Each Tuesday, WhatIfSports.com's NFL simulation engine will provide predictions, box scores and statistics for every NFL game that week. The NFL simulation engine generates detailed information including each team's chance of winning, average score and comprehensive box score.
The statistical inputs to the thousands of NFL games simulated are based on rigorous analysis of each team's roster, depth chart and statistically based player ranking. Roster modifications have been made for injuries and suspensions and those players are not part of their team's game simulation.
To account for injuries and roster moves announced late in the week, we will be re-simulating some games on Thursdays throughout the 2014 NFL season.
Check out our 2014 NFL Season-to-Date page to follow our accuracy week-to-week and find Locks and Upsets of the Week.
Game of the Week: Patriots at Packers
Through the first quarter for the 2014 NFL campaign, the Patriots found themselves in an unlikely situation: a brewing quarterback controversy. Following a ghastly no-show in a Week 4 Monday night matchup, New England was just 2-2, with one of the wins an aesthetically-brutal display against the lowly Raiders. With the offense sputtering, there was growing concern that the venerable Tom Brady had lost his edge.
If a signal caller with five conference championships is liable to such criticism, any player could find himself on the hot seat. That proved to be true for Aaron Rodgers, as the Green Bay quarterback's relationship with a movie star came under question after the Packers fell to 1-2.
How things can change in two months. Since his shortcoming in Arrowhead, Brady has led the Pats to seven straight wins. Likewise, Rodgers quelled apprehension with his now-famous "R-E-L-A-X" pronouncement, backing up that sentiment with seven victories in the next eight contests. Brady and Rodgers now helm the hottest teams in football, with this weekend's matchup against each other serving as a possible preview of Super Bowl XLIX.
While the quarterbacks receive the accolades, they are far from the sole performers for their respective squads. The Packers and Patriots rank first and second in turnover differential, standings impelled by advantageous defenses. Both running games have also been effective: Eddie Lacy has found the end zone nine times in the last eight games, averaging 107 total yards in this time frame, while the Pats have used a barrage of assets in the backfield and are one of just three teams not to lose a fumble this fall.
And then there are the receiving corps. As good as Brady has been, one could make an argument that New England's most valuable player is Rob Gronkowski. During the club's winning streak, Gronk is averaging six receptions for 95 yards per outing, and has turned in nine touchdowns on the season. Fully recovered from a multitude of ailments, Gronkowski is the piston for this offense, and with the tight end at full strength, the New England air attack is borderline unstoppable.
Not to be outdone, the Packers flaunt playmakers of their own in Jordy Nelson and Randall Cobb. The duo has combined for 126 receptions, over 1,900 yards and 19 touchdowns, and complement each other perfectly in terms of defensive focus.
Nevertheless, all eyes will be on Brady and Rodgers this Sunday. In his last seven games, Brady has tossed for 22 scores with only four picks in that span. Amazingly, Rodgers has bettered that ratio with 25 touchdowns to two interceptions. The two are neck-and-neck in terms of the MVP race, with Sunday's affair likely deciding the eventual victor. No matter the outcome, don't bet against either to make a long, prosperous run this January.
So who comes out on top in this battle in Lambeau? According to the award-winning WhatIfSports.com NFL simulation engine, the Patriots emerge victorious 51.4 percent of the time by an average margin of 24-23. For the rest of this week's scores, check below:
| NFL Week 13 Predictions | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Matchup | Win % | Avg. Score | |
| Oakland Raiders | 28.4 | 18 | Boxscore |
| @ St. Louis Rams | 71.6 | 25 | Simulate Game |
| Washington Redskins | 29.7 | 19 | Boxscore |
| @ Indianapolis Colts | 70.3 | 26 | Simulate Game |
| Tennessee Titans | 31.5 | 20 | Boxscore |
| @ Houston Texans | 68.5 | 27 | Simulate Game |
| New Orleans Saints | 39.8 | 25 | Boxscore |
| @ Pittsburgh Steelers | 60.2 | 28 | Simulate Game |
| Carolina Panthers | 39.8 | 20 | Boxscore |
| @ Minnesota Vikings | 60.2 | 24 | Simulate Game |
| Chicago Bears | 40.5 | 22 | Boxscore |
| @ Detroit Lions | 59.5 | 26 | Simulate Game |
| San Diego Chargers | 44.8 | 22 | Boxscore |
| @ Baltimore Ravens | 55.2 | 23 | Simulate Game |
| Cleveland Browns | 46.7 | 22 | Boxscore |
| @ Buffalo Bills | 53.3 | 23 | Simulate Game |
| New England Patriots | 51.4 | 24 | Boxscore |
| @ Green Bay Packers | 48.6 | 23 | Simulate Game |
| Philadelphia Eagles | 56.8 | 25 | Boxscore |
| @ Dallas Cowboys | 43.2 | 23 | Simulate Game |
| Seattle Seahawks | 58.0 | 24 | Boxscore |
| @ San Francisco 49ers | 42.0 | 22 | Simulate Game |
| New York Giants | 58.0 | 26 | Boxscore |
| @ Jacksonville Jaguars | 42.0 | 23 | Simulate Game |
| Denver Broncos | 58.2 | 26 | Boxscore |
| @ Kansas City Chiefs | 41.8 | 23 | Simulate Game |
| Miami Dolphins | 69.3 | 23 | Boxscore |
| @ New York Jets | 30.7 | 17 | Simulate Game |
| Arizona Cardinals | 70.6 | 26 | Boxscore |
| @ Atlanta Falcons | 29.4 | 18 | Simulate Game |
| Cincinnati Bengals | 80.5 | 29 | Boxscore |
| @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers | 19.5 | 17 | Simulate Game |
For additional statistics, view our sortable weekly NFL predictions.
