2015 NFL Picks, Predictions for Week 14

NFL Week 14 Pick 'Em

Can you taste it yet? The 2016 NFL Playoffs are just around the corner, with only four weeks remaining in the regular season. It's been quite the roller coaster ride, and it's sure to get even crazier as we head down the home stretch.

Here's my look at Week 14's slate of action, with a couple of upsets thrown in for good measure.

NFL Week 14 Pick 'Em

Can you taste it yet? The 2016 NFL Playoffs are just around the corner, with only four weeks remaining in the regular season. It's been quite the roller coaster ride, and it's sure to get even crazier as we head down the home stretch.

Here's my look at Week 14's slate of action, with a couple of upsets thrown in for good measure.

Minnesota Vikings (8-4) at Arizona Cardinals (10-2)

Pick: Cardinals

Coming off of their pitiful showing in Week 13, I’m starting to think this brutal four-game stretch is getting the best of the Vikings. It won’t get any easier in Week 14, as the red-hot Cardinals shouldn’t have too much trouble moving to 11-2.

Minnesota Vikings (8-4) at Arizona Cardinals (10-2)

Pick: Cardinals

Coming off of their pitiful showing in Week 13, I’m starting to think this brutal four-game stretch is getting the best of the Vikings. It won’t get any easier in Week 14, as the red-hot Cardinals shouldn’t have too much trouble moving to 11-2.

Buffalo Bills (6-6) at Philadelphia Eagles (5-7)

Pick: Bills

The Eagles got lucky against a depleted Patriots squad, but it’s not like their defense/special teams will score three touchdowns every weekend. The Bills are coming off of a confident Week 13 win, and should keep the momentum rolling against Philadelphia.

Buffalo Bills (6-6) at Philadelphia Eagles (5-7)

Pick: Bills

The Eagles got lucky against a depleted Patriots squad, but it’s not like their defense/special teams will score three touchdowns every weekend. The Bills are coming off of a confident Week 13 win, and should keep the momentum rolling against Philadelphia.

Seattle Seahawks (7-5) at Baltimore Ravens (4-8)

Pick: Seahawks

The Seahawks are catching fire at the right time, the same way they did last season after an average start. Russell Wilson is playing lights-out football, and the defense is making plenty of plays too. It’s time to realize that Seattle is a serious contender, and should cruise against the hapless Ravens.

Seattle Seahawks (7-5) at Baltimore Ravens (4-8)

Pick: Seahawks

The Seahawks are catching fire at the right time, the same way they did last season after an average start. Russell Wilson is playing lights-out football, and the defense is making plenty of plays too. It’s time to realize that Seattle is a serious contender, and should cruise against the hapless Ravens.

San Francisco 49ers (4-8) at Cleveland Browns (2-10)

Pick: 49ers

Believe it or not, Blaine Gabbert is actually looking like a decent NFL quarterback. That’s why the 49ers should come away victorious in Week 14 against a pitiful Browns team. It’s not like Johnny Manziel has proven himself as capable of earning wins for Cleveland.

San Francisco 49ers (4-8) at Cleveland Browns (2-10)

Pick: 49ers

Believe it or not, Blaine Gabbert is actually looking like a decent NFL quarterback. That’s why the 49ers should come away victorious in Week 14 against a pitiful Browns team. It’s not like Johnny Manziel has proven himself as capable of earning wins for Cleveland.

Detroit Lions (4-8) at St. Louis Rams (4-8)

Pick: Lions

Neither of these teams is really in the playoff picture, but both seem capable of winning any given game. The Lions looked like they had life before a Hail Mary touchdown crushed their spirits. Still, I’m taking them to come away victorious in this one considering how futile the Rams’ offense has been as of late.

Detroit Lions (4-8) at St. Louis Rams (4-8)

Pick: Lions

Neither of these teams is really in the playoff picture, but both seem capable of winning any given game. The Lions looked like they had life before a Hail Mary touchdown crushed their spirits. Still, I’m taking them to come away victorious in this one considering how futile the Rams’ offense has been as of late.

Tennessee Titans (3-9) at New York Jets (7-5)

Pick: Jets The Jets are finally putting it together at the right time, which may just bode well for the Titans’ draft positioning. They already hurt themselves by pulling out a win last week, but shouldn’t have too much trouble adding to the loss column this week against a playoff-bound New York team.

Tennessee Titans (3-9) at New York Jets (7-5)

Pick: Jets The Jets are finally putting it together at the right time, which may just bode well for the Titans’ draft positioning. They already hurt themselves by pulling out a win last week, but shouldn’t have too much trouble adding to the loss column this week against a playoff-bound New York team.

Pittsburgh Steelers (7-5) at Cincinnati Bengals (10-2)

Pick: Bengals

Anything can happen during these epic AFC North showdowns, but I expect the Bengals to come away victorious this time around. Andy Dalton and A.J. Green are playing some of the best football of their careers, and should be able to shred the Pittsburgh secondary on their way to a well-deserved W.

Pittsburgh Steelers (7-5) at Cincinnati Bengals (10-2)

Pick: Bengals

Anything can happen during these epic AFC North showdowns, but I expect the Bengals to come away victorious this time around. Andy Dalton and A.J. Green are playing some of the best football of their careers, and should be able to shred the Pittsburgh secondary on their way to a well-deserved W.

Indianapolis Colts (6-6) at Jacksonville Jaguars (4-8)

Pick: Colts

No matter how well the Jaguars offense plays, the defense can’t seem to keep up. Even after a disappointing showing in Week 13, the Colts and Matt Hasselbeck should make easy work of outscoring a Jacksonville team that hasn’t lived up to its potential in 2015.

Indianapolis Colts (6-6) at Jacksonville Jaguars (4-8)

Pick: Colts

No matter how well the Jaguars offense plays, the defense can’t seem to keep up. Even after a disappointing showing in Week 13, the Colts and Matt Hasselbeck should make easy work of outscoring a Jacksonville team that hasn’t lived up to its potential in 2015.

San Diego Chargers (3-9) at Kansas City Chiefs (7-5)

Pick: Chiefs

Currently riding a six-game winning streak, the Chiefs shouldn’t have too much trouble dispatching of a pitiful Chargers club that completely missed the mark this season. Even with Philip Rivers at the helm, San Diego has been a mess this season – just like its stadium situation.

San Diego Chargers (3-9) at Kansas City Chiefs (7-5)

Pick: Chiefs

Currently riding a six-game winning streak, the Chiefs shouldn’t have too much trouble dispatching of a pitiful Chargers club that completely missed the mark this season. Even with Philip Rivers at the helm, San Diego has been a mess this season – just like its stadium situation.

Washington Redskins (5-7) at Chicago Bears (5-7)

Pick: Bears

Is there really any reason to pick any NFC East team at this point? The entire division has been awful all season, while the Bears are still nursing slim playoff hopes. Jay Cutler and Co. have enough firepower to overcome a Redskins team that has been extremely inconsistent all season long.

Washington Redskins (5-7) at Chicago Bears (5-7)

Pick: Bears

Is there really any reason to pick any NFC East team at this point? The entire division has been awful all season, while the Bears are still nursing slim playoff hopes. Jay Cutler and Co. have enough firepower to overcome a Redskins team that has been extremely inconsistent all season long.

Atlanta Falcons (6-6) at Carolina Panthers (12-0)

Pick: Panthers

Had this game been a few weeks ago, I’d be prepared for a close, hard-fought game. Instead, with Atlanta riding a five-game losing streak, I’m thinking that the Panthers should dominate this one. Look for another monstrous outing from Cam Newton as his MVP campaign picks up more steam.

Atlanta Falcons (6-6) at Carolina Panthers (12-0)

Pick: Panthers

Had this game been a few weeks ago, I’d be prepared for a close, hard-fought game. Instead, with Atlanta riding a five-game losing streak, I’m thinking that the Panthers should dominate this one. Look for another monstrous outing from Cam Newton as his MVP campaign picks up more steam.

New Orleans Saints (4-8) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6-6)

Pick: Buccaneers

Jameis Winston and Co. can smell a Wild Card spot after beating the Falcons last week. Another divisional win against the Saints would certainly help. Especially with Mark Ingram out and Drew Brees struggling to get consistent production from his receivers, I can’t see the Saints winning this one.

New Orleans Saints (4-8) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6-6)

Pick: Buccaneers

Jameis Winston and Co. can smell a Wild Card spot after beating the Falcons last week. Another divisional win against the Saints would certainly help. Especially with Mark Ingram out and Drew Brees struggling to get consistent production from his receivers, I can’t see the Saints winning this one.

Oakland Raiders (5-7) at Denver Broncos (10-2)

Pick: Broncos

Brock Osweiler is now 3-0 since taking over for Peyton Manning under center, and should stay unblemished this week against a Raiders team that went from surprise to disappointment in a big hurry. This should be a low-scoring affair that sees Denver stay atop the AFC.

Oakland Raiders (5-7) at Denver Broncos (10-2)

Pick: Broncos

Brock Osweiler is now 3-0 since taking over for Peyton Manning under center, and should stay unblemished this week against a Raiders team that went from surprise to disappointment in a big hurry. This should be a low-scoring affair that sees Denver stay atop the AFC.

Dallas Cowboys (4-8) at Green Bay Packers (8-4)

Pick: Packers

Whether the Packers found their mojo last week or just got lucky, it’s difficult to see them losing to the Cowboys. Without Tony Romo under center, the team has struggled to put up consistent points. Matt Cassel makes too many mistakes to survive an entire 60 minutes against the Packers.

Dallas Cowboys (4-8) at Green Bay Packers (8-4)

Pick: Packers

Whether the Packers found their mojo last week or just got lucky, it’s difficult to see them losing to the Cowboys. Without Tony Romo under center, the team has struggled to put up consistent points. Matt Cassel makes too many mistakes to survive an entire 60 minutes against the Packers.

New England Patriots (10-2) at Houston Texans (6-6)

Pick: Texans

Things aren’t looking too good for the Patriots right now. Injuries have taken a serious toll on this team in 2015, as evidenced by their current two-game losing streak. The Texans will be desperate for a win this weekend to stay in the playoff hunt, and I believe they pull off the upset here.

New England Patriots (10-2) at Houston Texans (6-6)

Pick: Texans

Things aren’t looking too good for the Patriots right now. Injuries have taken a serious toll on this team in 2015, as evidenced by their current two-game losing streak. The Texans will be desperate for a win this weekend to stay in the playoff hunt, and I believe they pull off the upset here.

New York Giants (5-7) at Miami Dolphins (5-7)

Pick: Dolphins

You can never know what to expect from either of these teams on a weekly basis, but the Giants appear to be in a worse spot right now. They’ve lost four of their last five, and have been miserable during crunch time this season. Seeing as this projects to be a close game, I give the edge to the Dolphins.

New York Giants (5-7) at Miami Dolphins (5-7)

Pick: Dolphins

You can never know what to expect from either of these teams on a weekly basis, but the Giants appear to be in a worse spot right now. They’ve lost four of their last five, and have been miserable during crunch time this season. Seeing as this projects to be a close game, I give the edge to the Dolphins.