Schrock's Week 13 picks: Can 49ers keep playoff dreams alive?
Editor's note: All odds are provided by our partner, PointsBet. PointsBet is our Official Sports Betting Partner and we may receive compensation if you place a bet on PointsBet for the first time after clicking our links.We're heading into the homestretch of the 2020 NFL season, and COVID-19 be damned the league plans to finish this thing on schedule.So, we head into Week 13 knowing the Kansas City Chiefs are leagues ahead of the rest of the NFL, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Arizona Cardinals have serious issues, the Cleveland Browns continue to win ugly and the 49ers and Minnesota Vikings have renewed playoff hope after Week 12 wins.After beating the Los Angeles Rams for the fourth consecutive time, the 49ers now are 5-6 and just a game out of the final NFC wild-card spot. They are getting healthier but must continue to rack up the wins to keep postseason hopes alive. That journey sees them face the 8-3 Buffalo Bills in Week 13 on a Monday night at the 49ers' temporary home field in Arizona.Elsewhere, the Raiders will head to New York still licking their wounds from a 43-6 loss to the Atlanta Falcons in Week 12. A date with the putrid Jets should be what the doctor ordered, but this is the same Jets team that dealt the Raiders a 34-3 loss last season, so don't count your chickens before they hatch.The playoff picture in the AFC is getting clearer while the NFC is getting murkier by the week. Week 13 should help to answer a few nagging questions we have about some of the would-be contenders.Let's get to the picks.RECORD: 77-82 (ATS) 104-55-1 SU
Line: Titans -5.5
It's December, which means Derrick Henry is heating up and ready to obliterate any tackler who dares try and bring him down. The Titans are fresh off a beat down of the Colts and are in the driver's seat in the AFC South.
The Browns look like water garbage most weeks but just keep finding ways to beat bad teams. They don't play a bad team this week, but I think they can do enough to muck up the game and make it close.
Pick: Titans 24, Browns 20
Line: Saints -3
We just saw this game two weeks ago. I picked the Falcons, and it didn't exactly pan out.
But I just can't quit Atlanta. Taysom Hill hasn't impressed since taking over for Drew Brees and Raheem Morris has the Falcons playing up to their potential since taking over.
Ride with the Dirty Birds one more time.
Pick: Falcons 27, Saints 23
Line: Vikings -9.5
Minnesota barely got past the Panthers to keep their playoff hopes on life support. That came a week after they fell on their face against an awful Cowboys team.
The Vikings should win, but I can't lay 9.5 with this team.
Pick: Vikings 24, Jaguars 17
Line: Dolphins -11
The Bengals are in a world of trouble without Joe Burrow. Brandon Allen kept them close against the Giants, but I have a hard time believing he'll be able to do much against Miami's defense.
Fins. Big.
Pick: Dolphins 30, Bengals 13
Line: Colts -2.5
A week after an impressive win over the Packers, the Colts were blitzed by the Titans. Can they respond against Deshaun Watson and a Texans team that is playing better of late?
I have serious doubts about this Colts team and Watson has been balling. Upset special.
Pick: Texans 23, Colts 21
Line: Bears -3
The Lions finally rid themselves of the festering scab that was Matt Patricia. While their playoff hopes are dead, they can still prolong their rivals' misery with a win Sunday.
The Bears have lost five straight games and are completely underwater. The Lions should have won the first meeting, and they finish the job this time.
Pick: Lions 20, Bears 17
Line: Rams -3
Arizona has fallen into a rut after its miracle win over the Bills. Teams have gotten tape on Kyler Murray and are figuring out ways to keep him from beating them with his legs, which has hampered a once-potent offense.
The Rams, meanwhile, oscillate between contender and pretender on a weekly basis.
The Cardinals need to snap their skid to give their playoff dreams a boost. Murray bounced back after a stinker and the Cardinals are back in the thick of the NFC playoff picture.
Pick: Cardinals 30, Rams 27
Pick: Chargers -1
Cam Newton threw for 84 yards on Sunday and the Patriots won because Kliff Kingsbury still hasn't figured out how to coach at the end of games.
Now, Bill Belichick faces Anthony Lynn, another coach who struggles at, well, everything. That should set up well for the Patriots, but I can't bet on a team with an offense that is this inept.
This might be Anthony Lynn's last stand. The Chargers have too much talent to keep losing, right?
Pick: Chargers 27, Patriots 20
Line: Chiefs -13.5
The Chiefs remain on autopilot as we reach December. Last time these two teams met, the Broncos couldn't stop turning the ball over in a 43-16 Kansas City win.
The Chiefs are good, but they are also just interested in getting a lead and staying healthy. If the Broncos have Drew Lock back and can hang onto the ball then they can cover this number.
Pick: Chiefs 28, Broncos 17
Line: Steelers -9.5
Terry McClaurin and Anthony Gibson are good enough to keep the Football Team in most games. But can they make enough plays against the Steelers' defense to cover this number?
I don't think so. Steelers in a romp.
Pick: Steelers 28, Football Team 13
Line: Packers -9
The Eagles are completely lost on offense and Darius Slay might have to go into witness protection after what DK Metcalf did to him on Monday night.
I'm still scarred from the Packers having a tickle fight with the Jags a few weeks ago, but they seem to be hitting their stride at the right moment and have the No. 1 seed in the NFC in their sights. Plus, I can't side with the broken down Wentz Wagon.
Pick: Packers 30, Eagles 20
Line: Seahawks -9.5
Joe Judge was optimistic that Daniel Jones' hamstring injury wasn't serious. Colt McCoy looked exactly how you'd expect him to look coming off the bench.
This Giants team finds ways to hang around and the Seahawks' defense is just bad enough to let them cover the number.
Pick: Seahawks 27, Giants 19
Line: Ravens -6.5
The Ravens have a host of COVID issues and are struggling on offense even when at full strength.
However, facing the Cowboys' defense that was just scorched by the Football Team could be the perfect cure for what ails them.
Wait to bet this until we know Lamar Jackson's status, but I'd still take a Ravens team that likes beating up on bad teams.
Pick: Ravens 27, Cowboys 17
Line: Raiders -7.5
Wow, the books didn't forget the Raiders' trip to MetLife Stadium last season when the Jets pummeled them 34-3.
Still, this Jets team is hurdling toward 0-16 and the Raiders have to make a statement that last week was a fluke.
Silver and Black bounce back big.
Pick: Raiders 31, Jets 20
Line: Bills -2.5
Every game is an adventure with Josh Allen and he's exactly the type of quarterback who the 49ers have struggled with this season. Kyler Murray, Carson Wentz, Daniel Jones and Russell Wilson have all given them issues, and I don't see a reason why Allen should be any different.
The Bills' offense is a lot more dynamic than most people realize and it's going to take another coaching masterpiece from Kyle Shanahan to get the 49ers back to .500. I don't see it.
Pick: Bills 24, 49ers 20
