NFL WEEK 13: Our official predictions for who wins this weekend

NFL WEEK 13: Our official predictions for who wins this weekend
Elsa/Getty Images NFL action is heating up as teams race to keep their playoff hopes alive, and Week 13 offers plenty of great games that will likely have huge postseason implications. Last week was a solid one for our picks against the spread. After a rough 1-2 run on the Thanksgiving Day games, we got hot on Sunday to finish the weekend with a very satisfying 10-5-1 record. This week we'll do our best to keep the magic rolling with a few home underdogs and one bet that makes me feel sick to my stomach. You can check out our best bets for Week 13 of the NFL season below. All lines courtesy of the Westgate Las Vegas Superbook. LAST WEEK: 10-5-1 OVERALL: 91-78-7 Washington Redskins (-1.5) at Dallas Cowboys (Thursday, 8:30 p.m. ET) Patrick McDermott/Getty Images The pick: Redskins -1.5 The logic: Over the past four weeks the Redskins are 2-2, with wins over the Giants and Seahawks and close losses to the Vikings and Saints. Part of me wants to fade them after such a tough stretch, but the Cowboys have been in free fall as of late, failing to score 10 points in all three games since Ezekiel Elliott began his suspension. Kirk Cousins is still playing for his job, apparently , so he'll have no reason to let up here. Plus the Redskins made news by reportedly defying the NFL and saying that they will not wear their designated "Color Rush" uniforms , opting instead for their burgundy look. That's a flex if I've ever seen one. Minnesota Vikings (+3) at Atlanta Falcons (Sunday, 1:00 p.m. ET) AP Photo/John Bazemore The pick: Falcons -3 The logic: The Vikings have beaten the Rams and Lions the past two weeks, and this just feels like a rough spot for them. They're as hot as any team in the NFL right now, and Case Keenum has cost me more money than I care to count this year. But the Falcons finally look like they're getting their act together, and need every win they can get to keep pace with the Saints and Panthers in the NFC South. New England Patriots (-8.5) at Buffalo Bills (Sunday, 1:00 p.m. ET) Adam Glanzman/Getty Images The pick: Patriots -8.5 The logic: I hate this pick. Every rule in my gambling rulebook tells me to pick the Bills here. They are home underdogs in a division rivalry, and everyone is betting the Patriots, with New England currently taking 80% of bets according to SportsInsights . The Bills looked rejuvenated with Tyrod Taylor back under center, and Tom Brady got beat up pretty badly last week. And over these teams past five meetings, the Pats have only gone 3-2, and only covered 8.5 once. But I am tired of trying to look smart betting against the Patriots while casual bettors that take them week after week make money hand over fist. I want the easy money! I want to be happy when the Patriots score six plays into their opening drive, force a three-and-out, and score again. I am tired of being down 17-0 after the first quarter and needing a mediocre guy to outscore the greatest quarterback in the history of football by a touchdown to hit a backdoor cover. Before their win last week Bills have given up point totals of 34, 47, and 54 to their previous three opponents. I'm taking the Pats. The Bills will likely win outright. See the rest of the story at Business Insider

November 30, 2017 at 12:41PM