There are some great games on the NFL Week 13 slate as the regular season enters its second half. With plenty of ways to get in on the action on DraftKings Sportsbook, this is a look at my best bets for NFL Week 13.
NFL Week 13 Best Bets
Vikings +11.5 (-110) at Seahawks
The Vikings are starting rookie quarterback Max Brosmer this week as J.J. McCarthy is in concussion protocol. It’s a tough spot for Brosmer to make his first career start against a great Seattle team on the road. However, it would be nearly impossible for Brosmer to be any worse than McCarthy. Out of 852 qualified quarterbacks since the year 2000, McCarthy ranks 851st. Only Jamarcus Russell has been a worse NFL quarterback than the Vikings’ 2024 first-round pick. Brosmer was a good college quarterback and showed some real promise in the preseason. He should do a decent job of getting the ball to Justin Jefferson and working in Kevin O’Connell’s system.
The Vikings’ defense has had struggles at times the past few weeks. However, this unit is brilliantly coached by Brian Flores. Flores knows Sam Darnold incredibly well, having practiced against him every day last season. Flores knows how to bait quarterbacks into mistakes, and Darnold has proven to be prone to such mistakes. The defense should be able to generate a couple of big plays. Meanwhile, Kevin O’Connell could add a couple of wrinkles to the offense with a new quarterback at the helm. The fact that there is no tape on Brosmer in an NFL game gives the Vikings another advantage. They should be able to keep this game within 11 points against Seattle.
Six-Point Teaser: Jets +8.5 & Steelers +9
The Jets should be able to keep it within one score against the Falcons. It has been a rough season for Atlanta. Injuries to Michael Penix Jr. and Drake London have made this offense a shadow of what many thought it could be before the season. After a sensational start to the season, Bijan Robinson’s production has declined as well. Kirk Cousins looks nothing like the quarterback who was once among the best in the NFL. He should struggle even more outdoors in cold weather in this game. The Falcons rank 24th in offensive EPA/play this season and should struggle in this weather against a tough Jets defense. Meanwhile, the Jets’ offense looks better under Tyrod Taylor. This should be a one-possession game in either direction.
The Steelers are in a good spot against the Bills. The Buffalo offense has struggled in recent weeks. They scored 19 points against the Texans, 13 points against the Dolphins, 14 points against the Falcons and 20 points against the Patriots in recent weeks. That is four of their past seven games in which they have scored 20 points or fewer. On the road against Pittsburgh, it will be tough for Buffalo to put up a big number. The Bills’ defense has been awful against the run this season, ranking 31st in defensive EPA/rush. Pittsburgh should be able to run the ball and keep Josh Allen on the sidelines. This should be a low-scoring slugfest, giving the Steelers a great chance to keep it within one score.
Colts & Buccaneers Moneyline Parlay (+131)
This is a massive game for the Colts. They hold just a one-game lead over the Jaguars in the AFC South and must keep winning to maintain that lead. This is a big divisional game for the Colts that they should win. Houston has a great defense, but Shane Steichen should come up with some wrinkles to get points on the board. Jonathan Taylor can do enough to control the game for Indianapolis. Meanwhile, C.J. Stroud is making his return from concussion protocol. After missing so much time, there could be some serious rust on Stroud. He has also struggled on the road throughout his career. In this game, the Colts should handle business and get the win.
The Buccaneers also hold a slim divisional lead and need a win this week. Baker Mayfield is powering through a left-shoulder injury and will be starting for Tampa Bay. The Buccaneers are also getting healthier at the skill positions, with Chris Godwin and Bucky Irving both back on the field. The Cardinals’ defense ranks 28th in defensive success rate this season and should struggle to get stops. Meanwhile, the Tampa Bay run defense can shut down the ground game and can make the Cardinals’ offense one-dimensional. Tampa Bay has played a brutal schedule as of late and will be happy to have a comfortable home game. They should get this win over Arizona.
