NFL 2005 Week 14 Predictions

See. I take the time to think about my predictions for a week and get right back in the saddle with a solid 12-4 performance. Not too shabby.

Onto this week....

Bears @ Steelers
Get ready for some old-time football. Gritty defense, smashmouth running, and the occasional passing play. A game straight out of the leather helmet days. The weakness in Pittsburgh's defense is the secondary, but Kyle Orton is not primed to exploit that with a diverse passing attack. Chicago's defense has no weaknesses that I see. The game comes down simply to who has the better offense, and that is Pittsburgh, though they haven't necessarily played like it recently. Prediction: Steelers.

Browns @ Bengals
Don't look now, but the Bengals have the second best record in the AFC and a pretty strong grip on the division. And their schedule to close out the season is not too demanding, with only the Chiefs presenting much of a challenge. Could Cincy end their run of futility in grand style by getting the #2 seed in the playoffs? It's possible, though Denver looks to hold the tiebreaker advantage due to a better conference record, and their schedule doesn't look that much tougher than the Bengals'. But first things first. The Browns are going nowhere but down, particularly with a rookie quarterback. Prediction: Bengals.

Texans @ Titans
Neither team has much to play for. Some will say Houston will play to lose to grab the top pick in the draft and get Reggie Bush. That would be stupid. They have a running back. They desperately need offensive linemen. That's one of the many things I don't get about the draft, and its analysts. Why would Houston pour a mountain of cash into a running back, when they already have a good one and have serious needs elsewhere? Yet that doesn't seem to factor into anyone's analysis. Personally, I would never want the top pick in the draft. Far too much money to sign the player, when there are plenty of other players in the draft just as likely to become stars. The whole thing is backwards and upside down. I've written on it before, and won't say any more. In this game, neither team has much in the way of defense. The Titans have more potency on offense, though Houston has shown some spark and when Carr isn't trying to avoid five guys in his face thanks to his offensive line, he can do things. But I have to go with McNair over Carr. Prediction: Titans.

Colts @ Jaguars
With a win, the Colts will lock up the division and the top seed in the playoffs. The Jags are fighting for a playoff spot too, but no one stops the Colts but the Colts themselves. Prediction: Colts.

Patriots @ Bills
Can Corey Dillon finally have a productive running game for New England? Buffalo's run defense is pretty bad. New England has its problems on defense, but primarily in the secondary which won't matter against a poor passing team as the Bills. Prediction: Patriots.

Raiders @ Jets
How does one pick this game? Neither team is any good and both are starting young quarterbacks still getting their feet wet. The only differentiator I can see is the running game, where former Jet LaMont Jordan gives the advantage to Oakland. Prediction: Raiders.

Rams @ Vikings
Another "don't look now" moment. The Vikings are very much in the thick of the playoff hunt. Dallas, Minnesota, and Atlanta are all at 7-5 battling for a wild-card spot, with Tampa one game ahead and in control of the other spot. Two of those four should make the playoffs. The Viking defense, as I've written before, is playing more like many expected them to all season. Under Johnson, the more conservative offense is getting the job done. The Rams field their rookie QB, which should allow many points, for the Viking defense. Prediction: Vikings.

Bucs @ Panthers
Tampa has been quite a surprise this season. They control the top wildcard spot right now. But they are young at key positions, particularly on offense. The Panther defense is playing pretty well, and that should slow Cadillac and bring pressure on young Simms. The Bucs have a pretty good defense too, of course, but their offense is much better than the Buc offense. Prediction: Panthers.

Giants @ Eagles
Philly's misery continues with yet another tough matchup. The Giants bring a stronger than expected defense and an offense that has been inconsistent lately, but can be deadly. Can the Eagles be shut out two weeks in a row? Quite possibly. Prediction: Giants.

39ers @ Seahawks
San Fran has not been an embarrassment this year, but they still aren't very good. The 'Hawks are making their bid for team-to-beat status. This could be a trap game for Seattle, but I don't think so.
Prediction: Seahawks.

Redskins @ Cardinals
A matchup of division leaders. Oh wait, that was just my pre-season prediction. Reality is somewhat less. The Redskins are still alive in the playoff hunt, but falling back. They need to keep winning to have any chance. The offense hasn't done well of late. The Cardinals are playing better on offense, but still have no running game. In the last month, they've gone 2-2 but have been competitive in every game. The Redskin defense can bring a lot of pressure against Warner, which could lead to interceptions. Arizona plays well at home, and Washington has to travel across the country, from snow and freezing temperatures to the desert. It is tempting to pick the Cardinals here. But I have to think that Redskin defense can handle the Warner passing attack, especially when there's no running game to worry about. And Washington can be productive on offense, and should be able to do so against a not so good Cardinal defense. Prediction: Redskins.

Ravens @ Broncos
Top team against bottom team? Not much analysis needed. Prediction: Broncos.

Chiefs @ Cowboys
Both teams are right in the thick of the wild-card chase in their conferences. Both need to keep winning to stay alive. Dallas faces a tough schedule to close out the season. Every game is must-win because of the standings, and they have to face at least 2 playoff-contending teams, three if you include Washington in that mix. On the other hand KC has an even tougher schedule, all four games against playoff-caliber opposition. The Chiefs are all about offense, and the Cowboys primarily about defense. Dallas is more balanced as a team because its offense isn't too bad. The Cowboy defense ought to be able to slow the Chief attack. So long as Bledsoe doesn't follow in his successor's footsteps (remember Brady's four interceptions against the Chiefs?), Dallas should come out on top. Prediction: Cowboys.

Dolphins @ Chargers
San Diego is another team hunting for a wild-card spot, and a visit from the struggling Dolphins is just what they need. Prediction: Chargers.

Lions @ Packers
Who is the worst team in the NFC North. This game will help decide. I do think Green Bay is better than their record indicates. They play well, but also make too many mistakes that give the game away, at least when they play weaker teams. The Lions look like they're just mailing it in now, with the coach already fired. If Brett can keep his interception numbers down to one or two, the Packers shouldn't have too bad a time of it. Prediction: Packers.

Saints @ Falcons
How did New Orleans ever end up on a Monday night game? The Falcons are fighting for their playoff lives, and the Saints shouldn't be much of a barrier. Prediction: Falcons.

Last Week: 12-4
Season: 116-76