NFL Expert Picks Week 14
By Jeff Ellis
10-4 last week and 129-63 overall. Let’s get right into week 14.
Broncos @ Raiders Broncos win. Broncos are 9-3, and the Raiders are 3-9.
Rams @ Bills I like the Rams. When I look at the numbers I find this game to be a tough decision. The deciding factor for me is the Bills injury list. They took heavy losses in their win against Jacksonville last week.
Cowboys @ Bengals The Bengals will win. The Bengals offense has been good all season and now they have a defense to go along with it. The Bengals defense has given up just one TD in the last three games. However, I expect a close game because the Cowboys have won 3 of their last four and have scored 32.5 points per game over that four game period.
Chiefs @ Browns Both teams have a long list of issues and I like the Browns to win. They’ve won two in a row and are 3-3 at home. The Chiefs have won just two games all season, they are 1-4 on the road, and they have the second lowest points scored in the NFL, 15.5 per game. The Browns also have the advantage in turnovers. The Browns are +7 turnovers and the Chiefs are -16.
Titans @ Colts The Colts will win. The Colts are 8-4 and 5-1 at home. Titans are 4-8 and 2-4 on the road.
Bears @ Vikings I like the Bears. This will be a real good game to watch. It is a divisional game and the Vikings need to win this home game to stay in the playoff race. They are currently two games behind the 8-4 Packers and Bears. With a 5-1 record at home the Vikings are really tough against visiting teams. I still like the Bears to win because they beat the Vikings 28-10 in week 12, Vikings #1 receiver, Percy Harvin, is on IR, and the Bears have +16 turnovers versus the Vikings’ -6 turnovers.
Chargers @ Steelers Steelers win. Steelers are are 7-5 and 4-1 at home. Chargers are 4-8 and 2-4 on the road.
Eagles @ Buccaneers Buccaneers win. The Eagles are 3-9 and 1-5 on the road. The Eagles have -18 turnovers and the Buccaneers have +11 turnovers.
Ravens @ Redskins I like the Ravens. The Redskins beat the Giants last week but they were not impressive. The Redskins scored just one offensive TD as a result of a designed play. The other offensive TD was a result of a fumble recovery. In addition, the Giants made plenty of mental errors. I expect the 9-3 Ravens to have learned from what the Giants showed us and improve on that formula.
Falcons @ Panthers Falcons are 11-1, Panthers are 3-9
Jets @ Jaguars I like the Jaguars. Jaguars, QB Chad Henne is facing an old foe, the Jets defense. Both teams have many issues on offense and defense but I like Chad Henne (1-0 at home) to rally the troops at home in the hopes of finishing strong and reigniting his career.
Niners @ Dolphins Niners win. The Niners are 8-3 and on another playoff run. The have a 4-2 record on the road and there defense is giving up just 14.3 points per game, best in the NFL. On the other side of the field the Dolphins are just 3-3 at home and are scoring just 18.9 points per game, 27th in the league.
Saints @ Giants The Giants will win. The Giants are 7-5, 4-2 at home, and have +14 turnovers. The Saints are 5-7, 2-4 on the road, and -2 turnovers. In addition, the Saints are just 1-3 against top ten defenses this season (measured by points per game).
Cardinals @ Seahawks Seahawks will win. The Seahawks are 7-5 and 5-0 at home. The Cardinals are 4-8 and 1-5 at home.
Lions @ Packers Packers win. Packers are 8-4 and 5-1 at home. Lions are 4-8 and 2-4 on the road.
Texans @ Patriots Now this is a Monday Night Football Game! The Patriots are scoring 35.8 points per game, first in the NFL, and the Texans are scoring 29.3 points per game, second in the NFL. The Patriots are giving up 21.7 points per game, tied for 14th in the NFL and the Texans are giving up 18.4 points per game, 4th in the league. Patriots have given up just 19.3 points per game over the last five games. Patriots have +24 turnovers and the Texans have +14 turnovers. Patriots are 4-1 at home and the Texans are 6-0 on the road. How the heck do you pick this game?? I am going with experience and home field advantage. The Patriots just love playing at home and they have plenty of experience in big games like this. Patriots will win.