Week 12 saw one big underdog, the Bears, take down the Packers on Thanksgiving night. Most of the favorites won on Sunday, excluding the Patriots and Giants. The 49ers kept their game against Arizona much closer than expected, and have looked better recently (read more below). Thank you NFL for finally giving us more than three late games, in this case, four. This could be a very good week of football. The Seahawks play in Minnesota (and are somehow favorite), The Jets and Giants play, the Panthers will put their undefeated record on the line in New Orleans and we get to see an old rivalry renewed with the Chiefs at the Raiders.

Survivor League Strategy

At this point in the season- if you are still alive, that is- take the best available team.

Before making any picks, look at each point spread. Vegas has the best minds, smarter than any of us, use them to get a glimpse at how each team is projected to fare that week.

The biggest favorites in Week 13, per sportsbook.ag; PATRIOTS -10 vs. Eagles, Panthers -7 vs. SAINTS, BEARS -7 vs. 49ers, Bengals -7 vs. BROWNS, Cardinals -6 vs. RAMS.

Top Survivor Picks for Week 13

PATRIOTS -10 vs. Eagles

Chip Kelly may need to have bodyguards in Philadelphia after this game. The Patriots are going to destroy the Eagles. How good are the Patriots off of a loss? Since 2003, New England is 37-4 after a loss, and has lost back-to-back games four times. Last season (excluding the last regular season game loss), after a Patriots loss, New England won 30-7, 43-17, and 23-14.

I don't even need evidence to pick against the Eagles. If you were watching that Thanksgiving game, you realized the Eagles quit. Their defense is abysmal, and their offense is led my Mark Sanchez. Although, Sanchez, has played well against Belichick in his career, I am sure Belichick will have a gameplan to confuse Sanchez. I don't even think Vegas can make this line high enough for me to stay away.

BILLS -3 vs. Texans

After four wins in a row, I still don't buy the Texans. I still don't understand how they beat the Bengals, but it was a huge win that turned their season around. The Texans other five wins came against the Bucs, Jaguars, Jets, Titans, and Saints. None of those teams are that good. It's not like Brian Hoyer has been so good also. He threw an awful pick on Sunday, finishing with 205 yards and two touchdowns. The Texans defense has been the key to their resurgence, but I'm sensing the Bills could give them a bit of trouble.

Tyrod Taylor can cause defenses a lot of trouble scrambling. The Texans conceded 76 rushing yards on 10 carries to Cam Newton in week 2. Newton is a different specimen than Taylor, but Taylor is quicker. Also, if Buffalo loses then they would go to 5-7 with no chance of a playoff run. This is a must win game for the Bills at home. This will be Hoyer's first time facing a Rex Ryan defense. Hoyer will get rattled.

Top Survivor Picks to Avoid for Week 13

BEARS -7 vs. 49ers

The talking heads will hype up this Bears team so much for this week against the 49ers. The Bears did have a shocking win at Green Bay, but the Packers aren't a great team. The Bears have own three of their last four, pushing their record to 5-6 and a playoff push. This game has the feel of a letdown game. Doesn't this feel like the classic Jay Cutler game where he throws interceptions, or the game where the Bears just choke it away?

The 49ers are 3-8, losers of two in a row. The 49ers lost at Seattle 29-13 and last week at home to the Cardinals 19-13. Blaine Gabbert is a much more competent quarterback than Colin Kaepernick is, at this moment. Gabbert completed 25 of 36 passes for 318 yards a touchdown and a pick against a very good Cardinals secondary. The 49ers have nothing to lose the rest of the season, and they are starting to play that way. The Bears will start to feel that hype and it will get to their heads. This game will be a close one.

SAINTS -7 vs. Panthers

I keep waiting and waiting for Carolina to lose. I finally think this is the week. The Saints are a 4-7 mess. They lost three in a row, and are a mess. Everyone knows Sean Payton will not be back next year as the Saints head coach. Now the question is, will the Saints roll over in their next five or play with fight? If there were ever a game the Saints will show up, it's this one. They face their division rival in a must win game for the Saints. The Saints need to run the table at a shot in the playoffs. I know the Saints have been miserable playing in the Superdome, but this time they will show up to play.

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