Boys Will Clip Birds At Home, But Who’s Winning NFC Showdown In Chicago?
Week 13 Results: 8-8
Record this season: 122-70
Something tells me this week is going to be fun. Well, after we get past the fact that Cody Kessler and Marcus Mariota face off on Thursday night.
We haven’t been that unlucky this season when it comes terrible Thursday night matchups, and while most of America will likely have their channels turned elsewhere, the Sunday slate is sure to be exciting.
NFL Week 14 will be highlighted by a NFC East matchup in Dallas as the Philadelphia Eagles look to pick up a critical victory over the NFC East-leading Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium.
The fun doesn’t end there. Top seeds in the AFC and NFC face difficult challenges as Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs welcome a surging Baltimore Ravens team into Arrowhead.
Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Rams visit Soldier Field to take on the Chicago Bears in a battle of NFC division leaders.
There’s no better time in the regular-season than now, December football where the margin for error is small.
Here are my picks for Week 14 of the NFL season.
Jacksonville Jaguars at Tennessee Titans
The Titans have had the Jaguars number of late, and needed a Week 17 victory over them last season to sneak into the postseason. They’re in need of one here, and with Cody Kessler facing a tough defense in the Titans, Tennessee should do enough to prevail.
Prediction: Tennessee Titans 17 Jacksonville Jaguars 7
New York Jets at Buffalo Bills
The first meeting between Josh Allen and Sam Darnold may be the beginning of a long AFC East rivalry being renewed. Buffalo’s sound defense should make life tough for Sam Darnold, who even with three games missed leads the NFL in turnovers.
Prediction: Buffalo Bills 24 New York Jets 13
Carolina Panthers at Cleveland Browns
Its been quite a downhill turn for the Carolina Panthers over the past four weeks. In that span they’ve allowed 10 touchdown passes and have recorded zero interceptions. Newton is ailing with a bad shoulder and the offensive line has a Browns defense has 35 sacks this season.
Prediction: Cleveland Browns 17 Carolina Panthers 13
Atlanta Falcons at Green Bay Packers
After losing to the Arizona Cardinals last week, Green Bay is simply playing for pride here. Rodgers has lost his past three starts vs the Atlanta Falcons, incl. playoffs, but this is a far different team than the one he’s faced in those meetings. The Packers defense will be tested by Julio Jones, but their pass rush should cause a key play of two in this one.
Prediction: Green Bay Packers 27 Atlanta Falcons 23
Baltimore Ravens at Kansas City Chiefs
While Baltimore being able to run the football the way they have over the past three weeks with Lamar Jackson should worry Andy Reid and company, the Ravens have also been one of the worst passing teams in the NFL over that span. If a team can’t fully take advantage of Kansas City’s defense, it’s unlikely — even with a elite defense — that they’ll be able to score enough points to win the game.
Prediction: Kansas City Chiefs 26 Baltimore Ravens 18
New Orleans Saints at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have won each of the past two meetings against the New Orleans Saints, and it should be a tough encounter once again for Drew Brees and the Saints. Tampa Bay has the requisite weapons to make this a game, but look for New Orleans to put the game away in the fourth quarter late.
Prediction: New Orleans Saints 31 Tampa Bay Buccaneers 21
New York Giants at Washington Redskins
The Washington Redskins are a team decimated by injuries. They’ve lost Alex Smith and Colt McCoy this season to leg injuries, and now they will have to face a divisional rival with Mark Sanchez at quarterback. Not a good omen.
Prediction: New York Giants 17 Washington Redskins 16
New England Patriots at Miami Dolphins
Tom Brady is 7-9 all-time in Miami, but the Dolphins winter this game as a team incapable of putting pressure on the quarterback as well as stopping the run. Sony Michel and Rex Burkhead should get a number of opportunities to exploit the latter.
Prediction: New England Patriots 28 Miami Dolphins 17
Indianapolis Colts At Houston Texans
The Houston Texans are not turning the ball over, not surprising considering who and where their head coach is from. Indianapolis will certainly need to steal some possessions to win this game, and while Indianapolis has 21 takeaways this season, Houston’s ability to run the ball should trouble Indianapolis.
Prediction: Houston Texans 23 Indianapolis Colts 14
Cincinnati Bengals at Los Angeles Chargers
Coming off a huge 33-30 comeback win last week in Pittsburgh, the Los Angeles Chargers have what amounts to a bye week in front of them in the Cincinnati Bengals. No Green, No Dalton, and a awful secondary. Chalk up a easy one for Anthony Lynn’s team.
Prediction: Los Angeles Chargers 37 Cincinnati Bengals 9
Denver Broncos at San Francisco 49ers
The Denver Broncos have been hit hard with injuries, losing Chris Harris Jr. on Sunday and then Emmanuel Sanders this week in practice for the rest of the season. The good news for Vance Joseph is that the 49ers have dealt with their own injuries, and with a steady pass rush and focus on the run game, Denver will come out on top.
Prediction: Denver Broncos 21 San Francisco 49ers 13
Philadelphia Eagles at Dallas Cowboys
The Dallas Cowboys defense looked ferocious last week, but the difference this week may be a quarterback who can escape the pocket and make throws on the run. That’s something that Carson Wentz does exceptionally well, but he’s also susceptible to taking chances with holding the football too long, something that will cost Philly in a close game.
Prediction: Dallas Cowboys 19 Philadelphia Eagles 16
Pittsburgh Steelers at Oakland Raiders
Ben Roethlisberger and the Pittsburgh Steelers will be without lead back James Connor, but if there’s an opponent to evaluate what you have behind Connor, it’ll be against a team that’s ranked second worst against the run this season.
Prediction: Pittsburgh Steelers 33 Oakland Raiders 20
Detroit Lions at Arizona Cardinals
The Arizona Cardinals have not won back-to-back games this season, but the effort has been there for Steve Wilkes’ team. Their defense can be inconsistent at times, but last week they played a great defensive game against Aaron Rodgers and the Packers. The Lions offensive line is porous, and Chandler Jones should have a field day here.
Prediction: Arizona Cardinals 21 Detroit Lions 14
Los Angeles Rams at Chicago Bears
The Los Angeles Rams are built for this kind of game. They’re strong in the trenches on both sides of the ball and have the NFL’s leading rusher in Todd Gurley. While Chicago’s defense will be tough, a steady dose of Gurley and some play-action work from Goff will be the difference.
Prediction: Los Angeles Rams 17 Chicago Bears 10
Minnesota Vikings at Seattle Seahawks
The Vikings are 2-3-1 on the road after going 6-2 on the road in 2017. They’re playing a Seattle team that’s answered a 0-2 start to the season by going 7-3 since. Kirk Cousins will find life tough getting the ball to his playmakers on the outside vs. a team that’s become increasingly difficult to throw against this season.
Prediction: Seattle Seahawks 30 Minnesota Vikings 20
What are your thoughts on the Week 14 slate of games? Leave your comments below!