The Kid, The 'Cane, and the Old Timer Pick: Week 14

How the mighty have fallen!  I told all of you when we started picking these games that the Old Timer would probably not fare too well in this contest because there was no money involved. 

Boy, oh boy, was that the prediction of all time. The teacher is getting schooled by his students.  The man who taught us everything we know about sports and betting is wallowing in the cellar. 

He has been there so long that he has had some carpeting put in down there and has picked out some pretty curtains.  He has gotten so upset with himself after another three win week that I got the following message from him with the email with his picks:

Girls Who’ve Never Seen A Football Before Can Pick Better Than Me.

If I Don’t Do Better This Week I’m Going To Wear A Dress To Work. JUST KIDDING!!!

The Hurricane took a slight lead as we come down the stretch as he let The Kid hang himself by picking only the opposite of what I did.  It should be a very interesting last four weeks as the two students will battle it out for the bragging rights barring a miracle comeback for the O.T. 

Without further ado, here are your current standings followed by our picks for Week 14:

The Hurricane:  Week 14:  8-5; Season: 82-80-7

The Kid:            Week 14:  5-8; Season: 79-83-7

The Old Timer: Week 14:  3-10; Season: 68-94-7 (OUCH!)

TENNESSEE TITANS -14 vs. Cleveland Browns
The Kid says: Titans.  Not only have I picked them every week so far, but they are playing a Browns team who has not only packed it in, but will also be led by Ken “Don’t-Call-Me-Joe-Montana” Dorsey.  This could be a tremendous rout.
The ‘Cane says: Tennessee.  Cleveland is down to Ken Dorsey.
The Old Timer says: Titans.  Another BELICHECK Coach Gone Bad.

CHICAGO BEARS -6.5 vs. Jacksonville Jaguars
The Kid says: Bears.  The Jags were embarrassing on Monday night and the Bears are still very much in the thick of the playoff race.  Not only are they at home, but most games at this point of the season I will take the team that needs it over the team that is already planning their tee times.
The ‘Cane says: Bears.  Jags are due for a good game, but might not come this year.
The Old Timer says: Jacksonville.  Jags A Big Disappointment But Should Cover.

Minnesota Vikings -9.5 at DETROIT LIONS
The Kid says: Lions.  I am going to try to go out on a limb here without knowing who the other guys are taking.  The Lions HAVE to win a game somewhere, plus the NFC North games are generally close.  That being said Adrian Peterson will probably run wild and this pick will look stupid.
The ‘Cane says: Minnesota.  Anemic Detroit rushing defense is in for a long day with AP.
The Old Timer says: Lions.  I Don’t Know Why.

GREEN BAY PACKERS -6.5 vs. Houston Texans
The Kid says: Packers.  Green Bay absolutely has to have this game if they have any hope of making the playoffs, and at home they better come out and play like it.  The Texans don’t have a great defense by any stretch and Aaron Rodgers should be able to have his way with them.
The ‘Cane says: Houston.  Up and down, Pack should win, but Texans’ offense has shown real life lately.
The Old Timer says: Texans.  Packers Shouldn’t Be Giving To Anyone.

INDIANAPOLIS COLTS -14 vs. Cincinnati Bengals
The Kid says: Indianapolis.  The Bengals just can’t do anything right and they should get their butts whupped in Indy.  I know some might be thinking about the Colts close game last week in Cleveland, but that was on the road in cold weather.  This will be on their home field, and we all know what the Colts offense is capable of on turf.
The ‘Cane says: Cincy.  Colts will win, but haven’t dominated. Take the points.
The Old Timer says: Cincy.  Indy Just Isn’t Clicking Like Before.

NEW ORLEANS SAINTS -3.5 vs. Atlanta Falcons
The Kid says: Falcons. The Saints season is basically over at this point, and although they will be at home I think Matt Ryan and the Falcons should be able to win this game outright and keep their hopes of a division title alive. Even if the Saints are able to win, I would be surprised if it was by more than a field goal.
The ‘Cane says: Atlanta. Falcons are the surprise team of the year and the surprises keep coming. ATL outright.
The Old Timer says: Atlanta.

NEW YORK GIANTS -9 vs. Philadelphia Eagles
The Kid says: Eagles.  I am just having a hard time believing that the Giants can just keep surviving despite the loss of key players.  They were great last year and lost (or traded) Osi Umenyiora, Jeremy Shockey, Michael Strahan, and now, Plaxico Burress.  Not to mention the plethora of questions they have had to answer all week long.  Can they possibly come out and play their best?  I just don’t see it.  All of this has to catch up to them eventually.
The ‘Cane says: Philly.  Eagles looked great last week and NYG are dealing with a big distraction.
The Old Timer says: Giants.  I’m Gonna Ride The GIANTS Horse To The Finish Line.  (Editor’s note:  Hey Dad, you are in last place!  Maybe it is time to shake things up a bit.   Just kidding, the Giants probably account for at least 25% of your wins!)

New England Patriots -4.5 at SEATTLE SEAHAWKS
The Kid says: Patriots.  This should be an easy one.  The Patriots are a good team who needs the win.  The Seahawks are 2-10 and Matt Hasselbeck looks like he won’t play.  Easy pick of the week.
The ‘Cane says: Pats.  Seattle is enough to get any team turned around. Pats rebound here.
The Old Timer says: New England.

New York Jets -3.5 at SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS
The Kid says: Niners.  Last week I don’t pick them and they pull off the upset against the Bills, so now I get some false confidence that they have a chance this week against the Jets.  The Niners only hope is that the Jets rank near the bottom of the league against the pass.  Perhaps if the Niners can hit a couple of big plays their defense can keep it close.
The ‘Cane says: Jets.  Can’t believe they’re here, but they are.
The Old Timer says: Niners.  Not Convinced The Jets Are For Real.  (Editor’s Note:  This comes from a Dolphins fan, just so you know the background.)

DENVER BRONCOS -9.5 vs. Kansas City Chiefs
The Kid says: Broncos.  Cutler should be able to carve up the Chiefs defense.  KC should be able to score on Denver’s suspect defense, but I see the Broncos winning by 14 points.
The ‘Cane says: KC.  Chiefs stink, but do manage to keep games close.
The Old Timer says: Denver.

BUFFALO BILLS -1 vs. Miami Dolphins
The Kid says: Dolphins.  With this game being played under a dome in Canada the weather advantage that Buffalo should have enjoyed is gone.  The Dolphins need to keep pace with the Jets and Pats, and the Bills will continue their tailspin to an under .500 record.
The ‘Cane says: Miami.  Bills have spiraled downward after a great start. It’s over, Johnny.
The Old Timer says: Miami.  The Wildcat Strikes Again.

PITTSBURGH STEELERS -3 vs. Dallas Cowboys
The Kid says: Pittsburgh.  At first glance I liked the Cowboys, but when news came that Marion Barber wouldn’t play, that was enough to swing my pick.  With Tashard Choice running the ball against the best defense in the NFL, the ‘Boys could find points tough to come by, and while the Steelers’ offense is no thrill, they might not have to score too much to win.
The ‘Cane says: Pittsburgh.  Loss of Marion the Barbarian crushes Dallas.
The Old Timer says: Steelers.  Pitt Defense Eats Up Romo And T.O. Starts His Rant.

ARIZONA CARDINALS -13.5 vs. St. Louis Rams
The Kid says: Cardinals.  Given the Rams’ defensive and offensive woes, this should be a runaway.  Kurt Warner and his receivers should open up a can on the Rams’ horrible secondary and the Arizona could score 40 points or more.
The ‘Cane says: Arizona.  Battle of Greybeard Warner’s new high-powered offense against the shell of his old team.
The Old Timer says: Cards.  Boy Could The Rams Use WARNER Now.  (Ed: That is SO true)

BALTIMORE RAVENS -5 vs. Washington Redskins
The Kid says: Ravens.  I’ve been picking them for weeks now and with a banged up Clinton Portis and a completely lost Jason Campbell, I don’t see the Redskins scoring anymore than 10 points in this game.  With rookie Joe Flacco really coming into his own, the Baltimore offense isn’t quite as much of a joke as it was in previous years.  Look for the Ravens to win by ten or more.
The ‘Cane says: Ravens.  Baltimore suddenly has an offense. Look out.
The Old Timer says: Ravens.  Baltimore Has Made A Believer Out Of Me.

CAROLINA PANTHERS -3 vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Kid says: Panthers.  I just haven’t been impressed by Tampa all season long even though they are obviously a good team.  I look for Carolina to defend their home turf and take the lead in the division.  DeAngelo Williams and Steve Smith should provide just enough offense to win the game.
The ‘Cane says: Carolina.  Running game is tough to handle. Defense is tougher.
The Old Timer says: Carolina.  When Is Garcia Going To Get His Due?

As always, your comments and questions are welcome at [e-mail].  I guarantee a response within 18 hours.