NFL Office Pool Picks - Week 14

Presented by Dale Sims

The Crystal Ball

Well last week was pretty awful, I predicted upsets, just the wrong ones so a losing week just when I thought I was getting the hang of it going 7-9 straight up and 113 – 79 on the year.  Against the spread I managed to produce the same record of 7-9 bringing that record to 96 – 90 for the season so far.

Now for the standard disclaimer, these are preliminary picks for the week for the pick’em league I participate in.  Changes will be made there based on injury reports and other information that comes out later in the week after Monday night in light of the Thursday games on the schedule for the remainder of the season.  These choices are made without consultation with anyone else at Football Forecasters and represent my best guess at the moment.  They are for amusement value only, no warranty expressed or implied.

Week 14

Cleveland at Pittsburgh – Pittsburgh and Cleveland has been their own worse enemy for most of the season.  These teams lead the NFL in turnovers and are last in turnover margin as well; this could be a very ugly game.  The home team gets the victory, Steelers win 24 – 14.

Atlanta at Tampa Bay – Atlanta came up with a win on the road last week and travel to face a divisional opponent this week.  Tampa Bay has had a number of issues with health and age of the players being foremost; they are not what they once were; Falcons win 21 – 17.

Baltimore at Kansas City – Baltimore took a step back with a lackluster offensive performance last week they failed to secure a playoff spot.  They have the advantage of additional rest and they will need it playing at Kansas City, Ravens win 21 – 20.

Buffalo at N.Y. Jets – The Jets are still in the playoff hunt and they control their own destiny, hard to believe we would be saying that in December.  Buffalo has played well but just not quite well enough to make their own run; Jets win 28 – 17.

Indianapolis at Jacksonville – Indianapolis lost last week on the road to a divisional rival and now face another, more dangerous game this week.  Jacksonville seems to be up one week and down the next, fighting injuries and sloppy play, Colts win 24 – 21.

Minnesota at Detroit – Minnesota has had problems with their offense while Detroit has just been having problems.  Still Detroit has one of the better passing offenses in the NFL while Minnesota has a poor passing defense; Lions win 24 – 20.

New England at Miami – Miami has overcome a great deal mostly by playing inspired defense but they have been limited by various injuries, particularly on offense.  New England has been dealing with injuries primarily to their defense but have more depth, Patriots win 28 – 17.

New Orleans at Dallas – Both teams lead their respective divisions at this point and both need to win to stay in control.  Both teams have offensive weapons galore and somewhat questionable defensive play at times but the Cowboys win 24 – 20.

N.Y. Giants at Carolina – The Giants played well enough in a losing cause last week while Carolina continues to try to limp toward the playoffs.  Both teams need this win to keep playoff opportunities alive, Panthers win 27 - 21.

Oakland at Cincinnati – Cincinnati has many weapons offensively but has had defensive issues.  Oakland just has issues but seems to be finding a defensive identity; they lack the offense to help that they need to win; Bengals win 24 – 10.

Philadelphia at Washington – Both offenses are acclimating to different QB's with different skill sets than the previous quarterback possessed.  Philadelphia still has theoretical playoff chances but those end, Redskins win 20 - 17.

Tennessee at Houston – Houston is returning home off a win. Tennessee has won five of their last seven games and established dominance over the Mannings.  Their offense has been effective and their defense opportunistic, Titans win 21 – 17.

Green Bay at San Francisco – Green Bay is an up and down team that has been struggling all season.  San Francisco has similar issues but has shown a steadier improvement, they are a better team at home than on the road, 49ers win 24 – 17.

Seattle at Arizona – Arizona is a one dimensional team, a passing offense without much else.  Seattle is getting healthy at the right time of the season and their division is not much of a concern, Seahawks win 30 - 24.

Denver at San Diego – Denver has established that their only problem is not Jake Plummer but still has not established solutions for the offense.  This game is hugely important to both teams playoff positioning, Chargers win 24 - 20.

Chicago at St. Louis – The Chicago offense is the only one that has been able to consistently challenge the Chicago defense.  St Louis is still battling injuries on the offensive line and a defense that is inconsistent, Bears win 24 - 21

Email Dale at: dale "@" footballforecasters.com