*Disclaimer* the Steelers will be written about in a seperate preview.
Week 14 is here, which means the boys are back for some picks. Let's get into it.
Colts (3-9) at Bills (6-6)
Line: BUF -3.0
One of these teams has been a punchline for most of its existence. The other is developing into one. Both Buffalo and Indy stink, but the Bills are at least competent. Jacoby Brissett was awful against a talented Jags secondary last week, and he won't fare much better against Tre'Davious White and the Bills defensive backfield today.
Bills 23, Colts 13
Bears (3-9) at Bengals (5-7)
Line: Cin -6.5
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| Photo creds to footballz |
Neither Chicago or Cincinnati is going anywhere. But the Bears are god awful, while the Bengals, as all Steeler fans know, are known for their physicality. I think Geno Atkins takes advantage of an inexperienced right guard in Tom Compton, while A.J. Green wins a marquee matchup with Chicago corner Kyle Fuller. Andy Dalton will put a complete game of football together, which he couldn't do Monday night, and the Bengals will inch closer towards a mediocre season.
Bengals 31, Bears 14
Packers (6-6) at Browns (0-1999)
LOL. Excellent tune up game for the Packers in what could well be Aaron Rodgers' last week on the shelf.
Packers 24, Browns 10 (Cleveland's defense is decent, believe it or not)
Raiders (6-6) at Chiefs (6-6)
Line: KC -4.5
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| Photo creds to Kansas City Chiefs |
A lot can change in a year. Last season, the AFC West was the best division in football. This year, two 6-6 teams are playing in a game that could go a long way in deciding the division.
Part of me thinks that KC is due to break out of this funk, in which the Chiefs have lost six of their past seven after a 5-0 start. The other part of me doesn't trust the Chiefs to do anything right. Although the game is at Arrowhead, I'm riding with the Silver and Black for two reasons; Marshawn Lynch and Navarro Bowman.
After a slow start to the season, Lynch has come on recently, forcing 15 missed tackles in the past three weeks according to Pro Football Focus, the third most in football. The Chiefs haven't had a good defense all year, and "Beast Mode" will take advantage of that. Lynch's counterpart, Kareem Hunt, needs to perform well for KC's offense to move the way it wants to, and I don't think Bowman lets that happen. Sure, Bowman's best days are behind him. But my gut tells me the vet from Penn State finds another gear and adds to Hunt's frustrating second half.
Lynch outplays Hunt, Carr outplays Smith and the Raiders complete the season sweep over their rivals.
Raiders 31, Chiefs 24
Cowboys (6-6) at Giants (2-10)
Line: DAL -3.5
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| Photo creds to Larry Brown Sports |
Just like Raiders-Chiefs, both of these division rivals were expected to be much better coming into the season. The difference between the two games is that, in this case, neither the Cowboys or the Giants have a shot at getting to the playoffs. Eli is back, but he'll be greeted by DeMarcus Lawerence. Oh, and his offensive line stinks. Good luck, Eli.
Cowboys 26, Giants 13
Lions (6-6) at Bucs (4-8)
Line: DET -3.0
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| Photo creds to The Pewter Plank |
Anybody who reads this blog knows how disappointed I am in Tampa Bay. But I have a feeling that the Bucs come out of their shell Sunday.
Mike Evans hasn't had a big game all year. That's due to change. O.J. Howard has been disappointing at tight end. That's also due to change. Tampa won't make the playoffs, so Sunday will be a day of happiness and frustration. The Bucs will play well, and that will make fans wonder where the hell this was all year.
Bucs 31, Lions 20
Vikings (10-2) at Panthers (8-4)
Line: Min -2.5
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| Photo creds to Aliaba |
I keep picking against Minnesota, and the Vikings keep proving me wrong. But this team isn't going 14-2 with Case Keenum at QB. No sir. On the other side, Cam Newton is due for a breakout after two sub-par weeks, and even though Minnesota's defense is terrific, I expect number one to shine. On the other side of the ball, Luke Kuechly and the Panthers defense will be fired up after getting shredded by Mark Ingram and Alvin Kamara last Sunday, and that will led to a rough afternoon for the Minnesota attack. The Panthers haven't played their best football recently, but that will change Sunday.
Panthers 24, Vikings 16
Who the hell cares?
49ers (2-10) at Texans (4-8)
LMFAO.
4:05
Jets (5-7) at Broncos (3-9)
Line: NYJ -1.0
For as bad as Kansas City has been, Denver has been worse. While I didn't expect the Broncos to win the AFC West, I surely didn't imagine myself picking the Jets over them at Mile High. New York is developing into a mediocre football team. Josh McCown is playing like...well not Josh McCown, and Jermaine Kearse is among the leagues best slot receivers. While New York's defense has struggled, it is more than good enough to contain Trevor Siemian. The Jets have given a glimmer of hope, while the Broncos have shown little reason to believe.
Jets 24, Broncos 17.
Titans (8-4) at Cardinals (5-7)
Line: TEN -3.0
Yes, Tennessee is 8-4. But the Titans haven't looked all that impressive in their wins. The last two weeks against Indy and Houston are examples of that. The Titans are just 3-3 away from Nissan Stadium this year, and while Arizona has the same mark at home, my gut tells me that the Tennessee's sloppy play will catch up to it Sunday afternoon. I think that rookie sensation Buddah Baker will control Delanie Walker, and that will limit Marcus Mariota's options to throw to. The Cardinals defense will play well enough to win, which will allow Blaine Gabbert to work some magic with an epic game-winning drive.
Cardinals 23, Titans 20
Redskins (5-7) at Chargers (6-6)
Line: LAC -5.5
Don't let the records fool you. One of these teams is rolling, while the other is delpeted, got embarrassed by a less depleted Cowboys team 10 days ago. Anybody who watched that game wouldn't predict Washington's o-line to do anything to stop Joey Bosa or Melvin Ingram. LA wins and keeps marching towards an unlikely AFC West title.
Chargers 33, Redskins 14
4:25
Eagles (10-2) at Rams (9-3)
Line: LAR -1.0
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| Photo creds to American Eagle Foundation |
Flip a coin for this one. It could go either way. Both of these teams are Super Bowl contenders, and this is undoubtedly the game of the week in the NFL. I think that the Eagles are legit, and because of that, I can't see them losing two in a row. I think that Philly has the tools on defense to overpower LA's offensive line and neutralize Todd Gurley, while the secondary can limit Jared Goff and Sammy Watkins. It won't be easy, but these Eagles are special, and today could be a signature win.
Eagles 20, Rams 17
Seahawks (8-4) at Jags (8-4)
Line: Jax -2.5
Another toss-up. Honestly, this is a game where I tend to lean towards the team playing at home. I don't trust the Seahawks away from CenturyLink field, and because of that, my gut tells me Jacksonville by three.
Jags 24, Seahawks 21
Monday Night
Pats (11-2) at Dolphins (5-7)
You know who I'm going with, and you know why I'm going with them
Pats 34, Dolphins 14
Other games: Houston over San Fran
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