Photo Credit: Gregory Shamus/Getty Images
The Cowboys managed to pull off a win last week and their fans have come out of the woodwork again to declare their supremacy over all things NFL. Johnny Manziel is back behind center in Cleveland, the Panthers are still undefeated, Peyton Manning is still out, and the wild card spots are still up for grabs.
Tread carefully, it’s week 14 in the NFL and anything could happen. These are trap games. Most of the games are division games and the only thing you can count on when it comes to a divisional game is it’s going to be unpredictable. The Cardinals defeated the Vikings and officially eliminated the 49ers from the playoffs. It was just a formality but for those 49ers fans still walking around with their fingers crossed, it’s officially OVER.
Atlanta Falcons vs. Carolina Panthers -8.5
The Panthers have locked up the #1 seed in the NFC. The road to the Super Bowl is going through Carolina. Despite starting 5-0, the Falcons are currently in the eighth spot in the NFL making their playoff chances a bit dim. Not only are the Panthers the number one seed in the NFC, they have already won the NFC South. The Falcons only hope is to secure one of the wild card spots and it’s not looking good for the dirty birds even though the Falcons’ current record is better than 5-7 and 4 -8 records of the four teams in the NFC East. Doesn’t mean they wouldn’t love to spoil their division rival’s perfect season. However, the Falcons are not playing well right now, and they are even worse on the road. Still nine points is a lot to ask even if you’re asking Super Cam and company to do it. The Panthers should be 13-0 come Monday, but that spread is a bit dicey. Pick: Panthers straight up Falcons +8.5
Washington Redskins vs. Chicago Bears
Now you know how this goes by now. Why do you still cross and fingers and hope I’ll shed some light on the Bears? I will say this it is absolutely ridiculous that any team in the NFC East is getting a guaranteed playoff spot and a home game because they lucked up and won this pitiful division.
Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Cincinnati Bengals -3
The Steelers are in the thick of it when it comes to fighting for one of the last playoff spots in the AFC. The Bengals are 10-2 and currently sit atop the AFC North. The Steelers, Jets, and Chiefs are in a three-way tie for the last two playoffs spots in the AFC. Both the Steelers and the Bengals need this game. This is another division rivalry game and they almost always go down to the wire. Don’t look for this one to be any different. Pick: Steelers +3
San Francisco 49ers vs. Cleveland Browns: Pick ‘em
Both of these teams have been mathematically eliminated from the playoffs. We don’t even have the fun and excitement of watching one of the teams play spoiler. Johnny Manziel is probably the only once capable of bringing any excitement to this game, and if we’re being honest Manziel is not half as exciting as we thought he might be.
Pick: Browns
San Diego Chargers vs. Kansas City Chiefs -11.5
The Chiefs are currently the fifth seed in the AFC. Unfortunately, they share that spot with the Steelers and the Jets. Luckily for them, making short work of the Chargers should be as easy as finding cookies and candy canes this time of year. It’s not going to get any easier than this for the Chiefs. They need to take advantage of the schedule and win this game if they hope to gain separation between them and the Steelers and the Jets. Pick: Chiefs -11.5
Tennessee Titans vs. New York Jets -7.5
The Titans are out of the playoffs and the Jets are in a 3-way tie with the Steelers and Chiefs. Like the Steelers and Chiefs, the Jets need this game. The Jets have also received a gift from the scheduling gods; if they want to snag one of those AFC wild card slots they better make good use of it. Pick Jets -7.5
Buffalo Bills vs. Philadelphia Eagles Pick ’em
The Eagles could still pull off a playoff berth by winning the NFC East. Someone has to win it, might as well be the Eagles. The Redskins, Eagles, and Giants are all 5-7. Washington holds the tiebreaker so if the season ended today, they would represent the NFC East in the playoffs. The Cowboys are only one game behind the pack and are mathematically still in it with a record of 4-8. The Bills are good at shooting themselves in the foot but then again so are the Eagles. This could be a long painful game for fans, coaches, and players. Call me when it’s over. Just because winning will make an even bigger mess of the NFC East Pick: Eagles Pick’em
Detroit Lions vs. St. Louis Rams: Pick’em
Both the Lions and the Rams are out of the playoffs. Flip a coin no one really cares. Pick: Lions pick ‘em
New Orleans Saints vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers -3.5
The Saints are out but the Bucs have started putting it all together at the right time. They are only one game out of the final NFC wild card slot. They need a little help, but the playoffs could still be in their future. First things first, they have to take care of a division opponent. It won’t be easy the rest of the way as Jameis Winston and the Bucs have to face Super Cam and the Panthers again this season. Pick: Bucs -3.5
Oakland Raiders vs. Denver Broncos -8.5
The Raiders are out. The Broncos are in. Currently the Broncos are the second seed in the AFC. Peyton Manning is out indefinitely and Brock Osweiller is still at the helm for the Broncos. Manning’s health may keep him out of the Broncos playoff run, but Osweiller has shown he is capable of handling the role and should get win number three, but winning by nine against a division rival is a bit much to put on the young quarterback’s shoulders. Pick: Broncos straight up
Dallas Cowboys vs. Green Bay Packers -7.5
This should be interesting to say the least. The Cowboys have to win this game if they have any chance of keeping their imaginary playoff hopes alive. The Packers are in a precarious position. The Vikings loss Thursday night gives them a little breathing room, but not much. If the season ended today the Packers would win the NFC North and the Vikings would be a wild card team. The best thing the Aaron Rodgers and the Packers can do is keeping their destiny in their own hands. If they win they control their playoff scenario. Recent inexplicable losses had the Packers reeling but looks like they may have found a way to right the ship. Pick: Packers -7.5
New England Patriots vs. Houston Texans +3
The Patriots went 10-0 and then dropped two in a row. They won’t drop three in a way no matter how talented JJ Watts and the Texans’ defense is the Patriots will overcome. The Texans need more help than I can explain to secure a playoff spot. A loss Sunday ends any hope and they will be back to looking for a quarterback. Pick: Patriots -3
New York Giants vs. Miami Dolphins: Pick ‘em
The Dolphins are out and the Giants need this game to keep pace with Washington. Eli Manning and Odell Beckham play very well on Monday Night Football and this is definitely a week that the G-Men could use a little magic. The Giants are a good road team so this one should be competitive. Pick: Giants pick ’em
