Week 13 Sunday:

The Thursday games went pretty much as expected, but there are quite a few intriguing games as well as challenges between also-rans to consider, so let’s give it a go.

At NY Jets -8 Denver 47.5

This is where we determine whether the Jets are legitimate Conference contenders. After two big road wins against tough opponents, the J-E-T-S appear to be streaking toward the playoffs. A poor performance against Denver would really be like hitting a pothole at full speed. The Broncos are coming off a very bad home loss and don’t want to win the AFC West by default. Their playoff aspirations remain very much alive despite their inconsistencies and also want to head into December on a roll. It’s not going to happen this week. The Jets have all the momentum, and should put away Denver without much difficulty.

Projected Final Score: NY Jets 31, Denver 21

At Buffalo -7 San Francisco 42.5

The Bills had a banner week in KC last week and have not given up hope on a playoff shot. San Francisco returned to earth last week after getting drubbed in Big D and this will be a difficult trip East for Coach Singletary’s crew. Maybe the Bills won’t hang 54 points on the board this week, but they won’t need to against a poor football team. It’s late November and you know just how pleasant the conditions will be in Western New York. It’ll be perfect from the Bills’ point of view…

Projected Final Score: Buffalo 27, San Francisco 20

At Tampa Bay -3.5 New Orleans 48

Brees caught lightning in a bottle on Monday Night as the Saints’ offense completely overwhelmed the Pack. Reggie Bush returns to the Saints’ lineup and that will provide Brees even more options. However, the Saints already know that the Bucs at home are a completely different animal than what they faced against Green Bay. Tampa Bay spotted Detroit a quick lead before waking up and playing three quarters of solid football. They simply cannot allow Brees to get a quick start this week otherwise things will snowball. The Bucs’ defense should be sky high anticipating the chance to shut down a high flying offense. All Garcia needs to do is successfully control the ball and the Bucs should win.

Projected Final Score: Tampa Bay 24, New Orleans 20

At Green Bay -3 Carolina 43

It’s probably not going to happen this year for the Pack, as they played badly on Monday night and have to face another mediocre NFC South opponent who’s looking toward a playoff run (even though they were outgunned in Atlanta last week). There will be snow showers at Lambeau that’ll make things interesting. The Panthers may have a legitimate playoff opportunity coming out of a fairly weak division, but the truth is that they’ve run too hot and cold to be considered legitimate contenders. They had a chance last week to firm up their position and they blew it. Time’s getting short for Coach Fox and the boys. Delhomme needs to exploit Green Bay’s mediocre pass defense. He has the weapons, so there’s no excuse.

Projected Final Score: Carolina 23, Green Bay 21

NY Giants -3.5 At Washington 41.5

The Giants know that they’re walking into a hornet’s nest on Sunday. The Redskins have nothing to play for but pride at this point, but that’s not going to deter them from coming out like a cornered opponent. This smells like a trap game, with Jacobs and Plax hobbled by injuries. Coach Coughlin needs to keep the pedal to the metal and the defense must maintain their nasty edge.

Projected Final Score: NY Giants 24, Washington 20

Miami -8 At St. Louis 44

Despite the fact that the Rams have thrown in the towel for this year this probably won’t be a walk in the park for Miami. They still have to be smarting after getting blown out at home by New England and Joey Porter’s mouth has gone missing. They’ll be without Greg Camarillo for the rest of the year and that will limit Pennington’s options. But the Dolphins are a team on the rise and any win (especially on the road) will be a real shot in the arm.

Projected Final Score: Miami 27, St. Louis 16

Ravens -7 At Cincinnati 36

The Ravens had a tough home win against Philly on Sunday and travel to meet the Bungles who were stuffed by the Steelers on Thursday. The Bungles played Philly to a tie in Week 11, so does this mean that they have a legitimate shot against the Ravens? Uh, no. The Ravens have discovered a real gem in Joe Flacco, who has developed far quicker than anticipated, then there’s also the defense to consider. The Ravens are in the hunt for a Wild Card spot and don’t want to slip against a team they should dominate.

Projected Final Score: Ravens 21, Cincinnati 13

Indianapolis -4.5 At Cleveland 45.5

Indy’s back in the hunt, even though it took a last second field goal to prevail last week in San Diego. They’ve won a number of cliffhangers this year and have a chance to blow away an underachieving opponent, Now, the Browns have the unique misfortune of coming to town to play against a team that’s playing their best ball when it matters. The Browns are a dismal team, there was no excuse to losing to Houston at home last week, and they’re now on the clock for next year. The Brady Quinn Era is now on hold for another season as he’s down for the year with a broken hand. So now it’s back to Derek Anderson and a cloud of dust.

Projected Final Score: Indianapolis 31, Cleveland 17

At San Diego -5.5 Atlanta 49

The NFL’s biggest disappointment greets the NFL’s biggest surprise in a do-or-die game for both teams. The Chargers are like the cat with nine lives and the eighth went down last week. They have blamed their failures on Merriman’s injury and Tomlinson’s gradual decline, but there’s simply too much talent to make excuses. We’ve said it more than once: Retread Norv simply is not head coach material. On the other side, the Falcons are flying sky high (forgive the dreadful pun) after their convincing win against Carolina last week and seemingly have an air of invincibility. Matt Ryan has displayed the skill and confidence of an established veteran so far and is leading an offense that fears no one. But San Diego still has a (remote) chance to make it to the postseason. If they fail here, it’s time to start cleaning house.

Projected Final Score: San Diego 27, Atlanta 21

At New England -1 Pittsburgh 40

It’s a mystery as to why the Pats have been installed favorites here. Pittsburgh’s defense has been playing like the Steel Curtain of old and they’re simply a better team than New England, plus they have the benefit of an extra three days to rest and prepare. No one’s doubting that Matt Cassel’s unexpected emergence as a starter has given the Patriots an opportunity to return to the postseason, but the Steelers’ defense will be his toughest challenge to date. Since New England is down to their fifth-string running back, that’s going to put a great strain on the O-Line to protect Cassel as he tries to move the chains vertically. A certain linebacker named Harrison will come to Foxboro looking to disrupt any plans Cassel may have for mounting sustained drives and keeping Big Ben off the field.

Projected Final Score: Pittsburgh 27, New England 16

At Oakland -3 Kansas City 41.5

The best thing we can say about this game is that it’s a renewal of ancient AFL West rivals. The Chiefs were pathetic last week; there was no excuse for allowing Buffalo to score 54 points, no excuse. Oakland is coming off a surprising upset in Denver and is looking to go into the final month with more than a shred of dignity. They’re back home and will be looking to put a hurting on the pathetic Chiefs.

Projected Final Score: Oakland 24, Kansas City 20

At Minnesota -3.5 Chicago 42

Last week was a statement game for the Vikes, as finally some team is looking to step forward in the Black n’ Blue. The reality is that neither team engenders a great deal of confidence. Yeah, the Bears had an easy time with the Rams, but they’ve devolved into an NFL JV team. The Vikes have the advantage of the noisy BaggieDome and reasonably good health. Their disadvantage is Coach Clueless, who could screw up a (nevermind). So long as Frerotte can hand off the ball to AP, how much can go wrong?

Projected Final Score: Minnesota 24, Chicago 20