NFL Predictions: Week 14

A very average week sees me enter the final leg about 65% accurate. Not quite as good as I'd have hoped for, but there are still 3 weeks left (and playoffs) to boost my results.

Week 13:

Outright = 9-7

Outright = 122-71

Thursday Night Football:

Broncos @ Raiders

We would obviously all expect the Broncos to win here and win comfortably. Denver will  be pushing to get a first round bye so every win counts at this stage, whereas Oakland will be firmly focused on building for next year. One pause for thought is that Raiders' HC Dennis Allen has suffered some personal tragedy this week, which as the Chiefs showed last week can often spur an underdog on to victory. In this case though I think the gap in quality is too great even for that.

DBL Coverage Prediction: Broncos by 10

Sunday First Wave

Rams @ Bills

Interesting one as both are coming off wins. I can see either side grabbing this one, but like Buffalo to scrape a home win here. Both sides have been somewhat unpredictable this year so it's a toss up.

DBL Coverage Prediction: Buffalo by 3

Falcons @ Panthers

Sure, the Falcons may have the division sewn up (and typically haven't been posting huge wins) but with the Panthers coming off a loss to the Chiefs I think this is a banker, and can't see any reason why Atlanta shouldn't grab another W here.

DBL Coverage Prediction: Falcons by 7

Cowboys @ Bengals

Another tough one to call with both sides pushing for playoff spots, and both coming off wins vs the Eagles and Chargers respectively. I don't pay much attention to 'silly' records, eg: Andy Reid being undefeated after the bye (which ceased being the case earlier this year), and Romo's notoriety in the month of December is another one of those over-exaggerated trends. Despite that, I still like Cincy to be the better side here and improve their post-season chances.

DBL Coverage Prediction: Bengals by 7

Chiefs @ Browns

The Chiefs win an emotional game vs Carolina following Belcher's reported murder-suicide, whereas the Browns take care of business vs Oakland. I like the Browns to win here, but this should go right to the wire.

DBL Coverage Prediction:Browns by 3

Titans @ Colts

With Luck and the Colts coming off an improbable away win at Detroit I don't see why they can't comfortably handle Tennessee at home, where they've been strong all year.

DBL Coverage Prediction: Colts by 7

Jets @ Jags

McElroy is 1-0 as a Jet (when he's played), and whilst they'll probably still start Sanchez vs the Jags (they have too much money invested in him to give up now), if he keeps performing like he did vs the Chiefs it won't be too long before he goes along with Ryan. The Jaguars just got beat by the Bills, but I like them to edge another close one here.

DBL Coverage Prediction: Jags by 3

Bears @ Vikings

Chicago slipped up against the Hawks, but should regain their balance here with a win, pushing GB to the wire for control of the NFC North. Urlacher's injury is a worry when they'll need to be stout against the Vikings' run game.

DBL Coverage Prediction:Bears by 7

Eagles @ Buccaneers

Both are coming off one score losses, but the Buccs played the better side so I like Tampa so make a statement here and get back in the wildcard hunt.

DBL Coverage Prediction: Buccs by 10

Ravens @ Redskins

Interesting one as although I'm although I'm as big a RG3 fan as you'll find, I'm not sure they deserve to be favourites against a team of the Ravens' quality. That said, Baltimore have struggled the last 2 weeks with a narrow win over SD followed by a loss to Charlie Batch and the Steelers... I'll side with Washington but wouldn't be surprised to see either side win narrowly.

DBL Coverage Prediction:Skins by 3

Sunday Second Wave

Dolphins @ 49ers

Both are coming off losses, even if the Niners' was a lot narrower and a lot more unexpected. I'm going to put it down to the Rams' having SF's number this year and peg them to win big once again. 

DBL Coverage Prediction:49ers by 10

Saints @ Giants

Don't let Monday's performance fool you, the Giants are still alive and kicking, and as dangerous as ever in the playoff hunt. This is the sort of game they will go out and dominate after last week's loss, and the Saints at this point have nothing to play for. 

DBL Coverage Prediction: Giants by 7

Cardinals @ Seahawks

I don't think this is going to be as one sided as the bookies are predicting – the Hawks should be confident they can win (and still have a shot at the NFC West crown this year), but they just aren't a team who blow people out the water, even when their opponent is starting Ryan Lindley.

DBL Coverage Prediction: Hawks by 7

Chargers @ Steelers

I'd like to say this one depends on whether Big Ben plays, but let's be honest the Steelers would beat the sorry Chargers if they started one of Arizona's QBs. I'm counting the days until Norv gets canned.

DBL Coverage Prediction: Steelers by 10

Sunday Night:

Lions @ Packers

This one was close when they played at Detroit, but the Packers have more on the line here so should avoid the upset. Divisional games are always unpredictable, but the Pack should take care of business.

DBL Coverage Prediction: Packers by 7

Monday Night

Texans @ Patriots

Very tasty MNF show-down between two of the AFC's big boys. This should be a great encounter and a potential playoff preview, so I like it to be a tight one with NE just edging it.

DBL Coverage Prediction: Patriots by 3