Cleveland Browns: DPD pick ’em pool Week 13 recap and predictions

The Cleveland Browns continue to lose, but things are heating up in the Dawg Pound Daily pick ’em pool as we look ahead to Week 14.

What a week it was.

The Cleveland Browns keep giving everyone a free point each week, and Pittsburgh continues their hot streak.

Here’s a look at the standings after Week 13:

Thomas Moore 126 points (13)
Joel Cade 124 points (10)
Steven Kubitza 123 points (11)
Brandon Onda 122 (11)
Andrew Seibt 121 points (14*)
Derek Bryner 118 points (11)
Roger Cohen 118 points (12)
Matt Stevenson 103 points (11)
Joshua Dentler 103 points (10)

Everyone did quite well this week, but I finally managed to guess correctly on more picks than everyone else, barely keeping my hopes alive while Tom runs away with the lead. Let’s look ahead to this week’s games and my predictions:

New Orleans @ Atlanta

After Julio Jones blew up for 200-plus yards and two touchdowns, he garnered a measly 24 yards in Week 13 after being shadowed by Xavier Rhodes. Meanwhile, Drew Brees and Alvin Kamara tore apart the Panthers with a good mix of run and pass and continue to look every bit like a Super Bowl contender.

In a big NFC South matchup, I expect the Falcons to come out fighting, and as long as Marshon Lattimore plays I think Julio has a chance to be shut down again this week. I expect the Saints to pound the run and take this game 31-21.

Seattle @ Jacksonville

This will be Russell Wilson and the Seattle offense’s greatest task to date. They dismantled the secondary of the Eagles last week as Wilson continues his MVP-caliber season. Jacksonville took care of the Colts easily last week behind their stout defense.

I expect this to be a rather low scoring game, but as long as that Seattle defense can contain Leonard Fournette and force Blake Bortles to beat them, they should be able to pick off a few passes and swing the momentum. I’m going with the Seahawks, 27-17.

Minnesota @ Carolina

Minnesota continues their hot streak, dominating the Falcons on the defensive side of the ball. Latavius Murray and Jerrick McKinnon continue to be a solid 1-2 punch and Case Keenum is making the plays needed to win games. Carolina comes in after a brutal loss to the Saints, and I think they may be hungry for a victory in this one at home.

I think the Carolina D forces a few Keenum turnovers and Cam Newton has a big game in an upset victory for Carolina, 24-21.

Chicago @ Cincinnati

The Bears are so conservative on offense it almost looks like they’re afraid of their own shadow. Jimmy Garoppolo and the rag-tag band of offensive skill players he’s equipped with did just enough to squeak out a victory over Chicago last week.

While Cincinnati looks to be playing for next year under dead-man walking Marvin Lewis, I don’t think the Bears have enough talent to pull it out on either side of the ball. 21-13 Cincinnati.

Green Bay @ Cleveland

Green Bay needs to win this week to keep their playoff hopes alive, right in time for their knight in shining armor, Aaron Rodgers, to come off of IR and lead them to the playoffs. Brett Hundley has played particularly well since his debut, but the Browns defense may give him issues this week.

Related Post: Talking 0-12 in the DPD Podcast

This isn’t the week I pick the Browns to win, based solely on the veterans in that Green Bay locker room knowing they need to win this game, but it will be a close one. Green Bay takes it 24-17.

San Francisco @ Houston

I can tell you I will not be following this game on Sunday Ticket. But I do believe in Jimmy G despite his lack of weapons. The Houston D is bad, and Tom Savage is even worse. I’ll take the 49ers in a barnburner, 20-14.

Detroit @ Tampa Bay

Stafford is banged up with a thumb injury, but I don’t expect it to hold that Detroit offense back against a lowly Tampa Bay secondary who let Julio do things to them that wide receivers shouldn’t be allowed to do. Detroit wins 37-20.

Indianapolis @ Buffalo

Buffalo has to get out of this funk, don’t they? Then again, no one expected them to be where they are. It just goes to show that benching your solid veteran QB for a rookie QB in the middle of a playoff chase is not the best tactic.

This depends on if Tyrod plays or not, but if the Bills give the ball to Shady McCoy 25-plus times they should have no problem handling Jacoby Brissett and the Colts. The Bills take it (if Tyrod plays) 23-13.

Oakland @ Kansas City

Kansas City finally looked like the team they were in the first five games from an offensive standpoint, but defensively they’re in shambles without Eric Berry. Oakland isn’t too hot either, as they’re really banged up.

I think KC gets revenge for the Thursday Night shootout they lost in the first meeting between these two teams led by a heavy dose of Kareem Hunt. KC wins 31-20.

NY Jets @ Denver

The ageless wonder Josh McCown continues to keep this Jets team exciting as they hung 38 on the Chiefs last week on their way to their fifth win of the season. I expect them to get their sixth win of the season as they face the only team that might be worse than the Browns offensively in the Denver Broncos. The Jets keep rolling, winning 27-10.

Tennessee @ Arizona

Tennesse is the worst 8-4 team I have seen in recent memory. Nothing about them flashes, but they continue to win ugly games. Arizona isn’t the team they were from the beginning of the season, but Larry Legend has a chance to torch this burnable Titans secondary behind competent quarterback play provided by Blaine Gabbert.

I think Arizona takes this game while forcing multiple Mariota turnovers by a score of 24-20.

Washington @ LA Chargers

Philip Rivers is hot, and so is that Charger defense. Kirk Cousins and the Redskin offense was shut down by the Cowboys and their defense, while Alfred Morris tore them up for over 100 yards and a touchdown last week.

I expect a heavy dose of Melvin Gordon and another solid day from Rivers at home to lead the Chargers to victory, 31-24.

Dallas @ NY Giants

I’m picking Dallas for obvious reasons. The Giants just fired their coach and GM and even with Eli back under center I don’t think it gives them enough to win this game. If Dallas can run the way they did last week, which I expect them to, this game should be a blowout.

I’m taking Dallas, 30-10.

Philadelphia @ LA Rams

My matchup of the week. Two prolific offenses powered by quarterbacks taken one and two in the draft in Jared Goff and Carson Wentz. Both defenses have shown ability to be elite, but also have shown lapses at times leaving something to be desired.

I’m taking Carson Wentz and the Eagles on the road in this one, but I think it’s going to be a very very good game. I’ll take the Eagles, 34-31.

Baltimore @ Pittsburgh

Baltimore is another team that’s going to make the playoffs with a ho-hum roster that doesn’t really jump out at you. We all know how good Big Ben is at home, and I think they’ll be motivated for their teammate Ryan Shazier and his road to recovery. Steelers take this one, 27-13.

New England @ Miami

No Gronkowski?? No problem for Touchdown Tom. He’s done more with less before. However, Miami just put up 35 on Denver so this may be a closer matchup than anticipated. Miami is at home and I feel like they always give the Pats a tough game at home, especially in primetime.

Next: Takeaways on offense from Week 13

I’m taking the Pats, but I wouldn’t be surprised to see this game be closer than we think. Pats take it, 30-24.

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