NFL Passion Week #13: The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly

Another week of NFL football kicks off Thursday when the Seahawks face the Eagles, only this Thursday will be the first of the Thursday Night Football season with no playoff implications. Sunday, however is a completely different story. The Texans begin their quest to secure a playoff book without either Matt at quarterback, while the Bears continue their fight for survival min us Jay Cutler. After losing last week and damaging their playoff hopes in New York, the Bills have a chance to take the Tennessee Titans with them. The AFC North rat race resumes in Pittsburgh with round two of the Steelers vs. the Bengals, and the Undefeated Packers of the AFC North look to stay that way, while Eli manning and the now 6-5 Giants try to survive in the NFC playoff. Not the best time to pick on somebody your own size. The San Francisco 49ers will be the first team to clinch their division with a win Sunday, and the Detroit Lions and New Orleans Saints square off in a HUGE game on both sides Monday Night. Here's a look at all the joy Week 13 has to offer, The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly.

Philadelphia Eagles (4-7) at Seattle Seahawks (4-7) 8:20 PM ET 5:30 PT NFL Network

The first game of Week 13 features two teams not in the playoff race. The Seahawks have shown spurts of impressive play while Philadelphia has been all over the place all year. I like the Eagles in twhat will probably be the least viewed Thursday Night game yet this season

Eagles 23 Seahhawks 17

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Atlanta Falcons (7-4) at Houston Texans (8-3) 1:00 ET 10:00 PT Fox

The injuries of Matt Schaub and Matt Leinart almost bumped this game from game of the week status, but the anticipation of what will become of the Texans leaves it there. On top of that this is a huge game for both teams, the Texans trying to stay with the rest of the AFC's 8-3 pack, and the Falcons trying to position themselves to overtake the Saints in the NFC South. The Falcons have played well, and the only loss they have since starting the year 2-3 is an overtime loss to New Orleans.

Falcons 27 Texans 21

Cincinnati Bengals (7-4) at Pittsburgh Steelers (8-3) 100 ET 10:00 PT CBS

This will determine if Cincy will have to compete for a wildcard spot, or lock one in and fight for a division title. If the Bengals win the AFC North will be undoubtedly the best division in football if they haven't already been granted the title, and there will be a good chance that three teams from the division make the postseason. Tough task in Pittsburgh though.

Bengals 24 Steelers 28

Tennessee Titans (6-5) at Buffalo Bills (5-6) 1:00 ET 10:00 PT CBS

The Titans are part of a crowded late season scramble for one AFC playoff spot. In the NFL ot's to the point where all 6-5 teams must win to continue, and all 5-6 teams need to go to church on Sunday and pray for a 5 game winning streak and a playoff berth. Too bad football games are on Sunday. I like the Titans to suck the final life out of Buffalo.

Titans 31 Bills 24

Oakland Raiders (7-4) at Miami Dolphins (3-8) 1:00 ET 10:00 PT Fox

Miami's poor record does not reflect the gutsy football they have been playing for the last two months. Before they got their first win they were steadily improving, then they won three straight and almost stole one in Dallas Thanksgiving Day. The Dolphins have the words spoiler team written all over them, and I honestly think they are coming for the Jets and Patriots to try to knock them out of the playoffs and out of first round bye position respectively. The Raiders try to make it four victories in a row.

Raiders 17 Dolphins 14

Baltimore Ravens (8-3) at Cleveland Browns (4-7) 4:15 ET 1:15 PT CBS

Why is this game good and not ugly you ask? Because the Ravens only show up for contenders and the Browns fight hard. It will be closer than we think.

Ravens 20 Browns 17

Green Bay Packers (11-0) at New York Giants (6-5) 4:15 ET 1:15 PT Fox

The Pack Attack continues to march forward as New York has taken a Giant step back. Not many give Eli and the gang a chance Sunday, and I'm not one of the not many. But I will say that this is New York's kind of game, they are better when they are underdogs. This team knows both what upsets and knocking off undefeated teams are all about. But they still have a monster to tame named Aaron Rodgers, who has a ridiculous amount of receivers to throw to.

Packers 42 Giants 31

Detroit Lions (7-4) at New Orleans Saints (8-3) 8:20 PM ET 5:20 PT NBC

Drew Brees and the Saints were on fire last Monday Night, and night games have seemed to be where the success is for New Orleans this season. The Saints have also lost a few games coming off impressive wins, which could work in Detroit's favor. The jury is still out on whether Ndamukong Suh will play or not, as he is ridiculously appealing the fair two game suspension handed to him by the league. Just sit you're two games and help your team make the playoffs. The Lions don't need your drama right now.

Lions 35 Saints 42

Carolina Panthers (3-8) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-7) 1:00 ET 10:00 PT Fox

The Panthers have looked good at times this season, but have looked like a developing young football team the entire time. Their record shows. The Buccaneers have been an utter disappointment since conning us into thinking they were contenders after a 10-6 2010 campaign and a division lead to start 2011. Now 4-7 and all but out of the playoff race, they fight to simply not finish last in the NFC South.

Panthers 27 Buccaneers 24

Indianapolis Colts (0-11) at New England Patriots (8-3) 1:00 ET 10:00 PT CBS

The annual classic between two usual AFC powerhouses will be played minus Peyton Manning this year, and everything points to the Patriots maintaining their share of first place in the AFC. Now they hope a couple teams can fall from the ladder.

Colts 21 Patriots 48

New York Jets (6-5) at Washington Redskins (4-7) 1:00 ET 10:00 PT CBS

This is the Jets time of the year, where they normally get hot and steal them a playoff berth. The Redskins can't hang. I look for Sanchez to look good in this one and the Jets to continue to make a push for that final, much coveted AFC playoff berth. We can all view the Jets as we please, but there is no denying they have heart. They'd be doomed without it.

Jets 27 Redskins 7

Kansas City Chiefs (4-7) at Chicago Bears (7-4) 1:00 ET 10:00 PT CBS

I know Chicago lost Jay Cutler for a good while, but no team has been hit harder by the injury bug then the Chiefs. They played well last week but I don't expect them to hang with the explosiveness of the Bears. Too many weapons all over the place. This game may get Caleb Hanie comfortable under center.

Chiefs 10 Bears 28

Dallas Cowboys (7-4) at Arizona Cardinals (4-7) 4:15 ET 1:15 PT Fox

Romo and the Boys just keep on rolling, and a game against the no pass attack having Cardinals and the Giants facing the defending champs has things looking awfully good right now in Dallas. How you can have Larry Fitzgerald on your team and not find ways to get him the ball is beyond me, I don't care who's playing quarterback.

Cowboys 34 Cardinals 13

St Louis Rams (2-9) at San Francisco 49ers (9-2) 4:15 ET 1:15 PT Fox

The 49ers will clinch their first division title and playoff berth in ten years after they put a hurtin on the Rams. The Dynasty has been revived!

Denver Broncos (6-5) at Minnesota Vikings (2-9)

All this Tim Tebow nonsense has got to end somewhere, and since the Broncos have been upsetting teams left and right the last few weeks, I expect them to get a taste of their own medicine on the road against the Vikings. If you're Minnesota, for goodness sake CONTAIN THE OPTION!!! Win the game.

Broncos 14 Vikings 20

Jacksonville Jaguars (3-8) at San Diego Chargers (4-7)

Not much reason to watch this Monday Night, unless you're a die hard Charger fan dying to see them snap their horrid 6 game losing streak. Can you believe this team was once 4-1?

Jaguars 10 Chargers 21