Week 13 NFL game previews.
Browns (8-3) at Titans (8-3)
TV: 1 ET Sunday, CBS BetMGM.com line: Titans by 6
Titans’ keys: The defense is going to have to stack the box and force Cleveland QB Baker Mayfield to make plays. On offense, take advantage of the Browns selling out to stop the run, especially RB Derrick Henry, by using play-action and letting QB Ryan Tannehill take advantage of the extra space he’ll be afforded down the field.
Browns’ keys: It starts with riding RBs Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt, which will open things up through the air for Mayfield. The Browns must also get Mayfield going with bootlegs, which is where he enjoys success.
Who wins? Titans 31-28
– Mike Moraitis, Titans Wire
Saints (9-2) at Falcons (4-7)
TV: 1 ET Sunday, Fox BetMGM.com line: Saints by 2 1⁄
2 Saints’ keys: Pressure Falcons QB Matt Ryan and take advantage of his lack of mobility. In their last meeting, Ryan was sacked eight times. Offensively, they need to keep Atlanta off balance by mixing in quarterback runs with downfield passes.
Falcons’ keys:
Convert on third downs – they were 2-for-14 in the Week 11 matchup – and tire out New Orleans’ pass rush.
Who wins? Falcons 28-24
– Matt Urben, Falcons Wire
Lions (4-7) at Bears (5-6)
TV: 1 ET Sunday, Fox BetMGM.com line: Bears by 3
Lions’ keys: Establish the run against a defense that is giving up more than 100 yards on the ground per game.
Bears’ keys: Their dominant defense, with OLB Khalil Mack generating pressure and LB Roquan Smith, who has been playing at an All-Pro level. Who wins? Bears 24-17
– Alyssa Barbieri, Bears Wire
Colts (7-4) at Texans (4-7)
TV: 1 ET Sunday, CBS BetMGM.com line: Colts by 3 1⁄
2 Colts’ keys: Establish the run game early with RB Jonathan Taylor. Coach Frank Reich must not play not to lose. Texans’ keys: The passing game has developed cohesion – QB Deshaun Watson has not thrown an interception since Week 5.
Who wins? Colts 31-24
– Mark Lane, Texans Wire
Bengals (2-7-1) at Dolphins (6-4)
TV: 1 ET Sunday, CBS BetMGM.com line: Dolphins by 11 1⁄ 2
Bengals’ keys: They must find a way to consistently move the ball against a defense most vulnerable to power-run concepts. Defensively, Cincinnati must generate short fields via turnovers.
Dolphins’ keys: Take care of the football, play hard-nosed defense and be opportunistic in forcing the other team into mistakes. Between ball-hawking CB Xavien Howard, a ferocious pass rush and one of the league’s most proficient special teams groups, Miami needs to stay smart and disciplined.
Who wins? Dolphins 24-9
– Kyle Crabbs, Dolphins Wire
Jaguars (1-10) at Vikings (5-6)
TV: 1 ET Sunday, CBS BetMGM.com line: Vikings by 10 1⁄
2 Jaguars’ keys: Mike Glennon will get the start at quarterback over Gardner Minshew II, who is cleared to play after a thumb injury.
Vikings’ keys: If RB Dalvin Cook has another big game and the defense creates timely turnovers, Minnesota should pull away.
Who wins? Vikings 21-10
– Jack White, Vikings Wire
Raiders (6-5) at Jets (0-11)
TV: 1 ET Sunday, CBS BetMGM.com line: Raiders by 8 1⁄
2 Raiders’ keys: Look for RB Josh Jacobs to inflict maximum damage against a defense that has failed to stop far less talented rushers.
Jets’ keys: A prevent secondary, combined with pressure in the trenches, could potentially stop Las Vegas through the air.
Who wins? Raiders 35-17
– Gary Phillips, Jets Wire
Rams (7-4) at Cardinals (6-5)
TV: 4:05 ET Sunday, Fox BetMGM.com line: Rams by 2 1⁄ 2 Rams’ keys: They are 6-0 against Arizona since Sean McVay took over as LA’s head coach in 2017, and the games have rarely been close.
Cardinals’ keys: Their offense has been most effective when QB Kyler Murray runs the ball, which opens things up for RBs Kenyan Drake and Chase Edmonds. Who wins? Rams 24-23
– Jess Root, Cards Wire
Giants (4-7) at Seahawks (8-3)
TV: 4:05 ET Sunday, Fox BetMGM.com line: Seahawks by 10
Giants’ keys: No matter who the quarterback is, New York will need to continue to run the ball, something it’s done well since Week 6, averaging over 140 yards per game.
Seahawks’ keys: They must use the ground game with RBs Chris Carson and Carlos Hyde to control things.
Who wins? Seahawks 31-17
– Liz Mathews, Seahawks Wire
Eagles (3-7-1) at Packers (8-3)
TV: 4:25 ET Sunday, CBS BetMGM.com line: Packers by 8
Eagles’ keys: Run the ball with RB Miles Sanders, win the takeaway battle and dominate the important situational downs.
Packers’ keys: Protect QB Aaron Rodgers, feed the ball to RB Aaron Jones and force turnovers.
Who wins? Packers 34-24
– Zach Kruse, Packers Wire
Patriots (5-6) at Chargers (3-8)
TV: 4:25 ET Sunday, CBS BetMGM.com line: Patriots by 1
Patriots’ keys: They are averaging 153.6 rushing yards per game and face a defense that was just gashed for 172 against the Bills.
Chargers’ keys: Use quick passes and play-action to protect rookie QB Justin Herbert.
Who wins? Patriots 24-21
– Gavino Borquez, Chargers Wire
Broncos (4-7) at Chiefs (10-1)
TV: 8:20 ET Sunday, NBC BetMGM.com line: Chiefs by 14
Chiefs’ keys: In Week 7, they scored TDs on defense and special teams, leading to a 43-16 blowout of Denver. This time the Chiefs will likely need to rely on more traditional means of scoring on offense, which had only 41 snaps in that win.
Broncos’ keys: Do a better job taking care of the football, which was costly in Week 7.
Who wins? Chiefs 34-21
– Charles Goldman, Chiefs Wire
Washington (4-7) at Steelers (11-0)
TV: 5 ET Monday, Fox BetMGM.com line: Off the board
Washington’s keys: Rookie RB Antonio Gibson is a young star with the ability to impact the running and passing game.
Pittsburgh’s keys: Focus on QB Ben Roethlisberger and his ability to distribute the ball to guys like WR Diontae Johnson, TE Eric Ebron and WR Chase Claypool.
Who wins? Steelers 35-21
– Curt Popejoy, Steelers Wire
Bills (8-3) vs. 49ers (5-6)
TV: 8:15 ET Monday, ESPN BetMGM.com line: Bills by 1 1⁄
2
Bills’ keys: If QB Josh Allen can use his legs to get out of trouble and extend plays, the 49ers will have a hard time stopping him. If S Jordan Poyer and S Micah Hyde can bait a turnover or two, it should be enough to stuff a onedimensional San Francisco offense.
49ers’ keys: QB Nick Mullens has to be perfect in a home game moved to Arizona because of Santa Clara County’s contact sports ban. If he’s converting third downs, the run game opens for RB Raheem Mostert.
Who wins? Bills 30-17
– Kyle Madson, Niners Wire
Cowboys (3-8) at Ravens (6-5)
TV: 8:05 ET Tuesday, Fox/NFL Network/ Amazon
BetMGM.com line: Off the board
Cowboys’ keys: Rely on RB Ezekiel Elliott, as other teams have carved the Ravens up with bruising backs. Elliott and QB Andy Dalton need to be turnover-free, which will be difficult against an aggressive defense. Dallas’ defense must stop the run, forcing the Ravens to beat the Cowboys with big plays, something they have struggled with.
Ravens’ keys: Don’t let penalties and big plays hurt them. Offensively, that means not turning the ball over and playing the field-position game. .
Who wins? Cowboys 20-13
– Matthew Stevens, Ravens Wire
Bye week: Buccaneers and Panthers