Lucky number 13… Is it time to go back to the well and call up WINNIE Cooper? Ah yes, for those of you who have been following me over the years, you’ll surely recall how I called on Winnie to help win me some games in one glorious Week 13 a few Novembers ago. And if you recall that, you’ll definitely recall how I ended up dancing a dance of perfection, ravaging the NFL to the tune of a 16-0 week. Well, hopes are high, and Winnie’s poster (fat head) is getting put up on the board. Here’s my free picks for week 13.

Thursday’s Game…

Green Bay Packers (+8) @ Dallas Cowboys:
(Line: Tuesday, 3:00am EST: 5Dimes)

These are two very good teams that rival the best the league has to offer. That being said, I do think Dallas is a little better than Green Bay, but just a little. Defensively, I actually like what the Packers do more than the Cowboys. They have a solid secondary with two safeties that can really move on the ball in the air. Dallas has two huge hitters and can be taken advantage of deep down the middle, or in man to man coverage with either safety. I think these teams are very equal offensively, with the Packers having the slight upper hand. This is the best the NFC has, and that being said, I think both teams feel as though they have something to prove on Thursday. This should be one hell of a game, a close one, and getting more than a touchdown, I have to go with a Packers team that should probably be undefeated right now. Yes, believe it. They are a self destructive second half away from a perfect record. Each team has had their close games, and I see this being yet another one.

Sunday’s Games…

Atlanta Falcons @ St. Louis Rams (-3.5):
(Line: Wednesday, 9:00pm EST: Bookmaker)

I think the Falcons are just about done winning games this season, and the Rams just started. Despite losing last week at home to Seattle, St. Louis played a pretty solid game, and still has one of the best offensive units in the game when healthy. The Falcons don’t have enough offensive firepower to keep up with St. Louis, unless the Rams have an injury to Bulger or just come out flat-lined. I like Steven Jackson to exude some force in this one, especially against a defensive tackle group full of backups. I’m sure the public will be riding the Rams in this one, but I honestly think they’ll win by more than a touchdown.

Buffalo Bills @ Washington Redskins (-5):
(Line: Tuesday, 5:00am EST: Bookmaker)

I hate to bet on this game at all, honestly. There are too many emotions floating around in Washington, and I’m not privy to the team enough to know how they’ll react as a unit. I know they are hurting bad after the murder of their friend and teammate, Sean Taylor. However, I like how the Redskins have been playing lately despite their losing ways. They are fighters, and I’m not so sure that the Bills, without their 1st and 2nd string running backs, will be able to compete from start to finish. I’m taking the Redskins here, but it’s not one of my strongest plays of the week. Basically, when I’m not sure, I lean on a team to step up in time of emotional crisis.

Detroit Lions (+3.5) @ Minnesota Vikings:
(Line: Tuesday, 5:00am EST: Bookmaker)

I know that the Lions are less than stellar on the road, but I don’t buy how well the Vikings played last week, and I also am not bidding on the Lions fall down the NFC. Detroit has gotten away from what made them strong, and I’m guessing they’ll get back to their open attack this week against a weak Vikings secondary. From what I’ve seen, the NFL doesn’t really work in runs. The Vikings were one of the more dominant teams in Week 12, and my guess is they’ll struggle in Week 13. I like the money line for the lions here, but getting more than a field goal, I’ll roll with Detroit to get a big road win to keep them in the playoff hunt.

Houston Texans @ Tennessee Titans (-3.5):
(Line: Tuesday, 5:00am EST: Bookmaker)

I like the Titans to rebound here. I don’t believe the hype that Albert Haynesworth’s absence has caused all the problems with Tennessee, but obviously getting him back would give the team a boost against a Texans team that is playing pretty solid football right now. Andre Johnson is back, and if the Titans can’t pressure Matt Schaub into some mistakes, it could be another long day for Tennessee’s secondary. However, I think they’ll easily shut down the Texan rushing attack, and force Schaub into 3rd and long situations – that will be the key for Tennessee to cover this one.

Cincinnati Bengals @ Pittsburgh Steelers (-7):
(Line: Tuesday, 3:00pm EST: Belmont)

The Bengals had a nice performance last week against the Titans, dominating in most aspects of the game, and putting up nice offensive numbers while completely shutting down Vince Young and the Titans. They got up early, and actually took some chances in the game, and that’s what the Bengals need to do to be successful. However, the Steelers, in my opinion, are still one of the NFL’s best teams. They play very well at home, and the also play big in big games. I think this is a huge game for Pittsburgh after the 3-0 ridiculously sloppy game last Monday Night. Plus, I just can’t bet on the Bengals because of one good game.

Seattle Seahawks @ Philadelphia Eagles (-3):
(Line: Tuesday, 5:00am EST: Bookmaker)

I think Brian Westbrook is trouble for the Seahawks, I like the Hawks team more than Philly’s but Seattle plays poor on the road, and they didn’t play well last week despite beating St. Louis. They aren’t strong enough with their run game, and Philly has the physical corners to disrupt the Hawks short stuff. And like I said, Brian Westbrook is going to be a Hawk killer on Sunday. I’m not sure if McNabb is playing or not, but A.J. Feeley can do enough to keep the Hawks secondary honest. Reggie Brown’s size will help the Eagles keep possessions going and defensively, I really like the Eagles’ confidence right now.

Monday Night Football Game

New England Patriots (-20) @ Baltimore Ravens:
(Line: Tuesday, 5:00am EST: Belmont)

Okay, this 20 point thing is getting a little ridiculous, but unlike the Eagles, the Ravens can’t put up points against the Patriots. Also unlike the Eagles, the Ravens don’t have a secondary that is strong enough to eliminate Randy Moss, or cover well enough to make Tom hold on to the ball that extra second. This spread is huge, and I’m not a fan of huge spreads, but I have to take the Patriots. I wouldn’t be surprised if they had a Monday Night shut out of the Ravens. I think the score will be 31-7 or something ridiculous like that. Baltimore is bad, and their amazing run defense won’t matter against New England.