2014 NFL picks...Week 14...Fantasy football playoffs start NOW!!!! Happy Holidays!

NFL Picks Week 14

Lately my picks have been okay. Last week, I only went 7-9. Not good. Well, let me try to gain some more momentum back with the 16 games this week. 

 Fantasy football playoffs start now! Bring you’re A games now!

Season to date: 92-99-1 after thirteen weeks. Decent.  Not there yet.

Bonus picks: 2-3 this week, 39-26 to this point. Could have been better. 


Thursday Night Football: NFL Network: Dallas at Chicago: This is an important game involving two of the three losers on Thanksgiving. Dallas lost to Philadelphia and now are in more danger of not only losing the NFC East (again), but missing the playoffs entirely.  Having losses to other NFC teams who may be fighting for a wild-card spot (Seattle, Arizona, Philly), Dallas needs to win out to get in and avoid another December swoon. Chicago is barely in the wild-card race, but with cold weather arriving, these Bears have a shot, but they also need to win out to get to the playoffs. Weather will be a factor and the Cowboys having only one home game left to play doesn’t help.

     Who wins? Short and sweet…This will be a fight. Chicago and Dallas have both failed to get it done in big games recently. Both teams can run, but the Cowboys have more overall available weapons and defenders to get this win. But it is not easy to win in cold Chicago, so a upset here is not a total surprise, especially with Chicago still in a playoff chase. But I have less faith in Chicago QB Jay Cutler than I do in Dallas QB Tony Romo. That is saying a lot. I am taking common sense and taking Dallas. 

Dallas 30 Chicago 24

Sunday’s games: 






Tennessee at Houston:  This is another of those games no one cares about. Houston has slim playoff hopes and a win here keeps it there for another week, especially with other AFC wild-card contenders playing each other today. Tennessee will give them a fight…but Houston has too much.

   Who wins? The Titans are a good spoiler team, but the Houston defense will shut them down and the offense is a little better than the Titans offense. That adds up to a Houston win. Sorry.

Houston 27 Tennessee 17

Baltimore at Miami: The Ravens must be really not happy after falling to the Chargers at home last week. However, they can’t be upset long, for another big game is this week as they travel to face Miami. Both teams are in that mix of 6 AFC teams with 7-5 records. For now, Miami has the tie-breaker which makes them the current 6 seed (second wild-card). Whoever loses this game may be done as far as the playoffs, especially the Ravens, assuming the other AFC North teams win. Miami cannot assume the Patriots will keep losing, but they will face them in Foxborough soon. This is a must-watch game in a week with a bunch of those.

    Who wins? The


. Baltimore wins.
Baltimore 30 San Diego 27

Kansas City at Arizona: The surprise NFC West leaders is reeling with two straight losses as all of the adversity is starting to get to them. BUT, if they win out, including over Seattle and San Francisco, the Cardinals can still control their destiny for a playoff spot. The Chiefs were beat by Denver (again) and have to figure the AFC West title is beyond their reach (again). But they still have at slight advantage for the wild-card, but half the teams in the AFC is right behind or right with them. They cannot afford another (conference) loss, period. This game will be interesting and may show more of who is a true contender in their conference and who is a pretender..
   Who wins? The Cardinals have looked like a playoff team, despite everything. This game is at home against a team who had a big loss just like them. Home cooking helps a lot and if WR Larry Fitzgerald can play, they may have enough to save their season….for now. Cardinals win.

Arizona 35 Kansas City 24

Seattle at Philadelphia: This is a big game. This is also the first time NE QB Tom Brady has faced Green Bay QB Aaron Rodgers in a regular season game. Really? Yes, it is true. You know the players and the rest. This is a must-watch game.
    Who wins? Both teams are rolling….this comes down to where the game is being played. Green Bay can be magical at home when all of their players are playing well. The Patriots are good on the road….but that won’t be enough this time. I am taking Green Bay….but a tie would work for me, too.
Green Bay 38 New England 37

St. Louis at Washington: Even with last week’s win, the Rams may be happy to be out of town considering bigger matters nearby. They also have to think they can win here. The two teams that were involved in the trade that brought Robert Griffin III to DC play here. The Redskins are screwed. This season is a disaster. Who will start this week? Does it matter? Neither team has a good QB playing right now. It will be cool and wet and rainy in DC and the field will probably be nasty. Dome teams usually don’t do well on wet grass outdoors (and this field may not be that good), so in a game few care about, this one will be ugly.

   Who wins? Regardless of the Washington starter, the Redskins just plain have more weapons on offense than the Rams. A wet nasty field actually helps a defense that is used to it and hurt a confident dome team who doesn’t see this too often. Who won the trade? Washington did…just barely. Who wins this game? I think the Redskins will…barely. This game will not tally 52 points….total.

Washington 20 St. Louis 17

 San Francisco at Oakland: Oakland got destroyed at St. Louis. Period. But this team is still a dangerous spoiler and the remaining opponents cannot afford a loss to Oakland. Period. First up, San Francisco who was embarrassed by those Seahawks at home. They go up there for the rematch next week. Surely they will not look past Oakland…right? With the turmoil around whether coach Jim Harbaugh will still be here next year, playoffs or not swirling, this team has to be distracted, as if they did not have enough this year already. Still, with Arizona starting to swoon, the Niners know they still have a chance to win out and get to the playoffs with Seattle and Arizona on the horizon. But they must win this one first. They have the talent and have the advantage everywhere. Will they win or will SF get upset?

   Who wins? Forget the records. Oakland is a spoiler team that should scare everyone. They have nothing to lose. They will not lay down when Bay area bragging rights are on the line. The Niners cannot afford another loss…and Oakland knows it. This team will be motivated…and that should scare San Francisco. Oakland gets that upset win.

Oakland 28 San Francisco 24

Sunday Night Football: New England at San Diego: The complexity of this game has changed a bit. San Diego got an important road win last week at Baltimore while NE was humbled (some) by Green Bay at Lambeau. While NE may be in safer position for the playoffs, playoff seeding matters. The Chargers realize a win over this team could be big IF they win the AFC West…and they cannot assume Denver will lose again (other than to them, maybe). This will be a good game.
    Who wins? This game will be big for the playoff picture and so on. NE is a easy pick, but I have issues taking them on the road…when they got crushed in KC on MNF and a loss to GB may sit with them for a bit. Both teams need this win, but the Chargers at home are dangerous and right now, Chargers QB Phillip Rivers has the momentum Patriots QB Tom Brady used to have. I am taking the Chargers.
San Diego 30 New England 27 (OT)

Monday Night Football: Atlanta at Green Bay: Okay….Atlanta should not be in the playoff race at 5-7, but they are. Forget all that. Who really thinks this team will go into the cold of Green Bay…on MNF…with Green Bay QB Aaron Rodgers playing as well as he is, ESPECIALLY AT HOME….AND WIN?  The weather (meaning cold) will factor in, but what can you do? This is a week where several dome team are playing outdoors in not so great conditions. Yes, the Saints won in Pittsburgh last week, but the weather wasn’t that bad there (luckily for the Saints). Wisconsin in December…at night…..that is another matter. Atlanta QB Matt Ryan is good, but he is not Michael Vick 10 years ago and this is not the Packers team that choked a playoff game here to these Falcons, hurting the Lambeau (cold-weather) mystique. Like Rodgers said, R-E-LA-X!

    Who wins? The Falcons will fight, especially on prime-time TV, knowing that a (improbable) playoff berth is in the balance. But Green Bay has too much for these Falcons without the weather and the home field, as long as they don’t make dumb mistakes or Rodgers gets hurt, like he was at this time last year. Green Bay will not choke this game knowing Detroit is still lurking and they still get them here in the finale (if the race isn’t over by then). There is upsets and there is NFWIFH (you can figure out the acronym, adults). This is the latter. Green Bay wins again.

Green Bay 34 Atlanta 20


Bonus picks:

College football winners: Championship Week Saturday:

1. Oklahoma State upsets 20 Oklahoma
2. 3 TCU beats Iowa State
3. SEC Championship:1 Alabama beats 16 Missouri (but by 10 or less)   
4. 6 Baylor beats 9 Kansas State
5. Big Ten Championship: 13 Wisconsin upsets 5 Ohio State
6. ACC Championship: 4 Florida State beats 11 Georgia Tech
7. 22 Boise State beats Fresno State
8. Marshall beats Louisiana Tech
9. Temple beats Tulane    

Projected Final College Football Playoff Field: Released Sunday at 1230pm:

1. Alabama (12-1) SEC champion

2. Oregon (12-1) Won Pac 12 title Friday night

3. Florida State (13-0) ACC champion (2 years straight), undefeated defending national champions

4.  Baylor (12-1): co-conference champs, passes TCU by beating top 10 team in final game, head to head win over TCU.

Just missed:

5. TCU (12-1) lost to Baylor head to head, beat a weak team in scheduled final game.

6. Ohio State lost Big Ten title game OR wins Big Ten title  and committee takes Baylor or TCU instead. Cannot bump Alabama or Florida State unless they lose.
 

2014 NFL Picks...Week 13...Happy Thanksgiving!!!!!!!!

NFL Picks Week 13

Last week, my picks did okay. Even with some surprises, I somehow got back to 9-6. Well, let me try to gain some more momentum back with the 16 games this week. Happy holidays, everyone!

 Fantasy football people, byes are over! Fantasy football playoffs are about to start! Bring your A games now!

Season to date: 85-90-1 after twelve weeks. Decent. Getting better. Not there yet. (Would you believe I went 14-1 with my Yahoo picks last week! I did. I have proof! (Damn Cardinals blew my perfect week!))

Bonus picks: 3-2 this week, 37-23 to this point. The WWE picks worked out okay, but could be better….lol. We will see some fun football this weekend, starting TODAY!!!!!

Thanksgiving Day Games:

Chicago at Detroit (CBS, 1230pm): The first of the three Thanksgiving games will be wild. The Bears are fighting for respect and flickering playoff hopes. Knowing Detroit has only won once (last year) in their last 10 Thanksgiving games helps. But this is a better Detroit team than in recent years. Detroit has started their free-fall having lost first place in the NFC North to surging Green Bay, who they upset on Thanksgiving last year and beat earlier this year. As of now, Detroit is OUT of the playoffs. Detroit has 4 of their final 5 games in division but they have the tie-breaker (if they win out) and could be division champion. They finish the season at home versus the Vikings, at Chicago and at Green Bay after 3 home games, starting today. Can the Lions win today, finish strong and make the playoffs?

     Who wins? Short and sweet…This will be a fight. Detroit has failed to get it done in big games so many times in big games and on Thanksgiving, where the game meant little to them (as far as playoffs were concerned), it is easy to go the other way. Last year, the game mattered. I took Detroit, and they won. True, they blew the playoff chance, but they were fighting for something and that motivated them. This year, they have more on the line and will be more motivated. Lions RB Reggie Bush is out, but WR Calvin Johnson and QB Matthew Stafford is playing. Sorry, Chicago, got to take Detroit.

Detroit 30 Chicago 24

Philadelphia at Dallas: (Fox, 4 pm):  This is the first of two meeting between these teams. They are tied for first in the NFC East, and it is a two-team race. Philly currently has the tiebreaker but both are in the playoffs as of now. The loser of this game will get a chance to recover their spot in the rematch in Philly in 2 weeks. This will be a crazy game. Unlike Detroit, Dallas has usually been a winner on Thanksgiving….as long as it doesn’t snow….LOL! (Sorry, had to say it!). This is must-watch TV! Send the wife and kids to the Black Friday sales! Stay home (Like me!) and watch this game!

   Who wins? Two great offenses, two better than expected defenses. These teams hate each other and remember what happened at the end of last year. This game will be decided late. Dallas QB Tony Romo is good….in November. Even if they win today, Dallas (and Romo) has to prove they can win in DECEMBER. I don’t think they will. I dare Dallas to prove me wrong….starting today. Then win the rematch in 2 weeks and win in DC in the final game. Can they? We will see. Today, I see a upset. Dallas loses. Philadelphia wins in OT.

Philadelphia 30 Dallas 27 (OT)

PS: NFL GameDay morning asks: Do you FINALLY trust Tony Romo? This fantasy football champ says:  HELL NO!!!! Regular season wins are nice. Winning games that matters and playoff games is what matters. I dare Romo to FINALLY prove us all wrong! If you cannot do it this year….you never will. Period!

Seattle at San Francisco: (NFL Network, 8 pm): This was supposed to be for the NFC West lead. Well, that didn’t work out…lol. Arizona has come in and stolen away the division. So now, these teams are fighting for a wild-card spot with a lot of teams. This is also the first meeting of two (second meeting in Seattle in 2 weeks) for these two. You know the players. This will be a great finish to the day. Watch this night game, too!

Who wins? Seattle is doing well again, but the Niners are tough. This is a must-win for both teams. I may take Seattle in the rematch up there, but for today, I have to take my Kappa brother, QB Colin Kaepernick and the Niners. Plus, it adds to the intrigue of the playoff race! Niners win.

San Francisco 30 Seattle 27

Update: These were three interesting games. Detroit is showing everyone something. So is the Eagles. The 49ers didn't show up...at home...again. I do not understand. The playoffs will be crazy...but will Dallas make it? After this loss....here we go again. Remember, 8 wins, perhaps even 9 wins will NOT be enough to make the playoffs in the NFC....except in the NFC South. Nasty.


Sunday’s games:

New York Giants at Jacksonville: Must we watch this? Yes, if only to see if Giants WR Odell Beckham Jr. makes any more crazy TD catches. This game is a snoozer otherwise. Surely the Giants can beat the Jaguars. Right?

    Who wins? Do we care? Not really. The Giants still have too much for the Jaguars. Period. Giants win going away. Sorry.

New York Giants 28 Jacksonville 20



Carolina at Minnesota: This game has some playoff intrigue….sort of. The Panthers have plain sucked the last few weeks. Their only saving grace is the tie with Cincinnati and the fact they are in the NFC South. Minnesota has played teams tough, and winning this game would be a minor upset and help the Vikings in the future. Otherwise…no one cares about this one.

    Who wins? Carolina QB Cam Newton has looked shaky for weeks. He can say he is not injured…but no one outside of Charlotte believes this. The Vikings have nothing to lose….period. I have to take the Vikings in this one.

Minnesota 28 Carolina 20
 
New Orleans at Pittsburgh: I am shocked to say that the Saints should be done, but they are not. Something is seriously wrong when you are 4-7, and you had 3 home games in a row, one on MNF (against good teams, mind you) and you lost ALL of them, and you are STILL tied for first in your division! But that is the reality of the NFC South. The Steelers are in a 4-way fight for the AFC North where every game matters. Few teams go into Pittsburgh and wins, especially struggling dome teams from the other conference. If there is bad weather too….right. The Saints need a win. Good luck with that.

  Who wins? The Saints had three straight games at home….and lost them all. How can they then come north into the cold and upset the Steelers? Not happening. Steelers win.

Pittsburgh 30 New Orleans 27

Cincinnati at Tampa Bay: The Bengals are back in first in the AFC North, barely. The rest of the division is right behind them. Hence, they must win out to make the playoffs, for they cannot bet on a wild-card either. Tampa is 2 games out of first…with 2 wins. Yes, I know. If Tamps gets a win and Atlanta, New Orleans and Carolina all lose, the Buccaneers are 1 game out of first. The Bengals had Carolina beat in OT and blew the game winning FG, causing a tie. They won’t make that mistake again…..I hope.
      Who wins? I would take the Bengals, but this team has blown too many winnable games already, plus the tie that should not have happened. Plus this game is on the road…I am taking the upset and taking Tampa. Somebody has to win in this division, right?

Tampa Bay 27 Cincinnati 24

Cleveland at Buffalo: Wow. Who would have thought that THIS game would be so big this late in the season for BOTH teams? The Bills will be at home this week after last week’s game was played on Monday night at Detroit due to the overwhelming snow/rain/flooding issues in the Buffalo area in the days leading up to the game. The Bills did nasty things to the punch-less Jets. Can they do the same to the Browns, who has become a contender? I doubt it.

    Who wins? Both teams need this win and while I know the Bills are dangerous at home….I sense this is the year that Cleveland finally gets to the playoffs. To do it, they have to win games like this against other contenders. These Browns will not be denied, especially with Cleveland WR Josh Gordon back on the field. Cleveland wins.

Cleveland 30 Buffalo 23

Tennessee at Houston:  This is another of those games no one cares about. Houston has slim playoff hopes and a win here keeps it there for another week, especially with other AFC wild-card contenders playing each other today. Tennessee will give them a fight…but Houston has too much.
   Who wins? The Titans are a good spoiler team, but the Houston defense will shut them down and the offense is a little better than the Titans offense. That adds up to a Houston win. Sorry.

Houston 27 Tennessee 17

San Diego at Baltimore: The Ravens feel good after their mildly surprising MNF win at New Orleans. So can they do it against another playoff contender at home? The Chargers need this game with the other two AFC West contenders facing each other on SNF. But West Coast teams have historically had issues coming East to play. Will that trend continue?

    Who wins? The Chargers are dangerous and can steal wins. This will not be one of them. Both teams need a win to stay in division and wild-card races. Someone must lose. I am taking the trend and the home team in this one. Baltimore wins.

Baltimore 30 San Diego 27

Arizona at Atlanta: The surprise NFC (and NFC West) leaders come east to play in a huge game for both teams. The winner gains more control over their destiny. The loser falls back closer to the pack of teams behind them. Atlanta should not be discussing playoffs right now, but they are. This game will be interesting and leave it at that.

   Who wins? The Cardinals have looked like a playoff team, despite everything. West Coast teams have issues coming East. But this game is in a dome, and when that occurs with two dome teams, forget history. Atlanta doesn’t have enough defense to stop Arizona. Cardinals win.

Arizona 35 Atlanta 24

New England at Green Bay: This is a big game. This is also the first time NE QB Tom Brady has faced Green Bay QB Aaron Rodgers in a regular season game. Really? Yes, it is true. You know the players and the rest. This is a must-watch game.

    Who wins? Both teams are rolling….this comes down to where the game is being played. Green Bay can be magical at home when all of their players are playing well. The Patriots are good on the road….but that won’t be enough this time. I am taking Green Bay….but a tie would work for me, too.

Green Bay 38 New England 37

Washington at Indianapolis: The Redskins are screwed. This season is a disaster. Now, QB Colt McCoy will start over Robert Griffin III in this game. This was to be the first regular-season meeting between the top 2 picks of the 2012 draft. Colts QB Andrew Luck, the top overall pick has done well for 21/2 seasons. Griffin III has had 1 good season and the last season and a half has not been so good, when he has not been injured. Is this the right call? Probably. All this helps the Colts, who are at home and are trying to improve (potential) playoff position knowing many of the other division leaders are in tough in-division games this week. If the Colts lose this game (barring injury to Luck and/or others), the Colts are in big trouble, assuming they make the playoffs (which looks likely right now).

   Who wins? Regardless of the Washington starter, the Redskins just plain have many weapons on offense to try to stay with the Colts. The defense did a good job at SF last week. The Colts as a whole is too good to lose this game. Turmoil in DC will continue for a while, no matter what. Colts win.

Indianapolis 30 Washington 20

 Oakland at St. Louis: Okay…Oakland has got their first win. Can they win more? Their best shot is at St. Louis, who has upset some of the big boys, but has not done well against others. No one but me will watch this game. Not much else to say.

   Who wins? Forget the records. Oakland is a spoiler team that should scare everyone. The Rams will see this as another game between two teams that will have high draft picks in the 2015 draft. I do think the Raiders can pull this one out….somehow. Raiders win.

Oakland 28 St. Louis 24

Sunday Night Football: Denver at Kansas City: The complexity of this game has changed a bit. This is for the division lead, much like last year. But both know that San Diego is right with them too. If the Chargers beat Baltimore, the loser of this game will be in more trouble for a playoff spot. Denver and QB Peyton Manning has issues away from home. Here you go. Just remember there will be a rematch in Denver in a few weeks. KC has weapons and is dangerous at home. This will be a good game.

    Who wins? This game will be big for the playoff picture and so on. Denver is an easy pick, but I have issues taking them on the road…when they couldn’t win in…St. Louis? Sorry…I am taking Kansas City.

Kansas City 30 Denver 27 (OT)

Monday Night Football: Miami at the New York Jets: The Dolphins are right in the playoff race and with so many teams still in the (wild-card) race, every game and every win matters. The Jets are going nowhere, so Miami must win this game. The weather (meaning cold) will factor in some, but what can you do? This is the schedule. The Jets are so screwed up, it makes the Redskins seem stable…lol. Miami is showing that they are a contender, now wins and a playoff berth will prove it.

    Who wins? The Jets will fight, especially on prime-time TV, but Miami has too much for these Jets to handle as long as they don’t make dumb mistakes. This will be Miami’s easiest game down the stretch. So I am taking Miami to pull this out.

Miami 27 New York Jets 20 

 
Bonus picks: 

1. Mississippi State beats Ole Miss
2. Auburn upsets Alabama (again)
3. Florida State beats Florida
4. Georgia Tech upsets Georgia
5. Oregon State upsets Oregon