NFL 2010 Week 14 Predictions

WEEK 14 NFL predictions and statements:

Good luck to those of you who made the fantasy playoffs. We should have good fantasy production weeks from key players in Atlanta, New England, Indianapolis, and New Orleans. Anything can happen, and it should be an exciting set of playoffs. 

These rankings have now settled in considerably, and staying consistent. I am expanding my top 8 to a top 10, to include some rising teams.

My top 10: previous ranking in parentheses

1. New England (2) – They were so convincing and have beaten the Steelers, Chargers, Raven, Colts, and Jets this year.

2. Atlanta (1) - They did nothing wrong, and showed great fight in coming back. In fact, I think the remaining game between the Falcons and Saints will decide that division, home field, and NFC participant in the Super Bowl.

3. New Orleans (4) – Showed heart in coming from behind, and they are rolling along. See my commentary on Atlanta for their future.

4. Green Bay (5) – The way this defense is playing is unreal with all the injuries. They should overtake the Bears soon, and look likely for a top 2 seed.

5. Baltimore (3) – They fall from 3 but stay ahead of the Steelers because I believe they are a better team, even before the injuries the Steelers have.

6. Chicago (7) – Somehow, their wins have gotten boring. However, I am not sure if this is a team anyone wants to play in the playoffs, no matter where it is.

7. Pittsburgh (8) – They won again, but it wasn’t pretty and they suffered more injuries.

8. Kansas City (9) – A truly ugly win, but it is a win. Unfortunately, the loss of Matt Cassel probably means a quick dive against SD this week.

9. New York Giants (NR) – This team is getting healthy and getting fumble free production from BOTH backs. When they were rolling, we were talking about them as possibly the best team in the NFC. There is no reason they cannot rise that high again.

10. New York Jets (6) – They just showed all the reasons I have not liked them all year. This team is limited by the lack of pass rush, consistency at WR, and also the decision making at QB. Yes, that is a shot at Mark Sanchez.

On the Bubble: Philadelphia, Jaguars

My bottom 4: previous ranking in parenthesis

29. Arizona (NR) – Some Skeleton is starting now. Yup, enough said.

30. Detroit (30) – Without Stafford, this has gotten bad. But, effort is decent!

31. Denver (31) – So you have one of the worst running games in recent memory, and hire the RB COACH TO REPLACE McDaniels?!

32. Carolina (32) – Jimmy Clausen just wants this to be over.

NFL 2010 week 14 picks:

Colts -3 over Titans, 27-10
-The Titans are done, and Jeff Fisher might be trying to get fired. The Colts are reeling too, but will assert themselves and get this game.  This is CJ2000's chance to explode though. If not today, I don't know when that will happen.

Patriots -4 over Bears, 31-24
-Pats roll out to an early lead and then the Bears chip away in what should be a good game for Cutler. The Pats will not lose focus now, and know they have a problem with Green Bay coming to town next week. Bill will keep them focused to get that bye.

Giants -1 over Vikings, 28-17
-Either it is a broken and bad Favre or the Tavaris Experiment versus a team that needs this game, is getting its guys back, and is still the best pass rushing team out there.

Bengals +9 over Steelers, 20-24
-Steelers win, but Bengals always play them feisty. Steelers are also really injured.  The cover is almost a lock, and an upset is possible.

Bucs -1 over Ethnic Slurs, 20-10
-The Bucs are beaten up but assert themselves as the better team here. The loss of Talib will not stop McNabb from producing several terrible turnovers.

Falcons -7.5 over Panthers, 34-13
-Panthers are feisty, but the Dirty Birds will roll this game as they should. This should be a big game for Roddy versus that pass defense, unless it is a blowout early. Best team in the NFC versus the worst, and its 7.5? Vegas doesn’t make sense sometimes.

Packers -6.5 over Lions, 31-17
-Lions will score more than you think, as normal. However, this is the time of the year when the good teams win because they are locked in on the prize. The Packers know they control their own destiny by winning out, including the win over the Bears on the last day of the year. They won’t let up to a division rival.

Jags -4 over Raiders, 21-13

-Jags are apparently a decent team. I am still confused, but I am crystal clear the Raiders are a bad one masquerading as a good one. So, Jags get this game they need.

Rams +9.5 over Saints, 21-30

-Saints are much better and will win, but they have been letting teams stay close. This means something to the Rams too, so I think they at least cover.  

Seahawks +5.5 over Niners, 21-20

-I’m calling the upset, if you can call this that. Seattle has some veterans and is still in the division race (I know, I know, SF is in it too mathematically, but, really?). The 49ers are starting Alex Smith and Brian Westbrook.

Dolphins +5.5 over Jets, 20-23

-The Fins are still trying, and always play the Jets tight. I do think the Jets pull this out, but the cover is firmly in place. An upset would not a surprise either

Chargers -6.5 over Chiefs, 31-17

-I like the Chiefs and their story, I really do. However, I just don’t see how they can hang with a motivated Chargers team, especially if Matt Cassel is not there (a near certainty).

Ravens -3 over Houston, 27-21

-No way the Ravens lose this one, no way. They will run it down the Texans’ throat, and Flacco can easily find Boldin running freely about in the Texans’ terrible secondary.

Record last week:

Straight up: 11-3

Against the Spread: 9-5

Record this year:

Straight up: 100-33

Against the Spread: 76-68

Lifetime record:
Straight up: 218-111
Against the Spread: 176-154