NFL Week 13 picks against the spread

 Los Angeles Chargers @ Pittsburgh Steelers (-3.5)

This is a matchup of two teams who were upset by the Denver Broncos, putting them in a much worse position. The Steelers were well on their way to taking the number two seed in the AFC, while the Chargers were heading for a matchup with the Chiefs with the first seed on the line. Now that they lost their respective Denver matchup, that makes this game that much more important.

Which ever team loses this game, they will likely fall completely out of contention for a bye. The Steelers have the best chance to get that bye, because they play the Patriots in the coming weeks. The Steelers have a prolific offense, even if James Connor has fallen off a bit the past couple weeks. They are extremely dangerous.

This matchup is decided by that extra half-point for the Steelers. These two teams are very similar, so it would have made more sense to put the Steelers at -3. Go with the Chargers and the points. Philip Rivers will find a way to pull it out in the end.

Los Angeles (C) 24, Pittsburgh 21

Next: Best NFL player from each state

Washington Redkins @ Philadelphia Eagles (-6.5)

The Philadelphia Eagles have been a shell of their former selves all season long. The biggest disappointment has been the ceremonious fall of Alshon Jeffrey. After looking like one of the best receivers in the league for a few weeks, now he just can’t get open. Golden Tate is taking time to get used to his new team, and Nelson Agholor just doesn’t look the same.

Meanwhile, we all know what we have in the Redskins. They are technically the team that wins the tiebreakers and is in the playoffs. However, they don’t have their starting quarterback. Colt McCoy had a rough first start, but he only had two days to prepare. For this game, he had 10 days to prepare. The Redskins will spend the entire week answering questions about a player who isn’t even playing in Reuben Foster. It might be a distraction that they actually need. If people are talking about the stupid personnel decisions, they won’t talk about McCoy.

The Eagles should win this game, but six and a half is too big a spread. Take the points on Monday Night Football, and call it a week.

Washington 24