NFL Predictions Week 14: Picks for Every Single Game

We head into the final quarter of the NFL season with a number of teams fighting for playoff position. A win this week can move a team like the New York Jets into the playoffs. However, a loss for a team like the Chicago Bears could knock them out of the playoffs. 

This week's games have some of the best rivalries on center stage. We start with a classic matchup with the Pittsburgh Steelers taking on the Cleveland Browns, while on Sunday night we have the Dallas Cowboys take on the New York Giants. 

This week will be great, and here is who you should pick for your survivor pools and against the point spreads. 

Thursday, Dec. 8, 8:20 P.M.: Cleveland Browns at Pittsburgh Steelers (NFL Network)

The Steelers and Browns have one of the oldest rivalries in the NFL. At one time this was a close contest between two teams that would trade off wins every year. However, recently their games have been dominated by the Steelers.

The point spread in this game has the Steelers favored by 14 points. You should take the Browns in this game, as even if Pittsburgh wins, they will not win by more than two touchdowns. 

Cleveland has a great passing defense and will shut down Ben Roethlisberger and speedy receiver Mike Wallace. However, the Browns offense will struggle against the top-rated Steelers defense. 

Pittsburgh puts this game away with a late rushing touchdown by Rashard Mendenhall. 

Pittsburgh 17, Cleveland 6

Sunday, Dec. 11, 1 P.M.: Indianapolis Colts at Baltimore Ravens (CBS)

The Colts' season has been one failure after another. They have seen some progress during the year, when they got good performances from Curtis Painter after the Steelers game in Week 3 and now Dan Orlovsky after the game against the Patriots. 

When the Ravens play at their highest level, they're an extremely hard team to beat. However, they have shown a lapse in play when they play teams that are of lesser talent.

This game will see a Baltimore team shove running back Ray Rice down the Colts defense's throat, just like they did against the Cleveland Browns last week. The Ravens are a 16.5-point favorites in this game.

You should take the Colts to cover in this game, as they were able to cover against the Patriots last week and a 21-point spread. Baltimore will win this game easily, but the Colts will get a late time touchdown to ruin the point spread.

Baltimore 38, Indianapolis 24 

Sunday, Dec. 11, 1 P.M.: Kansas City Chiefs at New York Jets (CBS)

The Chiefs are coming into this game only scoring one touchdown in their last three games. They tried to go with another quarterback in Kyle Orton, only to have it blow up in their faces when Orton was hurt on his first play as a Chief.

Now back to Tyler Palko, making his third career start, they will struggle again to score a touchdown against the Jets.

The Jets are coming into this game on a two-game winning streak. The offense has been playing great, putting up 28 and 34 points in those two wins. 

With the Chiefs' inability to score and the Jets' offense playing at a high level, there is no reason why New York shouldn't cover their nine-point spread.

New York 23, Kansas City 9

Sunday, Dec. 11, 1 P.M.: New England Patriots at Washington Redskins (CBS)

The Patriots come into this game having won four straight games. They have been on a tear, scoring 30 or more points during this winning streak. While the offense has been overwhelming teams, their defense has been holding teams from catching up, allowing between three and 24 points. 

The Redskins have played more consistently since putting Rex Grossman back in as their starting quarterback. The offense has scored between 19-24 points, which should make them dangerous against a bad pass defense in New England. 

The Patriots will win this game and will cover their nine-point spread. 

New England 38, Washington 27

Sunday, Dec. 11, 1 P.M.: New Orleans Saints at Tennessee Titans (FOX)

The Saints come into this game as one of the best teams in the NFC. They sit one game behind the San Francisco 49ers for the No. 2 seed in the playoffs and need a win to keep pace with them. They bring in one of the highest scoring offenses this week, led by quarterback Drew Brees. 

The Titans are trying to keep pace with the 9-3 Houston Texans in the AFC South Division, while staying alive in the AFC Wild Card chase. At 7-5, the Titans cannot suffer a loss to the Saints this week. A loss will sink Tennessee's chances at sneaking into the playoffs as the No. 6 seed, or as the AFC South champion.

The Saints are favored by only 3.5 points and will cover this game easily, led by Brees and their passing attack.

New Orleans 31, Tennessee 17

Sunday, Dec. 11, 1 P.M.: Philadelphia Eagles at Miami Dolphins (FOX)

The Eagles are a mess of a team. They have lost four of their last five games, were blown out 31-14 last week against Seattle and have no answers when it comes to stopping opposing teams' running offenses. 

They have turned into a team that is turning the ball over than scoring touchdowns, as last week Vince Young threw four interceptions, to their two touchdowns. 

The Dolphins, after starting out 0-7, have gone onto win four of their last five games. This winning streak has started because this defense has been keeping teams off of the scoreboard. In their four wins, they have held teams to 3, 9, 8 and 14 points, respectively. 

The point spread in this game has the Dolphins favored by three points at home. Take the Dolphins, as they have started playing some of the best defense in the NFL. 

Miami 21, Philadelphia 10

Sunday, Dec. 11, 1 P.M.: Atlanta Falcons at Carolina Panthers (FOX)

The last time these two teams played this year, the Falcons blew out the Panthers, 31-17. Carolina quarterback Cam Newton had one of his worst games, throwing three interceptions while only completing 21 of 35 passes. 

While Newton was struggling, Falcons running back Michael Turner was having one of this best games of the year. Turner went off for 139 yards on 27 carries, scoring twice.

The multiple turnovers and dominant rushing game resulted in the Panthers never having a chance in their game. However, the oddsmakers have taken into account the recent play from the Panthers, who have won their last two games, and the Falcons, who are coming off of a bad loss to the Houston Texans. 

The spread has the Falcons favored by three points. Take the Falcons to cover in this game, as they have proven they can shut down Newton and the Panthers offense. 

Atlanta 27, Carolina 17 

Sunday, Dec. 11, 1 P.M.: Houston Texans at Cincinnati Bengals (CBS)

The Texans come into this game starting third-string quarterback T.J. Yates, who is making his second career start and first on the road. Last week against the Atlanta Falcons, Yates did a good job at beating a good Falcons team. 

However, this week, on the road, you can expect to see less of Yates and more of the rushing attack of Ben Tate and Arian Foster. The Bengals have given up 12 rushing touchdowns this year, which ranks near the bottom of the league. 

The Bengals need a win in this game. They have lost three of their last four games, have slipped out of the chase for the AFC North Division and are in danger of falling out of the AFC Wild Card race. A once-good defense gave up 28 points to the Steelers on the road last week, with the special teams giving up seven more.

The point spread in this game has the Bengals favored by 1.5 points. Take the Texans in this game, as their rushing attack will carry the Texans to a win.

Houston 20, Cincinnati 17 

Sunday, Dec. 11, 4:05 P.M.: San Francisco 49ers at Arizona Cardinals (FOX)

The 49ers have wrapped up the NFC West Division with a win last week against the awful St. Louis Rams. They still have a lot to work to do in wrapping up the No. 2 seed in the NFC playoffs. 

In their last game the 49ers shut down the Cardinals offense, allowing only seven points. While the 49ers defense played its part, the offense played a solid game, scoring 23 points. In that game, Arizona's Beanie Wells only carried the ball eight times for 33 yards and no touchdowns. 

This week, the 49ers are favored by only 3.5 points on the road. You should take the 49ers in this game to cover, as they will hold the Cardinals to less than 13 points. 

San Francisco 27, Arizona 10

Sunday, Dec. 11, 4:05 P.M.: Chicago Bears at Denver Broncos (FOX)

The Bears come into this game hurting, with injuries to their top two offensive players. Losing Jay Cutler was bad enough, but losing Matt Forte could sink what was a promising season. Chicago struggled last week against Kansas City, only scoring three points. This week, against an even better defense in the Broncos, they may get shut out. 

Where the Bears are struggling, the Broncos are coming in as one of the hottest teams in the NFL. Since Tim Tebow has taken over as the team's quarterback, Denver has won six of its last seven games. The defense is one of the best in the NFL, and this team keeps on finding ways to win with Tebow.

The Broncos are a 3.5-point favorite in this game, and you should take Denver to cover at home. 

Denver 17, Chicago 6

Sunday, Dec. 11, 4:05 P.M.: Oakland Raiders at Green Bay Packers (CBS)

The Raiders are holding onto a tie with the Broncos for the lead in the AFC West Division and are tied for the final playoff spot with a 7-5 record.

There is no word on if running back Darren McFadden is coming back to play in this game. While he has been gone, Michael Bush has done a great job in filling in for him. 

Green Bay is coming in with a perfect record and the best offense in the NFL. There is no reason why the Packers shouldn't be able to put up 30 or more points on a bad Raiders defense that ranks 17th in pass defense and 28th in run defense. 

The point spread in this game is Green Bay favored by 10 points. You should take the Packers in this game, as they have an offense that has yet to be stopped. 

Green Bay 38, Oakland 27

Sunday, Dec. 11, 4:05 P.M.: Buffalo Bills at San Diego Chargers (CBS)

The Bills were once a team that looked like they were a threat to overtake the Patriots in the AFC East Division. However, after losing five straight games and running back Fred Jackson to a broken leg, they have dropped out of the playoff race. At 5-7, the Bills look like they are done for the year, and will be playing for a draft position.

The Chargers are coming off of a dominating game against a bad Jacksonville team. Philip Rivers had a great game, throwing for 295 yards and three touchdowns. If the game against the Jaguars is a precursor of how they will finish their season, they will have no problems in beating Buffalo this week.

The Chargers are favored by 7.5 points in this game, and you should take San Diego.

San Diego 31, Buffalo 20

Sunday, Dec. 11, 8:20 P.M.: New York Giants at Dallas Cowboys (NBC)

This Cowboys-Giants game this week is the start of two games between the clubs in four weeks. The two teams are separated by one game in the standings, as the 7-5 Cowboys own the slim lead over the 6-6 Giants. 

These two teams are coming into this game after crushing losses last week. The Cowboys had a game ripped away from them by their own coach last week, while the Giants were crushed by an Aaron Rodgers late-game drive for the Packers. 

This week the Cowboys will get running back DeMarco Murray going, and it will result in the Cowboys being able to handle the Giants easily. 

The point spread has the Cowboys favored by three points at home. You should take Dallas to win this game, as the Giants rushing defense ranks 23rd in the NFL.

Dallas 31, New York 21

Monday, Dec. 12, 8:30 P.M.: St. Louis Rams at Seattle Seahawks (ESPN)

To end the NFL week, we have a great game between two of the best teams in the NFC West Division. Okay, maybe not two of the best teams, but two teams in the NFC West. 

The Seahawks have put themselves into the race for the NFC Wild Card. They are 5-7 and are two games back from the Chicago Bears. With a win this week over the Rams and a Bears loss, it makes next week's game against Chicago for the last playoff spot. 

The Rams are down their starting quarterback Sam Bradford and possibly their backup quarterback A.J. Feeley. They could be starting their third-string quarterback in this game, which will result in a bad loss. 

The point spread hasn't be released yet for this game. However, when it is, you should take the Seahawks. 

Seattle 38, St. Louis 10

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