NFL Week 14 Predictions: The End of The Road
The 2010 NFL season is winding down. With the future uncertain, the suspense of this season is higher than ever. This is one of the closest NFL playoff races we've ever seen. Every single division is close this season with first and second place teams all within two games of each other. Many races, if not all, will certainly come down to the wire.
There are no "elite" teams this season. Well, at least no one who's separated themselves completely. The New England Patriots and Atlanta Falcons "appear" to be the top teams in the AFC and NFC respectively, but who can truly tell at this point? A lot remains undecided, this stretch run is sure to provide answers to these questions.
With a plethora of divisional matchups this weekend, the battle lines will be drawn. Bitter rivals will meet to help decide divisions and bragging rights, with many teams attempting to jockey themselves into playoff position.
Here are predictions for this weekend's NFL games.
Cleveland Browns at Buffalo Bills
1 of 15
This game is liable to be "ugly." The Bills are in some trouble at 2-10, but could get help in the form of a top draft pick in April's draft. Ryan Fitzpatrick and Steve Johnson have enjoyed breakout years and kept them relevant this season. Their run defense is ranked 32nd. They give up around 171 yards per game in that department.
The Cleveland Browns are one of the surprise teams in the league this season. Peyton Hillis is the best kept secret in all of football and has helped lead a renaissance in Cleveland. See that, LeBron, Hillis took your place in Cleveland. Colt McCoy still has a lot to learn, but he's getting there and Mike Holmgren has much faith in his ability. Eric Mangini is even safe! Life is OK in Cleveland.
Browns 27 Bills 17. Expect Peyton Hillis to get his share of touches and rumble for about 140 yards.
Cincinnati Bengals at Pittsburgh Steelers
2 of 15
We learned one thing on Sunday night. DO NOT! leave Troy Polamalu untouched. He's one of the best players in the NFL and can change a game in an instant. Polamalu remains the leader of a very deep and hungry defense. This entire team is playing some inspired football right now. Ben Roethlisberger has more heart than any QB you'll ever see and the Steelers are just plain nasty. Well, if the league continues to have something to say about it, certain players may have to file for bankruptcy. (See James Harrison.)
Cincinnati has been nothing more than drama this season. With Terrell Owens and Chad Ochocinco in the same locker room, what else would you expect? The "T. Ocho" show has been just about the only thing that's worked in Cincy this year. Even that's not very good. Coach Marvin Lewis looks to be on his way out as the Bengals took a complete 180 from a year ago. T.O. and Ochocinco have played well for the most part. Even Carson Palmer is having a good season. Regardless, nothing has worked to produce wins as the "Bungles" are on a nine-game losing streak.
Steelers 20 Bengals 6
Green Bay Packers at Detroit Lions
3 of 15
Aaron Rodgers is an elite quarterback. He deserves the credit that the Tom Bradys, Peyton Mannings and Drew Breeses get. Big things were expected out of the youngster and he hasn't disappointed. "A. Rodge" hasn't thrown an interception since Week 7. During that span, he's thrown 11 touchdowns. Greg Jennings, his No. 1 target, has gone a long way in helping Rodgers' development.
The Lions haven't beaten the Pack since 2005 and that probably won't change on Sunday. The Lions' last winning season was all the way back in 2000. Matters don't seem to be getting better any time soon either. Calvin Johnson and Brandon Pettigrew are the lone bright spots on a BAD football team. They have no apparent plan for the future and may need to blow the entire thing up.
Packers 38 Lions 10
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New York Giants at Minnesota Vikings
4 of 15
The New York "Football" Giants remain right in the thick of things as the NFL season winds down. Their "lightning and thunder" running game of Ahmad Bradshaw and Brandon Jacobs has kept them near the top of the NFC East. They're among the most balanced teams in the league and have really played well all season long.
Minnesota has been in a state of emergency throughout the entire season. From opening night back in September, its season was doomed. All of the things that worked last year have been turned against them in 2010. Leslie Frazier can't even save the Vikings now. They need to get back to basics and start from scratch without Brett Favre. Even with their many woes, one constant has remained as Adrian Peterson is still among the elite running backs.
Giants 27 Vikings 17
Tampa Bay Bucs at Washington Redskins
5 of 15
Tampa Bay is also a surprise team this season. The emergence of Josh Freeman has helped them return to respectability. The young Bucs (no pun intended) have grown a lot this season and have impressed the rest of the NFL. Freeman's breakout season is the main reason for this turnaround.
Washington just wants this season to end. From Donovan McNabb's "cardiovascular endurance" to Albert Haynesworth's flat-out laziness, the 'Skins have had a year to forget. The lone highlights of the season were victories over division foes Philadelphia and Dallas. McNabb's big contract extension was "stunning." How could 'Skins' owner Dan Snyder possibly spend all this money, and in a losing effort to boot?
Washington 20 Tampa Bay 16
Atlanta Falcons at Carolina Panthers
6 of 15
Atlanta has shockingly led the NFC throughout most of the season. Matt Ryan is the most underrated QB in the game and his Falcons don't get enough praise. Michael "Burner" Turner is back from a down year in 2009 and the Falcons have a commanding lead of the NFC right now. Roddy White is an MVP candidate this year too. He's going to catch around 120 balls for about 1,450 yards or so. Those are some impressive numbers for White, who's enhanced his work ethic drastically under Mike Smith. "Hotlanta" is currently on a six-game winning streak and should get home-field advantage throughout the NFC Playoffs.
Carolina is about as bad as it gets in the NFL. They're in re-building mode to the 10th power. At 1-11 they've truly hit "rock bottom" this season. With no apparent future and loads of question marks, the Panthers are in grave danger. Jimmy Clausen hasn't really developed as expected though he's still young. What is it with those Notre Dame quarterbacks in the NFL recently? (See Brady Quinn.)
Falcons 27 Panthers 7
Oakland Raiders at Jacksonville Jaguars
7 of 15
This game somehow has major playoff implications. Both of these teams are vying for playoff spots. For Oakland, it's the first time in years that they're in this position this late in the season. Thanks to Jason Campbell, it at least looks like they have a leader on the football field. Bye bye JaMarcus Russell. The surprise Raiders are also one of the best running teams in the NFL.
Jacksonville's Maurice Jones-Drew has carried the load and done so very well. The workhorse running back will end up somewhere in the neighborhood of about 1,500 yards this season. David Garrard has delivered when needed and the Jags are quietly out in front of a competitive AFC South.
Jacksonville 21 Oakland 17
Seattle Seahawks at San Francisco 49ers
8 of 15
Seattle remains right in the middle of a competitive NFC West. With a victory this weekend, they can knock the Niners out of the playoffs altogether. It's hard to tell how the Seahawks do it, but they just get it done when they need to. They don't have any notables on either side of the ball to be honest. They've hung right in there though.
San Francisco's season is on the line from here on out. Every game is a playoff game for them. Mike Singletary did an admirable job of turning this thing around, but has nothing to show for it. No one stepped up for the Niners in the crucial moments and it has plagued them all season. Vernon Davis and Michael Crabtree have been very good this season but Frank Gore's injury dooms them offensively.
Seattle 20 San Francisco 10
St. Louis Rams at New Orleans Saints
9 of 15
St. Louis has enjoyed a wild ride through the 2010 NFL season. They're still in first (tied) in the NFC West and may actually have what it takes to win the whole division in the final week in a showdown with the Seahawks. Sam Bradford has really progressed nicely for the Rams. His main target in doing so has been often-cut Danny Amendola. Impressive kid! Stephen Jackson's big bounce-back year has also helped the kid come into his own.
New Orleans needs to pick it up if they are to come from behind and steal the NFC South and home-field from the Falcons. Drew Brees is having a typical Brees year for Sean Payton and Co. The defending champs are heating up at exactly the right time.
New Orleans 28 St. Louis 17
Miami Dolphins at New York Jets
10 of 15
The Dolphins are out of the two-team race that the AFC East has become. Their defense has done a great job of holding quality opponents this season but the offense hasn't performed up to expectations. They haven't necessarily been bad, but could've been much better. The Fins have been inconsistent all season and can't seem to get into any kind of rhythm.
The Jets will be looking to clobber someone this weekend. Unfortunately, that someone is the Miami Dolphins. The Jets' Ladainian Tomlinson has had an exceptional year and is back despite being in the "30 club." Shonn Greene has been the ideal complement to LT this season. Mark Sanchez is solid, but has yet to truly break that ceiling that has held him back thus far in his young career.
Jets 27 Dolphins 10
Denver Broncs at Arizona Cardinals
11 of 15
Maybe things are looking up for the Broncos after all. Josh McDaniels' recent firing shows that the Broncos are looking for an obvious change. Could that change come in the form of Urban Meyer? Only time will tell. The Broncos' Kyle Orton has had a huge season but boy do they regret trading Peyton Hillis. Regardless of Orton's season, Tim Tebow needs to be the starter soon.
Arizona has been in rough shape since they lost two big offensive weapons in Kurt Warner and Anquan Boldin. They're currently on a seven-game losing streak and hit desperate measures a few weeks ago on Monday night against the Niners. They truly looked like a deflated, unemotional team on that night. Not even Larry Fitzgerald has been a difference-maker for them.
Denver 23 Arizona 6
Kansas City Chiefs at San Diego Chargers
12 of 15
This is the biggest game of Week 14. The Chargers and Chiefs will do battle to decide the AFC West. Well, not officially, but it will go a long way in deciding the division. Dwayne Bowe has been a beast this season despite being held without a catch against Champ Bailey last week. Matt Cassel's emergency appendectomy could hurt his team more than it will hurt him. The two-back system of Jamaal Charles and Thomas Jones has worked to perfection for the Chiefs. Todd Haley should win Coach of the Year.
The Chargers' Phillip Rivers has had a banner year in 2010. He uses all of his targets well and has been so good this season. Antonio Gates and Malcolm Floyd have been his favorites this season, but everyone shares in San Diego.
Chiefs 23 Chargers 21
New England Patriots at Chicago Bears
13 of 15
Tom Brady is the best player in the NFL and should win the MVP award in a few months. Despite Michael Vick's sensational year, Brady deserves it. He's done it all this season and without any true dangerous weapon. Brady makes due with what he has and turns complimentary players into dangerous parts of Bill Belichick's exceptional game-plan. As we saw this past Monday, this team is quite dangerous. Take away their top receiver and they're better than ever. Amazing.
The Bears are having themselves quite a season. Jay Cutler has transitioned into the Windy City pretty nicely and has quietly led the Bears to the top of the NFC North. Matt Forte's bounce-back year has been instrumental in the Bears' rise over the Green Bay Packers. Their defense is as good as it's ever been and has been among the best in the league this season.
Patriots 24 Bears 20
Philadelphia Eagles at Dallas Cowboys
14 of 15
With a longer week of preparation, the Eagles could be dangerous come Sunday night. Michael Vick's shocking re-emergence has provided just the spark the Eagles have needed. His development can't possibly be put into words. LeSean "Shady" McCoy has quietly had one of the best seasons an Eagle running back has ever had both with his running and catching. DeSean Jackson has been overtaken by Jeremy Maclin as the Eagles' true No. 1 receiver. Though Maclin isn't quite the home-run hitter Jackson is, he's a bit more consistent. That being said, both men should eclipse over 1,000 yards receiving.
The Dallas Cowboys have had a bizarre season. Considered by many to be a representative of the NFC in the Super Bowl where they would have home-field advantage, they've disappointed immensely. Now, Jason Garrett has the reins and has done well with them. The Cowboys have averaged about 33 points per game under Garrett's watch over the past month. John Kitna has stepped in nicely for Tony Romo and been solid for the 'Boys.
Eagles 34 Cowboys 20. This is a "trap game" for the Birds. They can't forget that Dallas beat them THREE times last season.
Baltimore Ravens at Houston Texans
15 of 15
Baltimore lost a huge game last week against the Steelers. They desperately needed that win in retrospect. It could very well decide the AFC North. Joe Flacco has had his best season and should still be able to sneak the Ravens into the playoffs. Their defense has really played superbly for them as well. Anquan Boldin has proved to be a nice addition and Ray Rice is having the year that everyone expected from him.
The Texans are playing for their season now. Matt Schaub is a very solid QB, but apparently can't win a big football game. He will need to this week—the Texans' season depends upon it. Andre Johnson is still among the best receivers in the game, if not the best. Not to mention that Arian Foster came out of nowhere to lead the NFL in rushing. This is shocking for an offense that primarily passes the ball.
Ravens 27 Texans 13
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