Hello readers! Another week of National Football League action is coming your way. With the start of Week 14, there's only five more weeks of regular season play and all of the divisions and wild card spots still available throughout the NFL. In this post I'll go over the playoff picture, a Week 14 Preview and Picks of the week's games, and the Early & Late game TV Broadcast Pairings. Let's get to work!
Week 14 Playoff Picture
No clinching scenarios for the AFC this week and surprisingly no scenarios for the NFC this week. With division leaders edging out the pack it's only a matter of time before they're crowned division winners. The wild card spots are still open to those teams that put forth the momentum to win them. Let's start with the AFC.
Seeding
1st seed: Buffalo Bills (9-3)
2nd seed: Kansas City Chiefs (9-3)
3rd seed: Baltimore Ravens (8-4)
4th seed: Tennessee Titans (7-5)
5th seed: Cincinnati Bengals (8-4)
6th seed: Miami Dolphins (8-4)
7th seed: New York Jets (7-5)
Wild Card Weekend Matchups
NY Jets @ Kansas City
Miami @ Baltimore
Cincinnati @ Tennessee
In the Hunt
New England (6-6), LA Chargers (6-6), Las Vegas (5-7), Cleveland (5-7), Pittsburgh (5-7), Indianapolis (4-8-1), Jacksonville (4-8), Denver (3-9)
Better Luck Next Year
Houston (1-10-1)
The Bills are ahead of the Chiefs because of head-to-head record. Cincinnati is ahead of Miami because of head-to-head record as well. New England is ahead of the Chargers because of conference record (Patriots have 5-3 record and Chargers have 4-4 record). Despite the lack of clinching scenarios, the AFC is probably the most intriguing conference to keep an eye on. The Bills-Jets and Ravens-Steelers games this week will be must-watch TV for those who are able to watch. Let's go to the NFC.
Seeding
1st seed: Philadelphia Eagles (11-1)
2nd seed: Minnesota Vikings (10-2)
3rd seed: San Francisco 49ers (8-4)
4th seed: Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6-6)
5th seed: Dallas Cowboys (9-3)
6th seed: New York Giants (7-4-1)
7th seed: Seattle Seahawks (7-5)
Wild Card Weekend Matchups
Seattle @ Minnesota
NY Giants @ San Francisco
Dallas @ Tampa Bay
In the Hunt
Washington (7-5-1), Detroit (5-7), Green Bay (5-8), Atlanta (5-8), Arizona (4-8), Carolina (4-8), New Orleans (4-9), LA Rams (3-9)
Better Luck Next Year
Chicago (3-10)
Week 14 Preview
The fourteenth week of the NFL's regular season starts in Inglewood, California and finishes up in Glendale, Arizona. There will be 13 games played this week where 26 teams will play. Teams on a bye this week are the Atlanta Falcons, Chicago Bears, Green Bay Packers, Indianapolis Colts, New Orleans Saints and Washington Commanders. The week features a Thursday night game, seven early games, three late games, a Sunday night game and a Monday night game. FOX will carry the doubleheader and CBS will show a single, regional game this week. Let's get to the picks!
Week 14 Picks
Note: All game times are in US Eastern. TW is me and CV is Cardinal Viking, my former roommate.
Las Vegas (5-7) @ LA Rams (3-9) (Amazon; 8:15 pm): TW: Raiders; CV: Raiders
The Raiders beat the Chargers and the Rams lost to the Seahawks last week. Baker Mayfield is back with his third team in a year. Mayfield, who was picked up via waivers from Carolina, will get the nod to start. I feel its a moot point as the Rams won't likely get into the postseason. Maybe its an attempt to get back to back to respectability. Nevertheless, I don't see them winning this game. Las Vegas has been one of the better teams after starting 2-7. They've won three straight games and I think they'll ride that momentum despite the short week for both teams. I'll take the Raiders.
Cleveland (5-7) @ Cincinnati (8-4) (CBS; 1:00 pm): TW: Bengals; CV: Bengals
Both teams won last week as the Browns beat the Texans and the Bengals beat the Chiefs. Cleveland got a win in DeShaun Watson's 2022 debut. The quarterback was rusty at best but wasn't god awful. He'll have a better showing I would assume. Cincinnati looks to be a runner-up for the best team in the AFC. They invested a lot in their offensive line and the investment has paid off as Burrow hasn't been injured this season. I think Burrow will finally beat the Browns in the 2nd battle of Ohio.
Baltimore (8-4) @ Pittsburgh (5-7) (CBS; 1:00 pm): TW: Steelers; CV: Ravens
Both teams won last week as the Ravens beat the Broncos and the Steelers beat the Falcons. The Ravens-Steelers rivalry returns this week. While the days of Joe Flacco and Ben Roethlisberger are over the rivalry still feels very much energized. Lamar Jackson won't play as he will be out for at least 1-3 weeks. A lot of pressure will be squarely on Tyler Huntley against the vaunted Steelers front seven. Kenny Pickett has played better than the previous games when he started. At least he cut down on the turnovers. Pittsburgh has gotten it done with their defense and running game. TJ Watt hasn't had the season that he'd wanted like last year when he tied the season sack record. I think its a tough matchup for Baltimore, so I'd take the Steelers.
Houston (1-10-1) @ Dallas (9-3) (FOX; 1:00 pm): TW: Cowboys; CV: Cowboys
The Texans lost to the Browns and the Cowboys beat the Colts last week. The Battle of Texas! Houston is not a great team, in fact they're terrible. Dallas however, is a great team this year. At least until they choke in the playoffs. Unfortunately, this game isn't a playoff game. If Dallas loses this game, just pack it up and call it a day.
Jacksonville (4-8) @ Tennessee (7-5) (CBS; 1:00 pm): TW: Jaguars; CV: Titans
Both teams lost last week as the Jaguars lost to the Lions and the Titans lost to the Eagles. A big AFC South showdown. Jacksonville come into the contest winning and losing games on a consistent basis. They lost big against the Lions where the Jags defense surrendered 40 points. Granted the Lions have one of the better offenses this season. As you can imagine turnovers played a part in that game. They'll need to cut those down if they want a shot to win against the division leading Titans. Tennessee is a mystery to me. They lose games by the strangest of circumstances. Last week, former Titan AJ Brown ran over them. The end result of GM Jon Robinson losing his job in a surprising manner. I really don't know what to think of this game. I don't trust either team so I'll go with the Jags on a whim.
Minnesota (10-2) @ Detroit (5-7) (FOX; 1:00 pm): TW: Lions; CV: Vikings
Both teams won last week as the Vikings beat the Jets and the Lions beat the Jaguars. An interesting contest in the NFC North. The Vikings offense has mostly been high-powered. Kirk Cousins has been mostly on his game for the most part. Of course Justin Jefferson has to be mentioned too. Detroit has been playing well on offense. Jared Goff has gotten it done in the passing game. The real monster(s) in the offense is their running game with Jamaal Williams and Dandre Swift. The duo have accounted for 18 rushing touchdowns. Minnesota may very well beat the Lions in this game but I'll go with the home team.
NY Jets (7-5) @ Buffalo (9-3) (CBS; 1:00 pm): TW: Bills; CV: Bills
The Jets lost to the Vikings and the Bills beat the Patriots last week. A big AFC East showdown in Orchard Park! The Jets come into this game with the man Mike White having a 1-1 record in 2022. The quarterback was solid against the Bears and wasn't great against the Vikings. He turned the ball too much. He will need to do a better job at protecting the ball against one of the better defense in the league. Buffalo comes into this game with longer rest. Josh Allen will improve and get healthier in this game. As if he wasn't already getting healthier and better. As long as the Bills don't shoot themselves in the foot, I think they'll take the win.
Philadelphia (11-1) @ NY Giants (7-4-1) (FOX; 1:00 pm): TW: Giants; CV: Eagles
The Eagles beat the Titans and the Giants tied with the Commanders last week. The classic I-95 rivalry returns in earnest. The Eagles have gotten it done with both sides of the ball playing really well, in accordance of their record. The Giants are a little trickier to figure out. If you needed an example, last week would be a good one. They should've won that game but they let it slip away from them. Despite that fact, the Eagles-Giants rivalry will be a tough one in terms of how these teams will play against each other. Rivalry games always bring out the best of a team. I think the Giants will find a way to upset their rivals.
Kansas City (9-3) @ Denver (3-9) (CBS; 4:05 pm): TW: Chiefs; CV: Chiefs
The Chiefs lost to the Bengals and the Broncos lost to the Ravens. At this point, I'm surprised that a change hasn't happened in Denver. Whether it be the coaching or the players, something has to happen for the Broncos to get back to respectability. I don't think the playoffs is in their future in 2022. What they can do is play their best game of the season at home against the rival Chiefs. Kansas City last week definitely felt like a letdown of a game and they missed an opportunity to stay at the #1 seed in the AFC. When it comes to this matchup, I think the offense that puts together drives will win it. My gut says that the Chiefs will take it.
Carolina (4-8) @ Seattle (7-5) (FOX; 4:25 pm): TW: Seahawks; CV: Seahawks
The Panthers had a bye and the Seahawks beat the Rams last week. Carolina will not have Baker Mayfield playing in this game as he was sent on waivers. They will either go with PJ Walker or Sam Darnold at quarterback. I feel the Panthers could maybe play spoiler in this game but I don't know who they have on the roster that can beat one of the better offenses in the league. Seattle has had a return to respectability with Geno Smith at quarterback. Kenneth Walker III won't be available as he suffered an ankle injury last week. I think the Seahawks will take it.
Tampa Bay (6-6) @ San Francisco (8-4) (FOX; 4:25 pm): TW: Buccaneers; CV: 49ers
Both teams won last week as the Buccaneers beat the Saints and the 49ers beat the Dolphins last week. I would go with the 49ers but I question how well Brock Purdy will do at quarterback in his first start. Mr. Irrelevant helped his team with some great throws and plays that turned into touchdowns. Despite the lack off offense for the last 55 minutes of that Saints game, I think the offense will get back to better play. The offensive line vs the defensive line will be a matchup to keep an eye on as Nick Bosa is a legit great defensive player. I can't count out Tom Brady.
Miami (8-4) @ LA Chargers (6-6) (NBC; 8:20 pm): TW: Dolphins; CV: Chargers
The Dolphins lost to the 49ers and the Chargers lost to the Raiders last week. Miami had a bit of a mismatch last week against the 49ers. San Francisco took advantage of turnovers and put up points before the Dolphins knew what hit them. I think they'll have a better game this week. The Chargers are a mystery to me. They have the offensive talent to put up points but they just look lost out there. The defense hasn't been improved like they should've when they got Khalil Mack and Joey Bosa. If the Chargers have a shot to win I think it'll come to their defense to do the job. Will I see it happen? I highly doubt it. I'll take the Dolphins.
New England (6-6) @ Arizona (4-8) (ESPN; 8:15 pm): TW: Patriots; CV: Patriots
The Patriots lost to the Bills and the Cardinals were on a bye last week. The week finishes up with an interesting contest. Noise has stirred up in New England with the offense falling apart. All parties have to be accountable for the lack of generated offense, red zone trips, sustaining drives, and offensive touchdowns. Despite the negativity, the Patriots do have a weapon in Rhamondre Stevenson who has been their rock this season. Arizona is facing trouble of their own in the offense. Kyler Murray had been dealing with issues with his head coach on live tv. Despite all that, the Cardinals do have a good group of receivers that can go down the field with. DeAndre Hopkins to name at least one who can be a playmaker. It'll be telling how well the Cardinals offense can generate offense against one of the better defenses in the Patriots. Matthew Judon has been a stud on defense. I think it'll be a close call but I'll go with the Pats.
Early & Late Game TV Broadcast Pairings
Note: Games in bold are games shown in my area. Check local listings.
CBS Single
Baltimore @ Pittsburgh
Kevin Harlan, Trent Green
NY Jets @ Buffalo
Jim Nantz, Tony Romo
Cleveland @ Cincinnati
Greg Gumbel, Adam Archuleta
Jacksonville @ Tennessee
Andrew Catalon, James Lofton
Kansas City @ Denver (Late)
Ian Eagle, Charles Davis
FOX Early
Philadelphia @ NY Giants
Joe Davis, Daryl Johnston
Houston @ Dallas
Kevin Kugler, Mark Sanchez
Minnesota @ Detroit
Kenny Albert, Jonathan Vilma
FOX Late
Tampa Bay @ San Francisco
Kevin Burkhardt, Greg Olson
Carolina @ Seattle
Adam Amin, Mark Schlereth
For more information on which game is being shown in your area check out: NFL 2022: Week 14 Maps
2022 Pick ‘Em Records
My record:
Week 1: 8-7-1
Week 2: 8-8
Week 3: 5-11
Week 4: 11-5
Week 5: 10-6
Week 6: 8-6
Week 7: 9-5
Week 8: 12-3
Week 9: 11-2
Week 10: 8-6
Week 11: 8-6
Week 12: 10-6
Week 13: 11-3-1
Total: 119-74-2
Cardinal Viking's record:
Week 1: 6-9-1
Week 2: 11-5
Week 3: 5-11
Week 4: 6-10
Week 5: 9-7
Week 6: 9-5
Week 7: 8-6
Week 8: 9-6
Week 9: 9-4
Week 10: 8-6
Week 11: 8-6
Week 12: 9-7
Week 13: 8-6-1
Total: 103-88-2
Previous Picking Records:
2017: 167-89
2018: 156-98-2
2019: 151-104-1
2020: 163-92-1
2021: 167-104-1
2019: 161-94-1
2020: 167-88-1
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