NFL Picks Week 14: Analyzing Expert Predictions from Around the Web

Thomas B. Shea/Getty Images

The NFL is a league of parity, so even the experts look like they don't know what they're talking about half the time. Underdogs win every single week, and it's difficult to predict what's going to happen on any given Sunday. 

With that in mind, we'll take a look at what five NFL experts have to say about all 16 games in Week 14. After presenting their picks, I'll give you my own, along with a brief explanation for my reasoning. 

This is a perfect opportunity for you to chime in with your own take. Please let us know in the comments section below which teams you're picking to win in Week 14.  

Now, on to the experts' picks. 

 

List of experts: Bleacher Report's Michael Schottey, ESPN's Chris Mortensen, CBS Sports' Pete Prisco, NFL.com's Gregg Rosenthal and SI.com's Peter King.

Broncos at Raiders

Dustin Bradford/Getty Images

Schottey: Broncos

Mortensen: Broncos

Prisco: Broncos

Rosenthal: Broncos

King: Broncos

Me: Broncos

 

Nobody in their right mind could envision the Oakland Raiders pulling off the upset against the Denver Broncos after watching these two teams play in 2012. 

Rams at Bills

David Welker/Getty Images

Schottey: Rams

Mortensen: Rams

Prisco: Bills

Rosenthal: Bills

King: Rams

Me: Rams

 

I don't trust the Buffalo Bills to play well from week to week. The offense is capable of putting up points in bunches, but their defense hasn't put two good weeks together since the start of training camp. 

The St. Louis Rams have been playing with fire since their bye week, and I expect their defense to dominate the game. 

Cowboys at Bengals

Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

Schottey: Bengals

Mortensen: Bengals

Prisco: Bengals

Rosenthal: Bengals

King: Bengals

Me: Bengals

 

Given the struggles of the Dallas Cowboys offensive line, it's tough to envision this unit keeping Geno Atkins, Michael Johnson and Carlos Dunlap from getting to Tony Romo early and often. 

And if BenJarvus Green-Ellis continues running wild, the Bengals could win this one with ease. 

Chiefs at Browns

Cary Emondson-USA TODAY Sports

Schottey: Browns

Mortensen: Browns

Prisco: Browns

Rosenthal: Browns

King: Browns

Me: Browns

 

As much as we'd all love to see the Kansas City Chiefs win again after the franchise suffered the tragedy of last weekend, it's tough to imagine this team being able to win on the road against a much-improved Cleveland Browns team that's won two games in a row. 

Titans at Colts

Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports

Schottey: Colts

Mortensen: Colts

Prisco: Colts

Rosenthal: Colts

King: Colts

Me: Colts

 

At this point, how can you bet against the Indianapolis Colts and Andrew Luck?

The Colts have been winning games in every way conceivable, and the Titans haven't been playing well all season long. 

Bears at Vikings

Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports

Schottey: Bears

Mortensen: Vikings

Prisco: Vikings

Rosenthal: Bears

King: Bears

Me: Bears

 

Mortensen and Prisco think the banged-up defense of the Chicago Bears is ripe for Christian Ponder and the Minnesota Vikings to exploit. 

I'm of a different mind, and I'm expecting the Bears to bounce back in a big way after getting beaten by the pesky Seattle Seahawks last week. 

Eagles at Buccaneers

Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Schottey: Buccaneers

Mortensen: Buccaneers

Prisco: Buccaneers 

Rosenthal: Buccaneers

King: Buccaneers

Me: Buccaneers

 

The Philadelphia Eagles have lost eight straight games. Nick Foles isn't the cure to what ails this team, and Bryce Brown is in for a shock against the No. 1 rushing defense in the NFL this week. 

Josh Freeman and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers shouldn't have any trouble putting up points this week, and they'll roll at home. 

Ravens at Redskins

Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

Schottey: Ravens

Mortensen: Redskins

Prisco: Redskins

Rosenthal: Redskins

King: Redskins

Me: Redskins

 

No offense to Michael Schottey, but I just don't trust Joe Flacco to perform on the road. Furthermore, the Baltimore Ravens once-dominant defense doesn't scare anyone anymore, and Robert Griffin, Alfred Morris and the Washington Redskins offense should be able to carve out chunks of yards at home. 

Falcons at Panthers

Josh D. Weiss-USA TODAY Sports

Schottey: Falcons

Mortensen: Falcons

Prisco: Falcons

Rosenthal: Falcons

King: Falcons

Me: Falcons

 

Mike Nolan's defense should be licking its chops for a chance to victimize Cam Newton. 

The Falcons won't lose this game. 

Jets at Jaguars

Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports

Schottey: Jaguars

Mortensen: Jaguars

Prisco: Jaguars

Rosenthal: Jets

King: Jets

Me: Jaguars

 

Peter King thinks the New York Jets will win because they still feel like they're in the playoff race.

After Chad Henne and the Jacksonville Jaguars beat the tar out of the Jets this week, this team won't harbor such delusions anymore. 

Chargers at Steelers

Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Schottey: Steelers

Mortensen: Steelers

Prisco: Steelers

Rosenthal: Steelers 

King: Steelers

Me: Steelers

 

Honestly, who believes Philip Rivers will do anything other than throw a multitude of interceptions against the Pittsburgh Steelers' vaunted defense?

That, plus Ben Roethlisberger's return to the starting lineup (h/t Steelers.com) should assure the Steelers a much-needed victory to keep them in the hunt for a playoff spot in the AFC. 

Dolphins at 49ers

John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports

Schottey: 49ers

Mortensen: 49ers

Prisco: 49ers

Rosenthal: 49ers

King: 49ers

Me: 49ers

 

The 49ers were embarrassed last week in St. Louis, and they'll take out their frustrations on the Miami Dolphins in Week 14. 

Jim Harbaugh hasn't lost two games in a row since joining the 49ers in 2011, and despite a couple of major faux pas last week, this coaching staff will have something special brewed up for the Dolphins.

Cardinals at Seahawks

Robert Mayer-USA TODAY Sports

Schottey: Seahawks

Mortensen: Seahawks

Prisco: Seahawks

Rosenthal: Seahawks

King: Seahawks

Me: Seahawks

 

Ryan Lindley, John Skelton, Kevin Kolb—it doesn't matter who lines up behind center for the Arizona Cardinals these days; the offense is abominable. 

The Seattle Seahawks should run away with this one in the first half. 

Saints at Giants

John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports

Schottey: Giants

Mortensen: Giants

Prisco: Giants

Rosenthal: Giants

King: Giants

Me: Giants

 

With their backs up against the wall (just the way they like it), the New York Giants are in perfect position to force themselves into playing up to their potential. 

As good as Drew Brees and his offense is, the New Orleans Saints defense won't be able to stop Eli Manning enough times to ensure victory. 

Lions at Packers

Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports

Schottey: Packers

Mortensen: Packers

Prisco: Packers

Rosenthal: Packers

King: Packers

Me: Packers

 

The Detroit Lions keep finding ways to lose games in 2012, while the Green Bay Packers continue to overcome their deficiencies and have been finding ways to win. 

Plus, the Packers are in the playoff hunt, and the Lions have been out of it for weeks. The Packers won't lose this game at home. 

Texans at Patriots

Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

Schottey: Patriots

Mortensen: Texans

Prisco: Patriots

Rosenthal: Patriots

King: Patriots

Me: Patriots

 

The Houston Texans have secondary issues, and Tom Brady will find ways to exploit their weakness. Brady's offense in 2012 is as balanced as I've ever seen, and the Texans don't have enough impact players across the board on defense to stop it. 

 

Follow me on Twitter @JesseReed78 and check out my weekly NFL picks at Pickfactor.com