NFL WRAP-UP WEEK 13

* As we wind down the season towards the playoffs, here is a wrap of week 13. Pittsburgh plays Cincinnati tonight.

* Cowboys over Redskins-

Dallas barely stayed alive for a playoff berth with a thrashing of Washington. Dallas is now 6-6 but their playoff hopes took a hit when Seattle won against the Eagles. Dallas plays the hapless Giants this week. The Redskins continue to flounder and be a franchise in Purgatory- not good, not terrible bad, jsut so-so and not going anywhere. The "Skins travel to the west coast again to play the Chargers in LA ( I wonder which game will get the bigger crowd-Redskins at Chargers or Eagles at Rams in LA?

* Vikings over Falcons-

Atlanta loses yet another home game but at 7-5 are still in the playoff hunt. They play NFC South division-leading New Orleans 2 out of the next 3 weeks, starting this Thursday night in Atlanta. Minnesota leap-frogs Pihlly with a 10-2 record and into the No. 1 seed in the NFC. They stay on the road for a tough game vs Carolina this week.

* Ravens over Lions-

With Minnesota dominating the division, the Lions only hope was a wild card, but they got blown out by the Ravens yesterday after losing on Thanksgiving to the Vikes. Stick a fork in 'em. Meanwhile, Baltimore has hope as they are playing better, but face a tough task in Pittsburgh Sunday night against a Steeler team that may be 10-2 after tonight.

Patriots over Bills-

It surprised me how easy of a time New England had in Buffalo. The Bills had their own destiny in their hands with three consecutive home games. Forget the AFC East- they will struggle just to earn a wild card spot now. The Pats keep rolling along. It will be New England and Pittsburgh in the AFC Championship game. Week 15 should determine where it is held, as the Patriots visit Pittsburgh.

49'ers over Bears-

Five field goals was enough to give San Francisco its second win of the season over the hapless Bears. The Niners go to Houston next weekend for a meaningless game while Chicago travels to Cincinnati.

Packers over Buccaneers-

Green Bay keeps it's faint wild card hopes alive another week, pulling out a home overtime victory over the disappointing Bucs. Aaron Rodgers will be back soon, but will it be too late? The Pack go to winless Cleveland next week while Tamp Bay goes home to face the Lions

Rams over Cardinals-

Arizona is dead. The Rams keep rolling, staying a game in from of Seattle in NFC West. LA hosts the Eagles next Sunday in a key game while the Cards finish a three-game with Tennessee.

Saints over Panthers-

In another big NFC match-up, the Saints stayed hot, now 9-3, win a home win over division-rival Carolina. The Saints play the Falcons on Thursday night in a make-or-break showdown for the division and playoff rights, but it's a pretty sure bet that the Saints will be in the post-season now.Carolina hosts Minnesota and are playing for their lives, which is good news for Eagles fans, who need the Vikings to lose.

Seahawks over Eagles-

See wrap-up of this game under Chirping Birds post earlier in day. The Seahawks go to Jacksonville next week, not an easy game anymore, while the Birds stay out west to face the young and exciting Rams.

Jaguars over Colts-

The Jags remain tied with the Titans for the AFC South lead. it will all boil down to their meeting on the final day of the season at Tennessee.The Jags has Seattle crossing the country to play in Jacksonville next weekend. The Colts are merely playing out the string, next traveling to Buffalo, which should be icy and frigid next Sunday.

Dolphins over Broncos-

Can anyone please explain what happened to Denver? They lose again, this time in Miami. even in the mediocre AFC West, where three teams share the division lead at 6-5, Denver is in the basement. Miami  continues to be wildly inconsistent, so don't count on them as a wild card team. The Broncos go home to take on the Jets, while the Dolphins play host to New England.

Jets over Chiefs-

After starting 5-0, the Chiefs are now at a stunning 6-5, in a three-way tie for the AFC West lead, and if they don't win the division, an Andy Reid-led squad that once was talking Super Bowl may not even make the playoffs. Could Reid's job be in jeopardy if the bottom falls out? The Jets have been surprising all year, and with a few breaks, could've been in contention for at least a wild card spot. Kansas City  finally goes home to Arrowhead Stadium for three in a row, starting with a big one with the hated Raiders. New York travels to Denver, as 3 of it's last 4 games are on the road.

Titans over Texans-

Tennessee remains tied for the AFC South lead with Jacksonville after beating Houston, who haven't been the same since losing QB DeSaun Watson for the year. The Texans are waiting until next year while the Titans are thinking playoffs. Tennessee goes west for two weeks, starting in Arizona, then San Francisco, road game but winnable games. Houston   hosts the 49'ers next weekend.

Chargers over Browns-

LA started the year 0-4 ( good thing the Eagles played the Chargers early), but now are 6-5 and surging. Cleveland is 0-11 and may not win a single game all year. Good for them. Their front office all deserves to get fired. There may not be a single pro sports franchise as sad as the Cleveland Browns. The Chargers stay home to face Washington while Cleveland plays hosts to Green bay.

Raiders over Giants-

Geno Smith didn't help matters any as Eli Manning got benched in the Giants' latest embarrassment. They drop to 2-10. Oakland hangs in there in AFC West at 6-5.Oakalnd's last three out of four games ar eon the road, starting this week at Kansas City. I'm thinking the Raiders stay home this year from the post-season. The Giants may have anew coach when they host the Cowboys this weekend. The Giants still have 3 home games remaining with their division rivals- Dallas, Philadelphia and Washington- yet it doesn't matter.