NFL Predictions: Week 14

Thirteen weeks down, four to go. Can you believe that?

Week 14 of the NFL season is already here, just like the Christmas season is already here. When Thursday night's game takes place, there will be just 15 more days left until Christmas, so you know the NFL regular season is coming close to ending.

Now last week in a game between the Giants and Cowboys, we saw a man act like a childish brat. Yes, Flozell Adams, the over-grown manchild.

As the second quarter ended, Adams decided to take a swing at Justin Tuck, which caused a near riot between Adams and the Giants sideline. This week, Adams was fined $50,000 by the NFL for his actions.

$50,000? For an NFL player, that's basically pocket change for buying a couple cars. This  guy is a dirty player who has tripped Tuck once before. Now he takes swings and who knows what else this guy will try. A suspension would have been more deserving.

It's stupidity like that that can cause a team important games in December.

Last week in Week 13, I went 11-5 with losses to the Bills, Steelers, Vikings, Patriots, and Falcons. Overall for the 2009 NFL season, I am 135-56.

Lets take a look at the schedule for Week 14.

Thursday Night Football: Pittsburgh Steelers @ Cleveland Browns

Will the real Pittsburgh Steelers please stand up? What in god's name has happened to the reigning Super Bowl Champions?

After winning four in a row and getting back in the AFC playoff mix, they have lost four in a row and are in big trouble. Troy Polamalu may be out for the rest of the season, which really hurts their defense.

Despite how bad Pittsburgh's been, the Browns are even worse.

They have lost seven in a row and are showing no signs of improvement at all. Many feel this might be a one and done year for head coach Eric Mangini.

Truthfully, they were better off with Romeo Crennel rather than Mangini. At least the players liked Romeo.

Final Score: Steelers 24, Browns 10

Denver Broncos @ Indianapolis Colts

Who's next? Denver is next?

The Broncos have won two in a row and have gotten themselves at least a .500 record for the season with their eighth victory.

But they're in for a serious wake-up call because they are going to the house of the 12-0 Colts.

Even the red-hot Titans couldn't stop the Colts last week, and now they will be returning to a roaring home crowd.

The Colts will go to 13-0 and will be one step closer to possible NFL history.

Final Score: Colts 35, Broncos 17

New York Jets @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers

FINALLY! Mark Sanchez is going to be watching this one from the bench.

An injury forced Rex Ryan to keep Sanchez on the bench for this game and to go with Kellen Clemens, which is much needed. Sanchez needs a game to step back and watch. He was forced right into the starting role, and the season hasn't been the most memorable one for him.

The Buccaneers have made three quarterback changes in 2009.

First it was Byron Leftwich, then it was Josh Johnson, and now it's Josh Freeman.

They're still 1-11 and miles away from looking like a decent team again.

Final Score: Jets 24, Buccaneers 16

Carolina Panthers @ New England Patriots

It's the Super Bowl 38 rematch from the 2003-2004 season.

The Panthers were once a great team, but have taken a nice tumble towards the bottom, and Matt Moore is the starter now. How long he stays the starter is the question.

The Patriots have been struggling away from Gillette Stadium—losing two straight games to the Saints and Dolphins.

It's not the same Patriots team that was considered the Dynasty team that won three Super Bowls.

However, this game should result in the same way that the Super Bowl did—with a Patriots win.

Final Score: Patriots 31, Patriots 20

Buffalo Bills @ Kansas City Chiefs

Well, here's a real stinker of a game for you.

The 4-8 last place Bills against the 3-9 last place Chiefs.

Buffalo fired former head coach Dick Jauron, and Trent Edwards has been benched. Plus, Terrell Owens hasn't had that superstar season everyone hoped for, and yet they still stink.

Now the Chiefs brought in Todd Haley, traded for quarterback Matt Cassel, released Larry Johnson, and they too still stink.

How do you pick this game? I flipped a coin.

Final Score: Bills 20, Chiefs 17

New Orleans Saints @ Atlanta Falcons

There's another team in the NFL who is also 12-0 and looking for NFL history, the Saints.

With a couple minutes to go, everyone thought the Redskins were going to knock off the Saints. But a missed field goal, a Drew Brees touchdown pass to force overtime, and a made field goal gave the Saints a 33-30 overtime win.

The Saints are showing everyone that they have the guts and heart to win the tough games.

The Falcons last week showed that they are a completely different team without Matt Ryan, as they were completely dismantled by the Eagles in their own building.

Ryan needs to get healthy as soon as possible, but in this game, they are over matched. The Saints are steam-rolling their competition.

Final Score: Saints 42, Falcons 14

Miami Dolphins @ Jacksonville Jaguars

The Dolphins aren't surprising everyone like they did in 2008, but they're showing they are going to compete in every game.

It's now Chad Henne's team and when they get Ronnie Brown back in 2010, they'll be even better. Although, I'm sure Henne will be asking Santa Claus for a couple of good wide receivers for 2010.

So, who had the Jaguars possibly going to the playoffs for 2009? I sure didn't. Most, like myself, had Jack Del Rio pegged to be fired by season's end.

At 7-5, they're in good shape to make a good run and maybe see January football, which might end up saving Del Rio's job.

Final Score: Jaguars 28, Dolphins 20

St. Louis Rams @ Tennessee Titans

Another Super Bowl rematch, this time, it's the rematch of Super Bowl 34 from the 1999-2000 season.

I'm sure right now, Steve Spagnuolo would love to have Kurt Warner, Marshall Faulk, Isaac Bruce, and Torry Holt back because his team is bad.

The only positive of the year has been Steven Jackson, who has already gone over 1,000 yards rushing for the year.

The Titans might not be heading to the playoffs, but they're at least competitive and looking much better at 5-7.

On Jeff Fisher's Christmas list, he might be asking Santa for some new defensive players. But the defense he has now can easily beat the Rams.

Final Score: Titans 27, Rams 9

Detroit Lions @ Baltimore Ravens

Well, there is a positive thing for the Lions in 2009. They are not the worst team in the NFL.

Nope, even at 2-10, they are at least better than the Rams, Browns, and Buccaneers who are all 1-11.

On offense, the Lions are looking like a much improved unit. But what Jim Schwartz will look to improve on for 2010 is the defense. Lots and lots of defense.

The Ravens are possibly headed from AFC Champion runner-ups to being eliminated from playoff contention at 6-6.

Last Monday, the Packers completely shredded the Baltimore defense and made their offense look lost.

At home though, they should at least beat the Lions.

Final Score: Ravens 27, Lions 17

Cincinnati Bengals @ Minnesota Vikings

The Bengals just keep winning and at 9-3 are at least guaranteed to finish over .500 for the first time since 2005, so give Marvin Lewis a ton of credit for a fine job.

Chad Ochocinco is getting fined again for his touchdown celebrations, so you know all is well in the world of Cincinnati. Just like the good old days, only now it's Ochocinco and not Johnson.

This game will be a true test for the Bengals, as they travel to play a Vikings team looking to rebound from a tough loss.

They got their tails whipped on the road from start to finish by the Cardinals on national TV and for the first time all season, Brett Favre had a really lousy game.

At home though, the crowd will be on Minnesota's side, where they play better football, and Jared Allen will be looking to chase down Carson Palmer all game long. Look out Cincinnati.

Final Score: Vikings 34, Bengals 24

Seattle Seahawks @ Houston Texans

The Seahawks have won two games in a row to get themselves around respectability at 5-7, but it's been a long season for the Seahawks.

Matt Hasselbeck's status is unknown again as he has sat out of practice this week. They have had a hard time keeping him healthy since their run at the Super Bowl a few years ago.

The biggest disappointment of 2009 known as the Texans continue to disappoint as they too are 5-7. However, many felt that Houston would be a playoff team this season and not in last place of the AFC South.

The clock is ticking on Gary Kubiak's time in Houston. Many are expecting his firing as soon as the season is over. What a shame.

Despite that, Seattle is a poor road team, and Houston should at least win this game.

Final Score: Texans 31, Seahawks 14

Green Bay Packers @ Chicago Bears

Don't look now, but I think the Packers look like a playoff team in 2009.

Despite losing twice to the Vikings, the Packers are 8-4 and are getting strong for a push in December to get into the playoffs.

Some even wonder what would happen if the Vikings and Packers met for a third time this season? The Packers have been playing that well over the last couple weeks.

The Bears? Not so much.

In their last game, Lovie Smith basically ordered Jay Cutler to hand off the ball all game long and only threw 17 passes, completing eight of them. Against the Rams.

Does that smell confidence in Cutler? Nope. And if Smith has Cutler do the same thing in this game, they won't win this week.

Final Score: Packers 35, Bears 21

Washington Redskins @ Oakland Raiders

Here is the definition of pathetic.

A 30-23 lead with less than two minutes to go, missing a 23-yard field goal to ice the game, letting Drew Brees march the distance of the field to tie the game, then losing the game on a field goal in overtime. In your own home stadium.

Yep, the Redskins have been absolutely pathetic in 2009, which is why they are 3-9.

The Raiders are showing signs of life with Bruce Gradkowski. And JaMarcus Russell's NFL career looks to be over after three years. What a waste he was of a draft pick.

The Raiders can win this game. They are at home. But more importantly, the Redskins are 0-6 on the road this season. They suck even more on the road.

Final Score: Raiders 24, Redskins 13

San Diego Chargers @ Dallas Cowboys

The month of December has had opposite results for both of these teams.

The Chargers in the past have flourished in the month, just like they did in 2008. They went from being possibly eliminated from playoff contention to making a strong finish and winning the AFC West. Now at 9-3, they have a chance to finish with maybe the second best record in the AFC.

The Cowboys, on the other hand, have completely faltered in the month of the December, just like they did in 2008.

Everyone remembers the Cowboys losing their final two games and blowing their chances at the playoffs, and so far, they're in that direction again by losing to the Giants.

Tony Romo has been the guiltiest of them all of lousy December play. If Dallas wants to keep their playoff hopes alive, he needs to step his game up.

This is the type of game that could come down to a last-minute field goal. Expect a tough game here.

Final Score: Chargers 31, Cowboys 28

Sunday Night Football: Philadelphia Eagles @ New York Giants

There is nothing better than a Giants-Eagles game on prime time TV in the month of December. Let the NFC East opponents rumble again.

The Eagles have won their last three games against the Giants dating back to 2008 and won their last two games against the G-Men at Giants Stadium.

Philadelphia has won three in a row and have been very good on offense so far.

The Giants won a must needed game against the Cowboys. Now, they must stop another NFC East foe who have had their number.

The last two times these two teams have played on Sunday Night Football, the Giants won both games. A win for the Giants not only puts them right back in the playoff chase, but also the NFC East race as well.

Flozell Adams might have woken up a sleeping team because it seems like now, the Giants and their defense might have awaken in late 2009.

Final Score: Giants 35, Eagles 27

Monday Night Football: Arizona Cardinals @ San Francisco 49ers

The Cardinals won a very important game over a good playoff contending team last week in the Vikings.

For the second week in a row, the Cardinals are on national TV, but this time against their divisional opponents in the 49ers.

Kurt Warner seems to be healthy and the offense is clicking. Arizona is almost certainly headed to the playoffs and looking to repeat their magic of 2008.

The 49ers have had an up and down year and are still very young but showing lots of promise under Mike Singletary.

If not for Singletary and even Michael Crabtree, Alex Smith's NFL career might have been over. For now, it's saved.

However, Arizona's defense is much better and the 49ers are going to be in for a long night.

Final Score: Cardinals 34, 49ers 14

That does it for the schedule and picks for Week 14. With Christmas time getting closer, the NFL schedule creeps closer to the end and teams start to fight for their season's lives and a chance to get into the playoffs. It makes for an exciting time and month of football.

Hope everyone enjoys the rest of their week and gets ready for more important December NFL games this weekend.