Thursday
Game: Houston at Jacksonville
Pick: Houston - I keep telling myself that Houston has to win sometime, right? They seem to come close week in and week out, yet fall short at game's end. They lost to New England by only 3 points this past Sunday. If they play a similar style of game here, they should be able to beat the 3-9 Jaguars, right? ::scratches head::. Who knows? I'll go with the Texans by a touchdown.
Result: Jacksonville 27 Houston 20
Record: 0-1
Sunday
Game: Indianapolis at Cincinnati
Pick: Cincinnati - The Colts continued to struggle offensively this past weekend, but found a way to win due to a big advantage in the turnover battle. Andrew Luck was battered behind the line-of-scrimmage yet again and will continue to face a vicious pass-rush in this game. With the game at home and Cincy's defense seeming to play at the top of their game in recent weeks, I like the Bengals to win this one by a touchdown.
Result: Cincinnati 42 Indianapolis 28
Record: 1-1
Game: Atlanta at Green Bay
Pick: Atlanta - To put it simply, it appears as if Atlanta is healthier than Green Bay. With Roddy White, Tony Gonzalez, and Steven Jackson coming back healthy (or semi-healthy) for the Falcons, it provides Matt Ryan with many more options than whoever is named the starter for the Packers. If Aaron Rodgers somehow comes back for this game, I may change my pick, but until that happens, I'm going with the Falcons by 4.
Result: Green Bay 22 Atlanta 21
Record: 1-2
Game: Cleveland at New England
Pick: New England - Remember when Cleveland was battling for a playoff spot when Brian Hoyer and Jason Campbell were quarterbacking the team? Well, those days appear to be long gone, and look for the Browns losing ways to continue on the road against a Patriots team that is fighting for the top spot in the AFC playoffs.
Result: New England 27 Cleveland 26
Record: 2-2
Game: Oakland at NY Jets
Pick: Oakland - The 4-8 Oakland Raiders have yet to win a road game this year, but even then, I have a difficult time picking the New York Jets right now. The Jets, losers of three straight, have scored a combined 20 points during their three-game losing streak against teams with a record of 16-20. With Matt McGloin throwing the ball better than any of the Jets quarterbacks and Oakland's run defense being pretty solid this season, I'll give the slightest of edges to the Raiders. I like Oakland by a field goal.
Result: NY Jets 37 Oakland 27
Record: 2-3
Game: Detroit at Philadelphia
Pick: Detroit - The Eagles rank toward the very bottom of the league in passing yards allowed. The Lions, meanwhile, rank toward the very top of the league in passing yards. That match-up doesn't bode well for Philly, especially when it comes to Calvin Johnson. I like the Lions by a touchdown.
Result: Philadelphia 34 Detroit 20
Record: 2-4
Game: Miami at Pittsburgh
Pick: Pittsburgh - This is a huge game for both teams. Miami, at 6-6, and Pittsburgh, at 5-7, are in dire need of wins to keep their playoff hopes alive. When facing such pressure, I trust Super Bowl-winning quarterback Ben Roethlisberger to lead his team at home and keep the Steelers playoff hopes alive with a 3-point victory.
Result: Miami 34 Pittsburgh 28
Record: 2-5
Game: Buffalo at Tampa Bay
Pick: Tampa Bay - Bills rookie quarterback E.J. Manuel has tended to struggle against the better defenses in the league, especially those whom like to blitz. Tampa Bay features such a defense and with the game at home, and their offense picking up the pace a little these past four weeks, I like the Bucs to win their 4th in their past 5 with a 4-point win.
Result: Tampa Bay 27 Buffalo 6
Record: 3-5
Game: Kansas City at Washington
Pick: Kansas City - Kansas City's defense is struggling, as they've allowed a total of 103 points in the past 3 games - all losses (34.3 per). Luckily for them, Washington's defense has been dreadful all season and their offense has underachieved all year as well. With the game on the road, I think this will be a close contest, but believe the Chiefs will make one more big play than the Redskins to eek out a 3-point victory.
Result: Kansas City 45 Washington 10
Record: 4-5
Game: Minnesota at Baltimore
Pick: Baltimore - Minnesota almost found themselves with back-to-back ties, but wound up defeating the Chicago Bears with a late overtime field goal this past Sunday to prevent that from occurring. They probably won't be able to extend that to back-to-back wins this week, however. Baltimore has been a very solid team at home this season. Their defense has been fairly stingy all year and even their inconsistent offense, when facing the struggling Vikings defense, should be able to put up some points. I like the Ravens at home by a couple of scores.
Result: Baltimore 29 Minnesota 26
Record: 5-5
Game: Tennessee at Denver
Pick: Denver - This is a do-or-die game for the 5-7 Tennessee Titans. Unfortunately for them, such a contest is on the road against the 10-2 Denver Broncos. The Titans may keep things fairly close for a quarter or two, but the Broncos offense will just be too much through four quarters. I like the Broncos by a couple of touchdowns.
Result: Denver 51 Tennessee 28
Record: 6-5
Game: St. Louis at Arizona
Pick: Arizona - This game features two of the most underrated defenses in all of football. St. Louis comes in at 5-7 and will likely be out of playoff contention with a loss here. Arizona, at 7-5, is a game behind San Francisco for the 6th and final playoff spot in the NFC. With the game at home, so long as Carson Palmer keeps his turnovers at bay, I like the Cardinals to keep their playoff hopes alive with a 4-point win.
Result: Arizona 30 St. Louis 10
Record: 7-5
Game: NY Giants at San Diego
Pick: NY Giants - Both teams come into this game at 5-7, with the loser likely being out of playoff contention. The Giants have won five out of six, have been playing solid defensively, and slightly better offensively. San Diego has struggled at home this season, especially their defense. Given all of these trends and match-ups, I give a slight edge to Tom Coughlin's Giants, whom keep their slim playoff hopes alive with a 3-point win on the road.
Result: San Diego 37 NY Giants 14
Record: 7-6
Game: Seattle at San Francisco
Pick: San Francisco - When fully healthy, I think these are two of the best four teams in the NFC (along with New Orleans and Carolina, also possibly Green Bay when they're healthy). With Michael Crabtree back from an Achilles tendon injury, the 49ers offense looks completely different. Colin Kaepernick actually has a vertical threat, which opens up the running game for he, Frank Gore, and company. With a shortened week for the Seahawks, who are coming off a Monday night duel with New Orleans, I like for the Niners to avenge their early season embarrassment in Seattle with a big home win here. I like San Francisco by a field goal.
Result: San Francisco 19 Seattle 17
Record: 8-6
Game: Carolina at New Orleans
Pick: Carolina - New Orleans doesn't lose much at home. Their offense also seems to thrive in The Dome, as it's called. However, Brees and company haven't been nearly as explosive against the top defenses in the league and will also have a shortened week, coming off a Monday night game against Seattle. Carolina features arguably the best defense in all of football, and so long as they don't turn the ball over much on offense, I like for them to pull off the mild upset here. I'll take the Panthers by a field goal.
Result: New Orleans 31 Carolina 13
Record: 8-7
Monday
Game: Dallas at Chicago
Pick: Chicago - I may regret this pick, but with the game at Soldier Field, Dallas having troubles on the road, and the Cowboys featuring one of the worst, if not the worst defense in all of football, I have to give a slight edge to the Bears, who are fighting for their playoff lives. Their run defense has been atrocious this year, but the Cowboys don't seem to believe in a run game, so that fact shouldn't hurt them as much in this contest as it did against Adrian Peterson and the Minnesota Vikings. I like the Bears by 3.
Result: Chicago 45 Dallas 28
Record: 9-7
Week 14: 9-7 (.563)
Overall: 127-80-1 (.614)
Game: Houston at Jacksonville
Pick: Houston - I keep telling myself that Houston has to win sometime, right? They seem to come close week in and week out, yet fall short at game's end. They lost to New England by only 3 points this past Sunday. If they play a similar style of game here, they should be able to beat the 3-9 Jaguars, right? ::scratches head::. Who knows? I'll go with the Texans by a touchdown.
Result: Jacksonville 27 Houston 20
Record: 0-1
Sunday
Game: Indianapolis at Cincinnati
Pick: Cincinnati - The Colts continued to struggle offensively this past weekend, but found a way to win due to a big advantage in the turnover battle. Andrew Luck was battered behind the line-of-scrimmage yet again and will continue to face a vicious pass-rush in this game. With the game at home and Cincy's defense seeming to play at the top of their game in recent weeks, I like the Bengals to win this one by a touchdown.
Result: Cincinnati 42 Indianapolis 28
Record: 1-1
Game: Atlanta at Green Bay
Pick: Atlanta - To put it simply, it appears as if Atlanta is healthier than Green Bay. With Roddy White, Tony Gonzalez, and Steven Jackson coming back healthy (or semi-healthy) for the Falcons, it provides Matt Ryan with many more options than whoever is named the starter for the Packers. If Aaron Rodgers somehow comes back for this game, I may change my pick, but until that happens, I'm going with the Falcons by 4.
Result: Green Bay 22 Atlanta 21
Record: 1-2
Game: Cleveland at New England
Pick: New England - Remember when Cleveland was battling for a playoff spot when Brian Hoyer and Jason Campbell were quarterbacking the team? Well, those days appear to be long gone, and look for the Browns losing ways to continue on the road against a Patriots team that is fighting for the top spot in the AFC playoffs.
Result: New England 27 Cleveland 26
Record: 2-2
Game: Oakland at NY Jets
Pick: Oakland - The 4-8 Oakland Raiders have yet to win a road game this year, but even then, I have a difficult time picking the New York Jets right now. The Jets, losers of three straight, have scored a combined 20 points during their three-game losing streak against teams with a record of 16-20. With Matt McGloin throwing the ball better than any of the Jets quarterbacks and Oakland's run defense being pretty solid this season, I'll give the slightest of edges to the Raiders. I like Oakland by a field goal.
Result: NY Jets 37 Oakland 27
Record: 2-3
Game: Detroit at Philadelphia
Pick: Detroit - The Eagles rank toward the very bottom of the league in passing yards allowed. The Lions, meanwhile, rank toward the very top of the league in passing yards. That match-up doesn't bode well for Philly, especially when it comes to Calvin Johnson. I like the Lions by a touchdown.
Result: Philadelphia 34 Detroit 20
Record: 2-4
Game: Miami at Pittsburgh
Pick: Pittsburgh - This is a huge game for both teams. Miami, at 6-6, and Pittsburgh, at 5-7, are in dire need of wins to keep their playoff hopes alive. When facing such pressure, I trust Super Bowl-winning quarterback Ben Roethlisberger to lead his team at home and keep the Steelers playoff hopes alive with a 3-point victory.
Result: Miami 34 Pittsburgh 28
Record: 2-5
Game: Buffalo at Tampa Bay
Pick: Tampa Bay - Bills rookie quarterback E.J. Manuel has tended to struggle against the better defenses in the league, especially those whom like to blitz. Tampa Bay features such a defense and with the game at home, and their offense picking up the pace a little these past four weeks, I like the Bucs to win their 4th in their past 5 with a 4-point win.
Result: Tampa Bay 27 Buffalo 6
Record: 3-5
Game: Kansas City at Washington
Pick: Kansas City - Kansas City's defense is struggling, as they've allowed a total of 103 points in the past 3 games - all losses (34.3 per). Luckily for them, Washington's defense has been dreadful all season and their offense has underachieved all year as well. With the game on the road, I think this will be a close contest, but believe the Chiefs will make one more big play than the Redskins to eek out a 3-point victory.
Result: Kansas City 45 Washington 10
Record: 4-5
Game: Minnesota at Baltimore
Pick: Baltimore - Minnesota almost found themselves with back-to-back ties, but wound up defeating the Chicago Bears with a late overtime field goal this past Sunday to prevent that from occurring. They probably won't be able to extend that to back-to-back wins this week, however. Baltimore has been a very solid team at home this season. Their defense has been fairly stingy all year and even their inconsistent offense, when facing the struggling Vikings defense, should be able to put up some points. I like the Ravens at home by a couple of scores.
Result: Baltimore 29 Minnesota 26
Record: 5-5
Game: Tennessee at Denver
Pick: Denver - This is a do-or-die game for the 5-7 Tennessee Titans. Unfortunately for them, such a contest is on the road against the 10-2 Denver Broncos. The Titans may keep things fairly close for a quarter or two, but the Broncos offense will just be too much through four quarters. I like the Broncos by a couple of touchdowns.
Result: Denver 51 Tennessee 28
Record: 6-5
Game: St. Louis at Arizona
Pick: Arizona - This game features two of the most underrated defenses in all of football. St. Louis comes in at 5-7 and will likely be out of playoff contention with a loss here. Arizona, at 7-5, is a game behind San Francisco for the 6th and final playoff spot in the NFC. With the game at home, so long as Carson Palmer keeps his turnovers at bay, I like the Cardinals to keep their playoff hopes alive with a 4-point win.
Result: Arizona 30 St. Louis 10
Record: 7-5
Game: NY Giants at San Diego
Pick: NY Giants - Both teams come into this game at 5-7, with the loser likely being out of playoff contention. The Giants have won five out of six, have been playing solid defensively, and slightly better offensively. San Diego has struggled at home this season, especially their defense. Given all of these trends and match-ups, I give a slight edge to Tom Coughlin's Giants, whom keep their slim playoff hopes alive with a 3-point win on the road.
Result: San Diego 37 NY Giants 14
Record: 7-6
Game: Seattle at San Francisco
Pick: San Francisco - When fully healthy, I think these are two of the best four teams in the NFC (along with New Orleans and Carolina, also possibly Green Bay when they're healthy). With Michael Crabtree back from an Achilles tendon injury, the 49ers offense looks completely different. Colin Kaepernick actually has a vertical threat, which opens up the running game for he, Frank Gore, and company. With a shortened week for the Seahawks, who are coming off a Monday night duel with New Orleans, I like for the Niners to avenge their early season embarrassment in Seattle with a big home win here. I like San Francisco by a field goal.
Result: San Francisco 19 Seattle 17
Record: 8-6
Game: Carolina at New Orleans
Pick: Carolina - New Orleans doesn't lose much at home. Their offense also seems to thrive in The Dome, as it's called. However, Brees and company haven't been nearly as explosive against the top defenses in the league and will also have a shortened week, coming off a Monday night game against Seattle. Carolina features arguably the best defense in all of football, and so long as they don't turn the ball over much on offense, I like for them to pull off the mild upset here. I'll take the Panthers by a field goal.
Result: New Orleans 31 Carolina 13
Record: 8-7
Monday
Game: Dallas at Chicago
Pick: Chicago - I may regret this pick, but with the game at Soldier Field, Dallas having troubles on the road, and the Cowboys featuring one of the worst, if not the worst defense in all of football, I have to give a slight edge to the Bears, who are fighting for their playoff lives. Their run defense has been atrocious this year, but the Cowboys don't seem to believe in a run game, so that fact shouldn't hurt them as much in this contest as it did against Adrian Peterson and the Minnesota Vikings. I like the Bears by 3.
Result: Chicago 45 Dallas 28
Record: 9-7
Week 14: 9-7 (.563)
Overall: 127-80-1 (.614)
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