Steelers push forward in Week 13 NFL game-by-game predictions

The Pittsburgh Steelers have a winnable game on their schedule in Week 13, while other clubs have some season-altering matchups.

The Steelers enter Week 13 with the hope that they can accomplish winning back-to-back games for the first time since last year. The rest of the NFL will have some competitive contests that should be able to keep even the most casual of fans’ attention. There should be some close games this week as teams continue to fight their way into a playoff spot.

Overall predictions record: 66-51

Last week was another successful run of prediction for this series as we escaped with a winning record. That has added to the total record which continues to improve as each week passes by. Many would imagine that picking a game later in the schedule would be easier, but that would be a mistake to assume such a thing.

Buffalo Bills (9-3) vs New England Patriots (6-6), Thursday at 8:15 P.M. EST

Heading into this game, both clubs were in the thick of battle for the AFC East divisional crown. The Bills were the favorites heading into this contest despite their injuries and concerns that have popped up over the last couple weeks. The Patriots have no offense, but their defense has given them countless opportunities to stay in games.

Final: Bills 24, Patriots 10

Buffalo’s offense was just too much for New England to overcome in this matchup. The home defense gave it their best shot to stay in the game, and they gave the team a chance to win. The Patriots offense just has not been able to get anything on the right track since they beat the Steelers earlier this year and that will cost them in the end.

Pittsburgh Steelers (4-7) vs Atlanta Falcons (5-7), Sunday at 1 P.M. EST

Two teams enter this contest on different trajectories as they get ready for battle. The Steelers have been able to start making strides on offense and stay competitive in games over the past several weeks. The Falcons have done the opposite and seem to be trailing off when the season needs a team to do the opposite if they want to make the playoffs.

Prediction: Steelers 26, Falcons 20

The second half of the schedule will present many more opportunities for the Steelers to win games. Those games will probably still be tight, and that should still be the case on Sunday against the Falcons. The road team in this one should be able to do enough to stop the run and create chances to win because of that.

Denver Broncos (3-8) vs Baltimore Ravens (7-4), Sunday at 1 P.M. EST

Last week was a disappointing outcome for Baltimore after they lost against the Jaguars in the final seconds of the game. The trend of struggling to close out games has become a massive issue for the Ravens as they try to hold onto their AFC North lead. Denver is just a sad team right now that has a bunch of things working against them.

Prediction: Broncos 15, Ravens 28

It is going to be tough for Russell Wilson and company to score, but the Ravens defense has been giving up points recently. That should equate to some drives being sustained even by a poor Broncos offense that fizzles out to field goals. Lamar Jackson and company should be able to take advantage of Denver’s injury-riddled defense.

Green Bay Packers (4-8) vs Chicago Bears (3-9), Sunday at 1 P.M. EST

Both starting quarterbacks are injured right now, so the main question will be if either starter can play. If Aaron Rodgers can somehow play, then this game will likely be a blowout even though both clubs have not been great. This is a storied rivalry, but it has been lopsided for many decades now.

Prediction: Packers 27, Bears 17

Rodgers has put it out there that he believes that he will play this week against the Bears. That is terrible news for Chicago no matter if Justin Fields would be able to suit up or not. Even though the Green Bay defense has been struggling this season, expect them to take care of a poor Chicago offense.

Jacksonville Jaguars (4-7) vs Detroit Lions (4-7), Sunday at 1 P.M. EST

On the surface, not many should expect much from these two franchises that have been the face of losing over the past couple of decades. That is a valid thought, but these two have shown signs of improvement from their mediocrity throughout this year. Both are coming off good performances last week and they will be trying to carry that over to this week.

Prediction: Jaguars 25, Lions 28

Detroit was able to add 25 points on the board against Buffalo, which shocked many spectators on Thanksgiving. The Jaguars were also able to provide a great comeback effort and tally 28 points against the Ravens last week. This should be a shootout that comes down to which team is able to hold onto the ball best.

Cleveland Browns (4-7) vs Houston Texans (1-9-1), Sunday at 1 P.M. EST

Deshaun Watson is back from his suspension and the woman that accused him of his actions will also be in attendance. The Browns have made a deal with ultimate desperation to overlook any issues to try and find a franchise quarterback. It is unknown how Watson will play after missing game time for nearly two seasons, which could lead to bad results.

Prediction: Browns 22, Texans 19

It was a small sample size when Watson played during the pre-season, but he did not look good. He will show many signs of rust, but Cleveland should be able to get out of Houston with a win. The Texans are a bad football team, but they should be able to keep things close with the Browns quarterback struggling with rustiness.

New York Jets (7-4) vs Minnesota Vikings (9-2), Sunday at 1 P.M. EST

Mike White had a good game last week, but it is going to be tough for him to continue that trend against the Vikings. Both clubs have seen some shocking success in 2022, but it looks like the Jets could trend downwards with some instability at quarterback. Minnesota has seen a few setbacks this year, but they have been able to weather any storms that they have faced.

Prediction: Jets 23, Vikings 30

The Jets defense has not gotten enough attention with how well they have played up to this point in their campaign. They have given the team a chance to win in nearly every game that they have played. Minnesota is going to be too much for them to handle and White cannot play out of his mind every week.

Washington Commanders (7-5) vs New York Giants (7-4), Sunday at 1 P.M. EST

Washington is starting to heat up as the stretch run of the schedule hits the main road. This will have major playoff implications when it is all said and done in this NFC East rivalry. The Giants are falling off after having a great start to their year as they have lost three of their last four games.

Prediction: Commanders 21, Giants 17

New York’s main attack has been the run game and balancing with a strategic passing attack. Things have soured for them in the rushing department, and matters will likely not get better as they get ready to face a stout Commanders’ defensive front. This should be a close game but expect Washington to escape with a win by cashing in the red zone with size rather than settling for three.

Tennessee Titans (7-4) vs Philadelphia Eagles (10-1), Sunday at 1 P.M. EST

The Titans are underdogs in this fight as the Eagles have been able to steamroll nearly all their opponents up to this point. The Titans are coming off a hard loss to the Bengals and this is going to be a tough environment to go into. Unless the Titans can keep a steady run game going, this might not be the strongest outcome for them.

Prediction: Titans 24, Eagles 38

Philadelphia has been on fire all season and that should not change this week with the Titans coming to town. The Eagles defense is playing well, and they are in great position to handle Derrick Henry. Expect the home team’s offense to light up the Tennessee defense throughout the 60 minutes of play.

Seattle Seahawks (6-5) vs LA Rams (3-8), Sunday at 4:05 P.M. EST

Injuries continue to stockpile for the Rams as their Super Bowl hangover could not be more evident. Their offense has been burnt to the ground without Mathew Stafford and Cooper Kupp in the lineup. Add Aaron Donald to the injury list and you have a terrible result waiting to happen on Sunday.

Prediction: Seahawks 31, Rams 13

Geno Smith and the Seahawks have come back down to earth a little bit ever since their hot start. They are still in the thick of the playoff hunt and will need to win games like these against a beat-up LA squad. Expect the Rams’ struggles on offense to push further until they can get some health on their side. Again, trading for the Steelers Mason Rudolph might have been a good idea for the Rams.

Miami Dolphins (8-3) vs San Francisco 49ers (7-4), Sunday at 4:05 P.M. EST

A heavyweight tilt will be happening on the west coast as the Dolphins get ready to take on the 49ers. Neither quarterback is at an elite level right now, but they have both been playing well. Both clubs have solid defensive units that can control the game.

Prediction: Dolphins 24, 49ers 21

This is going to be a playoff-like atmosphere kind of game between these two competitors. The 49ers defense is better than Miami’s, but the Dolphins offense is better than the 49ers. Trying to outweigh the pros and cons for each team led to the final outcome of Miami beating out San Francisco in the narrowest of margins.

Kansas City Chiefs (9-2) vs Cincinnati Bengals (7-4), Sunday at 4:25 P.M. EST

Welcome back to the AFC Championship of this past season as both clubs are still vying for their respective seeds in the upcoming playoffs. It will be exciting to see both teams display their offensive prowess against each other. The Bengals offense will have Ja’Marr Chase back from injury and that will pay dividends.

Prediction: Chiefs 35, Bengals 30

Hopefully, this game will be a fun offensive game that allows for fans to stay entertained the whole time. The Bengals are still the young team and they have shown issues throughout this season with keeping up with their competition. The Chiefs will be too hard to handle as Patrick Mahomes is playing at a Godly level right now.

LA Chargers (6-5) vs Las Vegas Raiders (4-7), Sunday at 4:25 P.M. EST

Keep a close eye on this game Steelers fans as the Raiders will soon be the opponent for Pittsburgh. We only have about three weeks until the Steelers will take on the silver and black and Christmas Eve. LA is playing unsteadily, but they seem like a favorite to secure one of the AFC Wildcard spots when all the games are situated.

Prediction: Chargers 27, Raiders 25

Las Vegas has not been a good enough team this year and they will try their best to play spoiler against the Chargers. The Raiders were the reason that the Steelers made the playoffs last season, and they hope to knock back the Chargers hopes with a win here. LA still has Justin Herbert and good enough pieces that they should be able to get out of Sin City with a victory.

Indianapolis Colts (4-7-1) vs Dallas Cowboys (8-3), Sunday at 8:20 P.M. EST

It is amazing that the schedulers could not come up with a better Sunday Night Football game than this. Things do not seem like this matchup will be anywhere close, especially after the performance that the Colts had against the Steelers this past Monday. A short week against a better Cowboys team will be disastrous for Indianapolis.

Prediction: Colts 21, Cowboys 29

The end score will seem closer than what the game shows to the fans. Dallas should be able to attack the Colts defense, especially as the Indianapolis offense continuously sputters. Expect the Cowboys to control the narrative of this game without the Colts having much say in the matter.

New Orleans Saints (4-8) vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers (5-6), Monday at 8:15 P.M. EST

New Orleans has given the Buccaneers issues in the past, but these are two totally different teams. Tampa Bay and New Orleans have both struggled this season, but Tom Brady and company have been more of a disappointment. Tampa needs to win this game to try and win their pathetic division.

Prediction: Saints 14, Buccaneers 24

It is hard to imagine that Andy Dalton will help lead the Saints to many wins this year. Brady should be able to do enough to win this game without much concern. If Tampa loses this one, then it should be panic time for this Florida squad.

The Steelers will have to overcome an opponent that has put them in the drivers seat to victory. The rest of the NFL has some interesting games that should end up being close till the bitter end.