Hello readers! Another week of National Football League action is soon upon us! The week that will be hopefully features less game changes and more consistency in original game times. I'll be keeping a close eye on a few games this week like: Vikings-Buccaneers, Cardinals-Giants, and Steelers-Bills. In this post, I'll talk about the latest playoff picture and my picks for the week's games. Let's get to work!
Playoff Picture: Week 14
Let's start with the NFC...
1st Seed: New Orleans Saints (10-2) (clinched playoff berth)
2nd Seed: Green Bay Packers (9-3)
3rd seed: Los Angeles Rams (8-4)
4th seed: New York Giants (5-7)
5th seed: Seattle Seahawks (8-4)
6th seed: Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-5)
7th seed: Minnesota Vikings (6-6)
Wild card matchups:
Minnesota @ Green Bay
Tampa Bay @ LA Rams
Seattle @ NY Giants
Just one thing to note is that the Vikings are ahead of the Cardinals based on common games record (Minnesota has 2-2 record vs Cardinals 2-3 record). Let's now check out the AFC...
1st seed: Pittsburgh Steelers (11-1)
2nd seed: Kansas City Chiefs (11-1) (clinched playoff berth)
3rd seed: Buffalo Bills (9-3)
4th seed: Tennessee Titans (8-4)
5th seed: Cleveland Browns (9-3)
6th seed: Miami Dolphins (8-4)
7th seed: Indianapolis Colts (8-4)
Wild card matchups:
Indianapolis @ Kansas City
Miami @ Buffalo
Cleveland @ Tennessee
Pittsburgh is ahead of Kansas City based on conference record (Pittsburgh's 8-0 and Kansas City's 9-1). Also, the Steelers can clinch the AFC North with a win vs Buffalo and a Browns loss.
Week 14 Picks
Week 14 in the National Football League's regular season starts in Inglewood, California and finishes up in Cleveland, Ohio. No teams are on a bye this week. The week features a full 16-game slate. It includes a Thursday night game, seven early games, six late games, a Sunday night game and a Monday night game. FOX will have the double-header and CBS will have the single, regional game. Let's get to the picks!
Note: TW is me, and CV is Cardinal Viking, my former roommate
New England (6-6) @ LA Rams (8-4) (FOX/NFL Network): TW: Rams; CV: Rams
Both teams won last week as the Patriots beat the Chargers and the Rams beat the Cardinals. Seems weird that the last time these two teams met it was two years ago in the Super Bowl. Times have changed and not kind to the Pats. I think Sean McVay and company find a way to get it done. I can't trust Cam Newton to throw for more than 150 yards.
Denver (4-8) @ Carolina (4-8) (CBS): TW: Panthers; CV: Panthers
The Broncos lost to the Chiefs and the Panthers were on a bye last week. Both teams aren't particularly great but I will likely look at the matchup between Drew Lock and Teddy Bridgewater. Bridgewater has played fairly well this season despite not having the most stellar of receiving corps. Christian McCaffrey was limited in practice on Wednesday which doesn't bode well for the explosiveness of the Panthers offense. I still kind of like the Panthers in this game.
Dallas (3-9) @ Cincinnati (2-9-1) (FOX): TW: Bengals; CV: Bengals
Both teams lost as the Cowboys lost to the Ravens and the Bengals lost to the Dolphins last week. I nearly forgot to make a pick in this game. Honestly a dumpster fire would be better than both of these teams combined and that's saying something. I made a pact to not pick the Cowboys again and I sadly broke that pact on Thanksgiving and now I have to reap what I sew again. No turning back. I have to go with the Bungles. Good news is that the Bengals could have Joe Mixon back and if the Cowboys rush defense is terrible he might have a great day.
Houston (4-8) @ Chicago (5-7) (CBS): TW: Texans; CV: Texans
The Texans lost to the Colts and the Bears lost to the Lions last week. The game seems to be more about who's trending. The Texans stock is rising a bit and the Bears stock is going down (not gonna lie, pun intended, look up bear market for meaning). Chicago's quarterback situation is a mess and Houston has done right by sticking to one quarterback and having a decent cast around him. It somewhat helps when they have a defense that can stop people. I'll take the Texans relatively easily.
Minnesota (6-6) @ Tampa Bay (7-5) (FOX): TW: Buccaneers; CV: Buccaneers
The Vikings beat the Jaguars and the Buccaneers were on a bye last week. Late bye weeks tend to benefit teams quite a bit and when you have a 40+ year old quarterback in Tom Brady, its more of a necessity. Both teams are fairly similar. I would prefer Dalvin Cook in the game if the Bucs defense wasn't as good but I feel they'll rebound after the 269 yard day they gave up to Tyreek Hill. I'll take the safe bet and take the Bucs.
Tennessee (8-4) @ Jacksonville (1-11) (CBS): TW: Titans; CV: Titans
Both teams lost last week as the Titans lost to the Browns and the Jaguars lost to the Vikings. It just seems right to take the Titans in this situation as the Jaguars. Sure the Jaguars offense isn't as much of a dumpster fire as their defense. I think Derrick Henry will do some Derrick Henry things.
Arizona (6-6) @ NY Giants (5-7) (FOX): TW: Cardinals; CV: Cardinals
The Cardinals lost to the Rams and the Giants beat the Seahawks last week. The roller coaster that is the NFC East continues on for another week. Arizona is still trying to lock up a playoff spot and they need a win to do it. I'm taking the Cardinals because of their offense mostly. If they can slow down Wayne Gallman and force Colt McCoy to beat them then I like the Cards chances in this one.
Kansas City (11-1) @ Miami (8-4) (CBS): TW: Chiefs; CV: Chiefs
Both teams won last week as the Chiefs beat the Broncos and the Dolphins beat the Bengals. What can I say, it's hard to not pick the defending champs on this one. Tua Tagovailoa has been a pleasant story this late in the season but I don't know how they can possibly keep up with the powerful Chiefs offensive juggernaut. Maybe Miami's defense can slow them down a little
NY Jets (0-12) @ Seattle (8-4) (CBS): TW: Seahawks; CV: Seahawks
Both teams lost last week as the Jets lost to the Raiders and the Seahawks lost to the Giants. Seattle didn't have its best game out there last week and if they play like that then maybe the Jets might have a shot to win this one. Honestly, I don't what to expect in this one. All I know is that one team is bound to win this one at some point. I'll take the Seahawks.
Indianapolis (8-4) @ Las Vegas (7-5) (CBS): TW: Raiders; CV: Colts
Both teams won last week as the Colts beat the Texans and the Raiders beat the Jets. Perhaps a bit of a gamble but I like the Raiders in this one. The Colts defense has been trending a bit downward and the trend could possibly continue in this one. Sustaining drives and not turning the ball over will be huge for a Raiders victory in this one. It might help if the Raiders can slow down the Colts runners as well.
Atlanta (4-8) @ LA Chargers (3-9) (FOX): TW: Falcons; CV: Chargers
Both teams lost last week as the Falcons lost to the Saints and the Chargers lost to the Patriots. Seems to be a game that spells shootout don't you think? LA had a terrible game against the Patriots and that could still be a defining factor in this game. Raheem Morris has done fairly well since Dan Quinn's firing back in October. I think it'll come down to who can have the better day: the veteran Matt Ryan or the youngster Justin Herbert. I like the Falcons.
Green Bay (9-3) @ Detroit (5-7) (FOX): TW: Packers; CV: Packers
Both teams had wins last week as the Packers beat the Eagles and the Lions beat the Bears. Aaron Rodgers has been on a tear this season and the running game is back to form. What stands in their way is a Lions squad that has been playing better all around in both sides of the ball. It is certainly possible that Adrian Peterson can have a good day against the Packers front seven. I think it'll be close but I think Green Bay will eke out a win on the road.
New Orleans (10-2) @ Philadelphia (3-8-1) (FOX): TW: Saints; CV: Saints
The Saints beat the Falcons and the Eagles lost to the Packers last week. Drew Brees won't likely play until next week so it is once again Taysom Hill time for New Orleans. Who will start for Philly remains to be in question as it is possible that Jalen Hurts will start. Hurts was promising against the Packers defense. How he stacks up against a better defense in the Saints will remain in question. I don't see the Eagles winning it.
Washington (5-7) @ San Francisco (5-7) (FOX): TW: 49ers; CV: Football Team
The Football Team beat the Steelers and the 49ers lost to the Bills last week. Washington defied the odds and gave the Steelers their first loss of the season. I tend to think that they will be at a loss of emotion and intensity against a 49ers squad that look to get back on the winning track. I tend to like the 49ers running game in this one. I could be wrong.
Pittsburgh (11-1) @ Buffalo (9-3) (NBC): TW: Steelers; CV: Bills
The Steelers lost to the Football Team and the Bills beat the 49ers last week. Another classic AFC matchup on NBC. It is an intriguing matchup and both teams matchup pretty well. What is defining in this game is that I feel the Steelers have a better defense that can stop the run, attack the quarterback and play pass defense. This one should be a dandy to watch.
Baltimore (7-5) @ Cleveland (9-3) (ESPN): TW: Browns; CV: Browns
Both teams won last week as the Ravens beat the Cowboys and the Browns beat the Titans last week. Cleveland took the big step and got their first winning season since 2007. They face off against one of their better division rivals in the Ravens. It seems to be a tall task as the Ravens have had the Browns number for the past number of meetings but if there was a time for the Browns to take the next step in making the playoffs, it needs to be now. If Baker Mayfield is that good, show it! If you're such a great defense, stop or slow down Lamar Jackson and the running game of the Ravens!
Local TV Schedule (courtesy of 506sports.com, check local listings):
FOX Early:
Minnesota @ Tampa Bay
Joe Buck Troy Aikman
FOX Late:
Green Bay @ Detroit
Adam Amin, Mark Schlereth
CBS Single:
Indianapolis @ Las Vegas
Ian Eagle, Charles Davis
For more information on which game is being shown in your area, check out: NFL Maps: Week 14
2020 Week by Week Record:
TW's record:
Week 1: 8-8
Week 2: 15-1
Week 3: 9-6-1
Week 4: 11-4
Week 5: 9-5
Week 6: 7-7
Week 7: 12-2
Week 8: 7-7
Week 9: 10-4
Week 10: 10-4
Week 11: 7-7
Week 12: 11-5
Week 13: 10-5
Total: 126-65-1
Cardinal Viking's record:
Week 1: 10-6
Week 2: 11-5
Week 3: 8-7-1
Week 4: 7-8
Week 5: 8-6
Week 6: 9-5
Week 7: 11-3
Week 8: 7-7
Week 9: 9-5
Week 10: 11-3
Week 11: 8-6
Week 12: 9-7
Week 13: 11-4
Total: 119-72-1
Previous Picking Records:
2017: 167-89
2018: 156-98-2
2019: 151-104-1
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