Week 14 NFL Picks.....

Week 14 picks (home team in CAPS)

Steelers (-10) over BROWNS
Four weeks ago the defending champions were 6-2 and coming off an impressive win at Denver on a Monday night. Now they are 6-6 and sitting outside the playoffs. I don’t believe this team will go quietly, and the run to get into the playoffs starts here with a big win. While the Browns have moved the ball well the past few weeks, their divisional rival shuts them down.

Broncos (+7) over COLTS
Here we go again thinking that the Colts’ opponent is “the team” to knock them from their undefeated perch. The list is getting long (49ers, Texans (twice), Ravens, and Titans), and might get longer after this week against Denver. Denver has put together two nice wins to put the four game losing skid in the rearview mirror, and they will use the formula from the past two weeks to keep this close against Indianapolis, and yes, they could pull off the upset.

Bengals (+6 ½) over VIKINGS
The Bengals are winning by running the ball and playing good defense, especially good run defense. While not sexy, it has been working very well. Cincinnati will bring that run defense into the Metrodome and try to shut down Adrian Peterson, and see if Brett Favre can beat them. The Bengals will also run Cedric Benson to try and shorten the game and wear down the Vikings’ defense.

Jets (-3) over BUCS
No Mark Sanchez (knee) this week for the Jets, but the Jets are a much better team then Tampa Bay, and will look to run the ball, so it should not effect them too much. New York still has a shot at the playoffs, and even the divisional title, so expect a solid effort from the Jets over the one win Tampa Bay team.

CHIEFS (pick ‘em) over Bills
First game with no playoff implications associated with it, The Chiefs have been playing better football as of late and Kansas City has found a bit of a running game with Jamaal Charles, and they should find a lot more running game against the league's worst ranked run defense. That should also greatly help Matt Cassel and the passing game.

Packers (-3) over BEARS
The last four weeks have been the Packer team we expected when the season started. Green Bay comes in with the NFL’s number one ranked defense, and gets a Bear team that has just not been able to get their offense in sync all season. Even though the Packers are on the short week and traveling, look for them to keep their winning streak alive.

Saints (-10 ½) over FALCONS
The Falcons have played themselves onto the verge of being eliminated from playoff contention, and their task is even tougher this week. Besides facing the undefeated Saints, they must do it without Matt Ryan (toe) and possibly without Michael Turner (ankle), who has been hobbled with a bad ankle. New Orleans keeps the undefeated dreams alive.

RAVENS (-13) over Lions
The Ravens are another 6-6 teams fighting for a wildcard slot in the AFC, and they are coming off the Monday night loss to Green Bay. Detroit’s Matthew Stafford will sit this one out to rest his injured shoulder and that may not be a bad idea when you are a rookie and facing the Ravens’ hard hitting defense. Joe Flacco needs to cut down on the mistakes, and should have a good game against a poor Lion defense.

Dolphins (+2 ½) over JAGUARS
Jacksonville holds the second AFC wildcard position at 7-5 and Miami is one of those teams chasing them with a 6-6 record. The Dolphins got themselves back in the wildcard and AFC East playoff races with their victory last week over New England, which makes the prior week to Buffalo hurt even worse. The Jaguars are the most unlikely of the playoff contenders, and this last quarter of the season may expose them. Look for Miami to take advantage of their new life.

PATRIOTS (-13 ½) over Panthers
New England has problems playing the pass, and luckily for them so far this year the Panthers have had trouble moving the ball in the air. Carolina might get DeAngelo Williams back to get their duel running attack going, but look for Tom Brady and the New England passing game to get back on track at home.

TEXANS (-6) over Seahawks
Houston is on a four game losing streak which has pretty much knocked them out of playoff contention, but they still have a sliver of hope. Right now they could just be playing to try and save head coach Gary Kubiak’s job. The Texans had to shut down Steve Slaton’s season due to shoulder and neck problems, but they should have enough offense against Seattle, and will get themselves back in the win column.

Rams (+13) over TITANS
This game features two of the best young running backs in the league in the Titans’ Chris Johnson and the Rams’ Steven Jackson. Tennessee played well in their loss to the Colts, so even though their five game winning streak ended, their good play did not. St. Louis has scored the least points in the league, but will keep it close because of Jackson’s running.

RAIDERS (+1) over Redskins
Another game consisting of teams eliminated from playoff contention. Oakland had a good win over the Steelers last week, while Washington lost a heart breaker in which they were a missed 23 yard field goal away from knocking off the undefeated Saints. The Raiders ride that good momentum to another victory.

COWBOYS (-3) over Chargers
San Diego has won their last 15 December, while we all know the Dallas struggles during the last month of the year. The Charger defense is vulnerable against the run, but because they have been ahead in their games, have not had it come back to haunt them. The Cowboys need to run the ball with Marion Barber and company to exploit the Charger defense, and to keep Philip Rivers and that passing offense off the field. If they do that, Dallas should reverse these December trends.

GIANTS (-1) over Eagles
The Giants needed to show they were not giving up on the season last week, and they did that in beating Dallas and bringing themselves back into the middle of the division and wildcard hunts. Philadelphia seems to be clicking, but they still are without Brian Westbrook, and I think this divisional match-up will be a week when they miss him. Look for the Giants to step-up and revenge their earlier loss to the Eagles.

Cardinals (-3) over 49ERS
The Cardinals can clinch the NFC West with a victory in this game. Last week Arizona had a very impressive win at home against the Vikings, while the 49ers had a tough loss to the Seahawks to set up this scenario. Look for the Cardinals to keep up their impressive play and wrap up the division, and make the other NFC playoff contenders worry about having to face the defending NFC champs.


Week 12 record (9-7)
2009 season (54-47-1)