NFL Week 13 Predictions of the 2023-2024 Season

49ers overcomes the Eagles; Jaguars & Chiefs continue push for #1 seed

Seattle Seahawks at Dallas Cowboys

The Seahawks offense has not looked great as of late and that’s the big decider in this game. Even if this game took place a month ago when the offense was looking better, the Cowboys would still be favored but it’s gotten worse for their offense. Now, even statistically, the Seahawks are slightly below average in offense and defense. 

Dallas for sure knows how to beat up the bottom-tier teams in the league, they look like juggernauts against those teams. This issue with their resume is they haven’t defeated a team with a winning record yet even if they played the Eagles to a close game. This is their chance to finally beat a team with a winning record, even so, they’d be a .500 team after the game.  

Prediction: Cowboys 27, Seahawks 17

Indianapolis Colts at Tennessee Titans

It’s worth noting that their competition the last few weeks has not been top-tier but you only play who is on your schedule and this team is on a 3-game winning streak. The last couple of weeks, we’ve seen the defense perform the way that was expected of them as opposed to literally being dead last the first 9 weeks. A big loss in Jonathan Taylor and will probably cost them a swing game or two, still, they could get the win this week.

The Titans ended their losing streak with a close win over the Panthers. Now it’s the Panthers so it’s not the biggest victory and their offense the last four games has been pretty bad and Levis has continued to look more like a rookie than his phenomenal debut. 

Prediction: Colts 23, Titans 16

Atlanta Falcons at New York Jets

Their three-game losing streak came to an end last week with a solid win over the Saints, where their defense played strong. Still unsure what they want to go with at quarterback, if it’s Desmond Ritter the rest of the way or if Taylor Heinicke will get some starts. It’s becoming more and more likely that their future quarterback is not on the roster currently.

The Jets have lost four games in a row and the likeliness of the Jets being in playoff contention and Aaron Rodgers potentially returning is rapidly declining. The Jets have benched Zach Wilson and Tim Boyle has taken over at quarterback. I can’t understand how Tim Boyle was the decision as if he gives them a better chance to win games. Was Zach having a good season? No, he wasn’t but he’s playing hard, his teammates are batting for him and his athletic traits are there. Respectfully Tim Boyle has never been impressive anywhere he’s been. Even at the collegiate level, he was tossing more interceptions than touchdown and it hasn’t changed in the NFL. Can’t understand the decision. 

Prediction: Falcons 21, Jets 13

Detroit Lions at New Orleans Saints 

The Lions got surprised last week by the Packers and the week before that, the Bears gave them a scare so it’s been a pair of shaky weeks for them. A big part of that is the turnovers the Lions have been having as of late and their defense starting to allow some bigger plays at a higher rate. Once the turnovers slow down and they should, it shouldn’t be too big of an issue and they should get another win this week. 

A tough loss for the Saints. A game that could’ve been a huge victory for them as they would’ve been at the top of the division. Even if it was on the road, the Saints came out flat, something they’ve done far too often this season to be taken seriously as contenders. Now at home, a better team is coming to town and it could be another loss for NOLA. 

Prediction: Lions 26, Saints 20

Denver Broncos at Houston Texans

The Broncos have the longest win streak in the NFL. Can’t say how many people saw that coming after that 1-5 start which included some of the worst defense in the modern era. On this five-game win streak, the defense has played at such a higher level, it's truly impressive how quickly they’ve turned around the season. Russell Wilson does not get enough credit for his performance, 20 passing touchdowns and only 4 interceptions with over a 100 rating. 

The Texans have been impressive regardless of the loss against the Jaguars, still, they’re starting to fall behind them in the division and can’t afford many more losses. While CJ Stroud has been amazing this season, he’s finally starting to make a couple of mistakes here and there having six turnovers in the last three games. With some rookie mistakes finally showing and the Broncos streak, I’ll roll with Denver in a close battle. 

Prediction: Denver 23, Texans 21

Los Angeles Chargers at New England Patriots

The Chargers have had a tough break and have now lost three games in a row. Playoffs are pretty bleak for them now, still, this is a game where they have the advantage, their offense is still good, and have enough to stop a horrible offense on the other side of the field.

Speaking of that horrible offense, we have the Patriots who are now sitting at 2-9, scoring 13.5 points per game and have no direction or future QB on the roster. This team needs to just figure out who will be here long-term for the rest of the season while most likely taking losses and setting up a high draft pick.

Prediction: Chargers 24, Patriots 14

Arizona Cardinals at Pittsburgh Steelers

Kyler Murray has sort of been a mixed bag since returning and getting back into rhythm. His legs are still a threat and he’s very shifty even if he doesn’t have the same long speed as someone like Lamar Jackson or Justin Fields. Through the air, it’s been somewhat disappointing even if his weapons aren’t exactly elite. 

Yardage-wise, it looked like a much different game for the Steelers last game after firing Matt Canada. Which shocker, firing the guy who’s called nothing but horrible plays and even having drama with their kicker, leads to improvement. Still don’t see them as a contender in any way regardless of their record, they’ve managed to escape with victories and it should be another case of that this week against a poor team. 

Prediction: Steelers 20, Cardinals 19

Miami Dolphins at Washington Commanders

We’ve seen this story before, Miami comes in against a team with a losing record, puts up points quickly wins easily, and goes home. This week should be no different unless Sam Howell can put up a bunch of yards in bunches.

Commanders have lost three games in a row and now sit at 4-8 and host the high-powered Dolphins. There is not much going in their favor this game if at all. Yes, Sam Howell is towards the top in just pure passing yards. That does not mean he has been spectacular by any means, he’s thrown one touchdown in the last pair of weeks and has 13 interceptions to his 18 touchdowns. He’s been fine but not amazing and fine doesn’t beat the Dolphins. 

Prediction: Dolphins 30, Commanders 16

Carolina Panthers at Tampa Bay Buccaneers 

The Panthers just can’t put together another win and while this is a winnable game against the Buccaneers, they’re out-experienced, coached, and even talented. What hurts fans if they can’t even be excited for a top pick out of all these losses as that’s been traded away, at least the Bears fans are having fun with it. 

The Buccaneers started the season at a higher level than I imagined, still, I had my concerns when they were 3-1. Now they’ve gone 1-6 and their lack of run game and consistent pass game has brought them down to what was more or less the expected season out of them. 

Prediction: Buccaneers 20, Panthers 17

San Francisco 49ers at Philadelphia Eagles

Here we come to not only the best and most anticipated game of the week but also the hardest game to predict. If this was the beginning of the season in the first chunk, I would’ve gone 49ers. If it was the middle section, I would’ve gone Eagles. Now, after seeing the 49ers performance the last few weeks and how they’ve mowed teams down, even some good teams, I’m favoring them to finally give the Eagles another loss. 

The Eagles have some resume this season, in the last two weeks they’ve beaten the Chiefs and the Bills in close games where they ultimately came out on top. This game could also easily swing their way; they know how to close out games so it would not be a surprise. Still, even a team as good as the Eagles, they are due another loss, this is also a revenge game for the 49ers after last year’s NFC championship. 

Prediction: 49ers 27, Eagles 24

Cleveland Browns at Los Angeles Rams

The Browns are still a good team even if they got somewhat run over by a team that was surging in the Broncos. Dorian Thomson-Robinson is working hard but he’s a rookie and the offense is kind of a mess unless their run game is firing on all cinders. He could have a future as a starter but he’s not ready to lead this team their defense has to do the heavy lifting and they’ve given up a couple of bigger performances recently.

How about the Rams, seemed to be out for good but they won a good game against a good Seattle team and then dominated a bad team which is what usually a good team does. It’s somewhat confusing how good this team is or not. They’re pretty average on both sides of the ball but might start climbing the ladder and continue their win streak. 

Prediction: Rams 20, Browns 16

Kansas City Chiefs at Green Bay Packers

Slow start last week against the Raiders as they went down 14-0 and it was concerning but they bounced back and eventually controlled the rest of the game going 31-3 the rest of the way. Pretty dominant way to end the game. Offensively the Chiefs are still not looking like their normal selves, defensively they have not slowed down. Still the third-best scoring defense in the league. Traveling to Green Bay is usually tough, and this game could be closer than expected in primetime but they’re the better team. 

Is Jordan Love finally turning a corner and beginning to become consistent? After a slow start for most of the season outside of an outlier, Love has played well the last two weeks. He was solid-to-good against the Chargers and was fantastic against the Lions. Two performances aren’t enough to give the organization confidence that he’s their future but it’s a start and if he can put together another game like that against the Chiefs, he’ll continue to turn heads. 

Prediction: Chiefs 27, Packers 23

Cincinnati Bengals at Jacksonville Jaguars

The Bengals have now dropped their last three games and sit at 5-6. Without Joe Burrow at quarterback, the offense will not have enough to compete with the top-tier teams in the league and now they’re traveling to one of the top teams in the league in Jacksonville.

Huge win for the Jaguars for beating the Texans in Houston. They put more cushion in their division and have a legitimate chance to be the #1 seed in the AFC. This is a game they have to win against a team without their star quarterback. Win this game, continue their streak, and then play another team next week without their starting quarterback. 

Prediction: Jaguars 24, Bengals 14