Week 13: How to survive and advance in your knockout pool
Will 13 be lucky or unlucky?
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The NFL season heads into the final quarter after this week. If you have survived and advanced to this point, the pot of gold -- or dollars -- is within reach. However, one must keep moving forward to topple all the opposition.
Don't think about it
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The Atlanta Falcons are coming off their best game and the New Orleans Saints are still lacking Drew Brees. As we always say, it is challenging to sweep a division rival and this is no exception. The Detroit Lions had the Chicago Bears beaten way earlier in the season and they pulled a typical collapse. These teams leave a lot to be desired. The Arizona Cardinals and LA Rams are another division game that is way too close to call.
Let the bettor beware
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Yes, the Las Vegas Raiders are playing the winless New York Jets. LV is coming off a 37-point shellacking by the Falcons. Also remember, the Jets beat the Raiders by 31 last year. Hopefully, Jon Gruden & Co. won't spoil the fun everyone has poked at Adam Gase and Gang Green. The New England Patriots travel to LA to face the Chargers. Bill Belichick & Co. play close games as do the Bolts. Nuts to choosing this one. Do not go anywhere near the Pittsburgh Steelers against Washington. The schedule has been brutal due to postponements and the Bills loom ahead. The Bills play a San Francisco 49ers team in Arizona. Remember what happened the last time Buffalo played in Arizona? The Indianapolis Colts are stronger than the Houston Texans but their AFC South counterparts have won two in a row and Deshaun Watson > Philip Rivers.
Tempting fate
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The Minnesota Vikings are wildly inconsistent and the Jacksonville Jaguars hassled the Browns last week. Minnesota is capable of losing any week. It matters not that this opponent is on a 10-game losing streak. The Cleveland Browns and Tennessee Titans have the same record. That is where the similarities end. The Browns beat up the NFL's punching bags while the Titans are strong against contenders. Sorry, as bad as the Philadelphia Eagles have been, they simply aren't work picking against when facing Green Bay. Remember, the Packers fell to the Vikings. The only possible reason to avoid the Chiefs against the Broncos if you still have them is to consider this a "trap" game with Miami up next. Would love the Baltimore Ravens against the Dallas Cowboys but the postponements and COVID-19 make faith in John Harbaugh's team iffy.
Go for it
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If you haven't used the Miami Dolphins, this would be a splendid opportunity against Cincinnati. The problem is the Fish have played the Jets twice so you might not have them in your bank. If you have the Seattle Seahawks, this is another smart play, especially if New York Giants' QB Daniel Jones can't go.
