Last week’s picks: 10-6
Season total: 128-64
Welcome to week 14 of the NFL season! Now is when upsets start to happen a little more frequently as teams that have already clinched things tend to look ahead as they gear up for the playoffs. Will it happen this week? Let’s get to the picks and find out.
Thursday, December 8
Cleveland Browns (4-8) @ Pittsburgh Steelers (9-3) – It’s a short week so maybe the Browns can win…Nah. My pick: Pittsburgh Steelers
Sunday, December 11
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-8) @ Jacksonville Jaguars (3-9) – This is pretty much a toss-up (also a “who cares?”) game. Jags are home so let’s go with them. My pick: Jacksonville Jaguars
Kansas City Chiefs (5-7) @ New York Jets (7-5) – The Jets D should be able to force Tyler Palko into making a few turnovers. My pick: New York Jets
Houston Texans (9-3) @ Cincinnati Bengals (7-5) – The Bengals need this game to keep their playoff hopes alive. The Texans are coming off a big win and can afford a loss. My pick: Cincinnati Bengals
New England Patriots (9-3) @ Washington Redskins (4-8) – The Redskins have been okay lately and they have a good defense but Tom Brady should still be able to put up enough points to win comfortably. My pick: New England Patriots
Atlanta Falcons (7-5) @ Carolina Panthers (4-8) – The Falcons have to win to stay alive in the playoff hunt. The Panthers have yet to beat a good team. My pick: Atlanta Falcons
Philadelphia Eagles (4-8) @ Miami Dolphins (4-8) – This is an interesting game now with Vick back at quarterback. The Dolphins defense has been tremendous over the last five games but they get a good test Sunday against an offense that has the ability to explode. The Dolphins are simply fighting harder for their head coach. My pick: Miami Dolphins
New Orleans Saints (9-3) @ Tennessee Titans (7-5) – This is one of the best matchups of week 14. The Saints have not been as good on the road but they are playing for the second seed in the NFC. Chris Johnson is finally back to form for Tennessee. He needs to be the difference. This is a bigger game for the Titans so I like them to pull off the upset late. My pick: Tennessee Titans
Indianapolis Colts (0-12) @ Baltimore Ravens (9-3) – Yes, the Ravens have been surprised by bad teams this season but the Colts are the worst team in the NFL since the 0-16 Lions. Besides, the Ravens are playing for the #1 pick and the Colts are playing for Andrew Luck. My pick: Baltimore Ravens
Minnesota Vikings (2-10) @ Detroit Lions (7-5) – If the Lions lose this one, they’re done. My pick: Detroit Lions
Chicago Bears (7-5) @ Denver Broncos (7-5) – This game would have been great had Jay Cutler been healthy heading into a return to Denver. The Bears are just terrible on offense as they are without their top two players in Cutler and Forte. They have the defense that can control Tebow, though. Will there be magic to end the game again? I say yes. The game should be close late and that’s how Denver and Tebow likes it. My pick: Denver Broncos
San Francisco 49ers (10-2) @ Arizona Cardinals (5-7) – After locking up their division last week, there is a solid chance that the 49ers could slip up on Sunday and lose to the Cardinals, who have won two in a row. The defense is playing at such a high level, though, that it’s just unfair to pick against them when they’re facing a bad quarterback. My pick: San Francisco 49ers
Buffalo Bills (5-7) @ San Diego Chargers (5-7) – The Bills are on a slide and the Chargers are “dangerous!” (It’s one game, people). My pick: San Diego Chargers
Oakland Raiders (7-5) @ Green Bay Packers (12-0) – The Raiders were dominated by the Dolphins last week while the Packers escaped Met Life Stadium with a game ending field goal over the Giants. You cannot pick against Green Bay yet, especially at home. My pick: Green Bay Packers
New York Giants (6-6) @ Dallas Cowboys (7-5) – The biggest game of week 14. This is a must-win for each team but if the Giants lose then they’re most likely finished. Can a close loss light a fire under them like it did four years ago against the Pats in week 17? I say yes, at least for one more week. My pick: New York Giants
Monday, December 12
St. Louis Rams (2-10) @ Seattle Seahawks (5-7) – Wow, is this the worst Monday night football game in history? I guess the same could have been said for last week, too. My pick: Seattle Seahawks