sunday
The Skinny: The Chargers have scored more points (188) during their six-game winning streak than the Browns have managed in their past 17 games (153).
Prediction: Chargers, 31-9
Dallas Cowboys (8-3) at New York Giants (6-5), 4:15 p.m., Sunday
The Skinny: After a 5-0 start, the Giants have lost five of their past six games. They need a victory to stay in the NFC East race with the Cowboys, who are 5-1 on the road.
Prediction: Cowboys, 24-20
San Francisco 49ers (5-6) at Seattle Seahawks (4-7), 4:15 p.m., Sunday
The Skinny: After three consecutive road games, the Seahawks are back home where they average 24.6 points. The 49ers, unbeaten in the division, have lost their last four on the road.
Prediction: 49ers, 20-17
Minnesota Vikings (10-1) at Arizona Cardinals (7-4), 8:20 p.m., Sunday
The Skinny: Perhaps the most distressing aspect of Arizona's last-play loss in Tennessee was that the Titans had 532 yards offense. Can they beat the Vikings with that defense?
Prediction: Cardinals, 28-24
Baltimore Ravens (6-5) at Green Bay Packers (7-4), 8:30 p.m., Monday
The Skinny: The Packers have won three in a row and four of five and are making a hard push for a wild-card spot. So are the Ravens, who lose 'em -- and win 'em -- close.
Prediction: Packers, 24-20
First Published December 3, 2009 3:18 pm
