Alternative Picks: Week 13, 2021

Andy is on a roll. A week after taking the lead in Alternative Picks he busts out another 9-6 win, even after botching his top pick of the week, Dallas over Oakland. Happy Thanksgiving Weekend to him.

Can Tony mount a comeback?

1 Andy – Buccaneers over Falcons – Tampa hasn’t been great of late, but Atlanta just doesn’t have the guns to hang with Godwin, Evans, Gronk, Fournette and, oh yeah, Brady, these days. This one will be over early.

2 Tony – Rams over Jaguars – Who would have thought a few weeks ago that there would be any doubt about picking the Rams here…if they lose this one–heck, if it’s even a nail-biter–they might need to think about whether or not OBJ really is the solution to a problem they never really had, and maybe it’s already time to cut ties.

3 Tony – Colts over Texans – At this point, I’m not really sure how the Colts are 6-6. Actually, I’m also not really sure how the Texans are 2-9, since they haven’t played the Jaguars twice yet.

4 Andy – Vikings over Lions – I should feel more comfortable about this, as Detroit is winless heading into week 13. I don’t, but it’s one of those games where you almost have to pick it anyway.

5 Tony – Cardinals over Bears – The Cardinals just beat the Seahawks with Colt McCoy playing quarterback., and still no DeAndre Hopkins. They have to be comfortable with the idea of letting Kyler Murray and Hopkins resting one more week if need be facing the Bears.

6 Andy – 49ers over Seahawks – There are games Vegas thinks I should pick before this one, but Seattle looks horrible. They can’t run. The defense looked on the brink of getting gashed by Washington all night Monday. Short week. And a team that runs the ball better than Washington. San Francisco’s roll continues.

7 Tony – Dolphins over Giants – The Giants fired their offensive coordinator and finally got a win … but not sure putting up 13 against Philly is going to make anyone feel much better about the team for the rest of 2021.

8 Andy – Chiefs over Broncos – Third largest money line spread this week, but I’m a little uneasy on this one. The Chiefs are playing a bit better, especially on defense, but this team is still a far cry from where it was during its Super Bowl runs the last two years. And Denver has run off a couple solid upsets in recent weeks.

9 Tony – Ravens over Steelers – Probably the right spot for the Chiefs, but agree that the line is skewed–although Vegas may be banking on Drew Lock throwing a TD pass to the Chiefs defense. The Ravens didn’t exactly light it up against the Browns in week 12, but they got the job done–and for the first time since…the 60’s(?), the Steelers are an easier task than the Browns.

10 Andy – Eagles over Jets – New York has looked better the last couple weeks. But Philly was on a roll until fumbling last week against the rival Giants. I think Jalen Hurts gets back on track and the Eagles continue pushing for a playoff spot.

11 Tony – Cowboys over Saints – Originally had this game higher, but forgot about the Covid situation in Dallas. Mike McCarthy almost needs to hope the Cowboys don’t win this one–might open Jerry Jones’ eyes on his impact on the team. But I think the Cowboys ground it out like 12-7 or something like that.

12 Andy – Bengals over Chargers – Not sure what’s going on with Los Angeles, but they’ve hit the skids. Cincinnati has gotten hot, destroying Pittsburgh last weekend. Joe Mixon in the run game has been the difference.

13 Tony – Raiders over Football Team – Kind of shocked this game is this far down the list, but it actually has the makings of a decent game–especially if Football Team keeps using Antonio Gibson (and JD McKissic) as effectively as they did Monday night against the Seahawks–36 touches for Gibson, 12 more for McKissic. Purely taking the home team on this one.

14 Andy – Patriots over Bills – I’ve been a big believer in Buffalo most of the season, but the Bills just aren’t playing as well as New England is right now. And the loss of Tre’Davious White is big.

Tony’s been ice cold in Alternative Picks, but he’s maintaining a strong lead in straight-up picks. Andy still hasn’t figured that one out this season.

Week 13 already, eh? Man time goes fast these days.