Last year’s NFC championship could easily be this year’s NFC championship.
We’ll get a chance to see a preview in Week 13.
Philadelphia (10-1) takes on San Francisco (8-3) in a game that has NFC playoff seeding implications.
The Eagles have knocked off Kansas City and Buffalo in dramatic fashion the last two weeks, and they have a matchup against Dallas in Week 14. It’s a playoff-like stretch before it happens, but Jalen Hurts continues to lead the Eagles with four game-winning drives this season.
San Francisco has won three straight games by a combined score of 92-30. The trade for Chase Young lifted the team from a midseason funk, and Brock Purdy will get a chance to play the whole game this time after exiting last year’s NFC championship loss in Philadelphia.
The 49ers are favored, but it’s still on them to shake up the playoff picture.
There are two other games between teams with winning records this week. Seattle travels to Dallas on Thursday Night Football, and Denver travels to Houston in a matchup of AFC playoff hopefuls.
Each week, Sporting News picks every NFL matchup by the spread. A look at our track record this season heading into Week 13:
- Straight up: 115-64 (12-3 in Week 12)
- ATS: 92-82-5 (9-5-1 in Week 12)
Here are our straight-up picks for Week 13 (lines courtesy of Caesars):
POWER RANKINGS: Chiefs, Cowboys, Ravens rise; Lions, Browns drop thanks to revived Broncos, Packers
NFL picks, predictions for Week 13
- Seattle Seahawks (+8.5) at Dallas Cowboys
Thursday, 8:15 p.m., Prime Video
Dallas is 5-0 S/U at home and won those five games by an average of 29 points per game. It’s one of the most-dominant stretches at home possible. With the exception of a blowout loss at Baltimore, the Seahawks are 3-2 ATS on the road and have been competitive in losses. With the line moving up a full point, we’ll take the value in Seattle.
Pick: Cowboys 27, Seahawks 20
- Indianapolis Colts (-2) at Tennessee Titans
Sunday, 1 p.m., CBS
The Colts have won three straight games, a stretch where they have a +4 turnover ratio and they are grinding out wins with Jonathan Taylor, who averages 4.2 yards per carry the last two weeks. Tennessee broke a three-game losing streak in Week 12 and is 4-0 S/U at home this season and Derrick Henry – who averages 4.1 yards per carry the last two weeks but had 43 yards in the first meeting – is a difference maker.
Pick: Titans 21, Colts 16
- Los Angeles Chargers (-6) at New England Patriots
Sunday, 1 p.m., CBS
The Patriots have bottomed out, and unproductive quarterback play remains a huge problem. New England averages just 167.5 passing yards per game through a four-game losing streak, and Mac Jones and Bailey Zappe have combined for three TDs and six interceptions in that stretch. The Chargers are on a three-game losing streak, too, but Justin Herbert’s play is not the problem. The Patriots are 1-5 ATS as an underdog.
Pick: Chargers 24, Patriots 17
- Detroit Lions (-3.5) at New Orleans Saints
Sunday, 1 p.m., Fox
Turnovers have been a problem for Detroit the last two weeks. The Lions had seven turnovers between the win against Chicago in Week 11 and the Thanksgiving loss to the Packers. New Orleans is hovering in the NFC South race, but they have averaged just 17 points per game in their last two losses. The Lions are 3-1 S/U and 3-1 ATS on the road. It is a tough one, but a bounce-back game is in the cards if Jared Goff protects the football.
Pick: Lions 25, Saints 18
- Atlanta Falcons (-2.5) at New York Jets
Sunday, 1 p.m., Fox
The Jets are an offensive disaster right now. New York averages just 9.3 points per game through a four-game losing streak, and Tim Boyle threw two interceptions and took seven sacks in the loss to Miami. Atlanta ranks 22nd in the NFL in sacks (22), but they will no doubt turn up the pressure here. Desmond Ridder will have to be more efficient, but the Falcons squeak out an ugly win on the road.
Pick: Falcons 22, Jets 19
- Arizona Cardinals at Pittsburgh Steelers (-5.5)
Sunday, 1 p.m., CBS
The Steelers generated more than 400 yards under new offensive coordinator Eddie Faulkner, and they return home after a pair of divisional road games. The defense has allowed just 15.7 points per game over the last six weeks. The Cardinals are 0-6 on the road and have not scored more than 16 points in any of those losses. Look for Pittsburgh to continue its playoff push in the AFC North.
Pick: Steelers 28, Cardinals 16
- Miami Dolphins (-9.5) at Washington Commanders
Sunday, 1 p.m., Fox
The Commanders fired defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio after an embarrassing Thanksgiving loss to Dallas. Now, Ron Rivera faces the challenge of slowing down a Miami offense that leads the league in total offense (430.5 ypg.). The Dolphins have been loose with the ball with three turnovers the last two weeks, but they can clean that up. Miami is 4-0 ATS when favored by less than 10 points. Stay on that trend.
Pick: Dolphins 31, Commanders 20
- Denver Broncos at Houston Texans (-3)
Sunday, 1 p.m., CBS
The Broncos have emerged as one of the hottest teams in the NFL with five straight victories and an offense that has come around with first-year coach Sean Payton. Russell Wilson has eight TD passes and no interceptions in that winning streak. This is a tricky spot for Houston, whose pass defense allows 252.5 yards per game. The Texans are 4-2 S/U at home and C.J. Stroud has been brilliant, but Denver makes one more play on the road here.
Pick: Broncos 31, Texans 28
- Carolina Panthers at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (-6)
Sunday, 4:05 p.m., CBS
The Panthers fired Frank Reich on Monday, the end of an era that produced a 1-10 record this season. Chris Tabor is the interim coach, and there is always the opportunity for a play-up moment for the franchise. Tampa Bay has lost six of seven games, but four of those losses have been of the one-score variety. They reverse that trend here.
Pick: Buccaneers 28, Panthers 20
- Cleveland Browns at Los Angeles Rams (-4.5)
Sunday, 4:25 p.m., Fox
Our trouble with picking Cleveland continues ahead of a West Coast trip to Los Angeles. Injuries to quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson and defensive end Myles Garrett are a problem, and the Rams receiver Cooper Kupp should be healthier this week. Cleveland has failed to score 14 points in its last two games, and Los Angeles is fine with getting into a defensive battle. Stick with the home team by a field goal.
Pick: Rams 21, Browns 18
- San Francisco 49ers (-2.5) at Philadelphia Eagles
Sunday, 4:25 p.m., Fox
The 49ers are a road favorite. That is a bit of a surprise. The Eagles are making second-half comebacks a running theme this season, and both teams have similar sack totals. San Francisco has 33. Philadelphia has 32. Which team will force that mistake at the right time? Hurts has more turnovers, but we’ll stick with him in the clutch at home in a close call these teams could revisit in this year’s NFC championship game.
Pick: Eagles 24, 49ers 21
- Kansas City Chiefs (-6.5) at Green Bay Packers
Sunday, 8:20 p.m., NBC
Patrick Mahomes is making his Lambeau Field debut. Jordan Love is making his Sunday Night Football debut. The Packers have improved with back-to-back victories, but the injuries to the defense have mounted. The Chiefs’ only road loss this season was part of a five-turnover nightmare in Denver. Green Bay is 5-2 ATS as an underdog this season, and they will still be a tough out at home. But this could be a monster game for Travis Kelce.
Pick: Chiefs 27, Packers 19
- Cincinnati Bengals at Jacksonville Jaguars (-8)
Monday, 8:15 p.m., ABC
Jake Browning proved capable when he got the ball out quick for the Bengals, but he still took four sacks in his starting debut. Jacksonville has settled into a rhythm despite two blowout losses at home this season. The Jaguars have not been on Monday Night Football since 2011 – so anticipate a rowdy crowd here. Trevor Lawrence – who averages 303 passing yards the last two weeks – does the rest.
Pick: Jaguars 26, Bengals 17