Friday Five, Week 13

Well, the longest NFL week in my memory finally ended on Wednesday. We got no game on Thursday, but there are still 12 games on Sunday. And as we careen toward the playoffs, there are some big matchups. Below are five that I’m looking forward to this week.

Sunday Early Games:

New Orleans Saints (9-2) at Atlanta Falcons (4-7)
The first matchup here was Taysom Hill’s first start. He did pretty well, as did the Saints’ defensive front. The Saints are in the driver’s seat for the top seed in the NFC, while the Falcons have looked pretty good since moving on from coach Dan Quinn aside for the disaster in New Orleans in Week 11. Will this time be different? Can Hill actually throw a passing touchdown? The Falcons decimated the Raiders last week, so hope springs eternal. I’m looking forward to a good game.

Cleveland Browns (8-3) at Tennessee Titans (8-3)
This is a crucial game for the AFC. The Browns are three games back of the Steelers, but two games up on the Ravens, and sitting pretty for a Wild Card slot in the AFC. The Titans, meanwhile, are fresh off a big win over the Colts, putting them back in the lead in the AFC South. They also need to keep winning to maintain that slot and to keep trucking toward a solid seed in the AFC. Only one can win, and both need a quality win against another playoff bound team. Plus, it will be great to see Nick Chubb and Derrick Henry battle.

Sunday Late Games:

Los Angeles Rams (7-4) at Arizona Cardinals (6-5)
A battle of division rivals would be interesting in any week, but it’s particularly interesting this week. The Rams, Cardinals and Seahawks were all tied atop the NFC West three weeks ago. Now, the Rams are in second and the Cardinals are teetering on the edge of falling out of the NFC playoff picture entirely. This is the first of two battles between these teams in the final five weeks, and this game will go a long way toward determining who will make the playoffs.

New York Giants (4-7) at Seattle Seahawks (8-3)
This is actually a battle of division leaders—embrace 2020. The Giants are 4-7, sure, but they still lead the NFC East. I think they have as good a shot as any of the teams to win the division, but a victory over a team like Seattle would go a long way toward locking that up. The Seahawks, meanwhile, lead a group of teams in the NFC West and are just a game out of the race for the top seed in the NFC. They’re looking to get the win and move a little closer toward punching their playoff ticket. With Daniel Jones tracking toward missing, things will be a little harder for the Giants, but it’s still a matchup worth watching.

Philadelphia Eagles (3-7-1) at Green Bay Packers (8-3)
Carson Wentz and the Eagles have been struggling. The team has one just three games in 11 weeks. And yet, the team is on the cusp of making the playoffs if they can right the ship. The Packers, meanwhile, have a three-game cushion in the NFC North and have their eyes set on trying to claim the top seed in the NFC. Only one can win, and if it’s not the Eagles their shot at the playoffs is likely over.

Drive In Podcast Network Picks

Week 12 was a big one for Matt Bruening, who boosted his lead with five weeks left to go. Can he be caught? It’s looking more doubtful by the day.

Matt Bruening
Last Week: 13-3
Season: 117-60

Matt Fox
Last Week: 10-6
Season: 109-68

Lindsay Fox
Last Week: 9-7
Season: 105-72

Dennis Bennett
Last Week: 9-7
Season: 102-75

Ricky Valero
Last Week: 6-10
Season: 88-89

Week 13 Picks

After 12 weeks I have a four pick lead. But with five weeks left, it’s still anyone’s game. Below is our Week 13 Picks.

Matt’s Week 13 Picks
Saints Over Falcons
Bears Over Lions
Dolphins Over Bengals
Titans Over Browns
Colts Over Texans
Raiders Over Jets
Vikings Over Jaguars
Cardinals Over Rams
Seahawks Over Giants
Packers Over Eagles
Patriots Over Chargers
Chiefs Over Broncos
Steelers Over Washington
Bills Over 49ers
Ravens Over Cowboys

Last Week: 10-6
Season: 109-68

Lindsay’s Week 13 Picks
Saints Over Falcons
Bears Over Lions
Dolphins Over Bengals
Titans Over Browns
Colts Over Texans
Raiders Over Jets
Vikings Over Jaguars
Cardinals Over Rams
Seahawks Over Giants
Packers Over Eagles
Chargers Over Patriots
Chiefs Over Broncos
Steelers Over Washington
Bills Over Cardinals
Ravens Over Cowboys

Last Week: 9-7
Season: 105-72

Matt’s Week 13 Picks Against the Spread
Saints -2.5 Over Falcons
Lions +3.5 Over Bears
Bengals +11.5 Over Dolphins
Browns +5.5 Over Titans
Colts -3.5 Over Texans
Raiders -8.5 Over Jets
Jaguars +9.5 Over Vikings
Cardinals +2.5 Over Rams
Seahawks -9.5 Over Giants
Eagles +8.5 Over Packers
Patriots +1.5 Over Chargers
Broncos +13.5 Over Chiefs
Washington +8.5 Over Steelers
Bills -2.5 Over 49ers
Cowboys +9.5 Over Ravens

Last Week: 9-7
Season: 79-98

Matthew Fox is a graduate of the Radio, Television and Film program at Biola University, and a giant nerd. He spends his free time watching movies, TV, and obsessing about football. You can find him @knighthawk7734 on Twitter and as co-host of the Fantasy Football Roundtable Podcast, a proud member of the Drive-In Podcast Network.