NFL Week 14 Picks

Before getting into it, I'd just like to mention that I was watching Friday Night Lights earlier this week and the line "Do you believe in miracles?" was uttered during an improbably last-second win by the protagonist Dillon Panthers. This is, in no uncertain terms, unacceptable. This is not an "homage," this is cringe-worthy. "Do you believe in miracles?" should only ever be repeated in a sports context when speaking specifically about Lake Placid 1980. Anything else simply reads as a cheap rip-off.

On to the games (some of which kind of blow)!

Thursday Night Can't See TV

Cleveland (+7.5) at Pittsburgh - A sign of the times that the Steelers can't finish teams like they used to, defiant Cleveland almost pulls the upset tonight. Granted, they're 4-8, but every time you count the Browns out, they pull of a big surprise. Just ask KC. Steelers 17 Browns 14

Da Raiders
Oakland at Cincinnati (-10.5) - Oh boy. This could get really ugly, really fast. The Bengals have been taking their touchdown vitamins ever since last month's collapse against San Diego and Oakland, fresh off a home loss to Houston, is about as demoralized a football team as you'll ever find in NFL history. Asomugha has his hands full with #85, but I think T.J. Houshmanzadeh is the WR who is really going to burn Oakland on Sunday. Raiders cannot afford to turnover the ball if they hope to have any shot. Sadly, Cincy forces quite a few turnovers. Bengals 30 Raiders 10

Game of the week
New Orleans (+6.5) at Dallas - Suddenly, this looks like a possible NFC championship preview. Drew Brees to outplay Tony Romo as the Cowboys will be playing catch-up all day, meaning some choice INTs will be served up by Romo. NO's weapons on offense are so plentiful that they demand single coverage. We'll see how Dallas handles that. Saints 36 Cowboys 28

The rest...
Baltimore (+2.5) at Kansas City - The Chiefs, despite Sunday's setback against the Browns, still appear to be on an upswing and will be fired up for Baltimore at Arrowhead. The Ravens, meanwhile, need to check their offensive gears after stalling for just seven points a week ago. Jamal Lewis and Larry Johnson both find the end zone twice, but the B-more D is the difference. Ravens 26 Chiefs 21

Tennessee (+1.5) at Houston - You'd bet against the Titans after the way they've played the last four games? You're crazy, Vegas! Titans 31 Texans 24

New York Giants (+2.5) at Carolina - Ugh. My God, what happened here?!? Confession time: I had these two teams rated 1 and 2 in the NFC when the season started. How to justify picking either on Sunday? Well, I'm going with the Giants because Jake Delhomme's thumb may keep him out of action, so blue is the pick. But I'm not proud of it. Giants 13 Panthers 10

Philadelphia (+1.5) at Washington - The NFC is sooooo bad. (How bad is it?) It is soooo bad, that the Eagles still have a real shot at making the playoffs. Eagles 20 Redskins 17

Atlanta at Tampa Bay (+3.5) - The Falcons are coming off a win and playing a home dog, which means it's time for Michael Vick critics to start licking their chops in preparation for Monday. Buccaneers 23 Falcons 16

Indianapolis at Jacksonville (+1.5) - The Jags are "Hot and Cold: The Season," but they always seem to get up for the Colts who look ready to just forget the rest of the regular season and concentrate on the playoffs. Jaguars 27 Colts 25

Minnesota at Detroit (-2.5) - Oh yeah! It's gambling time! Honestly, I think the Lions have looked much sharper in recent weeks than the Vikes. Homefield advantage! Lions 24 Vikings 12

New England (-3.5) at Miami - Is this is a trap? The Dolphins have a history of playing well against the Pats at home and NE didn't look too spectacular against the Lions on Sunday. A trap? You better believe it, but not the one you're expecting. Bill Belichik's got something planned. Patriots 28 Dolphins 14

Green Bay at San Francisco (-4.5) - To me, this is one of the no-brainers of the week. 49ers 38 Packers 14

Seattle (-3.5) at Arizona - You know, a win for the home team in this one would mean that the Cardinals will have won back-to-back games. That alone is reason to pick Seattle. Seahawks 31 Cardinals 21

Buffalo at New York Jets (-3.5) - The Jets are good enough to win out. Winning out means finishing the season at 11-5 and rolling into the playoffs. Might be tough to get that roll going if they can't beat the Bills, but... they can beat the Bills. Jets 24 Bills 13

Denver at San Diego (-7.5) - Denver looks flat out poopy having dropped three straight. Count me among those smiling to see them fall on their face after the great Plummer-to-Cutler switch. Regardless who is under center on Sunday, SD is wrapping up this division. Chargers 29 Broncos 9

Chicago (-6.5) at St. Louis - As bad as Rex Grossman is, it's easy to keep picking the Bears to win every week when their schedule is so damn soft. Bears 17 Rams 10