NFL Week 13

We had a promising start to Week 12 by sweeping the Thanksgiving Day games, but then the rest of the schedule arrived and we sank to 7-9 overall for the week. It's just been one of those years. The tally now stands at 71-95-9 for 2007 and apparently any hopes for even a .500 mark are long gone.

Still, we soldier on. We did pick Dallas correctly Thursday, so we start at 1-0 this week.

As usual, these picks are for informational purposes only, and if you want to buy any Christmas presents for your loved ones, you know better than to wager any money on these selections.

SUNDAY
Jets +1 DOLPHINS: The sheer humiliation at being an underdog to an 0-11 team should be more than enough motivation for the Jets, who've had 10 days to get over their Thanksgiving beatdown in Dallas. The league has apparently mandated Miami lose all their games by three, so this one is easy. Jets 20-17

RAMS -3 Falcons: We might reconsider this because of the Gus Frerotte factor, which begs the question: How is it Gus Frerotte is still collecting an NFL paycheck? Rams 31-17

Bills +5.5 REDSKINS: Who knows where the the Redskins' heads will be after Sean Taylor's murder, but we figure an emotional scene will lift them to a close victory. Redskins 24-21

VIKINGS -4 Lions: Vikings coming off thrashing of the Giants and should have Adrian Peterson back. Lions back doing what they usually do this time of year: losing a lot. Vikings 30-21

Texans +4 TITANS: Titans in freefall since losing Albert Haynesworth and considering these two had a wild shootout earlier this year, we like this one staying close. Titans 26-24

Jaguars +6.5 COLTS: Colts have had 10 days to rest up and heal a bit, but look for hot Jags to run the ball efficiently and stay close. Colts 23-20

Chargers -6 CHIEFS: Chiefs surprisingly won at San Diego earlier in the year, but at some point the Chargers have to win a couple in a row, and Chiefs are coming off a bad loss at home to Oakland. Revenge factor here. Chargers 31-14

EAGLES -3 Seahawks: Seahawks pretty lousy on the road and Philly really stepped up last week and showed the world how to play New England. Should have some carry-over here, plus it's cold and inclement in Philadelphia. Eagles 20-16

49ers +3 PANTHERS: Until Carolina wins a home game, I just cannot pick them. If this game is on in your market, go Christmas shopping. 49ers 17-16

Giants -1.5 BEARS: We'll leave this one to Illinois native and midwest correspondent 3 wood: "Bears are literally hiring guys off the street to play in the secondary, so Manning should be able to stare down receivers all day and still move the ball with no sweat. Look for Shockey to be wide open over the middle and the slant-in for 15 is there any time you want it. Bad Rex will make an appearance and turn it over at least twice. Just don't kick it to Hester and there is no way the Bears can win. Take any point spread you like." OK then: Giants 20-17

SAINTS -3.5 Buccaneers: Saints may be able to make a move in the NFC South if they win this, which should be enough motivation. Saints 31-20

Browns E CARDINALS: When a game is even, we figure go with the squad who's best against the spread, which is the Browns at 8-2-1. Browns 34-31

BRONCOS -3.5 Raiders: Raiders finally won a divisional game last week, on the road no less. May be a while until they do it again. Broncos 33-13

SUNDAY NIGHT
Bengals +7 STEELERS: If that field in Pittsburgh is even remotely close to the condition it was lat Monday, then expect few points. As always, the Sunday night Olbermann Rule is in effect. Steelers 14-10

MONDAY NIGHT
Patriots -20 RAVENS:Key stats: Patriots a manly 9-2 ATS, while the Ravens are a putrid 1-9-1. Enough said. Patriots 38-7