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NFL Week 13 Picks, Score Predictions

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By @BrianKalchik

NFL Week 13 Picks, Score Predictions

Colin Kaepernick 49ers
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With only five more weeks left in the regular season, Week 13 is crucial for many teams who are trying to establish themselves as serious playoff contenders. With many teams hovering around .500 or within a game of a division lead, a loss in Week 13 would be absolutely devastating. Here now are my Week 13 picks and score predictions.

Chicago Bears at Detroit Lions

Matt Forte Bears
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Chicago Bears at Detroit Lions

Matt Forte Bears
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Week 13 begins on Thursday with the Lions hosting the Bears. Detroit has lost two in a row on the road, while the Bears have won two straight at home. The Lions defense will respond after being embarrassed by New England and win decisively 24-14.

Philadelphia Eagles at Dallas Cowboys

LeSean McCoy Eagles
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Philadelphia Eagles at Dallas Cowboys

LeSean McCoy Eagles
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In a battle to decide who is No. 1 in the NFC East, the Eagles travel to Dallas to take on the Cowboys. Dallas is a better team on the road than at home, but the Cowboys will force Mark Sanchez into several crucial mistakes. Dallas wins a close one 21-17.

Seattle Seahawks at San Francisco 49ers

Marshawn Lynch Seahawks
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Seattle Seahawks at San Francisco 49ers

Marshawn Lynch Seahawks
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In each of the last two seasons, the team that has played at home has won every game. Nothing changes here as the 49ers hold serve against the Seahawks, winning 20-17.

Cincinnati Bengals at Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Michael Johnson Bengals
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Cincinnati Bengals at Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Michael Johnson Bengals
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After being drafted by the Bengals, DE Michael Johnson plays his first game against his former team when the Buccaneers host the Bengals. Cincinnati is back on track after struggling earlier, and Tampa Bay will be no match, even at home. Cincinnati wins 31-20.

New Orleans Saints at Pittsburgh Steelers

Drew Brees Saints
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New Orleans Saints at Pittsburgh Steelers

Drew Brees Saints
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New Orleans has struggled both at home and on the road this season, and after facing the Baltimore Ravens, the Saints travel to Pittsburgh to take on the Steelers. The Steelers are coming off their bye week and will cruise to an easy win 27-17.

Oakland Raiders at St. Louis Rams

Darren McFadden Raiders
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Oakland Raiders at St. Louis Rams

Darren McFadden Raiders
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The Rams have the tendency to play up to their competition, and down to their competition (i.e. Minnesota). Oakland has some confidence coming off an home upset over Kansas City. Oakland comes into St. Louis and pulls another upset with a 20-17 win.

Carolina Panthers at Minnesota Vikings

Cam Newton Panthers
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Carolina Panthers at Minnesota Vikings

Cam Newton Panthers
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Cam Newton and the Panthers are just too inconsistent right now to beat any team, including the Vikings. Carolina will struggle again on the road, losing to Teddy Bridgewater and the Vikings 27-21.

Washington Redskins at Indianapolis Colts

Andrew Luck Colts
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Washington Redskins at Indianapolis Colts

Andrew Luck Colts
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The top two overall picks in 2012 face one another as Andrew Luck (No. 1) and the Colts host Robert Griffin III (No. 2) and the Redskins. With all the questions surrounding RG III and whether he will even start this game, the Colts are the safe bet here at home. Indianapolis wins 34-17.

New York Giants at Jacksonville Jaguars

Eli Manning Giants
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New York Giants at Jacksonville Jaguars

Eli Manning Giants
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Both the Giants and Jaguars are well out of the playoff discussion and are playing for draft position. New York looked impressive at home against Dallas while Jacksonville lost another embarrasing game to Indianapolis. The Giants bounce back with a 24-14 win over the Jags.

San Diego Chargers at Baltimore Ravens

Torrey Smith Ravens
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San Diego Chargers at Baltimore Ravens

Torrey Smith Ravens
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Since a fast start, the San Diego Chargers have fallen back to earth and are now on the outside looking in behind Denver and Kansas City. The Ravens have also had their issues this season, but given San Diego's most recent road loss (37-0 to Miami), I like Baltimore to keep pace in the AFC North with a 23-20 win.

Cleveland Browns at Buffalo Bills

Mario Williams Bills
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Cleveland Browns at Buffalo Bills

Mario Williams Bills
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When these teams met last year, Brian Hoyer was lost for the season with a Torn ACL and the Browns slim playoff chances were gone as well. This year, the Browns travel to Buffalo to take on the Bills. Both offenses will struggle in this game, but I like the Bills at home to win 14-10.

Tennessee Titans at Houston Texans

J.J. Watt Texans
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Tennessee Titans at Houston Texans

J.J. Watt Texans
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This game looks even close on paper with Texans QB Ryan Mallett now out for the season. Since these teams met last, the Titans have improved offensively with Zach Mettenberger under center. Even with quarterback concerns, J.J. Watt and the Texans defense will carry the load and Houston gets back in the AFC South race with a 24-16 win.

Arizona Cardinals at Atlanta Falcons

Tyrann Mathieu Cardinals
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Arizona Cardinals at Atlanta Falcons

Tyrann Mathieu Cardinals
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Despite their struggles in Seattle, the Arizona Cardinals, especially their defense, still put in a good performance against Russell Wilson. This week, the Cardinals offense gets back on track against a poor Atlanta defense. Mike Smith's poor clock management skills will show up again as the Cardinals defeat the Falcons on the road 24-21.

New England Patriots at Green Bay Packers

Tom Brady Patriots
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New England Patriots at Green Bay Packers

Tom Brady Patriots
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In a matchup between the two hottest teams in the NFL, Tom Brady and the Patriots travel to Lambeau to take on Aaron Rodgers and the Packers. As good as the Packers have been, the Patriots have been even better and can win playing any style. New England wins a close, high-scoring game 34-31.

Denver Broncos at Kansas City Chiefs

Emmanuel Sanders Broncos
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Denver Broncos at Kansas City Chiefs

Emmanuel Sanders Broncos
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Coming off their worst loss of the Andy Reid era, the Kansas City Chiefs will bounce back this week and put up an inspiring performance against Peyton Manning and the Denver Broncos. Unfortunately, it will not be enough as the Broncos get a crucial road win 35-27.

Miami Dolphins at New York Jets

Chris Ivory Jets
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Miami Dolphins at New York Jets

Chris Ivory Jets
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Ryan Tannehill and the Dolphins offense are clicking on all cylinders while the Jets are just playing out the string. On Monday Night, Rex Ryan will get his team to play inspired football, but the Dolphins will be too much for the Jets to handle. Miami wins 28-17.

Brian Kalchik is a Detroit Lions writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter, like him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google+.

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