December 7, 2005
NFL Week 14 Predictions
December 7, 2005, 10:08 PM | 0 Comments
The first three quarters of the season are now behind us, and with each team having 4 remaining games, the playoff picture is becoming a little more clear.
The Colts are clearly the favourites to win the Superbowl this year, and in the NFC, the Seahawks look like the team to beat. After this week and several key match-ups, playoff scenarios will start to work themselves out.
After another good 12-4 week last week, I brought my running total up to 121-71, which is decent, but a little behind where I’d like to be.
ESPN Expert Picks: Last Week | This Week.
Here are my picks for week 14!
Chicago Bears (9-3) at Pittsburgh Steelers (7-5) - This is going to be a great game. The Bears have won 8 straight games and are making a serious push for a first round bye in the playoffs. Last week, the Steelers were embarrassed by the Bengals and they need this game more than the Bears. Realistically, the Bears have the NFC north wrapped up, but if the Steelers lose this game, they’ll be hard pressed to even make the playoffs. Pick: Steelers.
Cleveland Browns (4-8) at Cincinnati Bengals (9-3) - Last week Cincinnati clinched their first winning season since 1990. Congratulations to them! They should roll over the Browns this week and go to 10-3. Pick: Bengals.
Houston Texans (1-11) at Tennessee Titans (3-9) - Well, last week I picked the Texans and they came up short again. This week, I will not make the same mistake. Besides, the Titans are at home. Pick: Titans.
Indianapolis Colts (12-0) at Jacksonville Jaguars (9-3) - Another big game for the Colts. With a win this week, they will not only clinch their division, but they’ll clinch what they’ve been striving for all season, home field advantage throughout the playoffs. I think that’s enough motivation for the Colts to make it to 13-0. Pick: Colts.
New England Patriots (7-5) at Buffalo Bills (4-8) - The Patriots can win their division and assure a playoff birth with a win on Sunday. I don’t think the Bills have what it takes to stop them. Pick: Patriots.
Oakland Raiders (4-8) at New York Jets (2-10) - Oakland has benched Kerry Collins in favour of Marques Tuiasosopo. I’m not sure if he’s any better than Collins, but a change is probably needed. I don’t think it’ll make much of a difference in this game though, as I’d expect them to beat the Jets with either QB. Pick: Raiders.
St. Louis Rams (5-7) at Minnesota Vikings (7-5) - As long as the Vikings keep playing the way they have been over the last several weeks, they’ll be in every game. St. Louis is also really struggling right now. Pick: Vikings.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (8-4) at Carolina Panthers (9-3) - This game is going to be a close game. Normally I’d pick Carolina in this type of game, but I think the Buccaneers have a real shot to win. For some reason, I just think they’ll pull off an upset. If the Bucs win this game, they’ll have a really good chance at winning the division, if they lose, their playoff hopes will be in jeopardy. Pick: Buccaneers.
New York Giants (8-4) at Philadelphia Eagles (5-7) - Last week, the Giants took a firm hold of their division crown, and at this point, it’s theirs to lose. They have to win game like this one. Pick: Giants.
San Francisco 49ers (2-10) at Seattle Seahawks (10-2) - Last week the Seahawks destroyed the Eagles in every aspect. A few weeks ago, they barely beat the 49ers. I don’t think they’ll ‘destroy’ the 49ers this week, but I don’t think they’ll let them make it close either. Pick: Seahawks.
Washington Redskins (6-6) at Arizona Cardinals (4-8) - The ‘Skins will probably not make the playoffs, but they’re still a decent football team with a good defense. I like what Kurt Warner has been doing the past few weeks, but I’m expecting the Redskins to get their 7th win this week. Pick: Redskins.
Baltimore Ravens (4-8) at Denver Broncos (9-3) - The Broncos lost a tough one against the Chiefs last week, I think they’ll bounce back with a big win this week. Pick: Broncos.
Kansas City Chiefs (8-4) at Dallas Cowboys (7-5) - Big game for both teams. Both teams need this game to have realistic playoff hopes. Early prediction: the loser of this game will not make the second season. Pick: Cowboys.
Miami Dolphins (5-7) at San Diego Chargers (8-4) - So last week, the Dolphins finally came through when I picked them. It was an incredibly dramatic finish, but I’m glad that the fish got the win. San Diego should win this game and keep on rolling towards a wild card berth. Pick: Chargers.
Detroit Lions (4-8) at Green Bay Packers (2-10) - It was really painful to watch the highlights of last weeks game against the Bears. Brett Favre really got hammered by the Bears defense. The Lions are in a lot of trouble, and I think the Packers will finally get win number 3. Pick: Packers.
New Orleans Saints (3-9) at Atlanta Falcons (7-5) - Atlanta needs this game and a loss by the Bucs to have any hope of making the playoffs. Good thing they’re playing the Saints, who they should beat. Pick: Falcons.
Picks Summary
AWAY - HOME - PREDICTION - RESULT
Bears - Steelers - Steelers - Steelers √
Browns - Bengals - Bengals - Bengals √
Texans - Titans - Titans - Titans √
Colts - Jaguars - Colts - Colts √
Patriots - Bills - Patriots - Patriots √
Raiders - Jets - Raiders - Jets Χ
Rams - Vikings - Vikings - Vikings √
Buccaneers - Panthers - Buccaneers - Buccaneers √
Giants - Eagles - Giants - Giants √
49ers - Seahawks - Seahawks - Seahawks √
Redskins - Cardinals - Redskins - Redskins √
Ravens - Broncos - Broncos - Broncos √
Chiefs - Cowboys - Cowboys - Cowboys √
Dolphins - Chargers - Chargers - Dolphins Χ
Lions - Packers - Packers - Packers √
Saints - Falcons - Falcons - Falcons √
UPDATE: Well, after 13 full weeks I finally get a really good week of predictions. 14-2 this week will bring my overall total back towards respectability.
Running total: 135-73.
Posted in: Sports