Texans host hot Broncos in rare 3 p.m. start
The first Saturday in December brings with it conference title games across the country. The only league title game that was set prior to press time was in the SEC where No. 8-ranked Alabama will try to end No. 1-ranked Georgia’s 29-game winning streak and its stranglehold on the SEC and college football.
The Bulldogs have won two straight national titles and Nick Saban would like nothing more than to gum up Georgia’s dreams of a third straight College Football Playoff (CFP) title.
Saban knows it won’t be easy, but he has his team playing its best football of the season and the veteran head coach is one of the best in the history of game planning for an opponent. Georgia head coach Kirby Smart worked for Saban as his defensive coordinator, so Smart knows Saban as well as anyone.
It’s going to be an interesting afternoon in Atlanta on Saturday.
In the Big 12, Texas needed to win its season finale at home against Texas Tech to land a spot in the Big 12 title game this Saturday in Arlington. UT should land a spot after winning back-toback road games in Weeks 10 and 11. The win over Iowa State gave Texas its first 10 win season since 2009. Tech would like nothing more than to spoil the ‘Horns conference title changes, but something tells me UT head coach Steve Sarkisian had his team ready for the Red Raiders last Friday.
The winner of the Ohio State–Michigan game will face an offensively-challenged Iowa team in the Big 10 title game with the winner earning a CFP spot.
While the college season winds down and teams wait for their bowl assignments, the NFL is heating up, especially the hometown Texans.
Two weeks ago, rookie QB C.J. Stroud shook off a threeinterception day to lead the Texans to a 21-16 home win over Arizona to improve to 6-4 on the season and remain one game behind Jacksonville in the AFC South race. On Sunday, the Texans host one of the hottest teams in the league when the Denver Broncos come calling. Two weeks ago, Denver defeated Minnesota 21-20 at home to win their fourth straight game.
Week 13 kicks off on Thursday Night Football with the Cowboys hosting Seattle. Other key games this weekend have the Dolphins visiting Washington, San Francisco visiting Philadelphia in a rematch of last year’s NFC title game, Kansas City visits Green Bay on Sunday Night Football and a Joe Burrowless Bengals team plays at Jacksonville on Monday Night Football.
Before we take a look at this weekend’s games, let’s review last week’s record. A 10-2 week upped the season record to 82-40, 67%).
Now, onto this weekend’s games.
NCAA
SEC title game, Alabama vs. Georgia: This game pits the two best teams in the SEC and it should be a fun game to watch. The Crimson Tide have a dual-threat QB in Katy Tompkin product Jalen Milroe (2,267 passing yards, 19 TDs/ 332 rushing yards, 12 TDs). He will get a stern test from a Georgia defense that is one of the best in the county and does an excellent job of taking away opposing team’s best offensive weapon. Saban knows this and might feature running back Jace McClellan (737 yards, 6 TDs) to keep the ‘Dawgs defense on its heels. Georgia is a special team led by sophomore QB Carson Beck (3,320 yards, 21 TDs). He has his top weapon back in tight end Brock Bowers (51 receptions, 660 yards, 6 TDs) and a solid runner in Daijun Edwards (725 yards, 10 TDs). Georgia rises to the occasion and while I think ‘Bama will be in the game until late, look for the Bulldogs to come up with key defensive stop to win their 30th game in a row. My pick, Georgia 26, Alabama 24
NFL
Seattle at Dallas: Both teams will have three extra days of rest having played on Thanksgiving Day, as Dallas hosted Washington and Seattle hosted San Francisco. Two weeks ago, the Cowboys dominated Carolina on both sides of the ball and left Charlotte with a convincing 33- 10 win, while Seattle lost late against the Rams, 17-16. Dallas QB Dak Prescott (2,604 yards, 19 TDs) is having one of the best years of his career, as is wide receiver CeeDee Lamb (74 receptions, 1,013 yards, 7 TDs). Look for the Dallas defense to force Seattle QB Geno Smith (2,404 yards, 12 TDs/7 interceptions) into some mistakes as the Cowboys win at home and set their sights on their rematch against Philly the following week. My pick, Dallas 27, Seattle 18
Los Angeles Chargers at New England: Two of the league’s most disappointing teams meet in Foxborough on Sunday. It’s gotten so bad in New England, that head coach Bill Belichick’s job could very well be in jeopardy. Think about that, if one of the greatest head coaches in NFL history’s job is on the line, what does that say for LA head coach Brandon Staley whose team continues to underachieve. LA has too many good players to have a losing record. Look for QB Justin Herbert (2,609, 9 TDs), running back Austin Ekeler (396 rushing yards, 4 TDs/24 receptions, 254 yards, 1 TD) and wide receiver Keenan Allen (83 receptions, 1,011 yards, 7 TDs) to take their frustrations out on Belichick’s team on Sunday. My pick, Los Angeles Chargers 31, New England 16
Denver at Houston: Two of the hottest teams in the NFL meet on Sunday in a rare 3 p.m. home start for the Texans. Two weeks ago, Houston held on for a 21-16 win over Arizona despite Stroud’s (2,962 yards, 17 TDs) three interceptions. Denver won its fourth straight with a 21-20 win over Minnesota as QB Russell Wilson threw the game-winning touchdown with 63 seconds left in the game. The Houston defense needs to corral Wilson, who is having a pretty good season under firstyear head coach Sean Payton. Stroud will look to make more plays in the passing game to Nico Collins (43 receptions, 696 yards, 4 TDS) and rookie Tank Dell (42 receptions, 659 yards, 6 TDs). The running game has improved behind Devin Singletary (471 yards, 2 TDs). Look for the Texans to pick up another home win as they look to remain in the AFC South race and the AFC Wild Card race. My pick, Houston 23, Denver 20
Miami at Washington: The Dolphins and their highpowered offense visit a Washington team that lost at home two weeks ago to a twowin Giants team. Things won’t get any easier on Sunday when Tua Tagavailoa (2,934 yards, 21 TDs), Raheem Mostert (691 yards, 11 TDs) and Tyreek Hill (79 receptions, 1,222 yards, 9 TDs) come calling. Washington has one of the top passers in the NFL in Sam Howell (3,038 yards, 18 TDs), but not much else. Look for the Dolphins to roll come Sunday. My pick, Miami 33, Washington 16
San Francisco at Philadelphia: The 49ers return to Lincoln Field where their season ended a year ago at the hands of the Eagles in the NFC title game. The 49ers lost the game and QB Brock Purdy (2,662 yards, 18 TDs) to an elbow injury. Purdy is back, as is running back Christian McCaffrey (825 rushing yards, 9 TDs/43 receptions, 364 yards, 5 TDs), wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk (43 receptions, 831 yards, 4 TDs) and tight end George Kittle (43 receptions, 648 yards, 5 TDs). SF will be out for revenge, but they will face a tall task when they face Jalen Hurts (2,497 passing yards, 15 TDs/345 rushing yards, 8 TDs), running back D’Andre Swift (690 yards, 4 TDs) and wide receivers A.J. Brown (68 receptions, 1,013 yards, 6 TDs) and Devonta Smith (48 receptions, 632 yards, 4 TDs). The one thing that might work in the 49ers favor is the fact Philly is coming off a game at KC, and plays at Dallas in a week. Look for the 49ers to help out the Cowboys in the NFC East race as they pull off the upset. My pick, San Francisco 26, Philadelphia 24
Kansas City at Green Bay: The Chiefs visit Green Bay on Sunday Night Football looking to get into their annual late-season roll. These two teams met in the first Super Bowl, with the Packers winning in a 35-10 route against the lesser AFL. KC has come a long way since that game in 1967 and has won two Super Bowls in the last four years behind star QB Patrick Mahomes (2,619 yards, 19 TDs) and tight end Travis Kelce (64 receptions, 641 yards, 5 TDs). GB first-year starting QB Jordan Love (2,331 yards, 16 TDs/10 interceptions) has struggled at times this year, but did lead the Packers to a 23-20 win over the Chargers two weeks ago. The Chiefs are a lot better than the Chargers and will make that point painfully apparent come Sunday night. My pick, Kansas City 34, Green Bay 20
Cincinnati at Jacksonville: Week 13 concludes on Monday Night Football with the beat up Bengals visiting the Jaguars. Cinci will be without starting QB Joe Burrow, who sustained a ligament injury to his throwing hand two weeks ago in his team’s loss at Baltimore. Jake Browning is now the new starting QB for the Bengals and he has some weapons to help him out in running back Joe Mixon (605 yards, 4 TDs) and wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase (71 receptions, 833 yards, 6 TDs). The Jags have a healthy QB in Trevor Lawrence (2,382 yards, 11 TDs), a solid running back in Travis Etienne (670 yards, 7 TDs) and a solid receiver in Christian Kirk (52 receptions, 672 yards, 3 TDs). Look for the Jags defense to force a turnover or two from Browning as Jacksonville continues the Bengals woeful season. My pick, Jacksonville 31, Cincinnati 17