JACKSONVILLE — We’re in Jacksonville this week for the Texans and Jags. Everybody else will probably be watching the Vikings in Arizona or the Cowboys at the Giants.
Heading into lucky Week 13, there are two big stories:
1) Tennessee runningback Chris Johnson is clearly one of the finest young backs in football, but at the pace he’s set, Eric Dickerson’s single season record of 2,105 rushing yards is in jeopardy of being surpassed.
Johnson has 1,396 yards rushing in 11 games this season, which puts him on pace for 2,030 over the course of 16 games. But with five games left, and with all his speed and talent, Johnson could easily get to 2,200.
2) Brett Favre was the NFL’s player of the month for November. It’s the sixth time in his career he’s won the award. Based on what Favre did in November, this is no scoop.
In four games, beginning with his return to Lambeau Field on Nov. 1, Favre threw 130 passes, completed 91 of them for 1,193 yards. He threw 12 touchdown passes and not one interception. The Vikings went 4-0 and Favre turned 40. Nice month.
He can keep things going in Phoenix on Sunday night.
Let’s take a closer look at Week 13:
THURSDAY NIGHT IN TORONTO
New York Jets 5-6 at Buffalo Bills 4-7 (+2.5)
This contest will be played in Toronto, where barely anyone showed up last year. This is technically a home game for Buffalo, but I don’t see how the team can get any motivation when most of the fans won’t even be there. The Jets, meanwhile, are not as good as the New York-based TV media continues to suggest.
Dr. Sports: Jets to win and cover.
The Coach: Bills to win.
SUNDAY AFTERNOON
Philadelphia Eagles 7-4 at Atlanta Falcons 6-5 (+4.5)
A critical match for the NFC wild card. The Falcons are undefeated at home but they are without starting quarterback Matt Ryan.
Dr. Sports: Eagles to win and cover.
The Coach: Eagles to win and cover.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 1-10 at Carolina Panthers 4-7 (-6.5)
Just when you thought it was safe to believe in the Panthers, they go and lose to the Jets. Still, Tampa Bay is terrible. We could see about seven interceptions in this game, which could be fun. Panthers won by a touchdown when these two teams met in Tampa in October.
Dr. Sports: Panthers to win and cover.
The Coach: Panthers to win and cover.
St. Louis at 1-10 Chicago 7-7 (-8.5)
First of all, who are the Bears, to be laying nine points? They stink. Their offensive line can’t block and their defence can’t stop anyone. They haven’t won a game in more than a month. How can they beat a 9-point spread if they can’t even get a victory? After getting blown out by the Vikings, they might play a little better, but they won’t win by much. The only thing Chicago has going for it is the fact the Rams couldn’t even beat dog-ass Seattle in its own building.
Dr. Sports: Bears to win but not cover.
The Coach: Bears to win and cover.
Detroit Lions 2-9 at Cincinnati Bengals 8-3 (-12.5)
This is a really tough spot for Cincinnati for two reasons. First, this is a meaningless contest against a non-conference foe. The Bengals are three in front of the Steelers and Ravens (they have the tie-breaker), so they don’t need a victory. And second, they have the Vikings and Chargers after this “easy game.” Why would Cincinnati be focused here?
Dr. Sports: Bengals to win but not to cover.
The Coach: Bengals to win and cover.
Tennessee Titans 5-6 at Indianapolis Colts 11-0 (-6.5)
Sure, the Titans are on a roll right now, but the Colts just keep finding ways to win and I don’t think the Tennessee defence can keep Manning and company out of the end zone.
Dr. Sports: Colts to win and cover.
The Coach: Colts to win and cover.
Houston Texans 5-6 at Jacksonville Jaguars 6-5 (PK)
The Texans are the better team, but that didn’t stop them from losing last time and we don’t like their chances here either. They just lost their Super Bowl. Once 5-3, they now sit at 5-6, meaning that their season is over.
Dr. Sports: Jaguars to win.
The Coach: Jaguars to win.
Denver Broncos 7-4 at Kansas City Chiefs 3-8 (+4.5)
Granted, the Broncos just demolished the Giants, but they shouldn’t be favored by this much on the road. They had lost four games in a row before Thanksgiving and were lucky enough to catch New York traveling on a short work week. The Chiefs have been blown out just twice since the beginning of October – and both times it was against San Diego. Remember, Kansas City just beat the Steelers two weeks ago.
Dr. Sports: Broncos to win, but they won’t cover.
The Coach: Chiefs to win.
Oakland Raiders 3-8 at Pittsburgh Steelers 6-5 (OFF)
The Steelers aren’t a great football team in 2009. Injuries to important players have seen to that. Fortunately for Pittsburgh, they’re playing a very bad football team. Then again, the Raiders only show up when playing good opponents.
Dr. Sports: Steelers to win (and cover).
The Coach: Steelers to win (and cover).
New Orleans Saints 11-0 at Washington Redskins 3-8 (+9.5)
The Redskins have decided in the past month that they’re ready to actually play football but do you really think Washington can keep the Saints from scoring at least 40 points?
Dr. Sports: Saints to win and cover.
The Coach: Saints to win and cover.
San Diego Chargers 8-3 at Cleveland Browns 1-10 (+12.5)
Anybody picking the Browns in this one? Anybody? Dr. Sports would rather listen to Vic Grant for three hours than watch the Browns play football.
Dr. Sports: Chargers to win and cover.
The Coach: Chargers to win and cover.
Dallas Cowboys 8-3 at New York Giants 6-5 (+2.5)
After watching Romo and company destroy Oakland on US Turkey Day, and with reports that Eli Manning’s foot is worse than we’re being let on, how do you pick the Jints?
Dr. Sports: Cowboys to win and cover.
The Coach: Cowboys to win and cover.
San Francisco 49ers 5-6 at Seattle Seahawks 4-7 (PK)
Neither of these teams are very good, but the Seahawks still have a great home field advantage. With Hasselbeck under center, they are 3-1 at Qwest Field this year, losing only to Arizona. They also own this rivalry, having won nine of the past 13 meetings.
Dr. Sports: Seahawks to win.
The Coach: Seahawks to win.
New England Patriots 7-4 at Miami Dolphins 5-6 (+5.5)
To quote Mike Tomlin, New England will “unleash hell” in Miami.
Dr. Sports: Patriots to win and cover.
The Coach: Patriots to win and cover.
SUNDAY NIGHT
Minnesota at Arizona (OFF)
This isn’t really a major game for either team. A loss wouldn’t hurt the Vikings or Cardinals. Perhaps Arizona will want revenge after the trashing they took last year, but that’s not a major edge.
Dr. Sports: Vikings to win but by only a FG.
The Coach: Vikings to win.
MONDAY NIGHT
Baltimore Ravens 6-5 at Green Bay Packers 7-4 (-2.5)
Despite their best efforts, the Ravens managed to beat the Steelers on Sunday night. Baltimore’s pass rush should keep Aaron Rodgers from sleeping all week long as he plays behind a terrible, terrible offensive line. With that said, the Ravens will probably manage to lose the game on a botched field goal.
Dr. Sports: Packers to win but not cover.
The Coach: Packers to win and cover.
The Doc is 116-60 overall this season and 96-80 against the spread. The coach is 111-65 straight up and 90-86 against the spread.