Nothing fancy, just the winners.

Predictions for Week 13

So far this season I am 103-66, good for a winning percentage of 60.95%. Last season I was 110-65 (63.0%) I have work to do catching up.

Bears over Vikings: this game will probably decide the NFC North winner. As Simon Tsalikis of ‘The Ministry of Sports’ (which you can listen to Mondays following the game) said recently, ‘I cannot live in a world where Gus Frerotte is in first place.’

Panthers (8-3) at Packers (5-6): Jake Delhomme isn’t playing too good but the Packers are desperate for a win and they have a short week. If the Packers lose, they’ll be two games out of first in the North, even though they hold all the tiebreakers.

Redskins over Giants: these teams played in the NFL season opener and the Giants won convincingly 16-7. The Redskins were awful: they mismanaged the clock and refused to gamble, despite trailing by nine points, on three consecutive fourth and one situations near midfield in the second half. However rookie head coach Jim Zorn has learned from his early season errors and put his team in playoff contention.

Colts over Browns: make that five in a row for the Colts.

Ravens over Bengals: the Ravens cannot let up against an easy opponent or it will cost them a playoff spot. Remember what happened to the Jaguars and the Eagles.

Dolphins over Rams: Ditto for the Dolphins. They need to win five of six to end the season. Losing to the Rams, who are 2-9 and on a five game winning streak will not do.

Bills over 49ers: since Dick Jauron took over, the Bills are 4-20 when facing teams that are.500 or better and 16-3 when going up against below .500 teams. This is the latter.

Bucs over Saints: two dreams will end today. The Saints will all but be eliminated from playoff contention and any chance Drew Brees has of catching Dan Marino’s single season yardage record (5084 in ’84) will go by the wayside.

Falcons over Chargers: how motivated will Michael Turner be to show up his old team and perhaps eliminate them from the playoffs.

Jets over Broncos: but have no fear Chargers fans, the Broncos will also lose, keeping the AFC West race alive.

Patriots over Steelers: the Patriots under Bill Belichick simply do not lose big games down the stretch. With every week Matt Cassel’s signing bonus in the offseason keeps rising.

Raiders over Chiefs: this may sound ridiculous but a Raiders win here will put Oakland two games back of the Broncos for the AFC West lead, even though they’d only be 4-8.

Jaguars over Texans: I wonder if Monday Night Football can have a ‘flexible schedule’? How happy are ESPN executives with a pair of 4-7 teams on the schedule?

That’s it for me. I’ll be back in a few days. Keep the emails coming at jimmy.Garoufalis@team990.com