In the Huddle: NFL Betting Picks and Predictions Week 13 - Marc

Week 12 went down as a second consecutive 3-4 celebration, but I was as shocked as anyone to see Michael Vick flip the double “dirty bird” to fans at the Georgia Dome. Vick had a big day running the ball, but I thought Atlanta would rally and rally they did not. Most eyes will be on the NFC East match-up between the Cowboys and Giants, but the hot play may be on which Giants player will lose his composure next – I’ll put my money on Eli Manning and a sideline meltdown. Could Andy Reid’s job in Philadelphia be in trouble – if the Eagles get blown out again I’m not so sure. Good luck to Mr. Oxley and Mr. Butterfield down the stretch…

KANSAS CITY CHIEFS -5 vs. CLEVELAND BROWNS +5

Last week the Cleveland Browns season hit rock bottom when they were crushed 30-0 by the Cincinnati Bengals. Receiver Braylon Edwards “passion for the game” resulted in a sideline rant at his teammates, while speculation that head coach Romeo Crennel’s job security was in danger ended when GM Phil Savage came to his defense. The Browns have been plagued by injuries since the beginning of the season when the loss of LeCharles Bentley was evidently a portent of things to come. This week they lose their steadiest offensive lineman, Ryan Tucker, for the rest of the season; not good news since Charlie Frye has already been 43 times. Look for Chiefs rookie Tamba Hali to put the heat on Frye. Kansas City has won five of their last six games including a key divisional win against Denver last Sunday. Larry Johnson leads the league with 1,202 yards rushing and went on a tear in November, including a 157-yard performance last week. Cleveland gives up 133.5 yards rushing a game. Look for Trent Green to get back on track with his first pair of touchdown passes since returning to the lineup.

PREDICTION: Chiefs to cover

 DALLAS COWBOYS -3.5 vs. NEW YORK GIANTS +3.5

Much has changed for both teams since the Giants pounded the Cowboys 36-22 back in October. After Giants’ players held an emergency meeting early in the week to clear the air and regain some focus, family dysfunction reared its ugly head again when Michael Strahan criticized receiver Plaxico Burress on a radio show and proceeded to lambaste a reporter in a verbal tirade in the Giant locker room. The Giants have lost three straight and at 6-5 are now fighting to save their season. The good news is that Sam Madison, Osi Umenyiora and Brandon Short are set to return to the lineup. On the flip side of the coin, the Cowboys have won three straight games and the bickering has stopped for now. Tony Romo has passed for 1,656 yards, 13 touchdowns and is the league’s highest-rated passer with a 110.8 quarterback rating since taking over as the starter in Big D. The Cowboys can pass the ball, pound the ball and the defense is playing well. Bill Parcell’s parted ways with yahoo kicker Mike Vanderjagt, but I’m not sure if Martin Grammatica’s the answer.

PREDICTION: Cowboys to cover

SEATTLE SEAHAWKS +4 vs. DENVER BRONCOS -4

After losing two key games to divisional rivals, Denver head coach Mike Shanahan sacked (to borrow the Brit expression) Jake Plummer in favor of rookie Jay Cutler. Plummer wasn’t displaying the level of consistent level play necessary to win in a very competitive AFC West. The Broncos will hand the ball off plenty to Tatum Bell (we guess?) while Cutler gets comfortable behind center, but there’s no question he possesses a canon-like arm so he’ll look downfield for Javon Walker sooner than later. Mike Holmgren will use an array of defensive looks to confuse Cutler and with 37 sacks (only the Baltimore Ravens have more) Seattle will try to pressure Cutler into making some poor decisions. Seattle held Ahman Green to 44 yards rushing last week, so Denver may find it challenging to lean on the run. On the offensive side, the Seahawks are back on track with Shaun Alexander returning to form with a 201-yard effort in Green Bay and Matt Hasselbeck bouncing back in the second half with three touchdown passes. I’m not so sure I’d call it an upset, but Seattle wins this game straight up.

PREDICTION: Seahawks to cover    

CAROLINA PANTHERS -3 vs. PHILADELPHIA EAGLES +3

Just when I thought the Carolina Panthers were back to playing the consistent football they are capable of, they manage to lose to the downtrodden Redskins. Jake Delhomme threw a pair of interceptions; one costly at the end of the game with the Panthers in Redskins territory. Delhomme also let a game slip away in October against the Bengals when he threw a late interception when they were virtually guaranteed a tie. With DeShaun Foster questionable with a hyper-extended elbow, the bulk of the carries will go to rookie DeAngelo Williams who had a breakout game in Week 11 with 114 yards rushing against the Rams. The Eagles have suffered an agonizing slide losing five of six games and Donovan McNabb for the year, and to make matters worse the defense has crumbled the last two games. Colts rookie Joseph Addai ran for 171 yards and four touchdowns last week, while Travis Henry ran for 143 yards and TD the week before. Eagles quarterback Jeff Garcia played well, going 19-23 for a 140 yards and a pair of touchdowns but the Eagles will have to rely on Brian Westbrook having a monster game.

PREDICTION: Panthers to cover  

Marc Reichertz is a freelance columnist for football.com and regular contributor to the BetUS.com Locker room.