There will be plenty of battles to look forward to for Week 13 of the NFL schedule. Making the best NFL bets Week 13 picks on the board is challenging because of the nature of the NFL.
Many bettors were burned by a late collapse by Baltimore against the hapless Jaguars on the road.
Others were hurt by late injury news involving veteran quarterback Trevor Siemian, of all people, and him making a start for the Chicago Bears.
While NFL matchups this week will see a big shift in the sentiment surrounding them depending on the injury or other information that becomes available, sometimes it is best to get in on numbers earlier rather than later.
Keep an eye on the NFL injury report as always, but here’s a look at the best NFL games to bet on for Week 13.
Cleveland Browns vs. Houston Texans
Matchup Information
- Venue: NRG Stadium
- Matchup Time: 1:00 pm
- How to watch: CBS, Paramount+
- Where to watch: TV, Streaming
Browns Ready to Try Out New Toy
Offense
NFL shows show the Brown waited all season to get Deshaun Watson under center after acquiring him via an offseason trade with Houston.
What Cleveland hoping is that Watson can balance out Cleveland’s offense. The Browns are fourth in the league in rushing and 11th in scoring offense, rank 16th in passing.
Defense
What Watson can’t fix is Cleveland’s defense. The Browns allow their opponents to score 26 points per game, which ranks 30th in the league.
Cleveland is bad against the run, allowing 131.5 rushing yards per game, which ranks 23rd.
Texans Are Seeking Some Direction
Offense
Houston starting quarterback Kyle Allen shows picking against the Texans may be one of the test NFL bets Week 13.
NFL players stats show Allen supplanted Davis Mills and passed for 215 yards and threw two interceptions in a 15-point loss to Miami. Houston is last in the league in yards per game, only gaining 279 per game.
Defense
NFL team stats show that the Texans are last in the league in rushing defense. Houston allows 168.6 yards per game, which will be a big problem against Cleveland.
NFL Stats and Standings
Cleveland is in third place in the AFC North with a 4-7 record. Houston is 1-9-1 and in last place in the AFC South.
Most Remarkable Player for this Matchup
- Nick Chubb (RB) 174 carries, 923 yards, 11 touchdowns
- Amari Cooper (WR) 57 catches, 792 yards, seven touchdowns
- Dameon Pierce (RB) 175 rushes, 780 yards, three touchdowns
NFL Pick: Browns -7 (-105)
Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Atlanta Falcons
Matchup Information
- Venue: Mercedes-Benz Superdome
- Matchup Time: 1:00 PM
- How to watch: CBS, Paramount+
- Where to watch: TV Streaming
Steelers Need Their Defense to Live Up to Payroll
Offense
The Steelers’ offense, led by rookie quarterback Kenny Pickett, has been one of the reasons Pittsburgh is toward the bottom of the NFL standings.
The Steelers rank 28th in the league in scoring offense, putting up 17 points per game. Pittsburgh’s run and pass games have been nearly equally inconsistent.
Defense
Pittsburgh’s defense has been another reason the Steelers have struggled in the NFL team standings. The Steelers rank 24th in the league by allowing 24.4 points per game.
Pittsburgh is especially bad against the pass, ranking 31st in the league by allowing 272.1 yards per game.
Turnovers Sink Competitive Falcons
Offense
A turnover will haunt Marcus Mariota. It was another case of the problems that have led to the Falcons having difficulty covering point spreads this season. Atlanta has lost three of its last four games.
The Falcons are 25th in the league in turnovers, having coughed the ball up 16 times this season.
Defense
Anyone making their best NFL bets Week 13 will see Atlanta’s defense has also struggled. The Falcons allow 24.4 points per game, which ranks 25th in the league.
NFL Stats and Standings
Atlanta is 5-7 and in second place in the NFC South. Pittsburgh is 3-7 and in last place in the AFC North.
Most Remarkable Player for this matchup
- Marcus Mariota (QB) 2,052 passing yards, 14 touchdowns, eight interceptions, 421 rushing yards
- Cordarrelle Patterson (RB) 86 attempts, 454 yards, five touchdowns
- Najee Harris (RB) 148 attempts, 550 yards, three touchdowns
NFL Pick: Steelers +2.5 (-105)
Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Detroit Lions
Matchup Information
- Venue: Ford Field
- Matchup Time: 1:00 PM
- How to watch: Fox
- Where to watch: TV
Jaguars Are Boom or Bust
Offense
Best NFL bets week 13 will show that Jacksonville’s offense has improved. The Jaguars rank ninth in the league in total yards and in rushing yards per game.
Jacksonville quarterback Trevor Lawrence has been better this season and threw for three touchdowns in a win over Baltimore last season.
Defense
Jacksonville ranks 24th in the league in total yards allowed, giving up 362.9 yards per game.
When it comes to NFL point spreads, the Jaguars have struggled, but have done enough on defense to go 2-0-1 against the spread in the last three games.
Lions Ready for a Slugfest
Offense
Detroit’s offense has looked good, piling up 25 points per game, which ranks eight in the league. The Lions’ rushing game is especially good, piling up 129.5 yards per game, which ranks 10th in the league.
Defense
The Lions’ issues have come from the defense. Detroit ranks 32nd in scoring defense, allowing 28.2 points per game.
NFL Stats and Standings
Jacksonville is 4-7 and in third place in the AFC South. Detroit is 4-7 and in second place in the NFC North.
Most Remarkable player for this matchup
- Jamal Williams (RB) 177 carries, 734 yards, 13 touchdowns
- Jared Goff (QB) 2,682 passing yards, 17 touchdowns, seven interceptions
- Trevor Lawrence (QB) 2,655 passing yards, 16 touchdowns, six interceptions
NFL Pick: Lions -1 (-110)
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