Photo: onebottledebrief.wordpress.com
- Adam Parker
Another week of exciting NFL action in the books, but unlike Week 12, Week 13 wasn't as kind to me.
You only have to look as far as the Cowboys' terrible time management and the icing of their own kicker in their 19-13 overtime loss to the Arizona Cardinals or the Chiefs' successful game-winning Hail Mary pass over the Bears to see part of why I went 9-6 with my Week 13 picks.
The other mistakes stem from me not realizing that the Miami Dolphins, (who would've thought it?) who have won four of their last five, are right there with Tim Tebow's Broncos as the hottest team in the NFL.
Atlanta's defense let me down by allowing a late-round rookie quarterback to dice them up, and Cam Newton literally went up and over the Buccaneers who were without starting quarterback Josh Freeman.
My Pick 'Em Record: 20-8
Now, onto the picks for Week 14!
Browns (4-8) at Steelers (9-3) on Thursday Night Football
Honestly, I don't expect this game to be even remotely close, and as a Steelers fan, I certainly hope I'm right. The Browns come into this matchup with a terrible (1-4) road record against a Steelers team who are winners of three straight, including a blowout win last Sunday over the Bengals. As sure as there is snow outside my window right now, I have no doubt that the Steelers should cruise to an easy victory in this one and continue to add to their win total like they seem to do every year around this time.
Prediction - Steelers win, 30-10.
Chiefs (5-7) at Jets (7-5)
These teams are headed in two different directions. The Chiefs won last week thanks to a Tyler Palko Hail Mary to Dexter McCluster, but I don't see lightning striking twice, especially not against this Jets defense.
For Rex Ryan's boys, the playoffs started last week. With New England seemingly running away with the division at this point, the Jets need every win they can get to keep their playoff hopes alive with a wild card berth. The combination of all the Chiefs' injuries and the fact that the Jets need to win this game helps me overlook Mark Sanchez's inconsistencies at quarterback position and side with the J-E-T-S Jets! Jets! Jets!
Prediction - Jets win, 20-10.
Buccaneers (4-8) at Jaguars (3-9)
The outcome of this snoozer will be based on whether or not quarterback Josh Freeman plays for Tampa Bay. If he doesn't, I think Maurice Jones-Drew going beast mode against the 29th ranked rushing defense will create too large a deficit for the Bucs to battle back from.
Prediction - Jaguars win, 17-13.
Patriots (9-3) at Redskins (4-8)
Don't expect much of a contest in this one. The Redskins will try valiantly, but unless Redskins cornerback Deangelo Hall uses Stick 'Um on his gloves and returns two or three interceptions for touchdowns, I fully expect Tom Brady to skewer Washington to his wall alongside all of the other wild game that he's slayed throughout this season.
Prediction - Patriots win, 28-13.
Falcons (7-5) at Panthers (4-8)
The Falcons lost to T.J. Yates-led Texans team last week. This week, they go up against Rookie of the Year favorite Cam Newton. However, I really feel like the Falcons lost to Houston last week because Houston's elite defense (I know, it feels weird typing it, too) held the high-flying Dirty Birds' O to only 10 points.
Needless to say, I don't see the Panthers being able to contain Matt Ryan, his plethora of talented receivers, or Michael 'The Burner' Turner nearly as well as the Texans did. Cam will try his best to play like Superman, but it won't be enough to keep with the Atlanta's explosive offense.
Prediction - Falcons win, 24-17.
Colts (0-12) at Ravens (9-3)
The Ravens are expected to hold Ray Lewis out of action for this game, and have him come back next week. Rightfully so. The Ravens against a win-less and Peyton Manning-less Colts team should be more of a scrimmage than an actual competitive game.
Though I do give Indianapolis credit for only losing to the Patriots by one touchdown last week, I have to believe that's more a product of New England's inadequacies on defense more than it was the Colts' offense being good. Indy won't have anywhere near as much luck against a tenacious and stingy Ravens defense, and as long as Baltimore gets Ray Rice plenty of touches, they'll win this one easily.
Prediction - Ravens win, 28-10
Eagles (4-8) at Dolphins (4-8)
Some of you might be surprised by my pick here, because I'm going with the Dolphins. At this point, it's unclear whether Vick will play this week or at all again this season for Philadelphia. Considering how badly their season has gone, I wouldn't be at all surprised if they just let him rest up and be fresh for the 2013 NFL season.
Not that it would've mattered anyway. The Eagles, despite all of their high-priced free agent talent, have not performed anywhere close to their expectations this season. The Dolphins, on the other hand, are one of the hottest teams in the NFL right now, having won four of their last five. I like Matt Moore's recent play at quarterback and Miami's tough D to grind out a win here.
Prediction - Dolphins win, 24-20.
Vikings (2-10) at Lions (7-5)
Nothing much to say about this one. Detroit's Ndamukong Suh is serving the last game of his suspension and Adrian Peterson likely won't be able to go for the Vikes again because of a lingering high ankle sprain. Without All Day, the Vikings just don't have the firepower to keep up with the aerial assault of Matthew Stafford and Calvin Johnson.
Prediction - Lions win, 23-13.
Saints (9-3) at Titans (7-5)
Chris Johnson is coming off back-to-back 100 yard rushing games for the first time this season. For Tennessee, it's better late than never, I suppose. However, the Titans are simply over-matched in this one. The only way the Titans have a chance is if they can sustain long drives and keep Drew Brees and the explosive Saints offense on the sidelines, something I don't see them being able to do against an aggressive and opportunistic defense for New Orleans.
Prediction - Saints win, 34-17.
Texans (9-3) at Bengals (7-5)
This will be a matchup of rookie quarterbacks Andy Dalton (Bengals) and T.J. Yates (Texans). The Bengals were obliterated by the Steelers last week, and to be honest, I see this tough stretch continuing for the young Cincinnati squad. Yates is a solid game manager who can make the necessary plays and keep the Texans' offense moving forward.
It also doesn't hurt that the Texans come into this game boasting an elite defense that should keep the young Bengals caged up. Arian Foster and Ben Tate should gash Cincy on the ground as well. After all, even though Cincy's rush defense is sixth in the league, Foster and Tate already ran through the Falcons' second-ranked rush defense last week.
Prediction - Texans win, 24-14.
Bears (7-5) at Broncos (7-5)
Hmm... this would be a tough choice, if not for the fact that Caleb Hanie is starting for the Bears against the NFL's very own saint, Father Clutch himself, Tim Tebow. But seriously, Tebow gets it done in crunch time.
I've given up trying to explain how other than he's got to be getting some help from the big man upstairs if you know what I mean. It also doesn't hurt that Denver's defense has been hot almost immediately following Tebow being inserted at quarterback, giving up only 21.1 points over the last five weeks. As Charlie Sheen would put it, that's a WINNING combination.
Prediction - Broncos win, 17-10.
49ers (10-2) at Cardinals (5-7)
This one is a no-brainer. It's clear the the 49ers are a far-better coached team than the Cowboys, who essentially gave the game away to the Cards because of an unforgivable coaching faux pas. Jim Harbaugh is working miracles in the city by the Bay, and considering San Francisco already beat Arizona 23-7 earlier this season, I wouldn't expect a different result this time around.
Prediction - 49ers win, 23-10.
Bills (5-7) at Chargers (5-7)
I don't give Buffalo much of a chance in this one. Without Fred Jackson in the linuep, their offense is almost non-existent. Philip Rivers and company finally looked somewhat like themselves last week offensively, even if it was against a bad Jacksonville team. I expect the Chargers to win this one handily, they just have too much talent offensively for the Bills to try and keep up.
Prediction - Chargers win, 35-13.
Raiders (7-5) at Packers (12-0)
The Raiders are coming off a blowout loss to the Dolphins. The Packers are an undefeated offensive juggernaut with many versatile weapons, the best of which is my pick for this year's league MVP - quarterback Aaron Rodgers. The Raiders are a proud team and will put up a decent fight, but eventually, Green Bay will deliver the knockout blow behind the arm of Rodgers.
Prediction - Packers win, 35-17.
Giants (6-6) at Cowboys (7-5) on Sunday Night Football
The Cowboys are clearly the better team on paper, but they've also had the most coaching debacles of any team this season. Meanwhile, the Giants got the closest to beating the undefeated Packers last week after losing 38-35 on a last second Mason Crosby field goal. I know there's no such thing as a moral victory in the NFL, but I have to think the Giants feel better about their last loss than the Cowboys do, which is why I'm taking Dallas to win at home. They got embarassed after giving a game away to the Cardinals. I don't see them letting this one slip away.
Prediction - Cowboys win, 24-17.
Rams (2-10) at Seahawks (5-7) on Monday Night Football
I tell you, ESPN has got to be absolutely thrilled with the two barn burners they've had the pleasure of broadcasting in these last couple weeks. I mean, last week, Mike Tirico, Jon Gruden, and Ron Jaworski had the displeasure of analyzing a game between two of the worst teams in the NFL with the Chargers and Jaguars. Luckily for us, (but no so lucky for them) we get to enjoy laughing at their pathetic attempts to make this snoozer interesting too. I almost don't even want to pick this game since I know no one is going to be watching it...
But if I have to choose, I'll take Pete Carroll and the Seahawks. Steven Jackson has gotten no help once again this season in St. Louis thanks to Sam Bradford's regression and the underwhelming offensive line. A few beast mode runs by Marshawn Lynch should get Seattle good enough field position to knock through a few field goals and lock this one up.
Prediction - Seahawks win, 9-3.
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