Pick in CAPS
Browns (+14) @ STEELERS
Part of me wants to say the Browns will cover in this one, especially when they are getting 14 points. But the Steelers looked too strong last week at home against a better Bengals defense. This one should get out of hand quickly, even with the Browns solid secondary. Look for Joe Haden to neutralize Mike Wallace and the Browns to struggle moving the ball.
Steelers 31, Browns 10
Colts (+16.5) @ RAVENS
Don't be fooled by the colts offensive explosion in garbage time against the terrible New England secondary. The Ravens are another bird entirely (and literally). Look for the Ravens to run all over the Colts, just as they did the Browns. The Colts will be looking to build off last week's mild successes, and their aspirations will come crashing down early. This one's getting out of hand.
Ravens 28, Colts 3
Texans (+3) @ BENGALS
The Bengals have lost three out of four, but they are a good team. With Dalton and AJ Green on the field, they can usually play with anyone, but last week was a bad week for these guys. I think the Bengals will be able to stop the run, and TJ Yates will be forced to beat them. He looked serviceable last week, but this Bengals defense is stronger. Expect these guys to score a defensive touchdown, and this one will probably come down to 7 or less, in favor of the Bengals
Bengals 21, Texans 17
CHIEFS (+9) @ NY Jets
This Kansas City team is very bad on offense, and the Bears/Chiefs game last week was painful to watch. Despite this, the team knows how to play defense, and they have been able to turn games against good teams into low scoring, sloppy affairs. The Jets have been playing well on offense the past few weeks, but I see it as an aberration. The Jets will win this game, but they won't cover, and Sanchez will make some mistakes.
NY Jets 16, Kansas City 10
SAINTS (-3.5) @ Titans
New Orleans has been on fire offensively, and I don't see the Titans stopping this. While they aren't as effective outside of the Superdome, the Titans don't have the defense to stop Drew Brees. I was actually pretty surprised about the spread on this game. I still expect Chris Johnson to have some success, but not enough to overcome the Saints offense.
Saints 34, Titans 24
Eagles (+3) @ DOLPHINS
If you told me at the beginning of the season that the Eagles would be preparing for a trip to Miami as three point underdogs, I would've called the psychiatric ward. But come December, that's exactly where we stand. This Dolphins team has strung together some great games, a last-ditch effort for Tony Sparano to keep his job. Even with the return of Michael Vick, the Eagles' problems are much deeper than that, and this defense cannot stop the run. Look for Reggie Bush to have a great day, and the Dolphins to win another game.
Dolphins 27, Eagles 20
PATRIOTS (-8) @ Redskins
I can guarantee you that Bill Belichick wasn't happy about the way his team played in the 4th quarter of last week's game against the Colts. Unfortunately for the Redskins, that anger will be taken out on them. The Redskins struggled against a below-average Jets offense, and the Patriots are leaps and bounds better. This one could get ugly, and Grossman isn't the type of quarterback who can throw all over this secondary, even if Dan Orlovsky is.
Patriots 34, Redskins 16
FALCONS (-3) @ Panthers
I've got to be honest, I have been very unimpressed with this Falcons team this year. Coming off a great season last year, I thought they were one of the teams to beat in the NFC. Instead, they have taken a backseat to the Saints in their division, and the continue to lose winnable games and beat mediocre-to-bad teams. Having said that, there's no denying Atlanta's recent domination of the Panthers, and I see this trend continuing, as Atlanta is built to stop the run. Cam Newton will have a good game once again, but he will come up short as there is very little talent on the defensive side of the ball.
Falcons 27, Panthers 21
49ERS (-4) @ Cardinals
The Cardinals have the ability to play teams tough at home, but this spread is too small to pick them. The 49ers defense beat up on the Rams last week, and I see this game being no different. The Cardinals will struggle to score points, so it won't matter that the 49ers can only kick field goals. This team is still playing for a first round bye, so they will be fired up.
49ers 23, Cardinals 6
Bears (+3.5) @ BRONCOS
I would be a fool to pick against Tebow, even though the spread is slightly more than a game-winning field goal. This guy proved that he can do it with his arm last week, although I have no idea what the Vikings were doing on defense (I guess you could call it a Cover 2). The Bears don't have their two best offensive players, and they will really struggle to move the ball. They still play good defense, but it won't be enough
Broncos 20, Bears 10
Raiders (+11) @ PACKERS
The Raiders lost to Miami by more than 11 last week. This week they play the Packers. Need I say more?
Packers 42, Raiders 24
BILLS (+7) @ Chargers
I'm not buying the Chargers. They had lost 6 straight before that win on Monday against the Jaguars. Now they are 7 point favorites against another 5-7 team with a long losing streak. I see this game as a toss-up, and I'm taking the Bills on the spread, but the Chargers on the scoreboard.
Chargers 24, Bills 23
GIANTS (+3) @ Cowboys
The Giants looked back in rhythm last week against the Packers, and the Cowboys let one slip away against the Cardinals. Keep in mind that the Cowboys have only beaten one team with a winning record, and it was on a fluke play against the 49ers. I have to take the more battle-tested team that is getting points here, and Tony Romo's December woes continue.
Giants 27, Cowboys 24
Rams (+6.5) @ SEAHAWKS
The Rams are awful at stopping the run, and the Seahawks are running the ball very well. Marshawn Lynch is going to run all over this defense, and the Seahawks defense isn't too bad either. Not to mention, the Seahawks are at home in this one, one of the better home-field advantages in the NFL. Also, there are murmurings that Tom Brandstater might be starting for the Rams. Who? Exactly. This one has Seahawks written all over it.
Seahawks 31, Rams 7
Come by tomorrow for Playoff Predictions and Fantasy Football picks for Week 14
Good picks, Chris. My favorite game of the week is Mia -3. By far the best line of the week. Philly is banged up and have given up on the season. I also like the Denver Cash-Earners under Tebow at -3.5, KC +9, Sea -6.5 and Atl -3.
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