NFL Week 13 picks against the spread

Cleveland Browns @ Houston Texans (-5.5)

The Cleveland Browns showed some serious fight in the weeks after Hue Jackson’s dismissal. Baker Mayfield vaulted himself into the Rookie of the Year conversation. He’s becoming a game breaker, and can win games with his arm and feet. Nick Chubb is one of the better running backs since he took over the starting job. Things have been very good in Cleveland.

The Houston Texans are the hottest team in the NFL, winning eight games in a row. They were dominant on Monday night against the Titans. The Texans are also getting back linebacker Dylan Cole from IR. It adds to an already stellar defense.

Five and a half points makes this a hard one to choose. Both these teams have something to prove, as the Texans still look to hold off the Colts down the stretch and they could actually get a first-round bye if the Patriots lose to the Steelers. The Browns are looking to gain momentum at the end of the season. Still, the Texans are the better team. When in doubt, put your money on the better team.

Houston 35, Cleveland 27 

Arizona Cardinals @ Green Bay Packers (-14)

The Green Bay Packers are still coached by Mike McCarthy. How are they given two touchdowns against anyone? I get that they still have Aaron Rodgers, but this is just not your grandfather’s Packers team.

The Arizona Cardinals is not a good football team. They are fighting for the top overall pick in next year’s drafts. They’ve lost four games by more than two touchdowns, but many of them they were missing Josh Rosen from the lineup. David Johnson is doing his best to carry this team to respectability, but it doesn’t always work out that way.

This is a bad game on an otherwise decent weekend of games. The only way to make this game interesting is to put money on it. Yes, the Packers are not a very good team, but the Cardinals are one of the worst. Rodgers has very little chance of making the playoffs, but he has to start it here.

Green Bay 34, Arizona 17

Carolina Panthers (-3.5) @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The Carolina Panthers are in full free-fall mode. After people were saying they had a chance to overtake the Saints for the leaders in the NFC South, they’ve lost three in a row. A stomping at the hands of the Steelers was a sign of things to come.

The Tampa Bay Bucs have a lot of questions to answer. Jameis Winston is trying to prove he is the quarterback of their present and future. Dirk Koetter is trying to save his job, although I don’t think he can. There is desperation across the board here.

The last time the Panthers won, they played the Buccaneers. It was not close. They won by two touchdowns at home. They should easily win this game. Even with the free fall, the Panthers are still favorites to make the playoffs as a wild card. They have too much to play for.

Carolina 30, Tampa Bay 23