Week 14 of NFL Predictions as of December 10th

Welcome to Week 14 of the NFL season and it’s hard to believe that there are only three more games until the regular season is over after this week; the playoff push is in full swing. Last week my record was 3-3, bringing my overall record to 41-34 and in the process dropping my winning percentage from 55.1% down to 54.7%. At least I still have a winning record right? This week I’ll be predicting six games and once again I’m hoping to have more wins than losses when the regular season is over. With that being said, let’s get started!!!

This is the Thursday night game between a couple of NFC teams that’s atop of their division as the Minnesota Vikings visit the Arizona Cardinals in a huge showdown. The Vikings are coming off an embarrassing game last week against Seattle where Adrian Peterson called out the coaching staff for only having eight carries. Can the Vikings turn it around against this tough Cardinals defense? The Cardinals can clinch the division with a win over the Vikings and a loss by the Seahawks, but they still have a tough schedule in front of them with the Eagles, Packers and Seahawks after this game. I’m going with the Cardinals!!

Cardinals Win 27-17

We have a battle between two AFC North rivals as the Pittsburgh Steelers visit the division leading Cincinnati Bengals. The Steelers are coming off a really impressive win last Sunday night over the Colts where their offense looked great. I’ve said all year that the Steelers probably have the best offense I’ve seen and believe they’re a team that could upset the Patriots in the playoffs. The Cincinnati Bengals started the season 8-0, loss a couple of games in a row and everyone panicked, but has won two games in a row since. They beat the Steelers earlier in the year, but I think the Steelers win this one.

Steelers Win 32-27

This game is a huge rivalry game in the NFC South as the Atlanta Falcons visit the undefeated Carolina Panthers to try and save their disastrous season. Everyone knows that the Falcons started the season 5-0, then somehow have lost 6 out of their last 7 games. With them now fighting for their playoff lives, can the Falcons somehow go to Carolina and hand them their first defeat? We all know about the season the Carolina Panthers is having and I believe that Cam Newton will be the MVP this year also. The defense has been top notched, until last week against the Saints, but they’ll rebound and win this one.

Panthers Win 34-24

Now if you’re looking for a game to watch closely then this is the one as the Buffalo Bills travel to face the Philadelphia Eagles. The talk all week has been the relationship and fallout between Chip Kelly and LeSean McCoy since Kelly traded McCoy to the Bills this past year. After putting that aside, both of these teams still have shots to make it to the playoffs with the Bills picking up a huge win last week over the Texans after dropping two in a row. The Eagles ended a three game losing streak last week with a huge upset in New England and they’re looking to capitalize on that, but I think the Bills will pull it out.

Bills Win 30-28

This is the Sunday night game as the New England Patriots visit the Houston Texans. The Patriots have lost two games in a row and in the process; they have went from the top seed in the AFC down to the 3rd seed. With all the injuries the Patriots have on both sides of the ball, can they manage to maintain until some of their players return. Can they at least finish in the top two for they can have that important week off in the playoffs? On the other side, the four game winning streak of the Texans was snapped last week, but they’re still tied with the Colts atop of their division. I’m thinking the Patriots will bounce back and win this one!

Patriots Win 30-20

Finally we have the Monday Night game as the New York Giants visit the Miami Dolphins. The Giants seemed like they were poised to take over the division and run away with it, but they have lost three games in a row. Despite everything that has gone wrong for the Giants, they’re still tied atop of the division with the Redskins and Eagles so they still have a chance. The Dolphins win last week over the Ravens ended their two game losing streak and them losing 4 out of their last 5 games. Honestly, I think the Dolphins playoff chances are nonexistent even though they’re not out and I think they’ll win this game.