If Houston continues to play at a high intensity level, there's no reason to think they can't upset even the mighty Titans, who are 12-1 but have also feasted on a weak schedule to hit that mark. Texans 27, Titans 24
Pittsburgh at Baltimore
Line: Ravens by 2.5
Points will be at a premium in this slobber-knocking divisional showdown.
What it comes down to, ultimately, is quarterbacking. Both running games will be neutralized, so each passer will be asked to carry a bigger burden against a fierce, blitzing defense. That's where I trust Ben Roethlisberger more. Joe Flacco has played incredibly well as a rookie, exceeding many peoples' expectations, but he'll be humbled once more by the Pittsburgh defense.
I could see "Joe-Flac" actually outpassing Big Ben in this game, but Roethlisberger should win by making more big plays in the fourth quarter, where he has the most experience. Steelers 16, Ravens 13
Denver at Carolina
Line: Panthers by 7.5
The fearsome Panthers are on the prowl once again.
The "Cardiac Cats" racked up more yards rushing in one game than the Lions and Bengals have on the season combined, proving they're a superior feline breed. As for the Broncos, they can score a lot of points--this we know--but can they stop anyone? If Carolina can get 300 yards rushing against Tampa, is it unrealistic to think this future 11-5, Division-winning team can't get about 600 against that soft-ass D? Panthers 42, Broncos 30
Minnesota at Arizona
Line: Cardinals by 3
Arizona's strengths exploit the Vikings' weaknesses. They're a terrific passing team and the Vikings are in the bottom 10 in pass defense. Their strength is stopping the run, while they rarely have to rely on the running game with all the talented receivers they have.
Meanwhile, I know Adrian "AD" Peterson will be up and running, but can you really trust Minnesota in a close road game starting Tavaris Jackson? Cardinals 24, Vikings 20
New England at Oakland
Line: Patriots by 7
SportsCenter did a Top 10 last night, the Top 10 Heisman Trophy winners of all-time. Interestingly, three of them are ex-Raiders, so maybe this is what Oakland needs to pursue in the draft. Unfortunately, it looks like all of this year's candidates are QB's and Oakland just invested half the team payroll in super-bust JaMarcus Russell. So much for that theory. Patriots 24, Raiders 3
New York Giants at Dallas
Line: Cowboys by 3
Last Sunday's effort was the Giants' sloppiest of the season. Yet, despite being so badly outplayed by the Eagles, they could have very easily won the game had they just caught Eli Manning's passes.
Dallas looked like a team that was starting to mature as they held Pittsburgh in check for three and a half quarters, building a 13-3 lead. After the Steelers came back and tied things up at 13, however, Tony Romo froze up in the clutch, throwing a pick-six that put Pittsburgh ahead, and later missing his favorite target, Jason Witten, by about 30 feet on 4th and 10.
The problem isn't just Romo--it's the whole team. When the stakes are down and their backs are against the wall, the Cowboys haven't shown the character and resiliency to fight back. Until we see that attribute, I have no problem picking Big Blue to dash the playoff hopes of this one-time Super Bowl contender. Giants 31, Cowboys 24
Cleveland at Philadelphia
Line: Eagles by 14
This will be the Browns' 4th nationally televised game of the year; yet, they've oddly looked like a competent team on Monday Night Football. They beat the defending-champion Giants and won a close game in frigid Buffalo, and with the Eagles coming off their biggest win of the season, maybe they'll come out a little flat against a team they expect to blow out by three touchdowns. Eagles 16, Browns 6
Week 14 vs Spread: 8-8
Week 14 Straight up: 9-7
Season vs Spread: 115-94-2
Season Straight up: 132-78-1
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