NFL Week 13: How to survive and advance in your knockout pool

What teams look like smart plays in Week 13 of the NFL season in your knockout pool?

Go for it

Thomas B. Shea-USA TODAY Sports

The Carolina Panthers play host to Washington. Yes, Washington is coming off a victory over Detroit. That game was at home, not that it matters, and the Lions find every way imaginable to lose. The Panthers should have downed the Saints Sunday. They get Dwayne Haskins on the road. Don’t be fooled by the 19 points Washington scored. The TD was on a kickoff return and Jeff Driskel helped the cause with three picks. This seems like the spot. One other game to consider is Green Bay at the New York Giants. Aaron Rodgers vs. Daniel Jones seems like the ultimate mismatch. Then, you have to factor in the Packers were crushed by San Francisco and will be playing a game on the other coast Sunday in Week 13. Still, Aaron Rodgers and an 8-3 team against Daniel Jones and a 2-9 team on a seven-game losing streak. Oh, so hard to pass up no matter where this is played. The one catch, and this is a huge one, is the Packers have Washington at home in Week 14. That’s a good one to keep in the bank. You do have to avoid triskaidekaphobia to get there!