2015 Week 7 NFL Picks

Bills (-4.5) over Jaguars
RAMS (-6.5) over Browns
Steelers (+3) over CHIEFS
DOLPHINS (-5) over Texans
Jets (+8) over PATRIOTS
Vikings (-1.5) over LIONS
TITANS (+6.5) over Falcons
Buccaneers (+3.5) over WASHINGTON
COLTS (-5) over Saints
CHARGERS (-4) over Raiders
GIANTS (-3) over Cowboys
PANTHERS (-3.5) over Eagles
CARDINALS (-9) over Ravens

2015 Week 6 NFL Picks

BROWNS (+4.5) over Broncos

            Cleveland’s defense is good enough to keep this a low scoring affair.

Bengals (-3) over BILLS

            In E.J. Manuel we do not trust.

VIKINGS (-4) over Chiefs

            This is a pivotal game if Minnesota intends to secure a wildcard spot in the NFC.

JAGUARS (-2) over Texans

            No J.J. Watt spells trouble against the surprisingly spunky Jaguars passing attack.

LIONS (-3.5) over Bears

            It’s hard to back Detroit after their stink bomb they laid last Sunday, but one needs to remember that was only six days after they should’ve had first and goal on the one-yard line at Seattle.

Washington (+7) over JETS

            This pick is based solely on our belief that the NFC is the superior conference.

Cardinals (-4.5) over STEELERS

            The funkiest game on the Week 6 slate.

Dolphins (+2) over TITANS

            We like the upgrade from Joe Philbin to literally any other human being on planet Earth.

Panthers (+7) over SEAHAWKS

            Both clubs may have trouble combining to score seven points.

PACKERS (-10.5) over Chargers

            Scoring won’t be an issue here, but we like Green Bay in a rout after San Diego gave a win away against a washed up Michael Vick.

Ravens (-2) over 49ERS

            I honestly have no idea how to pick this game. Normally we say take the points, but our picks have been so awful the past couple of weeks we’re veering the other way.

Patriots (-10) over COLTS

            REVENGE!

EAGLES (-4.5) over Giants

            Another case of us veering against our default choice of taking the points.

 

Week 5 = 7-6-1

Thursday =0-1

Season = 36-39-3

Spread Picks By Team

Packers = 5-0

Vikings = 4-0

Patriots = 3-0-1

Lions = 4-1

Titans = 3-1

Seahawks = 3-1-1

Washington = 3-2

Rams = 3-2

49ers = 3-2

Chiefs = 3-2

Colts = 3-2

Jaguars = 3-2

Broncos = 3-2

Falcons = 3-3

Texans = 2-2

Browns = 2-3

Eagles = 2-3

Giants = 2-3

Bears = 2-3

Chargers = 2-3

Bills = 2-3

Cowboys = 2-3

Steelers = 1-2-2

Bengals = 1-3-1

Dolphins = 1-3

Jets = 1-3

Raiders = 1-4

Buccaneers = 1-4

Cardinals = 1-4

Ravens = 0-4-1

Panthers = 0-4

Saints = 0-6

NFL Divisional Round Picks

Don't have a lot of time this week, so we'll keep it short and sweet.

PATRIOTS (-7) over Ravens - Too much buzz that Baltimore is Tom Brady's scariest opponent, so we are going to go the other way and predict a Patriots blow out. New England 28, Baltimore 10

SEAHAWKS (-11.5) over Panthers - You can't make this line high enough. Seattle 24, Carolina 0

Cowboys (+6) over PACKERS - Rodgers calf issue gives us logical reasons to pick a Cowboys upset. Dallas 31, Green Bay 28

BRONCOS (-7) over Colts - It's weird that a team quarterbacked by Peyton Manning is under the radar, but that's exactly what has happened. They'll make noise this week. Denver 34, Indianapolis 20

Wild-Card Round = 3-1

NFL Wildcard Picks

            No Credentials benched it self from regular season picks, but that doesn’t mean we couldn’t come back to offer bad advice for the playoffs.

PANTHERS (-6.5) over Cardinals

            Arizona might be fielding the worst starting offense in playoff history.

Carolina 24, Arizona 3

Ravens (+3.5) over STEELERS

            We think Pittsburgh is better, but the wacky weather that should be occurring during the game works in Baltimore’s favor. Well, in terms of covering the spread.

Pittsburgh 13, Baltimore 10

COLTS (-4) over Bengals

            The Red Rifle needs to deliver in at least one playoff game before we’d ever endorse wagering on him. A hobbled A.J. Green won’t make things any easier.

Indianapolis 31, Cincinnati 13

COWBOYS (-7) over Lions

            At first glance this line is at least three points too high, but when you factor in the weak schedule Detroit faced on it’s way to the postseason, it makes sense.

Dallas 28, Detroit 17

Week 3 NFL Picks

            Last week, our picks were terrible. Like, worse than the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. After posting our worst week of prognostication in the history of this blog, we are happy to report that we started Week 3 by being on the right side of the Falcons 56-14 rout Thursday night.

            As we’ve done in the past after a bad week, we aren’t offering up any analysis with our picks, as we don’t want to give anyone the impression that we know what we are talking about. We’re also suspending our “Stock Up, Stock Down” segment, as all three teams we highlighted as being bullish on lost in Week 2. Again, this is all for America’s safety.

Chargers (+2.5) over BILLS

RAMS (+2) over Cowboys

EAGLES (-6) over Redskins

Texans (-1) over GIANTS

SAINTS (-10.5) over Vikings

BENGALS (-7) over Titans

BROWNS (+1.5) over Ravens

Packers (+2.5) over LIONS

Colts (-7) over JAGUARS

PATRIOTS (-14.5) over Raiders

CARDINALS (+3) over 49ers

SEAHAWKS (-4.5) over Broncos

DOLPHINS (-4) over Chiefs

PANTHERS (-3.5) over Steelers

Bears (+2.5) over JETS

           

Week 2 = 2-14 (L)

Thursday = 1-0

Season = 13-20

2014 NFC South Preview

4. Carolina Panthers

2013 Record = 12-4, NFC South Champions, Lost NFC Divisional Game
2014 Schedule = @ Buccaneers, Lions, Steelers, @ Ravens, Bears, @ Bengals, @ Packers, Seahawks, Saints, @ Eagles, Falcons, BYE, @ Vikings, @ Saints, Buccaneers, Browns, @ Falcons

Blue Chippers = None

High Quality Players = FB Mike Tolbert, DE Greg Hardy, MLB Luke Kuechly, OLB Thomas Davis
Solid Contributors = QB Cam Newton, WR Jerricho Cotchery, TE Greg Olsen, C Ryan Kalil, DE Charles Johnson, DT Star Lotulelei, DT Kawann Short
Impact Rookies = DE Kony Ealy (2-60, Missouri)

Good News = Carolina has the strongest front seven in the league.

Bad News = Who is Cam Newton going to throw too again?

Outlook = No team took as many hits too it’s overall talent level than Carolina during the off-season. They lost a solid left tackle, their entire wide receiver core, and didn’t retain any member of their starting secondary. Cam Newton is probably the only quarterback in the league that could be successful with a receiving core this bad, but it’s a tall order. Most of Carolina’s offensive hopes hinge on rookie Kelvin Benjamin. He has the size, but is a raw talent who doesn’t project as a go-to receiver right out of the gate. Tight end Greg Olsen is the most reliable receiver Newton has. If you’re looking for a dark horse candidate to lead the league in receptions, he’s a good one. Carolina’s receiver problems are compounded by a weakened offensive line, which will hinder their running game.

            Carolina’s front seven is sensational that needs to play at peak level every week to cover for a weak secondary. Greg Hardy’s status is up in the air after off the field issues, but there’s enough depth for the Panthers to get by without him. Luke Kuechly was the Defensive Player of the Year last season, and will need to replicate that for Carolina to have any chance to return to the playoffs. Roman Harper is washed up, and hopefully for the Panthers sake will not have to make too many plays in deep coverage.
Prediction = We love Cam Newton, but there’s too many obstacles here for him to overcome. Only when the Panthers are out of salary cap Hell will they return to playoff contention. 6-10

3. Atlanta Falcons

2013 Record = 4-12, Third in NFC South, Missed Playoffs
2014 Schedule = Saints, @ Bengals, Buccaneers, @ Vikings, @ Giants, Bears, @ Ravens, Lions, BYE, @ Buccaneers, @ Panthers, Browns, Cardinals, @ Packers, Steelers, @ Saints, Panthers

Blue Chippers = None

High Quality Players = QB Matt Ryan, WR Julio Jones
Solid Contributors = WR Roddy White, RG Jon Asamoah, DT Paul Soliai, OLB Sean Witherspoon, CB Desmond Trufant
Impact Rookies = RT Jake Matthews (1-6, Texas A&M), DE Ra’Shede Hageman (2-37, Minnesota)

Good News = Matt Ryan is coming off his most inspiring campaign playing behind a battered offensive line in 2013.

Bad News = The offensive line is still ill equipped to deal with the defenses in the AFC South.

Outlook = After averaging 12 wins a year between 2010 and 2012, Atlanta posted a third of that total in 2013. Injuries to star wide outs Julio Jones and Roddy White contributed to their issues, but the real issue was losing the war in the trenches. Atlanta was thirty-first against the run, and Matt Ryan was assaulted by opposing defenses. The Falcons bolstered the right side of the line by drafting Jake Matthews and signing Jon Asamoah, but Sam Baker is probably the worst starting left tackle in the league. He was just carted of the field tonight, and while we don’t root for injuries, long term it wouldn’t be bad for the Falcons to try someone else on Matt Ryan’s blindside. An awful runningback core further hinders Ryan. Stevan Jackson is washed up, and Jacquizz Rodgers only managed 3.5 yards per carry.

            Atlanta didn’t make any major moves to upgrade a defense that was porous against the run, and not much better against the pass. The Falcons have been in desperate need of an elite pass rusher since John Abraham’s best years. Their secondary would look a lot better if the front seven could get to the quarterback, as they were asked to hold up for long periods of times in coverage.
Prediction = Better targets for Ryan will add a few wins, but an unforeseen improvement on the defensive side of the ball will be needed to get Atlanta back into playoff contention. 7-9

2. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

2013 Record = 4-12, Last in NFC South, Missed Playoffs
2014 Schedule = Panthers, Rams, @ Falcons, @ Steelers, @ Saints, Ravens, BYE, Vikings, @ Browns, Falcons, @ Redskins, @ Bears, Bengals, @ Lions, @ Panthers, Packers, Saints

Blue Chippers = DT Gerald McCoy, OLB Lavonte David

High Quality Players = WR Vincent Jackson
Solid Contributors = HB Doug Martin, LT Anthony Collins, RT Demar Dotson, DE Michael Johnson, CB Alterraun Verner
Impact Rookies = WR Mike Evans (1-7, Texas A&M), TE Austin Seferian-Jenkins (2-38, Washington

Good News = Lovie Smith is restoring many of the core principles that were put in place when Tony Dungy was in Tampa.

Bad News = Journeyman Josh McCown doesn’t inspire confidence for a surprising playoff run.

Outlook = Offensive line issues and inconsistent quarterback play were the undoing of the 2013 Buccaneers, and we’re still projecting those areas to be trouble spots this year. Even after Mike Glennon showed some promise behind a shoddy offensive line, Tampa made the curious choice of bringing in Josh McCown. McCown put up massive numbers in relief of an injured Jay Cutler for Chicago, and he does have a similar set of receivers to work with that he had last year with the Bears. We expect him to have a short leash if Tampa Bay starts off slow. Doug Martin was also hampered by the offensive line last season, and then was lost for the year in late October. Mike Evans profiles as a red zone monster, and the perfect compliment to Vincent Jackson.

            Even without Darrelle Revis, the Buccaneers should boast one of the top defenses in THE NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE. Lovie Smith is bringing the famed “Tampa 2” defense back home, and the Bucs have the talent to execute it. Pro Bowler Alterraun Verner was brought in from Tennessee to replace Revis. Safeties Mark Barron and Dashon Goldson under whelmed last year, but have the potential to form an elite safety duo. Gerald McCoy is a monster in the middle of the defensive line who dominates against the run and the pass. Michael Johnson was brought in to ease some pressure off McCoy. Lavonte David at times looks like a Derrick Brooks clone, and should thrive in Smith’s system.
Prediction = They will be competitive, and at times a total pain in the ass to play, but inconsistent offensive line play will mire the Buccaneers in mediocrity. 8-8

1. New Orleans Saints

2013 Record = 11-5, Second in NFC South, Lost NFC Divisional Game
2014 Schedule = @ Falcons, @ Browns, Vikings, @ Cowboys, Buccaneers, BYE, @ Lions, Packers, @ Panthers, 49ers, Bengals, Ravens, @ Steelers, Panthers, @ Bears, Falcons, @ Buccaneers

Blue Chippers = QB Drew Brees, TE Jimmy Graham, FS Jairus Byrd

High Quality Players = HB Pierre Thomas, WR Marques Colston, RT Zach Strief, DE Cameron Jordan, CB Keenan Lewis
Solid Contributors = LG Jahri Evans, RG Ben Grubbs, DE Akiem Hicks, DT Brodrick Bunkley, OLB Junior Galette, CB Champ Bailey, SS Kenny Vaccaro
Impact Rookies = WR Brandin Cooks (1-20, Oregon State), CB Stanley Jean-Baptiste (2-58, Nebraska)

Good News = Carolina is the only team New Orleans will face in a road game that finished last season above .500.

Bad News = This is the most unproven receiving core Drew Brees has ever had with the Saints.

Outlook = A historic defensive turnaround spearheaded New Orleans’ postseason return, and is still the reason the Saints have the best chance of unseating the Seahawks and 49ers for a Super Bowl berth. A perfect storm of young talent clicking in Rob Ryan’s system and the arrival of Keenan Lewis led to the Saints finishing fourth in total defense. Lewis was the key player, as after solid years with Pittsburgh he suddenly morphed into a shutdown corner. Jairus Byrd was arguably the most important free agent acquisition by any team during the off-season, and he will fit perfectly with second year safety Kenny Vaccaro. Cameron Jordan and Junior Galette thrived in Ryan’s attacking defense, and should at least replicate their sack totals from a year ago.

            For the first time in many years, there are actually more questions about the Saints offense. The offensive line was shaky at times during the early part of the season, but came around once Terron Armstead was installed at left tackle. A full off-season prepping for the position should raise his play another level. Chain moving machine Lance Moore is gone, as well as Darren Sproles, who has been the elite receiving back of the past decade. Pierre Thomas actually posted more receptions than Sproles did last year, so they should fill in for him just fine. Rookie Brandin Cooks is also being counted on to fill some of the Sproles void on bubble screens. Along with Cooks, Kenny Stills also needs to make a consistent impact. He only caught 32 passes last year, but averaged an eye popping 20 yards per catch. The uncertainty at receiver is not as worrisome with the presence of Jimmy Graham, who is the elite receiving tight end in THE NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE. Fortunately for New Orleans his contract situation was resolved before training camp.   
Prediction = With an extremely favorable schedule, New Orleans has a great chance of earning the top seed in the NFC. Their home date with the 49ers in Week 10 could end up determining who has home field throughout the playoffs. 12-4

Click here to read about the AFC East

Click here to read about the NFC East
Click here to read about the AFC South
Click here to read about the AFC North
Click here to read about the NFC North
Click here to read about the AFC West

Sunday NFL Divisional Round Picks

#5 San Francisco 49ers @ #2 Carolina Panthers
            Seahawks-49ers III feels inevitable at this point.

49ers (-1.5) over PANTHERS

#6 San Diego Chargers @ #1 Denver Broncos

            Wes Welker is back, and I’m not putting too much stock into San Diego’s regular season win at Mile High (remember, Thursday night football sucks).

BRONCOS (-8.5) over Chargers

Week 17 NFL Picks

    Week 17 is more about what a team is playing for as opposed to it's talent level. Here's our analysis that will invariably prove to be incorrect.

Panthers (-6.5) over FALCONS
            Carolina needs a win to lock up a #2 seed, and Atlanta needs a loss to secure a top-5 draft pick.

TITANS (-7) over Texans

            For nothing else, Tennessee has played hard all year. Houston needs to lose to clinch the first pick in THE 2014 NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE DRAFT.

STEELERS (-7) over Browns

            Cleveland is another club that needs to lose to lock up a top-5 pick (along with the Colts’ first round pick, which will more than likely be in the early twenties), and Pittsburgh has a remote shot at making the playoffs if three other teams lose.

GIANTS (-3.5) over Redskins

            Washington is the only horrendous team that actually will want to win (their first round pick is going to St. Louis as the final piece of the RGIII trade, which currently would be the second overall pick in the draft), but unfortunately for them they will be too inept to do it.

Ravens (+6.5) over BENGALS

            Baltimore is in the driver’s seat for the sixth seed, but will need a strong effort to beat a Bengals squad looking to grab the third spot.

Jaguars (+11) over COLTS

            Indianapolis has played up or down to their competition all year, and Gus Bradley’s Jaguars have played solid football the last half of the season.

DOLPHINS (-5.5) over Jets

            It will only be fitting that Rex Ryan’s final game as Jets’ Head Coach will be a humiliating defeat.

VIKINGS (-2.5) over Lions

            The Grim Reaper might be standing behind Jim Schwarz on the sidelines for the entire game.

Packers (-3) over BEARS

            “GOOD GOD, THAT’S AARON RODGERS MUSIC!!! DISCOUNT DOUBLE CHECK!”

PATRIOTS (-9) over Bills

            Remember when Buffalo almost beat the Patriots in Week 1? Me neither, I had to look it up.

SAINTS (-13) over Buccaneers

            New Orleans has to go all out to secure a playoff spot. If they lose and Arizona defeats the 49ers, the Saints are out of the playoffs.

Broncos (-12.5) over RAIDERS

            There are some funky news reports floating out of Oakland in regards to Terrelle Pryor, which isn’t a good thing when you’re facing a team that needs to win to lock up the top seed in the AFC.

CARDINALS (+1) over 49ers

            No Credentials conspiracy theory in regards to Seattle throwing the game against Arizona last week came to fruition, so here’s another conspiracy regarding the Cardinals. San Francisco already has a playoff spot secured. It’s unlikely that Seattle loses to St. Louis, so they are staring at either a #5 seed. In a vacuum, would you rather play the Philadelphia Eagles or the Green Bay Packers? If San Francisco loses, they’ll end up at the sixth seed if New Orleans wins. If San Francisco loses and Tampa Bay wins, then the Saints are eliminated from playoff contention. Unless St. Louis was miraculously able to win in Seattle, there’s no reason San Francisco should try in this game.

Chiefs (+9.5) over CHARGERS

            It’s assumed that Kansas City won’t try that hard (they are locked in as the #5 seed), but San Diego won’t have anything to play for if either Baltimore or Miami wins earlier in the day.

SEAHAWKS (-11.5) over Rams

            I smell a 24-0 shutout.

Eagles (-7) over COWBOYS

            Hopefully, Tony Romo’s absence won’t give Jason Garrett a free pass after Philadelphia destroys them Sunday night.

Week 16 = 7-9
Season = 116-115-9

10 Awesome Things That Happened This Weekend (12/20-12/22)

10. Nets Lose Robin Lopez For the Year
            Most of Brooklyn’s troubles this year could be traced to time missed by both Deron Williams and Lopez, and now they’ll be without their elite 7-footer for the season. They’ll scratch their way into the playoffs (mostly because they are one of two teams in the Titanic Division that actually want to make it to the postseason), but you could kiss any slim championship hopes they had good-bye. The only move on paper that makes sense would be a trade package built around Paul Pierce for Pau Gasol.

9. Texas Rangers Ink Shin-Soo Choo to $130 Million Deal

            For all of the large MLB contracts No Credentials has mocked over the years, this one takes the cake. It will be a joy to watch Texas pay a 38-year old Choo $18.5 million to muff fly balls.

8. Colorado State Stuns Washington State in “Flax Seed Bowl”

            That’s our first installment of “Meaningless College Bowl Game of the Week”, sponsored by SPAM.

7. Giants Eliminate Detroit From Playoff Contention
            Detroit supporters can only hope this result leads to the end of the Jim Schwarz era.

6. Charlotte Unveils New Hornets Logo

            Unfortunately for Charlotte fans, they were unable to unveil a new owner at the same time.

5. Thunder Dominate San Antonio          
            Oklahoma City has been the least talked about elite team in the league, but their impressive win in the Spurs building reestablishes them as the top team in the Western Conference.

4. New England Demoralizes Baltimore

            This was a particularly perplexing performance by Baltimore, as they could’ve wrapped up a playoff berth with a win. Joe Flacco never looked comfortable playing with a knee brace for the first time this season.

3. Peyton Manning Throws 51^st Touchdown Pass

            Manning will have a fair chance at eclipsing the single season yardage mark next week against the Raiders, as Denver will have to play their starters to secure the top seed in the AFC.
         
2. Dallas Sets Up Third Straight Week 17 NFC East Showdown
            In typical Cardiac Cowboys fashion no less. It would’ve been a mercy killing for Washington to eliminate Dallas Sunday, but the world gets to view the agony of defeat again when a Romo-less Cowboys lose yet another “win or go home” Week 17 game.

1. Panthers Rally, Take Control of NFC South

            Either Carolina has mastered the art of climate control, or they were extremely lucky to get the weather conditions they had for their epic showdown with the Saints. Carolina sows up a second seed with a win next week.

Week 16 NFL Picks

AFC #7 Miami Dolphins @ AFC #12 Buffalo Bills
            There’s too much on the line for Miami to blow a game against a team quarterbacked by Thad Lewis.

Dolphins (-3) over BILLS

 

NFC #5 Carolina Panthers @ NFC #2 New Orleans Saints

            The dramatic difference between that Saints’ play on the road versus their performance at home is too big to ignore. Despite beating Carolina by three scores just two weeks ago, we think Carolina takes control of the NFC South.

PANTHERS (-3.5) over Saints

 

NFC #10 Dallas Cowboys @ NFC #16 Washington Redskins

            It’s fate that Dallas enters the last week with a season with a chance to either win the NFC East or finish 8-8, so it only makes sense that they beat up a hapless Redskins squad.

Cowboys (-3) over REDSKINS

 

NFC #15 Tampa Bay Buccaneers @ NFC #11 St. Louis Rams

            In terms of games between bad teams, this is about as good as it gets. We’ll see if the Rams are too pleased with themselves after dominating the Saints last week.

RAMS (-4.5) over Buccaneers

 

AFC #15 Cleveland Browns @ AFC #10 New York Jets

            New York is well on its way to clinching the title of “worst 7-9 NFL team in the history of man”.

JETS (-2) over Browns
 

AFC #5 Kansas City Chiefs @ AFC #4 Indianapolis Colts

            Kansas City still has a shot at the #1 seed if they win out, and Indianapolis has virtually nothing to play for in terms of playoff seeding.

CHIEFS (-7) over Colts

 

NFC #13 Minnesota Vikings @ AFC #3 Cincinnati Bengals

            Andy Dalton and company squandered a chance to grab the #2 spot last week, but if they take care of business and Baltimore does the same against New England, they could get redemption this week.

BENGALS (-8) over Vikings

 

AFC #1 Denver Broncos @ AFC #16 Houston Texans

            Houston gave New England a game effort a few weeks ago, and Denver looked ordinary without Wes Welker on the field against the Chargers.

TEXANS (+10.5) over Broncos

 

AFC #11 Tennessee Titans @ AFC #14 Jacksonville Jaguars

            Probably the least appealing game on the weekend slate, although if your desperate for runningback help in fantasy, Jacksonville’s Jordan Todman is a good place to start.

JAGUARS (-4.5) over Titans

 

NFC #7 Arizona Cardinals @ NFC #1 Seattle Seahawks

            It would make some sense for Seattle, who virtually has the top seed in the conference locked up, to throw this game to put pressure on division rival San Francisco. Just saying.

Cardinals (+10.5) over SEAHAWKS

 

NFC #12 New York Giants @ NFC #9 Detroit Lions

            Other than Dallas, no team is more desperate for a coaching change than the Detroit Lions. Jon Gruden could have Detroit playing in the conference championship game.

Giants (+9.5) over LIONS

 

AFC #13 Oakland Raiders @ AFC #8 San Diego Chargers

            If Miami beats Buffalo, San Diego will already be eliminated from playoff contention before their game kicks off.

Raiders (+10) over CHARGERS

 

AFC #9 Pittsburgh Steelers @ NFC #8 Green Bay Packers

            Matt Flynn keeps Green Bay alive, setting up a NFC North showdown against the Bears in Week 17.

PACKERS (-2.5) over Steelers

AFC #2 New England Patriots @ AFC #6 Baltimore Ravens

            Justin Tucker had the pleasure of putting one of No Credential’s fantasy teams into a championship game last Monday (we won by two, thanks to this), and I think it’s fitting that Baltimore is only favored by two in this game. Tucker boots a field goal to win the game.

RAVENS (-2) over Patriots

 

NFC #6 Chicago Bears @ NFC #5 Philadelphia Eagles

            One of the stranger Sunday night games you’ll ever see for gambling purposes, as depending on how the day games shake out, there’s a good chance neither team will really need to win the game.

Bears (+3) over EAGLES

NFC #14 Atlanta Falcons @ NFC #6 San Francisco 49ers

            San Francisco can sow up a playoff spot with a win over the hapless Falcons.
 
49ERS (-13) over Falcons


Last Week = 5-10-1
Season = 109-106-9

NFL Power Rankings and Week 14 NFL Picks

     Our picks last week weren't that great, so we took a solid hour or so to rank every NFL team in an effort to recalibrate for the stretch run. Below the rankings will be our picks.

Rank	Team	Record	PT Diff.	Outlook
1	Seahawks	11-1, 1st in NFC West	+154	With their offensive line back at full power, Seattle is dominant again.
2	Broncos	10-2, 1st in AFC West	+147	Still being pushed by New England, which in the long term will be a positve.
3	Saints	9-3, 1st in NFC South	+82	Won't hold their blowout loss in Seattle against them.
4	Panthers	9-3, 2nd in NFC South	+128	Their defense is talented enough to duplicae the Seahawks game plan against New Orleans.
5	Patriots	9-3, 1st in AFC East	+61	Hard to believe their leaky run defense won't be their undoing in January.
6	49ers	8-4, 2nd in NFC West	+100	Looked like themselves with Crabtree back, but too far out to run down Seattle in the NFC West.
7	Bengals	8-4, 1st in AFC North	+76	If they win out and New England loses a game, Cincinatti will have a first round bye.
8	Chiefs	9-3, 2nd in AFC West	+84	As overvalued as Kansas City was when they were undefeated, they are underrated now.
9	Lions	7-5, 1st in NFC North	+39	Have taken full advantage of their division rivals' injury woes.
10	Cowboys	7-5, 1st in NFC East	+26	Sean Lee will be back, which will stabilize the defense (relatively speaking).
11	Eagles	7-5, 2nd in NFC East	+19	Nick Foles is the real deal, but their defense will eventually undermine them.
12	Cardinals	7-5, 3rd in NFC West	+28	Quietly were one of the best teams in the third semester of the regular season.
13	Colts	8-4, 1st in AFC South	+11	They'll win the AFC South by default, but they won't be favorites against K.C. in Round 1.
14	Ravens	6-6, 2nd in AFC North	+14	Miracously, the defending Super Bowl champs have rallied to take pole position for the 6th seed.
15	Dolphins	6-6, 2nd in AFC East	+4	Sunday's match against Pittsburgh is an elimination game.
16	Bears	6-6, 2nd in NFC North	-9	Josh McCown has done everything he can to keep the Bears afloat while Cutler has been out.
17	Steelers	5-7, 3rd in AFC North	-15	Big Ben needs to run the table for Pittsburgh to have a chance to make the postseason.
18	Rams	5-7, 4th in NFC West	+1	Tons of reason for optimism based on what the Rams will get in next year's draft.
19	Chargers	5-7, 3rd in AFC West	+2	Another team that needs to run the table, but they get Denver and Kansas City in December.
20	Packers	5-6-1, 3rd in NFC North	-11	We're one more loss away from Aaron Rodgers getting shut down for the year.
21	Titans	5-7, 2nd in AFC South	-3	Too much Ryan Fitzpatrick involved for Tennessee to net the 6th seed.
22	Bills	4-8, 4th in AFC East	-40	A bad loss in their "home" game in Toronto has Buffalo looking ahead to 2014.
23	Giants	5-7, 3rd in NFC East	-60	At least they've made a respectable effort after their disastorous start.
24	Buccaneers	3-9, 3rd in NFC South	-68	Advanced metrics did say that Tampa was the best 0-8 team in NFL history.
25	Raiders	4-8, 4th in AFC West	-63	Can't figure out why this team is trying, but good for them.
26	Falcons	3-9, 4th in NFC South	-79	For nothing else, at least Roddy White didn't look washed up last week.
27	Vikings	3-8-1, 4th in NFC North	-77	Is it too early to preorder a Matt Schaub 2014 Vikings jersey?
28	Jaguars	4-9, 3rd in AFC South	-171	The Jags actually outscored opponents by a touchdown over the last five games.
29	Browns	4-8, 4th in AFC North	-66	Josh Gordon is my favorite fantasy football player of all time.
30	Jets	5-7, 3rd in AFC East	-121	I don't see the Jets winning the rest of the season.
31	Redskins	3-9, 4th in NFC East	-93	St. Louis will have a lot of fun with the second overall pick next year.
32	Texans	2-11, 4th in AFC South	-100	This year is a disaster, put Houston will turn it around fast with the #1 overall pick.

Chiefs (-3.5) over REDSKINS

           Washington is a good team to play when you’re trying to get back on track.

Vikings (+7) over RAVENS

            A.P. keeps this close.

PATRIOTS (-12.5) over Browns

            Cleveland has entered full-on tank mode in an effort to secure a top-5 pick.

Raiders (+2.5) over JETS
            New York’s offense has the least talent of any unit in THE NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE.

BENGALS (-6.5) over Colts

            Cincinnati virtually locks up at least a #3 seed (meaning no Kansas City in round 1) with a win.

EAGLES (-3) over Lions

            I think I’m 2-11 picking Eagles’ games this year.

Dolphins (+3.5) over STEELERS

            The extra half point is huge.

BUCCANEERS (-3) over Bills

            Tampa Bay wishes the regular season started in November.

PACKERS (-3.5) over Falcons

            Green Bay has to win eventually without Aaron Rodgers…right?

BRONCOS (-13) over Titans

            R.I.P. the 2013 Tennessee Titans, whose season died when Jake Locker hit I.R.

CARDINALS (-6) over Rams

            St. Louis is much scarier at home than on the road.

CHARGERS (-3.5) over Giants

            San Diego’s season is on life support.

49ERS (-2.5) over Seahawks

            This is the game that will get everyone excited about the 49ers.

Panthers (+3) over SAINTS

            Asking New Orleans to beat Carolina after getting beat on by Seattle six days earlier is a tall order.

Cowboys (-1) over BEARS

            Does Dallas have the discipline to take full advantage of Chicago’s shoddy run defense? We’ll find out.
 

Last Week = 5-10-1 (ouch!)

Season = 93-90-8
Thursday = 1-0