Ramblin’ Fan’s NFL Picks and Predictions: Week 14

The week kicks off with a potential battle for the first overall pick as the Houston Texans travel to take on the Jacksonville Jaguars on Thursday Night football.  Not exactly a primetime thriller with playoff implications, but Rams fans still have a rooting interest as the outcome could affect where the pick they receive from the Washington Redskins ends up.  Week 13 started out fairly well as we got all of the Thanksgiving day games correct, but we really struggled in the late Sunday games and missed badly on Monday Night.  We finished the week with a very mediocre 9-7 record and we just haven’t been able to get back into double digits lately.  This week presents some more tough NFL picks as there are several games on the schedule that could go either way.  Week 14 is full of NFC West showdowns as the Rams will travel to take on the Cardinals and the Seahawks will travel to take on the 49ers.  Thanks for reading and as always Go Rams!!!

Houston Texans @ Jacksonville Jaguars (TNF). The Texans will take on the Jaguars on Thursday Night Football in an AFC South showdown.  This game really could go either way, but the Texans have been fairly competitive in recent weeks and they have more team talent.  They should be able to squeak out a win over the Jaguars on the road. Texans win 17 – 13..

Indianapolis Colts @ Cincinnati Bengals. The Colts have been struggling since the loss of Reggie Wayne, as Andrew Luck now lacks a reliable third down and red zone target.  If Darius Heyward-Bay could actually catch a ball they might be able to pull off the upset.  The Bengals have been playing very good defense, and have a pretty solid running game with the emergence of Giovanni Bernard.  As long as Andy Dalton doesn’t turn the ball over a lot in this game the Bengals should win it at home.  Bengals win 28 – 21.

Atlanta Falcons @ Green Bay Packers.  The Packers have struggled mightily without Aaron Rodgers behind center, while the Falcons have struggled with injuries all season.  Aaron Rodgers isn’t expected to be back for this game, and Roddy White looked healthy for the first time all season last week.  Steven Jackson had a pretty productive day last week, if the Falcons get similar production out of him this week they could get the win at Lambeau Field.   Falcons win 21 – 17.

Cleveland Browns @ New England Patriots. The Browns might be getting Jason Campbell back from injury this week, but the Patriots offense has started to click some in the past few weeks as Rob Gronkowski is shaking off the rust.  The Browns defense has been better than many expected this season, but it wont be enough to keep up with Tom Brady and the Patriots in Foxborogh.  Patriots win 30 – 14.

Oakland Raiders @ New York Jets. The Jets offense has been terrible the past few weeks as Geno Smith appears to have hit the Great Wall of China version of the rookie wall.  The Raiders have been a bit of a surprise this season as they have had good performances from both Terrell Pryor and Matt McGloin at QB.  McGloin is the more pure passer and has shown enough potential to make Raiders fans believe.  If the Raiders can run the ball against the Jets defense they should have a good shot to pick up the win.  Raiders win 23 – 20.

Detroit Lions @ Philadelphia Eagles. The Lions had a golden opportunity to take a commanding lead in the NFC North with Jay Cutler and Aaron Rodgers going down with injuries, but their penchant for turning over the football has cost them some very winnable games.  If they turn the ball over against the Eagles they will almost surely lose again as Nick Foles has been on fire with 19 touchdowns to 0 interceptions this season.  The Eagles also have one of the best running games in the NFL, which should come as no surprise as Chip Kelly’s offense has always had a heavy run emphasis. Eagles win 28 – 21.

Miami Dolphins @ Pittsburgh Steelers. The Steelers and Dolphins are both on the fringe of the playoff discussion, with the Dolphins much more alive in the race.  The Steelers have played much better in recent weeks after a very slow start.  The Dolphins have been up and down this season, but the Steelers are tough to beat at home so I am going with the veteran QB at home.  Steelers win 27 – 21.

Buffalo Bills @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Bills squandered an opportunity to pick up a win against the Falcons last week. The Bucs have rebounded nicely following their dreadful start and have been playing pretty decent football.  This could be a pretty close game between struggling teams with young QBs but I am gonna go with the home team.  Bucs win 21-17.

Kansas City Chiefs @ Washington Redskins. If you ever needed a reason to root for the Chiefs a trip to visit the Redskins should provide ample opportunity.  The Chiefs have been hit with injuries and a step up in terms of difficulty with their schedule following their 9-0 start, but they are still a pretty solid team and should be able to get the W against the Redskins. Chiefs win 28 – 13.

Minnesota Vikings @ Baltimore Ravens. The Vikings are going to try and ride Adrian Peterson to another victory in Baltimore, and you can bet the Ravens are well aware of that.  The Ravens are still fighting for their playoff lives and have much more motivation and the benefit of the home crowd. Ravens win 27 -17.

St. Louis Rams @ Arizona Cardinals.  The Rams will travel to take on the Cardinals, and while their playoff hopes are all but gone they can play spoiler to one of their division rivals with a win.  The Rams and Cardinals have both made strides since their week 1 matchup.  If the Rams can keep their run game going against a stout Cardinals defense and force Carson Palmer to cough up the football they should be able to get the victory.  The Rams front 7 will be very important in this game as they will need to keep the pressure on Palmer and keep him from finding his dynamic receivers downfield.  Rams win 24 – 17.

Tennessee Titans @ Denver Broncos. The Titans will have to hit the road to take on the Denver Broncos.  With an expected high temperature of 17 degrees in Denver there is certainly an opportunity for the Titans to steal a game from the high octane Broncos but expect Manning to take advantage of his former AFC South rivals.  Broncos win 35 – 17.

New York Giants @ San Diego Chargers. The Giants and Chargers will face off in San Diego and the storyline will probably involve the draft day drama surrounding Eli Manning.  The Chargers have been a very good team this season, and have received some big contributions from young players.  Keenan Allen has been one of the better rookie wide receivers in the NFL this season and he could have a big game against the Giants.  Chargers win 27 – 24.

Seattle Seahawks @ San Francisco 49ers.  NFC powerhouses face off for the final time at Candlestick Park.  The Seahawks dismantled the 49ers earlier this season in Seattle, but the 49ers are a completely different team since then.  Each of these teams is coming off of a convincing victory in week 13 and will be looking to make a statement. The Seahawks should be without Percy Harvin, Walter Thurmond, and Brandon Browner, but the 49ers may not be able to take advantage of the secondary as Michael Crabtree is still working his way into form.  This should be a great game between two of the NFC’s best teams.  Seahawks win 20 – 17.

Carolina Panthers @ New Orleans Saints (SNF). The Saints were embarassed by Seahawks on Monday Night football last week, but they will have another opportunity to impress on primetime football against a very tough Panthers team.  The Saints are so tough at home and the Panthers defense is vulnerable to the big play.  Jimmy Graham could have a very big day in the dome.  Saints win 28 – 20.

Dallas Cowboys @ Chicago Bears (MNF).  The Cowboys and Bears are both fighting for a shot at the playoffs.  The Bears defense just hasnt’ been the Bears defense you would expect this season, and the Cowboys offense should be able to take advantage on Monday Night.  The Bears offense has been explosive in its own right and could also present some problems for the Cowboys, but in the end I think Romo and the Cowboys make one more play than Josh McCown and the Bears. Cowboys win 23 – 21.

NFL Week 14 Matchups

Pick

Texans @ Jaguars (TNF)

Texans

Colts @ Bengals

Bengals

Falcons @ Packers

Falcons

Browns @ Patriots

Patriots

Raiders @ Jets

Raiders

Lions @ Eagles

Eagles

Dolphins @ Steelers

Steelers

Bills @ Bucs

Bucs

Chiefs @ Redskins

Chiefs

Vikings @ Ravens

Ravens

Rams @ Cardinals

Rams

Titans @ Broncos

Broncos

Giants @ Chargers

Chargers

Seahawks @ 49ers

Seahawks

Panthers @ Saints (SNF)

Saints

Cowboys @ Bears (MNF)

Cowboys

Last Week

9-7

Overall Record

112-79