Week 13 of the 2021 NFL season begins on Thursday with the Dallas Cowboys taking on the Saints in New Orleans. The Los Angeles Times' NFL writer, Sam Farmer, examines this week's matchups.
— Farmer's record last week: 9-6 (.600); season 109-70-1 (.609). Using point spreads with the scores Farmer predicted, the record against the spread last week would have been 6-9 (.400); season 86-92-2 (.483).
— Teams on bye: Browns, Titans, Panthers, Packers.
Times Pacific. Lines according to FanDuel (O/U = over/under):
Cowboys (7-4) at Saints (5-6)
Thursday, 5:20
Line: Cowboys by 5. O/U: 47 1/2.
There's a whiff of desperation with Dallas after two losses in a row, and fortunately for the Cowboys they're getting a New Orleans team that doesn't have much going right on offense.
Prediction: Cowboys 27, Saints 20
Vikings (5-6) at Lions (0-10-1)
Sunday, 10 a.m.
Line: Vikings by 7. O/U: 46 1/2.
The Vikings will miss Dalvin Cook but should be able to handle Detroit without him. Alexander Mattison is capable of picking up that slack against a Detroit team that can hang in for a while.
Prediction: Vikings 27, Lions 17
Colts (6-6) at Texans (2-9)
Sunday, 10 a.m.
Line: Colts by 9. O/U: 45 1/2.
The Colts are a team to watch. Jonathan Taylor should have a big day, and the Indianapolis defense can rush the passer and stop the run. Carson Wentz will play well against overmatched Houston.
Prediction: Colts 31, Texans 17
Chargers (6-5) at Bengals (7-4)
Sunday, 10 a.m.
Line: Bengals by 3. O/U: 50 1/2.
The Chargers can't stop the run and that's a bad situation against Cincinnati, which can run it and set up the play-action for Joe Burrow. Justin Herbert should keep the visitors in it.
Prediction: Bengals 28, Chargers 20
Eagles (5-7) at Jets (3-8)
Sunday, 10 a.m.
Line: Eagles by 6 1/2. O/U: 45 1/2.
The Jets are sneaky tough, and the Eagles a little desperate after blowing it against the Giants. But that Philly defensive line is going to get in Zach Wilson's face, and Jalen Hurts will bounce back.
Prediction: Eagles 30, Jets 20
Buccaneers (8-3) at Falcons (5-6)
Sunday, 10 a.m.
Line: Buccaneers by 11. O/U: 50 1/2.
Tom Brady has had a few weeks of less-than-stellar play and he's poised for a breakout game. The pass rush is coming around for Tampa. Atlanta will put up a fight for a while but Tampa is just better.
Prediction: Buccaneers 38, Falcons 20
Cardinals (9-2) at Bears (4-7)
Sunday, 10 a.m.
Line: Cardinals by 7 1/2. O/U: 45 1/2.
Cardinals will be fresh after week off and should keep rolling against underwhelming Bears. Chicago's front seven can play pretty well, but its secondary is banged up. Arizona returns some weapons.
Prediction: Cardinals 33, Bears 17
Giants (4-7) at Dolphins (5-7)
Sunday, 10 a.m.
Line: Dolphins by 4 1/2. O/U: 40 1/2.
Miami's defense has played really well the last month. Tua Tagovailoa is getting the ball out of his hands, despite a subpar offensive line. Giants can't afford to lose Daniel Jones.
Prediction: Dolphins 24, Giants 17
Jaguars (2-9) at Rams (7-4)
Sunday, 1:05 p.m.
Line: Rams by 13. O/U: 47 1/2.
After three losses in a row, the Rams need to stop the bleeding. The Jaguars are a bad team but they can get very physical — check the tape on the Buffalo game — so they can deliver a bruising.
Prediction: Rams 30, Jaguars 18
Washington Football Team (5-6) at Raiders (6-5)
Sunday, 1:05 p.m.
Line: Raiders by 2 1/2. O/U: 49 1/2.
The Raiders should hold their ground behind the play of Derek Carr, who has been excellent. But Washington is scary with the way Taylor Heineke is building a belief and the defense is coming around.
Prediction: Raiders 27, Washington 23
49ers (6-5) at Seahawks (3-8)
Sunday, 1:25 p.m.
Line: 49ers by 3 1/2. O/U: 45 1/2.
The 49ers are getting healthy on defense and look as if they're returning to form at the right time, though losing Deebo Samuel hurts. Seattle is struggling mightily — including Russell Wilson.
Prediction: 49ers 28, Seahawks 17
Ravens (8-3) at Steelers (5-5-1)
Sunday, 1:25 p.m.
Line: Ravens by 4 1/2. O/U: 44.
Lamar Jackson is coming off a horrible outing against Cleveland (four interceptions) even though the Ravens escaped with a win. He's due for a big bounce-back performance against suspect Steelers.
Prediction: Ravens 28 Steelers 21
Broncos (6-5) at Chiefs (7-4)
Sunday, 5:20 p.m.
Line: Chiefs by 10. O/U: 47 1/2.
Kansas City is returning to form, but Denver could make this interesting. The problem for the Broncos is their passing game has struggled, which is odd since they have the talent to throw on anybody.
Prediction: Chiefs 28, Broncos 23
Patriots (8-4) at Bills (7-4)
Monday, 5:15 p.m.
Line: Bills by 2 1/2. O/U: 43 1/2.
The Bills aren't playing up to potential, and Josh Allen is playing the way Patrick Mahomes was a month ago — everything's the hero play. Still, this is where New England's six-game win streak ends.
Prediction: Bills 27, Patriots 23
