NFL Picks Week 14: The Patriots and Falcons Continue to Rise While Philly Falls

Another week, another set of picks.

Can you believe that it's Week 14 already? The playoff picture is starting to solidify, and a lot of games are starting to have real meaning all of a sudden.

This is when football gets really good.

So, then, how about a few picks to guide you through the first of the last four weeks of NFL Regular season action?

Here are picks for all 16 games of Week 14 in the NFL.

Indianapolis Colts Vs Tennessee Titans

Scott Boehm/Getty Images

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - DECEMBER 05: Peyton Manning #18 of the Indianapolis Colts pitches the football against the Dallas Cowboys at Lucas Oil Stadium on December 5, 2010 in Indianapolis, Indiana. The Cowboys defeated the Colts 38-35 in overtime. (Photo by Sco

Peyton Manning may really be screwing things up for the Indianapolis Colts, but the Colts would have to be truly coming apart at the seams to drop this one.

The game is going to be played in Tennessee, but the Titans are on a five game losing streak, and it doesn't seem to be headed towards an end as the team battles injuries and an apparently volatile locker room.

The Colts may not run away with it, but this should be the week that they start to right the ship.

Cleveland Browns Vs Buffalo Bills

Nick Laham/Getty Images

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - DECEMBER 05: Donald Jones #19 of the Buffalo Bills rushes against the Minnesota Vikings at the Mall of America Field at the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome on December 5, 2010 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Nick Laham/Getty Images)

The Cleveland Browns may be proving that they are capable of winning without Colt McCoy under center, but I don't expect it to last when they visit Buffalo this weekend.

Considering the strength of competition that Cleveland has been going up against in the last two weeks, their abilities have not been terribly impressive. Meanwhile, the Bills had the Steelers game in the bag had it not been for an unfortunate drop by Stevie Johnson two weeks ago, and fell victim to the interim head coach effect last week.

Much like the Colts game, this one won't be a runaway, but expect the Bills to come away with it in the end.

Atlanta Falcons Vs Carolina Panthers

J. Meric/Getty Images

TAMPA, FL - DECEMBER 05: Running back Michael Turner #33 of the Atlanta Falcons scores a first quarter touchdown against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the game at Raymond James Stadium on December 5, 2010 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by J. Meric/Getty Im

The Falcons looked weak last week, but not this week. It would take some kind of act of god for the Carolina Panthers to pull this one out of nowhere.

Green Bay Packers Vs Detroit Lions

Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

GREEN BAY, WI - DECEMBER 05: Troy Smith #1 of the San Francisco 49ers is tackled by Clay Matthews #52 of the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field on December 5, 2010 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The Packers defeated the 49ers 34-16. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Ge

There was a time this year where I would've thought that the Lions had a chance at winning this game.

Boy have things changed since then.

The Green Bay Packers are looking like the powerhouse that everyone expected them to be, their injury situation is getting better, and they are coming off a very good win against the San Francisco 49ers.

The Lions, on the other hand, are falling apart. It's so bad that the fact that Alfonso Smith has been placed on IR may actually help them.

Oakland Raiders Vs Jacksonville Jaguars

Grant Halverson/Getty Images

NASHVILLE, TN - DECEMBER 05: Quarterback David Garrard #9 of the Jacksonville Jaguars rolls out against the Tennessee Titans at LP Field on December 5, 2010 in Nashville, Tennessee. The Jaguars won 17-6. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)

The fact that this one is being played in Jacksonville is the real difference maker. The Jaguars seem to be conjuring up some magic week after week, and they have quickly become the sweethearts of the NFL.

The Raiders, on the other hand, went from AFC West threat back to doormat and back to AFC West threat with blinding speed.

The one will ultimately be determined by whether or not the Oakland Raiders show up to play. With the way Jacksonville is playing, and the distance that the Raiders will have to travel, it may be difficult for them.

Another close one here, but the edge has to go to Jacksonville.

New York Giants Vs Minnesota Vikings

Jim McIsaac/Getty Images

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - DECEMBER 05: Ahmad Bradshaw #44 of the New York Giants runs the ball against the Washington Redskins on December 5, 2010 at the New Meadowlands Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The Giants defeated the Redskins 31-7. (Photo b

It's hard to believe that the interim head coach effect will be enough to propel the Vikings to victory on this one. With Brett Favre once again ailing (this time with a shoulder injury), the Vikings are only digging themselves into a deeper hole.

New York should dominate this one on both sides of the ball, but on defense especially, which should lead to a pretty one-sided victory for the Giants.

Cincinnati Bengals Vs Pittsburgh Steelers

Geoff Burke/Getty Images

BALTIMORE, MD - DECEMBER 05: Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger #7 of the Pittsburgh Steelers throws a pass against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium on December 5, 2010 in Baltimore, Maryland. Pittsburgh won 13-10. (Photo by Geoff Burke/Getty Image

With the way the Bengals are playing right now, there is no doubt about this one. The Pittsburgh Steelers managed to squeak out a win against the Baltimore Ravens, despite the fact that quarterback Ben Roethlisberger simultaneously dealt with a broken foot and a broken nose..

Meanwhile, the Bengals were close to another win, but chose to give it up in the last minutes of the game. Again.

Cinci might keep this one close for a while, but the Steelers defense and physicality on offense should both play into the Bengals' weaknesses in the end.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers Vs Washington Redskins

J. Meric/Getty Images

TAMPA, FL - DECEMBER 05: Running back LeGarrette Blount #27 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers runs the ball against the Atlanta Falcons during the game at Raymond James Stadium on December 5, 2010 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by J. Meric/Getty Images)

The Buccaneers were so close to beating the Atlanta Falcons last Sunday that it was physically painful.

Don't expect the same story this week.

Despite their loss, the Buccaneers still have a lot of momentum as a team, and they really need to win out to have hopes at the playoffs.

Meanwhile, the Washington Redskins continue to falter week after week. They seem to play well against great teams, but they really play down to teams that aren't traditionally good, and that could be dangerous here.

The home field advantage will help the Redskins, but it seems likely that the Bucs will get back on track this week with a win at FedEx Field.

St. Louis Rams Vs New Orleans Saints

Andy Lyons/Getty Images

CINCINNATI, OH - DECEMBER 05: Jonathan Vilma #51 and Sedrick Ellis #98 of the New Orleans Saints tackle Cedric Benson #32 of the Cincinnati Bengals during the NFL game at Paul Brown Stadium on December 5, 2010 in Cincinnati, Ohio. The Saints won 34-30.

It seems odd to me that I find myself rooting for the St. Louis Rams every week now. Maybe it's the fact that their sudden rise to success is really inspirational, or maybe it's the fact that I'd rather be following a team on the upswing than one on the way down (Someday the Chargers will get it right, someday).

That having been said, though, it's hard to believe that they'll pull this one out. It's unfortunate, because the Rams are clinging to a slim lead in the NFC West, but the New Orleans Saints are playing good football right now, and the fact that this one is taking place in New Orleans doesn't help the hopes of a Rams team that just doesn't play well outside of St. Louis.

Seattle Seahawks Vs San Francisco 49ers

Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images

SEATTLE - DECEMBER 05: Running back Marshawn Lynch #24 of the Seattle Seahawks rushes against Captain Munnerlyn #41 of the Carolina Panthers at Qwest Field on December 5, 2010 in Seattle, Washington. The Seahawks defeated the Panthers 31-14. (Photo by Ot

Hooray, another NFC West match-up!

Kidding...

Watching NFC West teams play each other is always a painful endeavor, because you are guaranteed to see two teams try to win who seem practically incapable of doing so sometimes.

The fact that this one isn't taking place in Seattle doesn't help either.

With Alex Smith back under center in San Francisco, anything is possible.

In the end, though, the Seahawks still have the edge. The 49ers are playing bad football, plain and simple, and changing quarterbacks isn't going to change that.

Denver Broncos Vs Arizona Cardinals

Jamie Squire/Getty Images

KANSAS CITY, MO - DECEMBER 05: Knowshon Moreno #27 of the Denver Broncos carries the ball during the game against the Kansas City Chiefs on December 5, 2010 at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

The Broncos may have lost last week, but I don't think I can make a big enough deal out of the interim head coach effect.

The fact that they are playing the Arizona Cardinals helps as well. If there is one team in the League right now that is playing as badly or worse than the Carolina Panthers, it's the Arizona Cardinals. They can't throw the ball, they can't run the ball, they can't play defense, they can't even hold on to the ball. Things are bad in Glendale.

New England Patriots Vs Chicago Bears

Elsa/Getty Images

FOXBORO, MA - DECEMBER 06: Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots celebrates after BenJarvus Green-Ellis #42 scored a 5-yard rushing touchdown in the fourth quarter against the New York Jets at Gillette Stadium on December 6, 2010 in Foxboro, Massachu

After the way the Patriots manhandled the Jets on Monday Night Football, it's hard to doubt their abilities.

I would note this game as the upset alert of the week, but the fact that the Bears can never seem to run the ball consistently won't help them.

The Patriots have proven that they can take advantage of mistakes on defense, and we all know that putting the ball in Tom Brady's hands is always dangerous for the other team.

It won't be another 45-3 win, but it probably won't be close in the end.

Miami Dolphins Vs New York Jets

Jim Rogash/Getty Images

FOXBORO, MA - DECEMBER 06: Mark Sanchez #6 of the New York Jets attempts to escape the pass rush of Jermaine Cunningham #96 of the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium on December 6, 2010 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images)

The Jets return to the New Meadowlands Stadium this week licking their wounds from the biggest beatdown of the season at the hands of division rival New England.

With that humbling loss should come new life, though, as the Jets enter a must-win game against the Miami Dolphins.

The Jets would likely be able to grab the wild card spot regardless of whether or not they win this game, but winning this game would keep them in the hunt for the AFC East title, which will be more than enough motivation for the Jets to grab a win against the Dolphins, who just can't seem to find a rhythm.

Kansas City Chiefs Vs San Diego Chargers

Jeff Gross/Getty Images

SAN DIEGO - DECEMBER 05: Stanford Routt #26 of the Oakland Raiders grabs the face mask of Seyi Ajirotutu #89 of the San Diego Chargers in an attempt to bring him down in the third quarter at Qualcomm Stadium on December 5, 2010 in San Diego, California.

While the Kansas City Chiefs were off posting another divisional win last Sunday, the Chargers were getting manhandled by the Oakland Raiders in what turned out to be a crucial, and embarrassing, loss for San Diego.

The Chargers have had a full week to prepare without travelling, and they are in a do-or-die situation now, which seems to be the kind of position that the Chargers thrive on for success.

The Kansas City Chiefs are a good team, and they will certainly make this a game, but the Chargers appear to be in a position to further muck up  the AFC West title race.

Philadelphia Eagles Vs Dallas Cowboys

Scott Boehm/Getty Images

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - DECEMBER 05: Jon Kitna #3 of the Dallas Cowboys passes against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium on December 5, 2010 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Scott Boehm/Getty Images)

This one should be the upset of the week.

Now that there seems to be a framework in place for slowing down Michael Vick, teams can start to take advantage of a weakened Philadelphia offense, Dallas included.

While the loss of Dez Bryant will hurt the Dallas offense, ultimately they have enough of what it takes to take advantage of the opportunities that their defense should be able to create for them.

Also, just as an interesting aside, Jon Kitna and Tony Romo have now started the same amount of games this year. They both have thrown the same amount of touchdowns, but guess who has thrown for more yards?

That's right, everyone's favorite back up Jon Kitna.

Baltimore Ravens Vs Houston Texans

Geoff Burke/Getty Images

BALTIMORE, MD - DECEMBER 05: Quarterback Joe Flacco #5 of the Baltimore Ravens looks to pass against the Pittsburgh Steelers at M&T Bank Stadium on December 5, 2010 in Baltimore, Maryland. Pittsburgh won 13-10. (Photo by Geoff Burke/Getty Images)

I can see where there would have been a time where this would have been a competitive game, but that time has long since passed.

The Ravens suffered a tough loss on Sunday night against the Steelers, but that shouldn't hold them back from tearing up the No. 29 ranked defense in the League.

For the Texans to win this one, Matt Schaub and Arian Foster would likely have to combine for 350-400+ yards in the game, and that just doesn't seem likely to happen against a defense that yields an average of 305.8 yards per game.