Week 14 NFL Predictions

Okay, so I’ve tried some different formats for my posts on picking the games and I really appreciate your feedback as to what you like the best.  So, please let me know what you think.  Now for this week’s picks.

San Diego over Oakland-I give the edge to the home team here in a battle of two struggling football teams, as this is a must win game for the Chargers if they want to have any chance to catch Denver in the AFC West.

Chicago over Jacksonville-This is another match up of struggling teams with the Bears having lost 3 of 4 (their only win coming against the pathetic Rams) and the Jags having lost 5 of 6.  I think the Bears being at home and being used to the cold weather give them the edge in a game that should be a battle of ground games.

Minnesota over Detroit-This represents maybe the best chance for the Lionst avoid going 0-16 as they lost by just 2 points in Minnesota on October 12th.  I just think the Vikings, who have won 6 of 8 since a 1-3 start, are playing too well right now to get beat by Detroit who doesn’t do anything well.

Houston over Green Bay-The Texans come in to this game as the hotter team having won their last two games, while the Packers have lost two in a row giving up 86 points in the process.

Tennessee over Cleveland-The Titans take on another struggling team after their 37 point beat down of Detroit on Thanksgiving.  The Browns now have both Brady Quinn and Derek Anderson out for the season.

Indianapolis over Cincinnati-The Colts have won five in a row after winning a defensive struggle last week over Cleveland.  I don’t think they’ll struggle to score this week in a battle of two of the most anemic running games in the league.

Atlanta over New Orleans-This is a contrast in styles offensively as the Falcons are 2nd in the league running the ball and the Saints are tops in throwing it.  I think Atlanta’s ability to run, use the clock and keep Drew Brees on the sidelines gives them the edge.

New York Giants over Philadelphia-Donovan McNabb and the Eagles seemed to right their ship a bit on Thanksgiving scoring 48 points against the Cardinals, but the defending champs have the 3rd best defense in the league.  So, despite putting up 31 points against New York at home four weeks ago, I don’t think they’ll have the same success on the road this week.

Miami over Buffalo-It will be interesting to see which Bills offense shows up, the one that lit up the Chiefs for 54 points on the road two weeks ago or the one that scored only 3 points at home on Sunday against the 49ers.  I just think the Dolphins are the better, more consistent football team.

Denver over Kansas City-The question here is which Denver team shows up: the one that’s won three straight on the road or the one that got beat 31-10 to the Raiders in their last home game.  I think Peyton Hillis has made a huge difference in their running game and allowed Jay Cutler to be even more deadly throwing the ball.

New York Jets over San Francisco-I think the Jets will be very disappointed in their performance last week at home against Denver that they will come out strong against the 49ers.

New England over Seattle-In the battle of the Matts at QB, I’ll take Cassell over Hasselbeck.  The Seahawks are 31st in offensive yards and 30th in defensive yards, not good going against Cassell and Randy Moss.

Arizona over St Louis-The Cardinals can clinch the NFC West with a win.  With that opportunity is there anyone better to welcome to town than the Rams (well, maybe the LIons).

Dallas over Pittsburgh-I know the Steelers have the best D in the league, but Big D’s offense has been rejuvinated by the return of Tony Romo.  I think the Cowboys will be able to score some points and I don’t know if you can say the same for the Steelers.

Baltimore over Washington-The Redskins struggled against a good Giants defense lats week and I think they’ll struggle again this week against the 2nd best total defense in Baltimore.

Carolina over Tampa Bay-This is a battle for 1st place in the NFC South.  I think the Panthers 7th ranked running game will be able to do some things against the Bucs 4th ranked total defense and win a close game at home.

Last Week: 12-4

Season: 57-18-1