NFL Picks Week 14: Power Ranking The Most Exciting Games Of The Week
With kickoff almost upon us, let's make some NFL picks Week 14, shall we?
It's going to be a busy weekend of football in the NFL, as the playoff races heat up in a big, big way. For one of the first times all season, it's almost impossible to find a game between two truly awful, hopeless ball clubs, with the only one pitting Denver against Arizona.
Everywhere else, teams are angling for what they hope will be victories over bad teams, while those bad teams look poised to play the role of spoiler this week.
With so many good games, how will you know which ones to follow, and which ones to ignore? Why, this list, of course! We're ranking all 16 NFL games on the Week 14 slate by how exciting the matchup should be. Using our patented "Gussies" Scale, named for CBS' excitable announcer, you'll know which matchups are the must-see clashes of the week.
Which game promises to be the most exciting matchup of the week? Read on to find out.
16. Atlanta Falcons @ Carolina Panthers
1 of 16
Why It Matters: For Atlanta, they need a win to keep their lead in the NFC South intact, and to hold on to the best record in the NFL. For Carolina, they need a loss to keep their lead in the "With the First Overall Pick, the... Select Andrew Luck, Quarterback, Stanford" race.
Why Atlanta Will Win: Because Carolina looks like a team who's given up. Even when they were still trying to salvage the season, they wouldn't have beaten the Falcons and their balanced offense. Michael Turner will blast apart what's left of the Panther defense.
Why Carolina Will Win: If the team bus drops the Falcons off at the University of South Carolina's field, then leaves and forces them to forefeit, the Panthers can win.
Gussies: 1/10. This one's going to be over by halftime. Carolina fans can't get rid of John Fox soon enough.
Final Score: Atlanta 35, Carolina 13.
15. Green Bay Packers @ Detroit Lions
2 of 16
Why It Matters: For the Packers, they need a win if they have any plans on passing the Chicago Bears for the division lead. The Lions are already playing for next season, but they'd like nothing more than to play spoiler in Green Bay's run at the playoffs.
Why Green Bay Will Win: Because the Packers' offense is firing on all cylinders, and the Lions defense can't stop anything. Plus, Detroit has Drew Stanton at quarterback, and Green Bay's defense is capable of knocking him all the way back to Michigan State.
Why Detroit Will Win: The Lions have Calvin Johnson, which gives them a puncher's chance, if they throw it up and let him go get it.
Gussies: 2/10. There could be lots of offense here, but something tells me most of that offense will be going one way.
Final Score: Green Bay 35, Detroit 17. Too hot to handle, for the Lions.
14. Tampa Bay Buccaneers @ Washington Redskins
3 of 16
Why It Matters: Two teams fighting for their playoff lives in this one, although a loss hurts the reeling Redskins a lot more than it hurts the Bucs at this point.
Why Washington Will Win: The Bucs defense can't stop anyone, even the Redskins' banged up, beaten up, ineffective offense.
Why Tampa Bay Will Win: Washington can't stop anyone, either; and unlike the Redskins, Tampa Bay's offense, behind Josh Freeman and LeGarrette Blount, is pretty darned potent.
Gussies: 3/10. At least you get to see one functional team in this one, in Tampa. And Washington has somehow managed to win five games, despite no offensive or defensive production.
Final Score: Tampa Bay 28, Washington 17. The Bucs stay in the playoff hunt with a when, and send the Redskins to lick their wounds for another January.
.jpg?w=256 "Colts Jaguars Football")
13. Cleveland Browns @ Buffalo Bills
4 of 16
Why It Matters: The Browns need a win to keep what faint playoff hopes they have alive (and believe me, they are faint). The Bills are trying to play spoiler from here on out, and they have an offense that could do it.
Why Cleveland Will Win: Because it's the Bills, and the Browns' defense is more than capable of shutting down their entire offense. And I mean the whole thing. Plus, Peyton Hillis is going to eat Buffalo's defense for Sunday Brunch.
Why Buffalo Will Win: The Bills deep throws give them a puncher's chance, especially against a team who's defensive weak point is the passing game. Plus Jake Delhomme is starting for the Browns.
Gussies: 3.5/10. Nothing like a clash between an almost playoff team and a no-shot-at-the-playoffs team to get the blood pumping.
Final Score: Cleveland 28, Buffalo 10. Cleveland keeps rolling in their quest for 9-7.
12. Denver Broncos @ Arizona Cardinals
5 of 16
Why It Matters: It doesn't, other than the fact that both teams are still in the running for a top three draft pick.
Why Denver Will Win: Denver can score at will against good defenses; imagine what they can do against one as terrible as the Cardinals'.
Why Arizona Will Win: Larry Fitzgerald can smoke Champ Bailey, and Derek Anderson can throw it deep. We think. Plus, Denver's defense is so bad that the Cards might actually be able to score.
Gussies: 4/10. Only because it could turn into a shootout, if Denver's defense lays an egg.
Final Score: Denver 35, Arizona 21. The Broncos have too much for the overmatched Cards here.
11. Seattle Seahawks @ San Francisco 49ers
6 of 16
Why It Matters: Both of these teams are still in the playoff hunt, although Seattle's chances are infinitely better than San Francisco's. Frankly, though, if either team was in another division, they'd have no shot at this point.
Why Seattle Will Win: The Seahawks beat the Niners once this season; who says they can't do it again? Plus, San Fran doesn't have Frank Gore to torment them this time.
Why San Francisco Will Win: They're the better team. Seattle has overachieved all season, and now that San Fran's somewhat on track, they should win this one.
Gussies: 4/10. Sure, there could be a division title at stake. But there's not a less interesting division in the NFL than the NFC West this season.
Final Score: San Francisco 27, Seattle 17. The Seahawks get a big reality check this week.
10. St. Louis Rams @ New Orleans Saints
7 of 16
Why It Matters: Both of these teams can ill-afford a loss at this late juncture, if either of them want to stay in their division title races. For New Orleans, a loss could also cost them their shot at home field advantage in the playoffs
Why St. Louis Will Win: This is a tough, scrappy team, and the Saints have let a pair of bad opponents play them close in back-to-back weeks. Why couldn't the Rams shock the world?
Why New Orleans Will Win: If St. Louis was playing at home, they'd have a shot, but at the Superdome? No way. Drew Brees and the Saints are too good at home to lose to the Rams.
Gussies: 4.5/10. The offenses could put up big numbers, but I feel like this one's going to be over before the third quarter ends.
Final Score: New Orleans 35, St. Louis 21. The Rams could put up a fight, but the Saints are too good for them this season.
9. Oakland Raiders @ Jacksonville Jaguars
8 of 16
Why It Matters: Oakland needs a win to stay alive in the playoff hunt; Jacksonville needs it to stay atop their division.
Why Jacksonville Will Win: The Jags love to run the ball, and they can throw on occasion too. Oakland's run defense is one of the league's worst.
Why Oakland Will Win: The Raiders love to run the ball, and the Jags' defense can't stop anything.
Gussies: 5.5/10. This one's got playoff implications, but it's tough to get excited about either one of these teams.
Final Score: Jacksonville 24, Oakland 17. The Jags' defense might not be great, but the Raiders aren't exactly world-beaters.
8. Cincinnati Bengals @ Pittsburgh Steelers
9 of 16
Why It Matters: Pittsburgh needs this one to keep their lead in the AFC North, but you can bet the Bengals will be up for this one, Bungles or not.
Why Cincinnati Will Win: The Bengals always play the Steelers tough, and have the talent to win this game.
Why Pittsburgh Will Win: Talent only gets so far in the NFL, and the Bengals look like they're in the midst of one of the worst collapses in franchise history. If the Steelers can't beat them, they don't deserve to win the division.
Gussies: 6.5/10. For this featuring a team mathematically eliminated from the postseason, that's pretty good.
Final Score: Pittsburgh 24, Cincinnati 20. The Bengals can't pull the upset, and the Steelers move closer to a division title.
7. Baltimore Ravens @ Houston Texans
10 of 16
Why It Matters: Houston's playoff hopes hang by the slimmest thread imaginable, a loss would end them once and for all. For Baltimore, if they want to catch Pittsburgh in the division race, losing is not an option.
Why Baltimore Will Win: The Ravens are the better team here, and Houston has been in serious trouble defensively all season long. Baltimore's defense is capable of shutting down Houston's scattershot offense completely, including talented running back Arian Foster.
Why Houston Will Win: The one thing the Texans have always been able to do is throw deep, and the Ravens don't have the corners to keep up with Andre Johnson. This could turn into a shootout, which favors Houston.
Gussies: 6.5/10. Playoff implications, decent teams, potential for a shootout, sounds like fun to me!
Final Score: Baltimore 35, Houston 28. The Texans can't match the Ravens' defense down the stretch.
6. Miami Dolphins @ New York Jets
11 of 16
Why It Matters: Playoffs anyone? The Dolphins need a win here to have a shot, and the Jets need a win to stay in the division hunt.
Why New York Will Win: The Jets are the more talented team. Their defense is fully capable of closing up shop on Miami's offense, while their offense has the ability to put up points in bunches.
Why Miami Will Win: The Dolphins are 5-1 on the road, and the Jets barely escaped Miami with a win earlier this season. If they can keep the Jets within striking distance (highly probable given New York's recent woes offensively), look for the Dolphins to eke this one out.
Gussies: 6.5/10. It won't be a high-scoring affair, which hurts it's excitement, but should be pretty close all the way till the end.
Final Score: Miami 17, New York 10. The Jets are officially reeling after this one.
5. New York Giants @ Minnesota Vikings
12 of 16
Why It Matters: The Vikings cannot lose again if they want to make the playoffs. Odds are good, the Giants can't lose more than once from here on out if they want to win the division. In other words, quite a bit on the line.
Why New York Will Win: The Giants are a better team, thanks to Eli Manning. They can throw all day on the porous Viking defense, while they can focus all of their defensive energy on stopping Adrian Peterson.
Why Minnesota Will Win: The Vikings have Adrian Peterson, and the Giants have had a nasty habit of folding in big games this season (see: Indianapolis, Philadelphia). Now that Brad Childress is gone, they can focus on winning games, hence why they're 2-0 under Leslie Frazier
Gussies: 7.5/10. This should be a fun one, since the Vikes are focused again with Brad Childress gone.
Final Score: New York 24, Minnesota 20. The lack of a quarterback will kill the Vikings in the end.
4. Philadelphia Eagles @ Dallas Cowboys
13 of 16
Why It Matters: Throw the records out the window when these two teams meet. Dallas is rolling right now, having won three of four under Jason Garrett, and while they're out of playoff contention they'd love to help push Philly out of the tie for the NFC East lead.
Why Dallas Will Win: They seem to be reborn under new head coach Jason Garrett. I'm not a full believer just yet, but I do think that they've got the talent and the drive to pull another stunner.
Why Philadelphia Will Win: The Eagles are the better team offensively, and defensively, they've got the skills to contain the Cowboys' attack.
Gussies: 7.5/10. This should be fun; considering the dislike these teams have shared over the years.
Final Score: Philadelphia 24, Dallas 21. Philly ekes it out down the stretch, but not before Dallas puts a good scare in them.
3. Indianapolis Colts @ Tennessee Titans
14 of 16
Why It Matters: Two teams fighting for their playoff lives. Indy's reeling, having lost three straight, but the Titans might actually be worse, having dropped five straight, and looking like they're going to go 5-11 this year.
Why Tennessee Will Win: Chris Johnson. If they can't stop him, why bother throwing the ball?
Why Indianapolis Will Win: The Colts have shown they can contain the run to an extent this season, but it's the offense that will get the job done. Peyton Manning is capable of eviscerating the reeling Titans defense, with or without his offensive line's help.
Gussies: 8.5/10. When two teams are in desperation mode like they are, you know you're in for a fight to the finish.
Final Score: Indianapolis 27, Tennessee 24. The Titans just don't have enough, and Jeff Fisher officially needs asbestos pants.
2. Kansas City Chiefs @ San Diego Chargers
15 of 16
Why It Matters: It's essentially the playoffs now for the Bolts, who can't afford a loss to the Chiefs here. For Kansas City, a win puts them in a position to clinch the division in Week 15.
Why Kansas City Will Win: They beat San Diego once, and the Chargers are much more banged up now than they were then. The Chiefs saw what the Raiders did to San Diego's defense last week, and they're much better at stuffing the ball down an opponent's throat than Oakland is.
Why San Diego Will Win: The Bolts have an explosive offense, one that Kansas City will struggle to stop this time around. Plus, this one's in San Diego, and the Chiefs struggle to find success away from Arrowhead.
Gussies: 9/10. This one will be a real nail biter, right down to the bitter end.
Final Score: Kansas City 28, San Diego 27. The Bolts can kiss the playoffs goodbye here, and could say adios to Norv Turner in the process.
1. New England Patriots @ Chicago Bears
16 of 16
Why It Matters: We need to see what these Bears are made of. Sure, they're 9-3, and have won five straight, but other than Philly, they haven't beaten anyone in that span. Plus, the Bears and Pats have two of football's best records, so it's always fun to see teams like that go head to head.
Why Chicago Will Win: Da Bears are rolling right now, and their defense is as scary as ever. They should give the Pats fits with their pass rush, and their offense is fully capable of lighting up the Pats' secondary behind Jay Cutler.
Why New England Will Win: "It's gotta be the hair Cotton; it's feathered and beautiful." That's right. Tom Brady has this team playing the best football it's played since 2007-2008. They're firing on all cylinders, and if the defense's showing against the Jets last week was any indication, they're ready to shut down another inconsistent offense.
Gussies: 10/10. This will be a classic. Unless New England does to the Bears what they did to the Jets last week.
Final Score: New England 35, Chicago 34. The defenses won't do much, but the Pats do just enough to get the win.
.jpg?w=480 "Colts Jaguars Football")
.png?w=480)
.jpg?w=600 "Post-June 1 Trade Candidates ☎️")
.JPG?w=600 "TO Talks Cowboys Relationship")
.jpg?w=600 "Taylor Heinicke Retiring")
.jpg?w=600 "49ers OC Hypes Mike Evans 🤩")