Things returned to relative normalcy in the NFL last week.
Home favorites held serve. Upsets were minimal. The New England Patriots beat an AFC contender by double-digits.
It was a welcomed result after an unpredictable three-week stretch left playoff races in each conference jostled like an airplane drink cart in heavy turbulence. Aside from the Dallas Cowboys and their ticky-tack penalty woes, the consensus generally prevailed in Week 12.
Let’s blow that all up in Week 13. Let’s predict a Detroit Lions victory.
Yes, this week’s picks column is burning all the goodwill of its first good week in a long time by sticking its neck out for an 0-10-1 team. The Lions aren’t in the postseason race and have nothing to play for besides a chance to escape another winless season. And yet, Detroit feels destined to drag a Minnesota Vikings team that needed a last-ditch field goal to escape it in October back into the muck with them.
The Lions aren’t the only upset pick on this week’s slate, but they’re certainly the dumbest. Let’s take a look at what else we’ve got, including the famous Rhody Scumbag Lock of the Week (a perfect 0 for 3 last week!). Want the full lineup? Those can be found here.
Here are my breakout picks. All odds via Tipico.