Broncos-Raiders Preview and Week 14 Picks!

The Broncos host the Raiders on Sunday and with a 10-2, they are still in play for a bye week and possibly homefield advantage. A win over this week in imperative because the next two weeks feature a trip to Pittsburgh to take on the Steelers and a home game on a Monday night against the Bengals. So why is this game a tricky one for the Broncos? For starters, the Broncos are down a bunch of starters and key players. On offense, C.J. Anderson is questionable to play with an ankle injury, and Vernon Davis is questionable with a concussion. Obviously, Peyton Manning is out, but Ronnie Hillman was limited all week with a sore foot. Defensively, the Broncos are really depleted and banged up. LB Danny Trevathan is out with a concussion, T.J. Ward is still out with an ankle injury, and David Bruton, his replacement, is out with a knee injury. Demarcus Ware is a game-time decision, and if he plays it will be very limited. Sylvester Williams is questionable as well. The Broncos are beat up physically, and now they host a Raiders team that is 5-7 but playing better than they have played over the last few years. The Broncos have to get enough for it knowing that they have Pittsburgh next week and Cincy in two weeks. The only way this game is a blowout for the Broncos is if Brock Osweiler has a career day, and the defense gets a couple of defensive touchdowns. Otherwise, this game will be close throughout because that is how the Broncos play this year. I think this one will come down to the wire.

Oakland (+7) over DENVER:
Final Score: Raiders-24 Broncos-17 

Last Week's Record: 10-4-2
Overall Record: 90-95-10
(HOME TEAM IN CAPS)

CINCY (-3) over Pittsburgh: The Bengals are the best team in the AFC at this point, and now they get the Steelers coming to town in a huge game in mid December. This is a statement game for the Bengals, and the last time these two teams played it was a close game decided by a few Big Ben interceptions. This game is at home and I think the Bengals will come out fired up, and they will stake their claim as the team to beat with an emotional win over Pittsburgh.

Buffalo (-1) over PHILLY: Can you trust the 5-7 Eagles? Somehow they are tied for first in the NFC East. The Bills come to Philly at 6-6 and in the thick of the AFC Wild Card race. The media is billing this game as Chip Kelly vs. LeSean McCoy. This game is more important than that. I just think the Bills are the better team and find a way to win a tough game on the road.

Atlanta (+8) over CAROLINA: I'm going on a hunch here because I do believe that Carolina is for real, but at 12-0 the pressure will mount to see if they can go undefeated. I just have a feeling that he free-falling Falcons will keep this game close.

San Francisco (+2) over CLEVELAND: Johnny Manziel is back starting for the Browns, but at this point they just need to lose every game and get the #1 pick in the draft next spring. I'll take the Niners as a road dog.

Washington (+3) over CHICAGO: The Skins are also tied for first place in the NFC East, but they are awful on the road. The Bears are on playoff life support and they are terrible at home. Something has to give. I'll take the Skins to break their road stigma.

Detroit (PICK) over ST. LOUIS: The Rams are a disaster and Jeff Fisher may be on his way out and the franchise might be moving back to Los Angeles. The Lions have played better the last month, despite their gut-wrenching loss to the Packers last Thursday night.

San Diego (+10) over KANSAS CITY: The Chiefs have to trip up at some point? Are they really going to win 10 in a row after a 1-5 start? It looks that way, but they are due for a trip up at some point.

TAMPA BAY (-3) over New Orleans: The Bucs are 6-6 and they are in the thick of the Wild Card chase in the NFC playoff picture. They will get the job done at home over the imploding Saints.

Indy (+2) over JACKSONVILLE: I just trust Matt Hasselback at this point to find a way to win this game on the road. Jacksonville will play well, but look for a Colts win in an ugly type of game.

NY JETS (-7) over Tennessee: At 7-5, the Jets are in the AFC Playoffs at this point, and they get an easy home game against the 3-9 Titans. Look for Todd Bowles and his defense to give Marcus Mariota fits in this one.

GREEN BAY (-7) over Dallas: Dallas' dream of winning the NFC East will be extinguished this week in Lambeau. The Packers should roll in this one and use their momentum from their crazy win over the Lions, and they will take care of business this week.

Seattle (-8) over BALTIMORE: Seattle looks like they are about to get on a roll into the playoffs, and this one shouldn't provide too much of an obstacle over an injury riddled Ravens team.

New England (-3) over HOUSTON: SNF features the banged up Pats, losers of two in a row, traveling to Houston to take on the 6-6 Texans. Tough game to call, but are the Pats really going to lose three in a row? I didn't think so.

New York Giants (-1) over MIAMI: The Giants are 5-7 and they could easily be 9-3 and ready to clinch the NFC East. Instead they are in a dogfight to try and win the division. I think they will right the ship here and take care of the Dolphins on Monday Night Football and get to 6-7.