The Crystal Ball

 

Last week was adequate at 10 – 6 straight up; taking the record there to 124 for 192.  In an unusual move that was also the record against the spread where the same numbers are good; bringing the record against the spread to a respectable 89 – 77 – 10 for the season.  The spread is taken as it was as of Tuesday morning when I put these picks together, your mileage may vary.

 

The standard disclaimers follow; I participate in a pick’em league and this represents my preliminary choices for that and is for amusement purposes only.  Changes are often made later in the week as more information comes in, particularly regarding injuries.  Because of the deadline for this column, those changes do not get reflected in the weekly or the running totals.  This represents my opinion only, not the actual informed football judgment of anyone else here.

 

Week 14

 

Chicago at Washington – Both teams had last minute losses in games that looked to be well in hand last week.  The Bears have no consistency either offensively or defensively.  Washington will have little time to prepare and will be playing on emotion, Redskins win 24 – 17.

 

Miami at Buffalo – Miami still has their winless string going; they have their work cut out for them.  Buffalo just keeps scraping by somehow; they have played beyond their talent level for most of the season, Bills win 20 – 14.

 

St Louis at Cincinnati – The Rams have won three of their last four games though the opposition has not been particularly challenging.  The Bengals have been injured offensively and ineffective defensively, their offense is getting better, Bengals win 28 – 27.

 

Carolina at Jacksonville – Carolina is an injured team with a number of key parts missing on both offense and defense.  Jacksonville will be anxious to get past coming up short last week they have the inside track for one of the AFC wild card slots, Jaguars win 27 – 10.

 

Dallas at Detroit – Detroit has a potent offense but they too often are behind and one-dimensional, allowing the other teams defense to tee off on their woeful offensive line.  Dallas is in control of their own destiny and intend to stay that way, Cowboys win 35 – 20.

 

Tampa Bay at Houston – Matt Schaub is again on the injured list, dislocated shoulder, and his availability is not clear for this game.  Tampa Bay has taken control of their divisional race at this point with solid defense, Buccaneers win 24 – 21.

 

Oakland at Green Bay – Oakland won last week on the strength of turnovers and unusual offensive production.  Green Bay has a couple of extra days to prepare and it appears that Favre will be ready to start, Packers win 28 – 14.

 

San Diego at Tennessee – San Diego has taken a two game lead in their division, they still are not the team they were last season though.  Tennessee is very much in the wild card race at this point and present match up problems, Titans win 24 – 21.

 

New York Giants at Philadelphia – New York has beaten the teams they were supposed to, but have serious problems with their running game this week.  Philadelphia has been a difficult team to figure, they play great one week and hopelessly the next, Eagles win 21 – 20.

 

Minnesota at San Francisco – San Francisco continues to be offensively challenged, the have scored over twenty points only once this season.  Minnesota has scored one hundred and twelve points in their last three games, Vikings win 31 – 14.

 

Arizona at Seattle – Arizona has several injury issues on both sides of the ball; they won last week by virtue of opposition turnovers.  Seattle has developed into a pass first team as their which seems to suit their personnel better, Seahawks win 28 – 17.

 

Kansas City at Denver – Kansas City has been unable to generate much in the way of offense despite having an above average defense.  Denver has seemingly squandered whatever slim playoff chances they may have had, Broncos win 20 – 14.

 

Pittsburgh at New England – Pittsburgh has the best defense in the NFL; they have the ability to put up a lot of points and but their offensive line is suspect.  New England has the number one offense in the NFL and has had a couple of close calls, Patriots 28 – 21.

 

Cleveland at New York Jets – New York looked like an offensive juggernaut last week, without some of their best offensive options.  Cleveland can put up a lot of points, last week they were scoring for both sides but still are in control of their playoff destiny, Browns win 28 – 21.

 

Indianapolis at Baltimore – Baltimore is coming off an emotional Monday night game and has played inconsistently this season.  Indianapolis is still playing well on both sides of the ball despite injury issues, Colts win 24 – 20.

 

New Orleans at Atlanta – Atlanta has been woeful offensively, they lack consistency in all phases of the game.  New Orleans is vulnerable defensively, particularly over the top, but capable of scoring points in bunches, Saints win 28 – 20.

 

Dale “at” footballforecasters.com