NFL picks and predictions for Week 14

Note: These first three picks was posted in our thread on Thursday. I am listing them here for record-keeping purposes.

Thursday Night Football: We’re in for a good one this week as two of the best teams in the AFC square off in a cold division battle. The Raiders are the No. 1 seed at 10-2, but one win by the Chiefs can make them swap spots with them down to the No. 5 seed. The Chiefs beat the Raiders earlier this season 26-10, and even though Oakland is 5-0 on the road, it’s tough to play in Arrowhead and the cold weather will throw them off their game a bit. Chiefs 28, Raiders 21

Hanging on by a Thread: Arizona still has a crack at the playoffs if they can get hot, and if they get some help from the Saints this week (who need to beat the Bucs). Last week, we saw Arizona come alive defensively against the Redskins -- can it continue against a Miami team that was blown out last week and fell out of the sixth seed in the AFC? Miami had a good run, but I think we're going to see a bit of a downhill spiral for them as the season winds down. Cardinals 23, Dolphins 17

Lions Are for Real: Are people ready to talk about the Detroit Lions, who are 8-4 and just a hair behind the No. 2 seed in the AFC? I think they like flying under the radar, because it means that they aren't setting themselves up for a collapse by having to live up to outside pressure. The Bears got a feel-good win last week, but Detroit isn't San Francisco. Lions 31, Bears 10

Battle of Ohio II: I am interested in watching what Robert Griffin III can bring to the table, and the Bengals, despite their win last week, should still be ripe for the picking given their offensive struggles. However, I also have to ask myself how Griffin can survive or have time behind a line where I only have faith in Joe Thomas.

Cincinnati’s defense does not allow a lot of damage through the air, and because of what Kevin Hogan did to them last time around, I think they will be extra-prepared for any read-option stuff that Griffin attempts. I also fear that some of the stabilization we saw at safety will evaporate with Derrick Kindred’s injury. Cleveland will stay within range into the fourth quarter before falling behind by a second possession off of a field goal. Bengals 26, Browns 17

Upset of the Week: In the middle of a 3-team race in the AFC South at 6-6, the Titans are coming off the bye and have the offensive firepower to get out to a good start against Denver. Between Paxton Lynch and Trevor Siemian, I just don't think they'll deliver enough of a punch to respond. Titans 27, Broncos 17

It's About Time: The Texans have dropped three straight games, are 1-5 on the road, and the Colts are coming off of their best win of the season -- a 41-10 rout of the Jets. It's finally time for the Texans to relinquish their season-long lead in the AFC South. Colts 33, Texans17

Defensive Victory: Who is playing worse football right now -- the Vikings or the Jaguars? I'd say the Jaguars, but Minnesota's fall from grace has to be pretty demoralizing. Sam Bradford is not a difference-making quarterback, but Blake Bortles seems to throw a pick six every week and the Vikings can still fall back on their defense at times. Despite the Vikings' struggles, a win here puts them right in the thick of the wildcard race in the NFC. Vikings 24, Jaguars 6

Rising in the Ranks: 24-9 over the Browns. 28-7 over the Colts. 24-14 over the Giants. Don't look now, but the Steelers look like one of the top teams in the AFC again. The Bills have been a hot-and-cold team who are getting Sammy Watkins and Robert Woods back at the right time. I like the Steelers to use their defensive intensity to force some turnovers and capitalize on a few short fields. Steelers 29, Bills 21

Building Pride: You can chalk this season up as big disappointments for the Chargers and Panthers. Despite being blown out by the Seahawks on the road last week, I think Carolina will use some of their own home cooking this week against the Chargers. Panthers 27, Chargers 20

Remember the Days...when the Eagles were 3-0 and Carson Wentz was the second coming? Those days are over, as the Eagles are now 5-7 without much of a chance of catching the Giants and Cowboys. Things are suddenly a bit dicey for the Redskins, though, who have dropped two straight to fall to 6-5-1. I see Kirk Cousins bouncing back with a big performance this week as Wentz continues to make some mistakes. Redskins 31, Eagles 17

Let's Try This Again: OK...if the 49ers couldn't even compete with the Bears last week, they maybe they can do it against the Jets? I'll be honest; I'm just picking them because it gives Cleveland that cushion for the No. 1 overall pick. 49ers 17, Jets 14

Jeff LOL Fisher: I love that Jeff Fisher won't even finish as good as some 7-9 bullshit team. The Falcons' offense can bring it any week, and Jared Goff won't be able to match their pace for even a quarter in this one. Falcons 42, Rams 10

Game of the Week: Good job to the NFL for flexing this game to afternoon slot, but it's unfortunate that it's on at the same time as the Seahawks vs. Packers game. Both games are good with big-time playoff implications, but the Buccaneers are in a similar boat as the Lions, flying completely under the radar and winning four straight to get to 7-5. The Saints are 5-7, but a win here keeps their season alive and helps some other teams in the NFC get in the wildcard race. I think the Bucs continue their momentum in a closely-fought game. Buccaneers 31, Saints 28

Return of the Moxy: Right after I gave up on the Packers, they've now won two straight while only giving up 13 points in each game. 6-6 is still a tough pill for them to swallow, and they are going up against a Seahawks team that just blew the doors off the Panthers. Just two weeks earlier, though, they were held to five points against the Buccaneers on the road. I think Aaron Rodgers gets going early in this one and shows the moxy of an MVP in a playoff-caliber game. Packers 27, Seahawks 23

Sunday Night Football: The Giants beat the Cowboys in Week 1, and Dallas has won 11 straight games since then for an 11-1 record. Even if the Giants win this week and get to 9-4, the Cowboys will still have a two-game lead on them. The Giants' lack of an offensive punch will hurt them here, and they'll find it tougher than Week 1 against a Cowboys team that has really hit its stride. Cowboys 24, Giants 20

Monday Night Football: I would've never guessed that the Ravens could be 7-5 at some point this year. Their defense is carrying them, but I don't think they can stop Tom Brady and the Patriots' offense, which is when Baltimore's offensive struggles will become more prevalent. Patriots 28, Ravens 14