Week 13 picks: Rivers making strong case for MVP

By Jeff

Consistent readers of this blog know I'm not a big fan of San Diego Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers. He whines, screams at the opposition, taunts fans and his face just bothers me. So it pains me to admit he is on pace to win the NVP award this season.

Is he complaining,  or talking smack on the ref?
Could be both.

Rivers' 3,362 passing yards and 23 touchdown passes would be enough for consideration, but it's how he's doing it that's so impressive. His receivers this season have been Malcolm Floyd, Patrick Crayton, Seyi Ajirotutu, Buster Davis and Legedu Naanee. Antonio Gates is having his usual great year, but he has missed several games, as had Floyd, Naanee, Davis and Crayton. He's had a carousel at the wide receiver position, but continues to put up elite numbers that can't be ignored.

Led by Rivers, the Chargers have also turned their season around. They were 2-5 at one point, but have won four in a row. The team put up at least 29 points in all four wins. Is there a quarterback and team in the league you would want to play less than the Chargers right now?

As for last week's pick, I started strong and got destroyed late. Anyone want to tell me why I picked Arizona? The final tally was 8-8, leaving me at 77-93-5 for the season. My miss of the week was taking the Indianapolis Colts to beat the Chargers. Thanks a lot, Peyton.

Week 13 picks are below and the home teams are in caps.

PHILADELPHIA (-8.5) over Houston: Michael Vick is not Rusty Smith, so he will destroy the Texans' league worst pass defense.

Buffalo (+5.5) over MINNESOTA: The interim coach high can only last so long when your quarterback is turning over the ball more than anyone else in the league. Now factor in that the Bills haven't lost by more than three points in their last four losses to teams like the Pittsburgh Steelers, Kansas City Chiefs, Baltimore Ravens and Chicago Bears.

MIAMI (-4.5) over Cleveland: Jake Delhomme is starting again. Never bet on Jake Delhomme.

You'd be frustrated too if you played for the Browns.

Jacksonville (+2) over TENNESSEE: The Titans just got shut out by the Texans and they're favored? I don't care if Kerry Collins will be behind center, this team is looking like crap right now.

KANSAS CITY (-8.5) over Denver: A name I'm not hearing for MVP is Matt Cassel. He's only thrown 22 touchdowns compared to four interceptions. Why is he not in the conversation? Or am I just in the wrong conversations? Looking at this game, 8.5 seems like a lot of points to give after the Broncos crushed the Chiefs in their last meeting. But this is at Arrowhead, so the result will be reversed.

Washington (+7) over NEW YORK GIANTS: Will someone please tell me which Giants team is going to show up?! Even when I get their games right, they're pure guesses. Help me figure this team out!

Chicago (-4) over DETROIT: The Bears keep winning and putting me in my place. How is this line only four points? The Lions are 2-9 and starting Drew Stanton. Drew Stanton!

"Gimme back my clipboard!"

GREEN BAY (-9.5) over San Francisco: This line seems right.

New Orleans (-6.5) over CINCINNATI: Could this be another blackout? I hope so. How sad would it be if "The T. Ocho Show" got higher rating than Bengals games?

Atlanta (-3) over TAMPA BAY: Everything seems to be clicking for the Falcons. Michael Turner is burning again, Roddy White has become a premier receiver and Matt Ryan is looking like a young (insert great quarterback here). The Bucs have yet to beat a team with a winning record.

Oakland (+13) over SAN DIEGO: Not saying Oakland will win, but they won't lose by 14 either.

Carolina (+6) over SEATTLE: I wish I could say this game means nothing, but the 5-6 Seahawks are in a dogfight for the NFC West. I would make some kind of NFC West sucks joke here, but they were all used up by Week 3.

Harrison's helmet is touching this guy's helmet.
Is that a penalty now?

INDIANAPOLIS (-5.5) over Dallas: The Colts can't put up three consecutive poor performances in a row, can they?

St. Louis (-3.5) over ARIZONA: Could Matt Leinart really have been any worse than Derek Anderson? At least Leinart would have been macking on some hotties in the first row, rather than laughing it up as his team was being crushed.

Pittsburgh (+3) over BALTIMORE: This could be the most penalized game of the year. And unlike recent Steelers games, most of the penalties will probably be legit.

New York Jets (+3.5) over NEW ENGLAND: I have no idea who is going to win this game. Well, my picks this year will show you I don't have much of a clue on any games. But I really mean it on this one. The Jets defense is great. The Pats offense is great. The Jets already beat the Patriots once this year, but that means nothing now. Seriously, it's a coin flip.

The Doors - Peace Frog