NFL Predictions: A Look at Every NFL Game This Season
By Steven Kriz
Week 14
Thursday, Dec. 8th-
Oakland Raiders at Kansas City Chiefs:
In a race for second place in the AFC West, the Chiefs come out and bully the Raiders offense. Derek Carr is sacked 5 times in the contest, and the Raiders fail to move the ball past the 50 yard line in the first half. The Raiders get a couple garbage time scores in the fourth quarter, but this game was decided early.
The Pick: Chiefs 34 Raiders 14
Sunday, Dec. 11th-
Pittsburgh Steelers at Buffalo Bills:
The Steelers lead in the division is getting smaller. Not trying to play with fire, they come out with a stellar game plan against the Bills, and it features lots of passes to Antonio Brown, and lots of touches for Le’Veon Bell. No chance for the Bills—No Chance.
The pick: Steelers 27 Bills 10
Denver Broncos at Tennessee Titans:
The Broncos are not in the business of getting upset by a lesser team. They still have their sights set on yet another number one seed, and don’t plan on letting a young quarterback like Marcus Mariota disrupt those plans. That doesn’t mean he doesn’t try. Mariota actually plays a good game, all things considered, but at the end of the day, a late Brandon McManus field goal tilts this one to the Broncos.
The Pick: Broncos 16 Titans 13
New Orleans Saints at Tampa Bay Buccaneers:
The Bucs feel they have a real shot at the playoffs, and the Saints have struggled on the road. A poised Jameis Winston takes full advantage of a poor Saints defense, and the Bucs get themselves a nice division win.
The Pick: Buccaneers 24 Saints 20
Washington Redskins at Philadelphia Eagles:
Kirk Cousins is playing for a new long term deal, and he’s playing well. Cousins puts up 367 yards in the air, and three TD’s. The Eagles are looking like they are going to be sending the Browns a pretty nice draft choice in exchange for their “franchise” quarterback.
The Pick: Redskins 30 Eagles 13
Arizona Cardinals at Miami Dolphins:
The Dolphins look great on this day, as Ryan Tannehill throws for 322 yards and two TD’s, and Arian Foster rushes for 118 yards and two more scores. Adam Gase finally gets a signature win against a top tier opponent.
The Pick: Dolphins 31 Cardinals 27
San Diego Chargers at Carolina Panthers:
The Chargers would have been better off not even getting on the plane. Would have saved them the embarrassment of having Cam Newton throw for 488 yards, and rush for anther 67 yards. In total Newton has four TD passes, and two rushing scores, and the Panthers blow the doors off of the Chargers.
The Pick: Panthers 52 Chargers 10
Cincinnati Bengals at Cleveland Browns:
The Bengals are still fighting their way back into playoff contention, and what should be an easy win turns into a much tougher task than than the wise guys in Vegas predicted. At the end of the day, the Bengals get their win, but not without a fight.
The Pick: Bengals 23 Browns 21
Chicago Bears at Detroit Lions:
The Lions have fallen back to .500, but a nice game against the Bears pushes them back up over .500. Stafford is efficient, throwing for 283 yards and two TD’s, and only one INT, and the Lions don’t have too much trouble in putting away the Bears.
The Pick: Lions 26 Bears 17
Houston Texans at Indianapolis Colts:
The Texans nightmare season continues as Andrew Luck dices the Houston defense for 388 yards and two TD’s. He adds another TD on foot, and the Colts stay atop the division for another week.
The Pick: Colts 28 Texans 20
Minnesota Vikings at Jacksonville Jaguars:
This is a tough tilt for the Jaguars who are trying to the best of their abilities to stay in the AFC South race with the Colts. Minnesota is on a good roll, relying on Peterson, and a strong defense to carry the load, but the Jaguars offense is a bit too much for the defense of the Vikings, and Peterson can only do so much.
The Pick: Jaguars 20 Vikings 16
New York Jets at San Francisco 49ers:
The Jets are going to give the Patriots a run for their money, there is no doubt about it. A huge effort on the road leaves the Niners fans heading to the exits midway through the third quarter.
The Pick: Jets 27 49ers 0
Atlanta Falcons at Los Angeles Rams:
Coming off a huge win, Atlanta is riding high and rides that momentum right into L.A. When Matt Ryan and Julio Jones get it going…lookout.
The Pick: Falcons 31 Rams 17
Seattle Seahawks at Green Bay Packers:
A showdown of two of the top teams in the NFC is certainly a compelling game on Sunday afternoon. This showdown takes place in a frigid Lambeau, and quickly turns into a running/defensive affair. The Seahawks are far more equipped to come out on top in a game like this.
The Pick: Seahawks 17 Packers 13
Dallas Cowboys at New York Giants:
The Cowboys come out hot, but unfortunately for Dallas, Tony Romo goes down, and goes down hard in the 2nd quarter. Romo is hit from behind by Oliver Vernon and stays on the ground for several minutes before being carted off. It’s the back again, and this time, it may be for good. Have we seen the last of Tony Romo in a Cowboys jersey? It is very possible. Romo re-fractures the same vertebrae he injured in preseason, and this will keep him out the rest of the year. Dak Prescott, this is now your team.
The Pick: Cowboys 24 Giants 23
Monday Dec. 12th-
Baltimore Ravens at New England Patriots:
A colt night in Foxborough doesn’t stop a red hot Tom Brady. Brady throws all over the field on this night completing 32/40 passing attempts, for 340 yards, and three TD’s, and the Ravens are sent home with a playoff birth seeming more and more unlikely.
The Pick: Patriots 35 Ravens 20
Standings:
AFC East
New England Patriots: 8-5
New York Jets: 8-5
Buffalo Bills: 5-8
Miami Dolphins: 4-9
AFC North
Pittsburgh Steelers: 9-4
Cincinnati Bengals: 8-5
Baltimore Ravens: 7-6
Cleveland Browns: 3-10
AFC South
Indianapolis Colts: 8-5
Jacksonville Jaguars: 8-5
Houston Texans: 3-10
Tennessee Titans: 2-11
AFC West
Denver Broncos: 11-2
Kansas City Chiefs: 7-6
Oakland Raiders: 6-7
San Diego Chargers: 4-9
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- The Broncos’ coaching search likely has not gone to plan
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NFC East
Dallas Cowboys: 8-5
New York Giants: 7-6
Washington Redskins: 5-8
Philadelphia Eagles: 2-11
NFC North
Green Bay Packers: 10-3
Detroit Lions: 7-6
Minnesota Vikings: 6-7
Chicago Bears: 4-9
NFC South
Carolina Panthers: 11-2
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 8-5
New Orleans Saints: 6-7
Atlanta Falcons: 5-8
NFC West
Seattle Seahawks: 10-3
Arizona Cardinals: 9-4
Los Angeles Rams: 6-7
San Francisco 49ers: 3-10
Next: Week 15