Welcome back to another blog previewing week 14 in the NFL! I hope everybody had a wonderful Thanksgiving week. Even though my picks were quite terrible last week, I really enjoyed the time spent with family and the football we got to watch.
There are several divisions that are getting closer at the top of the standings, which will make each game incredibly important moving forward. Let’s get right into it!
PICKS (124-70 Overall)
Dallas Cowboys (6-5-1) @ Detroit Lions (7-5)
- This Thursday night game is absolutely essential for both of these teams to win. Both teams have had a rollercoaster-type season, and both are still alive in the playoff race. This game should involve a lot of touchdowns, as the offenses can be high-powered most weeks. I’ll take the Lions at home.
Pittsburgh Steelers (6-6) @ Baltimore Ravens (6-6)
- My Steelers are falling apart. Fans (including me) are ready for a coaching change, and the offense has looked pitiful these past few weeks. Honestly, I’m just ready for a rebuild, and it seems like the Ravens are starting to come into form. Lamar Jackson might be hurt, but I think he plays and the Ravens win a crucial divisional game.
Miami Dolphins (5-7) @ New York Jets (3-9)
- Both of these teams are pretty much on to next season, but they have both won some games in the past few weeks. I could see this being pretty exciting, but I will take the Dolphins.
New Orleans Saints (2-10) @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-5)
- This week, the Bucs had the practice window open for two of their stud receivers. Jalen McMillan and Mike Evans could possibly come back soon, but either way I think the Bucs are too talented to lose at home against their huge rivals.
Indianapolis Colts (8-4) @ Jacksonville Jaguars (8-4)
- This game is a HUGE matchup in the AFC South. With the Texans keeping pace a few games back, the winner of this game will take the lead in the division. I think Jonathan Taylor gets back into his Offensive Player of the Year form and runs all over the Jags.
Tennessee Titans (1-11) @ Cleveland Browns (3-9)
- What a gross game! Not much to say in this one, besides the fact that the Browns have a very difficult defense to play against in Cleveland.
Washington Commanders (3-9) @ Minnesota Vikings (4-8)
- Well, JJ McCarthy is back in. The Vikings looked like a high school JV team last weekend, as they got shut out against the Seahawks. Both of these teams have greatly underwhelmed this year, but I will take the Vikings strictly because they are at home.
Seattle Seahawks (9-3) @ Atlanta Falcons (4-8)
- The Falcons just lost to the Jets. The Seahawks just shut out the Vikings. These teams are having completely opposite seasons, and I’ll take the better team in the Seahawks.
Cincinnati Bengals (4-8) @ Buffalo Bills (8-4)
- Technically, the Bengals are still alive in the AFC North, only being two games back. However, their defense is terrible, and I think the Bills will run all over the Bengals.
Denver Broncos (10-2) @ Las Vegas Raiders (2-10)
- Bo Nix has led the Broncos to back-to-back 10-win seasons, and this year they still have several more weeks to go. I don’t expect this one to be particularly close, but you never know with these divisional games.
Chicago Bears (9-3) @ Green Bay Packers (8-3-1)
- The battle for first place in the NFC North! These teams hate each other, which is no secret. It’s also wild in the NFC playoff picture, because if the Bears lose, they go from the #1 seed to the #7 seed. I think the Packers win at home in Lambeau.
Los Angeles Rams (9-3) @ Arizona Cardinals (3-9)
- Jacoby Brissett has been a solid QB change for the Cardinals, but their season is over at this point. The Rams need to win this game to stay competitive in the NFC West fight, and I think their talent heavily outmatches the Cards.
Houston Texans (7-5) @ Kansas City Chiefs (6-6)
- The Chiefs need to win out to have any chance at the playoffs. While the Texans have a very reliable defense, the Chiefs are the Chiefs, and I think somehow, they will find a way to sneak into the playoffs.
Philadelphia Eagles (8-4) @ Los Angeles Chargers (8-4)
- Philly’s offense is struggling, while Justin Herbert may be playing on Monday night with a surgically repaired hand. I still view the Eagles as an incredible team that just needs to figure a few things out. I will take Philadelphia in this one.
PICKS (23-15 Overall)
Steelers/Ravens Under 42.5 Points
Courtland Sutton Anytime TD
Browns/Titans Over 33.5 Points
FANTASY
Last Week’s Pick: Mark Andrews (6.70 points).
With Amon-Ra St. Brown possibly out against the Cowboys, Jameson Williams is a MUST start.
Have a great week!