NFL Week 14 Picks: Playoff Contenders That Will Suffer Setbacks

Plenty of teams contend for the playoffs each NFL season.

It's the ones that actually make it to the postseason that matter.

Headed into Week 14 of the NFL season, three playoff contenders are set up to fall, and it could bump them out of the playoffs down the stretch.

3. Cincinnati Bengals (7-5)

The Bengals have been a surprise this year, pegged by many as the worst team in the NFL headed into the season.

But the development of rookies Andy Dalton and A.J. Green, complete with a strong defense, has the Bengals in the playoff hunt.

However...

The Bengals face the 9-3 Houston Texans in Week 14.

The Texans have lost starter Matt Schaub, but even with inexperienced rookie T.J. Yates, the Texans proved they indeed have an elite defense in Week 13.

The Texans held Matt Ryan's Atlanta Falcons to just 10 points in Week 13 and have the defense to cause problems for the developing Bengals offense.

2. Chicago Bears (7-5)

Two words, one name: Caleb Hanie.

Ever since the Bears lost starting quarterback Jay Cutler to injury, they've been in free-fall mode.

The Bears have lost their last two games after surging in the middle of the season, and they scored just three points against the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 13.

In Week 14, the Bears face the surging Broncos in Denver. I expect the Broncos to score enough to hand the Bears their third straight defeat.

1. Tennessee Titans (7-5)

The Titans are still in the playoff hunt in the AFC, but despite going 4-2 in their last six games, all those wins have come against mediocre squads.

In Week 14, the Titans face the explosive New Orleans Saints, who have outscored the New York Giants and Detroit Lions in the last two weeks by a combined score of 80-41.

I just don't see how the Titans can win this game.