NFL Week 13 Biggest Games, Best Bet and DFS Lineup
San Francisco 49ers @ Philadelphia Eagles
The biggest game on today’s slate by far is Philadelphia vs San Francisco. More than likely, this will be a preview of the NFC Championship game as these two teams are the best in their conference. In my opinion, Philadelphia hasn’t looked like the Super Bowl team we saw last year, but they keep winning games and that’s really all that matters. Two weeks ago in Kansas City, the Eagles offensive line was dominated by the Chiefs. Kansas City has some playmakers on the defensive side of the ball, but nowhere near as many as San Francisco. It will be interesting to see if the Eagles’ front was having an off night against the Chiefs or if it’s a sign their aging players are losing a step. The key to victory for Philadelphia is to keep the pressure off Hurts and give him the opportunity to try and pick apart the 49ers’ secondary. Something much easier said than done.
For San Francisco, I think their chance of winning this game sits with Christian McCaffrey. In 11 games, Philadelphia has only allowed over 100 yards rushing in 3 of them, but 2 of them have come back-to-back. They allowed 168 rushing yards to Kansas City and 173 to Buffalo. If the Eagles allow McCaffrey to get into a groove and rush for 5-6 YPC, I think this will be a 10+ point San Francisco win. Shanahan is too smart to let him use the entire playbook.
Denver Broncos @ Houston Texans
Denver isn’t the most exciting team in the league but somehow, they have won 5 in a row and now sit at 6-5 overall. It looks like Sean Payton has fixed Russell Wilson as he’s finally starting to look like his old self. Houston is also miles better than what we thought they were at the beginning of the season. I don’t know who I think will come out on top in this matchup, but I do know it has massive playoff implications. Denver needs this win more than Houston as their schedule the rest of the year is a bit harder. Houston still has Tennessee twice, the Jets, Browns and Colts. Whereas the Broncos play the Chargers twice, Detroit, New England and Las Vegas. Both of these teams are one win and a Colts loss away from grabbing the seventh seed.
Detroit Lions @ New Orleans Saints
It was tough finding a third game for this list, but I think it has to be Detroit @ New Orleans. The Lions are coming off a bad loss to Green Bay on Thanksgiving weekend. They also have been allowing 31 points per game since coming off the bye three weeks ago. Something is obviously wrong with this defense. Their playoff spot should be locked up, given they already have 8 wins and the rest of the NFC North is floundering as well. Detroit has to use these last 6 games to get back to how they were playing in the first couple months of the season. If they don’t, there’s a strong possibility they’re a one and done team.
There isn’t much to say about New Orleans other than the fact they need a win. The NFC South is terrible, and the Saints are no exception. They aren’t going to win a Super Bowl this year and I don’t think anyone expects them to. However, they’re in the worst salary cap situation going forward in the entire league and a playoff game this year would go a long way with their fans once they start their rebuild. If Derek Carr can stop turning the ball over in the red zone, the Saints can get back to first place in their division.
Arizona Cardinals @ Pittsburgh Steelers Under 41
To start with, the under has hit in 8 of the last 9 Steelers’ games. That is largely due to Matt Canada’s inability to lead an offense, but it’s also a product of “Steeler Football”. Their identity first and foremost is defense, especially since Big Ben retired. I don’t see that changing today. Arizona is 31st in rushing attempts allowed per game and 30th in rushing yards given up. Teams love to run on the ball on them and they make it easy. I think Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren are set up to have big games this week. The Steelers will run the ball and control the clock on their way to a 20-10 win, cashing the under for us easily.
QB – Sam Howell – $7,500
RB – Dameon Pierce – $5,900
RB – Rachaad White – $7,500
WR – Curtis Samuel – $6,200
WR – Brandon Aiyuk – $8,000
WR – Michael Pittman Jr. – $7,900
TE – Hunter Henry – $5,100
FLEX – Bijan Robinson – $8,100
DEF – Los Angeles Rams – $3,700