NFL Week 14 Picks: Predicting Teams That Will Narrowly Escape With Wins

Let's take a quick look at five teams that will escape with close wins in Week 14 of the NFL season:

Panthers 28, Falcons 27

There are a couple things I like going for the Panthers this week.

First, Cam Newton has really gotten himself back on track after a slump in the middle of the season. If he's as hot as he's been, the Panthers can really play with anyone.

But it's also about the venue, as the Falcons have struggled away from the comfortable playing conditions of the Georgia Dome. The Falcons are 0-3 this season playing on grass surfaces.

Lions 20, Vikings 17

There's a huge mismatch between the Lions' passing game and Vikings secondary, but division games like this always find a way to stay close.

The Vikings might also get back Adrian Peterson, who would be an important piece with Ndamukong Suh still suspended. 

Dolphins 27, Eagles 21

It's hard not to cheer for the Dolphins, isn't it? This team has pulled itself up off the ground and is now playing as good of football as anyone over the past month or so.

The Eagles, on the other hand, have been a wreck all season. I still think the talent level here favors the Eagles, especially with Michael Vick and Jeremy Maclin likely to return, but the Dolphins have shown that their 0-7 start is far back in the rear-view mirror.

Saints 24, Titans 21

This could quietly be one of the best games of the weekend. While the Saints have been racking up points at a break-neck pace the past few weeks, the offense hasn't played as well away from home.

The Titans will hope they get a third straight big game from Chris Johnson, who has nearly 350 yards over his past two games. 

Giants 34, Cowboys 30

I took a long look at both these team's losses from last week to decide the winner in this game. The Cowboys went to Arizona and lost a game they really should have won handily. Division winners can go to Arizona and get a win.

The Giants, on the other hand, stuck with the undefeated Green Bay Packers in one of the better games of 2011. Aaron Rodgers eventually got the best of them, but I think that's a loss the Giants can build on.

New York will go to Dallas and leave the NFC East leader.