Week 13 in the NFL starts tonight with Houston at Philadelphia, but the real news is what fans will see in two prime time games this weekend.
On Sunday, 8-3 Pittsburgh is at 8-3 Baltimore in a Sunday Night battle of the AFC North powers and on Monday, the 9-2 New York Jets are at the 9-2 New England Patriots in a showdown of AFC East leaders. You won’t find two better intra-divisional games all year than those two.
Dr. Football gives us a quick look at Thursday’s game between Philadelphia and Houston. The rest of the week’s picks will arrive tomorrow.
Houston Texans (5-6) at Philadelphia Eagles (7-4) Line: Eagles by 8.5
The Texans ended three weeks of stumbling last week by shutting out a Tennessee team with rookie third-string quarterback Rusty Smith making his first start. In the three games prior to that, Houston had lost to Jags and the Jets on last-minute bombs and to the Chargers when they drove twice inside the San Diego 30 yard line in the final five minutes but couldn’t score. The Eagles have done the reverse as last week’s 31-26 road loss in Chicago ended a three-game winning streak that had put them on top of the NFC East. The difference maker in this game, just the third meeting between these franchises, will be Philadelphia’s offense, ranked second overall and eighth in passing, against Houston’s defense, ranked 28th overall and 31st against the pass. Eagles quarterback Michael Vick is just too fast for the Texans, and he will have a big night here.
Dr. Football: EAGLES TO WIN AND COVER.
The Coach: EAGLES TO WIN AND COVER