NFL Week 13 picks against the spread

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Los Angeles Rams (-10) @ Detroit Lions

This is just an awful mismatch. Both these teams are coming off a break, with L.A. having their bye week and Detroit playing on Thanksgiving. The Lions could have taken three weeks off, and they wouldn’t be ready for this game. They are in the basement of the NFC North, and their role is now of the conference spoiler.

The Rams are having none of this. They are coming off an insane game against the Kansas City Chiefs, where they squeaked out a win. There is going to be some momentum from that game. The game is far enough a way that there won’t be a let down, but close enough to build more confidence. Aqib Talib is returning this week (likely) and he will solidify an already good defense.

This is an easy pick for me. Even with 10 points, the Rams are going to blow past the spread. They still need these wins to keep pace with the Saints, and they don’t want to have any doubts. Plus, the Lions just put Marvin Jones on IR. Matthew Stafford’s top receiver is Kenny Golladay and TJ Jones. That’s not great.

Los Angeles (R) 47, Detroit 15

Indianapolis Colts (-4) @ Jacksonville Jaguars

The Jacksonville Jaguars are a bad football team. There are no ifs, ands or buts about it now. They officially put an end to the Blake Bortles era, at least this season. Cody Kessler will start this week’s game against the Colts. Leonard Fournette is suspended for this game after a fight against the Bills. On top of all that, cornerback Jalen Ramsey might miss this game with an injury.

The Colts are on the exact opposite spectrum here. While the Jags have lost seven in a row, the Colts haven’t lost since October. Andrew Luck catapulted his way back into the top ten quarterback conversation, and could go even higher than that. He’s leading an offense that hasn’t scored less than 27 points since a Thursday night loss to the Patriots.

This one is pretty easy. A bad Jaguars team is missing its best players. The Colts have everything to play for after crawling their way out of a 1-5 start and into playoff contention. This one won’t be close.

Indianapolis 31, Jacksonville 10