NFL Predictions Week 14: 25 Bold Predictions for Sunday's Games

Week 14 of the 2011 season has arrived, which means that this year's National Football League campaign has entered its proverbial fourth quarter, with teams across the league making one final push for the playoffs.

With that in mind, here are 25 bold predictions for this Sunday's action, and while you may doubt their accuracy (or my sanity), you certainly can't question their bravery.

1. The Indianapolis Colts Will Defeat the Baltimore Ravens

Coming big out of the gate!

This one is highly unlikely, but the Colts offense did look better with Dan Orlovsky under center last week, and the Ravens have been known to play down to the level of their opponent this season.

Anything's possible, right?

2. Michael Turner Will Rush for over 150 Yards and Score at Least Once

The Atlanta Falcons face the tissue-paper run defense of the Carolina Panthers this week, who rank 27th in the NFL, so Falcons running back Michael Turner should cross the 1,000-yard mark and then some Sunday.

3. Steve Smith Will Top 100 Receiving Yards in a Panthers Loss

Carolina Panthers wide receiver Steve Smith hasn't had 100 receiving yards in a game since Week 8, but that slow streak will end Sunday as the Panthers play catch-up against the Atlanta Falcons.

4. The Houston Texans Win Streak Will End Against the Bengals

Even after losing starting quarterback Matt Schaub and backup Matt Leinart to season-ending injuries, the Houston Texans have kept right on winning, reeling off six straight victories, but that streak is going to come to an end in the Queen City against a stout Cincinnati Bengals defense.

5. Cedric Benson Will Outrush Arian Foster

If the Cincinnati Bengals are going to down the Houston Texans Sunday, they'll need to hold running back Arian Foster in check, and by the end of the game, it will be Bengals running back Cedric Benson and not Foster with the better rushing day.

6. The Detroit Lions Will Crush the Minnesota Vikings

After a hot start to the season, the Detroit Lions have been reeling a bit lately, but a home tilt with the woeful Minnesota Vikings is just what the doctor ordered, and the Lions will take out their frustrations and win running away.

7. Calvin Johnson Will Catch a Pair of Touchdown Passes

The New Orleans Saints were able to hold Detroit Lions wide receiver Calvin Johnson in check by bracketing him with extra coverage last week, but the Minnesota Vikings secondary is so injury-ravaged that it may not matter how many guys they have on "Megatron" Sunday.

8. The Jacksonville Jaguars Will Stay in the Suck for Luck Sweepstakes

Jacksonville Jaguars running back Maurice-Jones Drew is having a stellar season, but he's one bright spot in a very dark season for the Jaguars that will hit a new low point when they fall to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 14.

9. Michael Vick Will Post Big Numbers in His Return to Action

Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Michael Vick is set to return the the Philadelphia Eagles lineup Sunday, and with wide receiver Jeremy Maclin also expected to play, the Philadelphia offense will have all the weapons in their arsenal at the ready against the Miami Dolphins this week.

10. The Eagles Will Lose Anyway

Despite a big day from Vick, the suspect Philadelphia defense will let the Dolphins stay in the game, and a late turnover will open the door for Miami to add insult to the injury for the disappointing Eagles.

11. Darrelle Revis Will Return an Interception for a Touchdown

This really isn't all that bold a prediction, as Revis and Jets face a Kansas City Chiefs team Sunday led by the immortal Tyler Palko, who's been picked off half a dozen times since taking over for starter Matt Cassel.

12. Derrick Johnson Will Record 15 Tackles Sunday

Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Derrick Johnson has been rock-solid in the middle of the Chiefs defense, and with the Jets likely to be grounding out the clock in the second half, Johnson will be plenty busy this week.

13. Drew Brees Will Throw for 400 Yards and Three Touchdowns

It's been another outstanding statistical season for New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees, and with Brees and the Saints still in the hunt for the No. 2 seed in the NFC, Brees will have the pedal to the metal this week against the Tennessee Titans.

14. Chris Johnson Will Gain Less Than 70 Total Yards in a Loss

Much like they did last week against the Detroit Lions with Calvin Johnson, the Saints defense will key on Tennessee Titans running back Chris Johnson Sunday, and the fourth-year speedster will find the sledding tough in a Tennessee loss.

15. Rex Grossman Will Throw for More Yards Than Tom Brady

The Washington Redskins will almost certainly lose to the New England Patriots Sunday, but in an effort to keep up in a shootout against the NFL's worst defense, Redskins quarterback Rex Grossman will put more passing yards on the board than the Golden Boy.

16. Rex Grossman Will Throw Three Interceptions

Grossman may well rack up the passing yards at home Sunday against the Patriots, but he's also almost certain to complete a pass or three to the other team, because at some point, he just can't help the fact that he's, you know, Rex Grossman.

17. The Arizona Cardinals Will Beat the San Francisco 49ers

The San Francisco 49ers have managed to avoid stumbling in games versus "lesser" opposition this season, but their chances of securing the second seed in the NFC will take a hit this week when the 49ers drop a heartbreaker to the Arizona Cardinals

18. A Patrick Peterson Return Will Turn the Tide for the Cardinals

After being kicked away from for most of the afternoon, rookie cornerback Patrick Peterson of the Arizona Cardinals will get his hands on a returnable punt in the second half of their game with the San Francisco 49ers, and a long return will lead to the touchdown that ends up being the difference in their matchup.

19. Tim Tebow Will Run for More Yards Than He Passes for

Denver Broncos quarterback Tim Tebow threw for a season-high 202 yards against the Minnesota Vikings last week, but against a much more formidable Chicago Bears defense, the second-year pro will struggle mightily through the air.

20. Tim Tebow Will Win His Sixth Straight Game

Luckily for Tim Tebow and the Denver Broncos, they face a Chicago offense this week that just lost it's centerpiece in running back Matt Forte, so the Broncos should be able to eke out just enough offense to come away with the win.

21. Aaron Rodgers Will Match Carson Palmer's Game Production in a Half

Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers has been inhumanly effective under center this year, and Rodgers ruthlessness will continue this week when he tops Carson Palmer's passing yardage for the entire game by the end of the first half.

22. Charles Woodson Will Score a Touchdown Against His Old Team

Cornerback Charles Woodson of the Green Bay Packers is one of the preeminent ball-hawks in the National Football League, and those skills will be on display this week when he scores a touchdown against his former team when the Packers meet the Oakland Raiders.

23. Philip Rivers Will Have His Best Game of the Season Against the Bills

It's been a disappointing season for quarterback Philip Rivers and the San Diego Chargers, but Rivers will continue his hot play in the month of December by posting his biggest statistical day of the season against the Buffalo Bills Sunday.

24. Somehow the Chargers Will Lose the Game Anyway

Despite a big game from Rivers, defensive lapses, penalties, an ill-timed turnover and poor clock management will cause the Chargers to lose at home to the Buffalo Bills, putting the final nail in their 2011 season and Norv Turner's tenure in San Diego.

25. Eli Manning Will Win a Battle of Choke Artists

Although both New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning and Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo will both struggle with boneheaded turnovers Sunday night, it will be Manning that comes out victorious when Romo out-sucks him in the fourth quarter.