Week 14 Picks

Cleveland Browns @ Buffalo Bills (31-27)

Am I crazy to think this is a perfectly winnable game for the Bills? The Browns are probably the best team in the league with a losing record…but they’ve lost more games than they’ve won for a reason. The Bills had that game against Minnesota until Sidney Rice started to take over and Adrian Peterson gashed them. Peyton Hillis is equally capable of having a huge day, but the Browns lack a down field threat the caliber of Sidney Rice. Only thing that could throw a monkey wrench in this one?-Buffalo tanking for Andrew Luck.

Cincinnati Bengals @ Pittsburgh Steelers (28-27)

I will never pick a team that falls for the old’ “Let’s try to draw them offside, what the hell do we have to lose?” trick. Pittsburgh has been inconsistent as of late but they’re defense remains dominant, and they’re offense is good enough to shred the Bengals. This begs the question, if someone had a gun to your head, forced you to spend an hour watching T.V, and gave you the option of the TOcho show or this game, what would you choose?

Green Bay Packers @ Detroit Lions (45-13)

I enjoyed your attempt at the “doogie” Drew Stanton; it takes a lot of guts to try that in front of the 267 people that watch Lions games. But it reflects a problem Detroit has had all season, close but not close enough. Green Bay knows what’s at stake…they took care of business against a mediocre team last week, no reason to think they can’t do it again.

New York Giants @ Minnesota Vikings (23-14)

If the Giants are indeed the playoff team everyone thought they were several weeks ago they should be able to soundly beat Minnesota. Whether Travaris Jackson gets the nod or Brett Favre it doesn’t matter, both are liable to throw a couple the other way. Eli Manning has been erratic over the past couple weeks, but the duo of Brandon Jacobs and Ahmad Bradshaw will run wild through a suddenly mediocre run defense.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers @ Washington Redskins (16-10)

Now that the Albert Haynesworth issue has been put to bed (suspended for four games) I believe this team will have some life. He was more of a problem then everyone realized, and weighed down the locker room. Washington isn’t the most talented, but they can certainly beat a team without its starting center and all-pro level cornerback… (On second thought, maybe that’s asking a bit too much out of the Skins’).

Atlanta Falcons @ Carolina Panthers (23-9)

Atlanta must be salivating knowing they have another game against the Panthers week 17. Carolina must be salivating knowing they’re first in the Andrew Luck sweepstakes. Somehow, I think both teams will come out winners of this one.

Oakland Raiders @ Jacksonville Jaguars (19-13)

I’m a stubborn guy, so stubborn in fact I refuse to acknowledge that the Jaguars are good. I refused to acknowledge the Raiders were contenders, felt like such a winner when they were destroyed by Pittsburgh, then a little confused when they strutted into San Diego and promptly completed a season sweep after not beating the Bolts in seven years. So this is where we are now: two teams all of us betting kinds of people would like to go away facing off in a surprisingly important game. I’ll have to with the legs of Maurice Jones-Drew (five straight 100 yard games) even though QB David Garrard is still entirely capable of losing a game here or there.

Seattle Seahawks @ San Francisco 49ers (16-10)

Both teams are so unpredictable it’s pointless to really try to analyze this one. Here are two things I have to go with: Seattle crushed San Fran in week one, 31-6 (albeit at home), and Alex Smith is getting the nod over Troy Smith for the 49ers. What does that mean? I have no idea! Regardless I’ll go with the Seahawks because I think they’re the better squad and I would take Matt Hasselbeack over either of the Smiths’ any day.

St. Louis Rams @ New Orleans Saints (27-21)

The Saints practically begged the Bengals to win last week, but predictably, they failed to deliver. As much as New Orleans seems to want to give a game away, I can’t see them losing at home to a team that struggles on the road. I <3 Sam Bradford as much as the next guy, but all the Saints do is win in the Super Dome. With my powers of prognostication I foresee another one…

Miami Dolphins @ New York Jets (27-10)

Huge game for the Jets, it sets the tone for the remainder of their season. Dominate the Dolphins and they’re right back in it, fall short and all hell breaks loose. As much as I hate New York (both of them) Rex Ryan is a decent coach, and he captains a tough team…I like them to bounce back in a big way. Oh, and best part of last week’s Monday Night massacre? Rex Ryan looking like he just suffered a shower rape in the post-game press conference.

Denver Broncos @ Arizona Cardinals (41-6)

The interim-coach-theorem has yet to fail this season, why stop riding it now? The only way Denver loses is if John Skelton is legit, Larry Fitzgerald snaps and murders everyone on the field, or if Studesville fails to live up to his glorious name.

Kansas City Chiefs @ San Diego Chargers (26-6)

What did San Diego’s recent beating at the hands of the Raiders actually mean? Was it a fluke or did it highlight some real problems (mainly the resurfacing of special teams woes)? I lean towards the former as it was a bit of the perfect storm for Oakland…an early fumble by Sproles which allowed the Raiders able to jump out to a fast lead when they’re defense happens to play a lot stronger. Alright, we've got this far and we haven't even talked about Matt Cassel's appendix. What a bad break, Brodie Croyle is 0-9 as a starter, sooooo yeah. Just take the Chargers, Chiefs have a case of Rusty Smith 2.0!

New England Patriots @ Chicago Bears (30-23)

Huge trap game alert: Patriots coming off biggest victory of the season, with a short week of practice, going on the road against a suddenly hot Chicago team. But you know what? New England is locked in right now. Brady is literally terrifying his rookie tight ends with his fiery demeanor, and Belickick is back to running up the score-just like the good old days. Pats are playing like 2007…without the weight of the undefeated season. Chicago has a strong defense, but so do the Steelers, and the Jets, and the Ravens…

Philadelphia Eagles @ Dallas Cowboys (38-24)

The treatment the Cowboys have gotten over the past month is precisely why I hate the media. With the coverage they have received you would think they were Super Bowl contenders…hate to do this buttttt, they’re 4-8! Philadelphia will give ESPN a rude awakening when they obliterate Dallas, and remind everyone the birds are a legit Super Bowl team.

Baltimore Ravens @ Houston Texans (34-24)

No need to worry Baltimore, the Texans don’t have a defensive player half as good as Troy Polamalu. Houston should be a great matchup for the Ravens; a perfect opportunity to get their offensive back in gear and shred an awful defensive unit. I foresee a big day for the struggling Ray Rice…

Last Week: 11-5

Overall: 107-69

Lock of the week: Jacksonville Jaguars OVER Oakland Raiders

Upset of the week: Washington Redskins OVER Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Pounding of the week: Green Bay Packers OVER Detroit Lions