The Silcoff Selections: NFL Week 13 Picks Straight Up & ATS

The Silcoff Selections are here for Week 13 of the 2024 NFL Season! Below are my records for my straight up and against the spread picks for the season thus far.

Records Last Week:

Straight Up: 8-5

Against The Spread: 7-6

Season Records:

Straight Up: 116-63

Against The Spread: 87-87-5

Note: Lines are based on Bet365 at 8:30 PM on November 27th, 2024

Thanksgiving Game #1: Chicago Bears (4-7) @ Detroit Lions (10-1) I Line: Lions -9.5

The Lions have been one of the best teams in football all season and haven’t lost since September, but I have a hunch their nine game winning streak ends this week. The Bears, led by Caleb Williams, have looked much better in their last two games since parting ways with offensive coordinator Shane Waldron. I also just think both teams are due for a win and a loss. Detroit is unlikely to finish 16-1 and Chicago desperate to snap a five-game skid, I think the Bears are due—and they shock the world by going into Detroit and pulling off the upset.

Prediction: Bears 24, Lions 23

Thanksgiving Game #2: New York Giants (2-9) @ Dallas Cowboys (4-8) I Line: Cowboys -3.5

Everyone, send thoughts and prayers to Tom Brady and the FOX Sports crew—not because anything happened to them, but because they’re stuck calling this awful game instead of spending Thanksgiving with their families. Dallas is coming off an impressive win in Washington, while the Giants were embarrassed yet again. However, with Tommy DeVito injured, the Giants might actually get a quarterback upgrade as Drew Lock is set to start. Wide receiver Malik Nabers voiced frustration over a lack of targets last week, and I expect Brian Daboll to get him involved early. After a loud couple of weeks in the Giants building, New York goes into Dallas and beats the Cowboys.

Prediction: Giants 20, Cowboys 17

Thanksgiving Game #3: Miami Dolphins (5-6) @ Green Bay Packers (8-3) I Line: Packers -3

Although Miami is now playing better, the Dolphins and quarterback Tua Tagovailoa frequently struggle in cold conditions. Although I anticipate a competitive game, as long as the Packers can force turnovers and minimize their own, Green Bay wins a fun one on Thanksgiving night.

Prediction: Packers 24, Dolphins 20

Black Friday Game: Las Vegas Raiders (2-9) @ Kansas City Chiefs (10-1) I Line: Chiefs -13

Although I can't imagine the Chiefs losing to the awful Raiders at home on a holiday weekend for the second consecutive year, I'm done expecting Kansas City to blow anyone out until they actually do it. The Raiders stay in the game for the most part, but the Chiefs ultimately win.

Prediction: Chiefs 27, Raiders 16

Early Sunday Slate

Arizona Cardinals (6-5) @ Minnesota Vikings (9-2) Line: Vikings -3.5

Arizona blew a golden opportunity last week in Seattle to take control of the NFC West. This week, I expect them to come out more competitive, but the Vikings continue to find ways to win, and their defense remains one of the best in football. Minnesota wins a close one to move closer to a playoff spot.

Prediction: Vikings 22, Cardinals 19

Houston Texans (7-5) @ Jacksonville Jaguars (2-9) I Line: Texans -4

Despite my belief that the Texans are among the biggest football frauds, this week is the perfect opportunity for a bounce-back performance. The last time we saw the Jaguars, they were coming off a brutal 52-6 loss to the Lions. While Houston is nowhere near as good as Detroit, they’re still much better than the Jaguars and will complete the season sweep.

Prediction: Texans 27, Jaguars 20

Indianapolis Colts (5-7) @ New England Patriots (3-9) I Line: Colts -2.5

Although the New England offense has been having trouble finding consistency, the defense should to be able to keep Indianapolis in check. Despite the tough performance last week, Drake Maye's performance has encouraged me. I don't like betting on dome teams to play outdoors late in the season, and especially so when their quarterback is already inaccurate throwing the ball. Patriots force Richardson into a couple turnovers and win.

Prediction: Patriots 24, Colts 21

Pittsburgh Steelers (8-3) @ Cincinnati Bengals (4-7) I Line: Bengals -3

As much as I'd like to see my favorite quarterback, Joe Burrow, make the postseason this year, it seems unlikely. These two teams are polar opposites: the Bengals continue to find ways to lose games despite strong performances from Burrow and receiver Ja'Marr Chase, while Mike Tomlin’s Steelers always seem to pull off some magic. The Steelers win and essentially seal the Bengals’ fate.

Prediction: Steelers 24, Bengals 23

Seattle Seahawks (6-5) @ New York Jets (3-8) I Line: Seahawks -2

Behind strong defensive play over the last two weeks, Seattle has climbed to first place in the NFC West, while the Jets have started to crumble over the past month. Given what we’ve seen from New York's offense, there’s no reason to believe the Seahawks' defense won’t continue its strong play. In Geno Smith’s return to the Meadowlands, Seattle wins their third straight to stay atop the West.

Prediction: Seahawks 22, Jets 17

Tennessee Titans (3-8) @ Washington Commanders (7-5) I Line: Commanders -5.5

After a heartbreaking loss last week, the Commanders desperately need a win to solidify their postseason positioning. Will Levis has played better for the Titans since returning from injury a few weeks ago and although the Titans defense is among the league's best, I believe Washington will come out firing in this must-win game.

Prediction: Commanders 26, Titans 20

Los Angeles Chargers (7-4) @ Atlanta Falcons (6-5) I Line: Chargers -1

Before the bye, Atlanta wasn't performing at its best. Los Angeles' defense will look to bounce back after allowing 30 points for the first time under Jim Harbaugh last week. Atlanta has struggled to pressure the quarterback all season, and I think Justin Herbert will have one of his best performances of the year.

Prediction: Chargers 24, Falcons 20

Sunday Afternoon Slate

Los Angeles Rams (5-6) @ New Orleans Saints (4-7) I Line: Rams -2.5

New Orleans has looked much improved under interim coach Darren Rizzi. The Rams, on the other hand, have been inconsistent all year long. With Alvin Kamara and Taysom Hill adding more versatility to the Saints' offense, I think Los Angeles will struggle to contain them. The Rams have been one of the more disappointing teams this season, and Sean McVay has faced challenges with game planning lately. Since Dennis Allen's departure, New Orleans seems to have found new energy, and I believe the Saints will pull off the home upset after the bye.

Prediction: Saints 23, Rams 21

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (5-6) @ Carolina Panthers (3-7) I Line: Buccaneers -6

The Panthers have improved a lot over the course of the year, with Bryce Young finally showing signs of life since returning to the lineup. With Mike Evans back and the emergence of Cade Otton, the Bucs have continued to be tough to defend all year. I’m a fan of taking division underdogs with the points, and I expect Carolina to compete, but ultimately, Tampa Bay is the more talented team, and Baker Mayfield is playing at an elite level.

Prediction: Buccaneers 28, Panthers 24

Philadelphia Eagles (9-2) @ Baltimore Ravens (8-4) I Line: Ravens -3

After last week's events, it feels like everyone is jumping on the Eagles' bandwagon. While I do like this team, I think they come back down to earth this week. Lamar Jackson is 23-1 in his career against NFC teams, and I believe he and the Ravens will secure a home win to stay in the AFC North title race.

Prediction: Ravens 27, Eagles 23

Sunday Night Football: San Francisco 49ers (5-6) @ Buffalo Bills (9-2) I Line: Bills -7

With the growing number of injuries piling up for the Niners, it’s tough to see them pulling off the upset this weekend.  Buffalo is on a hot streak, and it’s hard to picture them losing at home to this version of San Francisco. In primetime, Josh Allen continues to strengthen his MVP case as the Bills pick up their 10th win of the season.

Prediction: Bills 28, 49ers 20

Monday Night Football: Cleveland Browns (3-8) @ Denver Broncos (7-5) I Line: Broncos -5.5

Jameis Winston is a nice story, and the Browns have been playing much better with him under center, but the Broncos and Bo Nix are on a roll right now. In a standalone game, I like Nix to keep the momentum going as he looks to take over the Rookie of the Year race while Denver inches closer to a playoff spot.

Prediction: Broncos 24, Browns 14

ATS Picks Recap:

• Bears +9.5

• Giants +3.5

• Packers -3

• Raiders +13

• Cardinals +3.5

• Texans -4

• Patriots +2.5

• Steelers +3

• Seahawks -2

• Commanders -5.5

• Chargers -1

• Saints +2.5

• Panthers +6

• Ravens -3

• Bills -7

• Broncos -5.5