Welcome to Hagan’s Haus, where football is the only thing that matters. You won’t find me in a church on Sunday because football is my religion and the No. 1 priority in my life. I am so excited that the NFL season is finally back in action! I pride myself on studying the game of football. We can’t get all our picks or predictions right, but I am going to leave it here in the open every week for everyone to see. In Hagan’s Haus, it’s all about bragging rights.
Who is the best? Because winning is the only thing that matters. We don’t get points for second place. I challenge you to post comments on your weekly picks and compare them to mine. This isn’t about point spreads. I will give a score prediction, but winning is winning. Doesn’t matter if it is by an inch or a mile. So try and beat me in picking NFL games. I promise you it won’t be easy, but it will be fun. Here are Hagan’s Haus 2017 Week 13 NFL picks.
Last week: 12-2 (85.7 percent)
Overall: 107-66 (61.8 percent)
Thursday Night
Tonight’s pick is a tough one to make. The @Redskins have been the better team but the @dallascowboys are desperate for a win. Dak is also frustrated at the doubt in him. I’ll roll with him and the Cowboys tonight 27-24. #FOHTY #HagansHaus @TGHSports
— Matthew Hagan (@VegRock91) November 30, 2017
Sunday Morning
New England Patriots (9-2) 27 @ Buffalo Bills (6-5) 18: The Bills are 3-9 in their last 12 games against the Patriots. This one means a little more than it usually does with the Bills fighting for a possible playoff spot.
Unfortunately for Buffalo, that doesn’t really mean much against Tom Brady. There is a very small chance they win this game even though they are at home, but anything is possible. The Bills could pull off the upset, but New England’s defense will be too good.
San Francisco 49ers (1-10) 24 @ Chicago Bears (3-8) 20: Jimmy Garoppolo will finally make his first start in a 49er uniform. Garoppolo saw some action last week towards the end of the game, completing both of his passes for 18 yards and one touchdown.
There is no better game for him to make his first start with San Francisco than against the Bears. Chicago has made strides of improvement, but it hasn’t resulted in many wins. The 49ers will win this game just because Jimmy G will be the difference.
Minnesota Vikings (9-2) 27 @ Atlanta Falcons (7-4) 21: Minnesota is playing at a high level on both sides of the ball. Case Keenum is having an MVP-caliber season, but people still question the quarterback situation. Atlanta is playing well too, and a win at home puts them right back into all NFC races. Minnesota will get too much pressure and it will result in another win.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-7) 21 @ Green Bay Packers (5-6) 24: Green Bay is beginning to hear whispers that Aaron Rodgers is close to returning. That is scary for the rest of the league because if the Packers get hot at the right time, they could find themselves in the Super Bowl despite not having a Super Bowl caliber roster because Rodgers is that good.
Tampa is not going to make a run, and their only role now is to play spoiler. They will not spoil anything in Lambeau, and the Packers will get to .500 this week.
Houston Texans (4-7) 13 @ Tennessee Titans (7-4) 31: Tennessee would love to continue their good season with a win against the Texans. The Titans have to keep pace with the Jaguars, who are playing the Colts.
Marcus Mariota has yet to get on a hot streak this season, which probably means it is coming soon. With all the injuries the Texans are dealing with, it would make sense for the hot streak to get started this week. Mariota will have four total touchdowns in a blowout win over the Texans.
Denver Broncos (3-8) 17 @ Miami Dolphins (4-7) 19: There might be one television in the country tuned into this snooze fest. The Broncos are having a horrible season, and the Dolphins aren’t doing much better. Miami has lost five straight games, and the Broncos have lost seven straight. Miami will end their losing streak based on home field advantage.
Kansas City Chiefs (6-5) 31 @ New York Jets (4-7) 24: The free-falling Chiefs are desperate as the Chargers have climbed up the standings and only trail by a game for the AFC West division lead. Kansas City must find their offensive magic they had early in the season during their 5-0 start. Kareem Hunt has to be the workhorse, and the offensive play-calling must allow Alex Smith to air out the ball. They will recapture the magic this week in New York to end the losing streak.
Indianapolis Colts (3-8) 10 @ Jacksonville Jaguars (7-4) 34: The only way the Colts win this game is if Blake Bortles throws three or more interceptions. Jacksonville’s defense is going to wreak havoc on Jacoby Brissett and the rest of the offense. A.J. Bouye and Jalen Ramsey will both get an interception, and defensive player of the year candidate, Calais Campbell, will have three sacks.
Detroit Lions (6-5) 30 @ Baltimore Ravens (6-5) 20: Baltimore does not look like a six-win team when you watch them play. The offense looks confused at times and is only scoring 21.5 points per game.
Their defense, on the other hand, ranks second in points allowed per game. Matthew Stafford is going to change that by lighting them up for 30 this week.
Sunday Afternoon
Cleveland Browns (0-11) 12 @ Los Angeles Chargers (5-6) 24: Los Angeles has gotten hot and is only one game out of first place in their division. Cleveland comes in winless and will not put up a fight against the Chargers’ stout defense.
Melvin Gordon has also been fantastic this season and is getting little shine. Gordon will have 150 all-purpose yards to lead the Chargers to another win.
New York Giants (2-9) 7 @ Oakland Raiders (5-6) 34: The amount of disrespect the Giants have shown Eli Manning is absolutely ridiculous. Ben McAdoo is benching Manning for Geno Smith. Smith has had many opportunities to prove he is capable of being a starting quarterback and has disappointed every time. Oakland is going to look like a defensive powerhouse against Smith. Raiders win easily and in blowout fashion.
Carolina Panthers (8-3) 27 @ New Orleans Saints (8-3) 24: This is the game of the week, and first place is on the line. In their first meeting, the Saints smacked Carolina in Charlotte 34-13.
This game will be much different, and the Panthers defense will step up. Cam Newton will also have a big game, and Carolina will find their way into first place in the NFC South.
Los Angeles Rams (8-3) 32 @ Arizona Cardinals (5-6) 23: Arizona is rolling with Blaine Gabbert under center, and this Rams defense is going to bother him big time. Arizona’s defense will not be able to slow down the No. 2 scoring offense in the league.
Jared Goff has been great, but Todd Gurley is the real reason the Rams are dangerous. He will lead them to their ninth win of the season against the Cardinals.
Sunday Night
Philadelphia Eagles (10-1) 21 @ Seattle Seahawks (7-4) 22: Philly is without question the better team, but my gut is telling me to pick the Seahawks. Playing in Seattle is a tough task. Russell Wilson is quietly having a great season, throwing for 3,029 yards, 23 touchdowns and just eight interceptions. Wilson will outplay Carson Wentz to get his team a much-needed win.
Monday Night
Pittsburgh Steelers (9-2) 23 @ Cincinnati Bengals (5-6) 24: Pittsburgh has not dominated this season and has actually pulled out a lot of close games, and the Bengals are desperate. A desperate home team in a rivalry game is dangerous. The Bengals will play great defense and slow down the Killer B’s. Andy Dalton will have a big day to squeeze by the Steelers to pull back into the thick of the playoff race.
Featured image by AP Photo/Bob Leverone
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