NFL Week 13 Picks

The Chargers look to enact some revenge on the Raiders in Week 13 of the NFL season, while the Bills and Bears should continue padding bettors' bankrolls.

Oakland at San Diego

Remember back in Week 5 when the Raiders upset the Chargers 35-27 as a 7-point underdog? Well, don't expect a repeat performance this weekend. San Diego is heavily favored at home as 13-point chalk, and we expect them to cover the spread with an offensive beatdown of Oakland.

The real reason Oakland won that game in Week 5 was all the San Diego mistakes. The Raiders scored a safety and a touchdown on blocked punts and also scored another TD on a fumble recovery. Take those 16 points off the board and San Diego wins 27-19 and covers the spread.

Before the embarrassment of Week 5 the Chargers had won 13 in a row versus Oakland while going 10-3 ATS. At home the Chargers still have a seven-game streak against the Raiders intact. They're also 4-1 SU and ATS at home this season, compared to the Raiders' 1-4 SU mark on the road.

Pick: Take the Chargers to win big and get paid at Bodog Sportsbook.

Buffalo at Minnesota

If you're looking for an ATS upset this week we'd go with Buffalo at Minnesota as a 5.5-point road 'dog. Buffalo has been filling bettors' pockets consistently for more than a month now. In their last six games the Bills are a lame 2-4 SU, but they're 5-0-1 ATS and four of those ATS wins came as the underdog. Buffalo has also covered four in a row on the road.

The Vikings snapped a five-game ATS losing streak last week, but don't read too much into that because it came against the hapless Redskins. Minnesota could be in trouble this week because they may have to rely even more on the dwindling skills of Brett Favre. Adrian Peterson is hampered by a sprained ankle which could put him out, or at least limit his effectiveness in the offense.

Pick: Buffalo to cover spread at Bodog Sportsbook.

Chicago at Detroit

Injuries could also make the Bears a juicy pick for bettors this weekend as a 3.5-point favorite versus the Lions. Already down starting QB Matt Stafford, the Lions will be without backup Shaun Hill due to a broken finger. That means third-stringer Drew Stanton gets the start. That's bad news for a Lions offense that is already dealing with a hobbled Jahvid Best (toe).

In limited duty Stanton has posted a QB rating of 49.0 with two touchdowns and seven interceptions in his career. Those numbers going up against the Bears' fourth-ranked defense don't look promising for any Lions fans that stuck around through the Matt Millen era.

Chicago has quietly won four in a row SU while posting a 3-0-1 record ATS. Back in Week 1 the Bears topped the Lions 19-14 as a 6.5-point favorite. We don't expect it to be as close in the rematch.

Pick: Chicago to cover spread at Bodog Sportsbook.