Week 14 Picks!

As we head into the last four games of the NFL season, here is the playoff landscape up to date:

AFC
1-Indy
2-Cincy
3-San Diego
4-New England
5-Denver
6-Jacksonville

NFC
1-New Orleans
2-Minnesota
3-Arizona
4-Dallas
5-Philly
6-Green Bay

The one thing to be aware of is that this is not how the final playoff structure will pan out. Although there are four games left, people get caught up in the moment. Just because Green Bay is playing well right now, doesn't mean they are going to finish off their last four games like that. Just because Denver leads the wild card race right now in Week 14, doesn't mean it is going to end up like that. Some of those teams will not be there at the end of the regular season. It is hard to believe with how some of them are playing right now, but it is the reality. It is going to get very interesting the next four weeks. Onto this week's picks......

Last Week's Record: 5-11
Thursday Night's Record: 1-0
Overall Record: 90-96-7
(HOME TEAM IN CAPS)

MINNESOTA (-6) over Cincy: The Vikings come back home after a tough loss at Arizona. I can't see Minnesota losing back-to-back games. Cincy gets a little break with Pittsburgh and Baltimore falling back in the pack. The Vikes take care of business in the Metrodome.

TAMPA BAY (+4) over New York Jets: Kellen Clemens on the road in a big game is a scary thought. The worst news the Jet fans could have heard this week was that Clemens would be starting a must win for them this week. Tampa Bay is terrible, but you just can't trust Clemens right now for the Jets.

KANSAS CITY (PICK) over Buffalo: Arrowhead Stadium was like a morgue last week against Denver. The Chiefs used to be a solid franchise. I know that haven't won a Super Bowl since 1970, but they were always in playoff contention during the Marty Schottenheimer Era, and Dick Vermeil always had them as contenders in the AFC West a few years ago. The last three years have been horrific for the Chiefs and their fans. It is actually kind of sad. Who is calling this game? It's gotta be Don Criqui and Randy Cross.

CHICAGO (+3) over Green Bay: This is the Bears moment this year. They will put everything they can into beating the Packers. You can't trust the Bears, but this is a rivalry game, and the Bears will treat this as their Super Bowl.

ATLANTA (+11) over New Orleans: I'm done picking huge favorites this year. It's just not working. The Falcons will probably be without Matt Ryan, and Michael Turner is questionable, but they will keep it closer than people expect.

BALTIMORE (-11) over Detroit: I know I said I'm done picking huge favorites, but this is the lock of the week. The Ravens have to be ecstatic that Pittsburgh keeps losing, and the Ravens still have a good shot to make the playoffs. They get it going at home against the Lions and Daunte Culpepper.

Miami (+4) over JACKSONVILLE: For the sake of every NFL fan out there, please let the Dolphins beat the Jags. Nobody wants to see Jax in the playoffs. There is zero interest in that team or that franchise. The Fins are a better team, and they prove with a big win in Jacksonville. Serious question: How many fans show up for the game on Sunday in Jacksonville?

NEW ENGLAND (-12) over Carolina: It is gut check time for the Pats. No way the Patriots lose this game at home. They are a very different team in Foxboro. The Pats get back on track.

HOUSTON (-5) over Seattle: The Seahawks are playing for the future. Adding Mike Holmgren this week as a team president was a very solid move. The Texans are playing for their coach this week. At 5-7, the Texans have proven to be the frauds that many people expected-including myself- this year. They get the win at home vs. Seattle, but the questions will still linger about Gary Kubiak's job security.

TENNESSEE (-12) over St. Louis: A rematch of Super Bowl XXXVI! The Titans will win this one, but their train has been derailed a bit after last week's loss at Indy. They will still play hard down the stretch, but now need a minor miracle to make the playoffs.

Washington (-1) over OAKLAND: Jason Campbell hasn't played that bad as of late. The Raiders shocked the world by beating Pittsburgh in Heinz Field last week, but they come back to Earth this week.

DALLAS (-3) over San Diego: The Chargers are playing great but look who they have beaten during their seven game winning streak: KC, Oak, Giants by 1, Philly at home, Denver with Chris Simms starting, KC, and Cleveland. Everyone is already predicting the Cowboys' demise in December, but I'm not so sold that it is going to happen. The Cowboys edge the Chargers in a great matchup.

Philly (+2) over NEW YORK GIANTS: I thought the Giants were done, but they found a way to beat the Cowboys last week. They won't be so fortunate this time. The Eagles will find a way to beat the Giants on SNF.

San Francisco (+4) over Arizona: The Cards will start to take it easy the next few weeks and glide into the playoffs. No one in the NFC wants to see Arizona in the playoffs.

INDY (-7) over Denver: This would be a perfect spot for Indy to lose their first game, but I don't see it happening. The Broncos offense will not be able to keep up with Indy. The Colts will stuff the box and stop the run, and Denver's passing game will have trouble against that Indy pass rush. Defensively, Denver can think of every scheme possible to stop Peyton Manning, but he is just too good. The Colts are going for homefield advantage and a NFL record 22 game winning streak. I think they get it done: Colts-31- Denver-20