Predictions for Week 14

NO at ATL Winner: NO

New Orleans is still red hot and, with Matt Ryan and Michael Turner among the offensive starters that are up in the air to start in this game, will likely run over the Falcons.

DET vs. BAL Winner: BAL

Baltimore gets a break from the slide they’ve been in recently. The Lions are growing and need help defensively, but this is all good experience for their young players. The Ravens will win and build momentum heading into the final stretch of the season.

GB vs. CHI Winner: GB

Green Bay’s defense has been to force hurried and off- balance throw from even the best of QBs. Jay Cutler will be blamed for this loss, but there is so much more to it, just like the rest of the season.

SEA at HOU Winner: HOU

Houston is in trouble, there is no way around it. They need this win to help save Gary Kubiak’s job and the long-term stability of the team. Seattle has been hot and will threaten an upset, but Home Field edges this game to the Texans.

DEN at IND Winner: IND

While Denver’s defense seems to be back to form and it is the defensive scheme that has given Peyton Manning the most trouble through his career, Manning has been simply unstoppable during the course of the season and will pull this one out like he has so many others.

MIA at JAC Winner: MIA

Miami’s backs are against the wall, but they will not fade quietly into the winter. Jacksonville is the worst team in the league in sacking the quarterback, which means that Chad Henne will have all-day to pick apart the Jags secondary. This doesn’t make it easy, just easier.

BUF at KC Winner: BUF

Buffalo is playing hard, they might not being winning, but they are playing hard. Against the Chiefs, who are also playing hard, they should be able to make enough plays to pull out the victory.

CIN at MIN Winner: MIN

Minnesota’s run defense should be able to shut down the potent running attack of the Bengals. While their secondary has been hurt as of late, I do think that their ability to rush the passer will make it hard for Carson Palmer to get into a rhythm with Chad Ochocinco, especially when they are forced to forgo the play-action pass. Minnesota wins in a tight one.

CAR at NE Winner: NE

Whether it’s Matt Moore or Jake Delhomme, the Panthers will have a very difficult time passing on the Pets in this match-up. This will allow the Pats to load up the box and focus on stopping the powerful running of DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart. New England gets a much needed victory.

NYJ at TB Winner: NYJ

As weak as I think the Jets are without their young QB to sling it loose, there is one player who I think will make all the difference in this match-up, Darrelle Revis. He has been a great shut-down corner for the majority of the season and should shut down Antonio Bryant in this match-up. Add into this that Josh Freeman is a rookie Quarterback, then you have the combination for a long-day of defensive struggle.

STL at TEN Winner: TEN

Tennessee’s loss last week was understandable; they’d played an undefeated Colts team. St. Louis will likely have troubles keeping up with Chris Johnson, far less trouble than the Titans defense will have taking on Steven Jackson. Both Jackson and Johnson will likely eclipse 100+ yards, but Johnson (and the Titans in general) will have the better game.

WAS at OAK Winner: WAS

While Oakland’s win against Pittsburgh was impressive, I don’t think they will have the same success against the resurgent Redskins. The Redskins should be able to trick Gradkowski into making a litany of mistakes against a strong secondary, even though DeAngelo Hall (their best cover man) is out.

SD at DAL Winner: SD

 San Diego is undefeated in December since appointing Phillip Rivers as the starting QB. The Cowboys have won only a quarter of their December games over the last decade. You figure out why I am making this pick.

PHI at NYG Winner: NYG

This pick simply comes down to where it’s being played. The Meadowlands has always been a hard place to play, particularly in the cold and wind of December. The Eagles won’t be able to pull off their big plays that consistently saves them in close games, putting the Giants in position to pull the upset.

ARI at SF Winner: ARI

The Cardinals have found their wings again. The 49ers haven’t been able to keep their momentum in the past two games, leading to close losses. I do think the 49ers should be able to keep the game relatively close, but will probably lose it late.