Week 13 saw four teams clinch playoff berths, this week we could see a few more lock up their postseason spots with wins. The Baltimore Ravens are in tough on the road against the Redskins; however a win there would all but ensure their post season play.
The Indianapolis Colts are continuing to make believers with their team as they moved one step closer to securing their own post season berth last week. A win this week against Tennessee and they move to 9-4 on the season with two tough games remaining against the Houston Texans.
As we move through week 14 and into the remaining weeks a difficult dilemma arises. Teams who have clinched their playoff spots may choose to rest some of their better players thus leaving you with second stringers out there trying to win some games. As your fantasy pools near a close, pay particular attention to who is playing for the teams rather than just simply the team itself.
Last week my record was again a disappointing 10-6. My upset pick of the week in Cleveland came through with a nice win against Oakland while my lock pick of the week also won as Dallas beat Philadelphia. Overall record on the year is 125-66.
Denver Broncos at Oakland Raiders
The Denver Broncos clinched their division title last week against as they beat Tampa Bay. Some teams might have a letdown week after such an accomplishment; not so for the Broncos and Peyton Manning as they will be looking to keep the pedal down and ride out the season on a hot streak. The Oakland Raiders on the other hand are in bad shape having lost five in a row and most recently to the Cleveland Browns. Manning will continue to demand the best out of his team and for that reason the Broncos win this road game. PICK: BRONCOS
Baltimore Ravens at Washington Redskins
Baltimore had the momentum last week as they hosted Charlie Batch and the Pittsburgh Steelers. Well momentum doesn’t score you touchdowns and they unceremoniously dropped a key division game to their rival. Now the Ravens must travel into Washington to play Robert Griffin III and deal with the trickery and misdirection that is the Washington Redskins. I watched the MNF game on television and even the cameras had a hard time finding the ball amid all the option plays. I’ve become a believer in what Washington is doing and better yet a believer in RGIII. PICK: REDSKINS
Dallas Cowboys at Cincinnati Bengals
Dallas won their must-win game last week against Philadelphia and by doing so they remain relevant in NFC. Tony Romo played a very good game; however, that Cowboy defense continued to give up yards and scores to an underwhelming Eagle offense. The Cincinnati Bengals are a better team than most give credit for; they are 7-5 in the tough AFC North and have reeled off four wins in a row. The Bengals schedule finishes off with Pittsburgh followed by Baltimore; the Bengals know that for those games to be meaningful they need to win out in week 14 and 15. I like Andy Dalton here to get it done at home and effectively end the Cowboys postseason dreams. PICK: BENGALS
St. Louis Rams at Buffalo Bills
If only the St. Louis Rams could play the San Francisco 49ers eight times a year then they might be playoff bound. Whatever extra motivation they find in playing the 49ers, they are going to have to bottle it and bring it into Buffalo in order to beat the Bills. Buffalo’s season is pretty much finished and they have little left to play for other than perhaps a bit of pride and new contracts. I like the Rams mentality coming into this game as well as their overall approach to the game that Coach Jeff Fisher has instilled. If the Rams defense can bottle up the Bills ground game then they will get the road win here. PICK: RAMS
Philadelphia Eagles at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Well the final nail in the coffin known as the 2012 NFL season was drilled in by the Dallas Cowboys as they beat the Eagles to drop them to 3-9 on the season. There isn’t much for an eagles fan to cheer about for the rest of the way; maybe they should just be thankful this isn’t a home game for the Eagles. Tampa Bay dropped a close one to Denver last week; however they looked pretty good in doing it. Josh Freeman continues to have a solid season while Doug Martin continues to shoulder the load coming out of the backfield. I’d look for Martin and the Bucs to pound the ball to open up the Freeman passing game. Eagles go down yet again. PICK: BUCCANEERS
Atlanta Falcons at Carolina Panthers
The Atlanta Falcons held home field last week as they beat the New Orleans Saints in convincing fashion. The running back duo of Michael Turner and Jacquizz Rodgers spurned out 126 yards on a collective 20 carries; success on the ground opens the passing game for Matt Ryan and the receiving corps. Carolina waltzed into Kansas City last week and got trampled by Jamaal Charles to the tune of 127 yards on 27 carries. Despite the porous defensive line, the game was a close one as Cam Newton threw for three touchdowns with no picks and ran for another 78 yards. In the end Atlanta has too many weapons at its disposal and the Panthers won’t be able to keep up on the scoreboard. PICK: FALCONS
Kansas City Chiefs at Cleveland Browns
As mentioned the Chiefs beat the Carolina Panthers last week mostly on the back of Jamaal Charles. They won’t experience as much success on the ground against the Cleveland Browns who have a much better defense. The Browns are looking to make it three wins in a row with this home game as they are coming off wins against Pittsburgh and Oakland. Look for the Dawg Pound to make it three in a row here. PICK: BROWNS
San Diego Chargers at Pittsburgh Steelers
The San Diego Chargers are in a free fall having dropped their last four consecutive games. They have nothing left to play for except pride; of which they are quickly losing with each performance. The Pittsburgh Steelers got a heck of a win last week in Baltimore that kept them squarely in the wildcard conversation. Ben Roethlisberger should be back under center for this matchup as the Steelers can’t risk catching lighting in a bottle twice in a row. With Big Ben back the Steelers get the win. PICK: STEELERS
Tennessee Titans at Indianapolis Colts
The Tennessee Titans got thumped at home by the Houston Texans, as most expected they would last week. They weren’t very pretty in defeat either as Jake Locker completed less than 50% of his passes, threw for three interceptions and the running game amassed a collective 89 yards on the ground. The Indianapolis Colts or aka: second coming of the ‘Cardiac Kids’ pulled out an improbable last second victory in Detroit. I’m buying whatever it is that Andrew Luck is selling these days and come Sunday Luck is selling a win. PICK: COLTS
NY Jets at Jacksonville Jaguars
Looks like embattled Mark Sanchez is again getting the call as the starter despite a miserable performance last week in which he was unceremoniously yanked after going 10-21 passing with three interceptions. I’m not sure whether to further handicap the Jets here after that announcement or give them the slight edge. I suppose if they were playing anyone other than the woeful Jaguars I’d have to give it pause for consideration. In so much that they do play the Jags, I’ll give the slight edge to the Jets. PICK: JETS
Chicago Bears at Minnesota Vikings
This week 12 rematch between two teams with no love lost for one another goes this time in Minnesota. The Vikings are coming off consecutive losses to Chicago and Green Bay while the Bears lost in overtime to the Seahawks last week. The story of this tilt will be the defense and the team with the better defense is Chicago hands down. They have allowed the third fewest rushing touchdowns this season with three; they give up a stingy 103 yards per game on the ground to go along with an average of 16 points, all the while leading the league in interceptions with 20. The Bears defense will do their best to bottle up Adrian Peterson and force Christian Ponder into mistakes. PICK: BEARS
Miami Dolphins at San Francisco 49ers
The San Francisco 49ers are looking to get back on the winning track after they dropped their week 13 matchup in St. Louis. Quarterback Colin Kaepernick is getting the call as the starter in this matchup and one has to figure that if a win doesn’t go on the board then Kaepernick will be going to the bench. The 49er defense is outstanding to start with; however, put them at home and let them loose on an inexperienced quarterback and things could get ugly. PICK: 49ers
Arizona Cardinals at Seattle Seahawks
The Arizona Cardinals are terrible, plain and simple bad, bad, bad. They have no quarterback, the offensive line is terrible and their leading rusher has 313 yards on the season. The Seattle Seahawks are one of two teams in the NFL that are undefeated at home, after this week they will still be one of two teams undefeated at home. Russell Wilson and the rest of the ‘Hawks are too much for the Cards to handle here. PICK: SEAHAWKS
New Orleans Saints at NY Giants
Plain and simple story line here, the NY Giants need to win this game. The NFC East is the tightest divisional race going and if the G-Men have any hopes of taking the title they are going to need to win these games. It will be a tough matchup as both teams are evenly matched offensively, the difference maker will the on the defensive side of the ball where the Giants have a distinct advantage. With home field advantage also working in their favor I like the Giants to get the win here. PICK: GIANTS
Detroit Lions at Green Bay Packers
This season just continues to be a disappointment for the Detroit Lions as the losses are piling up. Coming off a season that saw them make the playoffs, the expectations were high and now those hopes are gone as the Lions look to play out the season. The Packers meanwhile are in a horse race with the Chicago Bears for the NFC North division title and a win here against Detroit is a must have for the Packers. Aaron Rodgers will have the troops ready for this matchup and the Cheese headed faithful will be out in force for this key divisional game. PICK: PACKERS
Houston Texans at New England Patriots
The game of the week without doubt it this MNF tilt between two AFC heavyweights. The Texans roll into New England to face a Patriots squad that has lost only twice at home in the previous two seasons. This will be a great test for both teams as each is headed into the playoffs in what could be a preview of an AFC title game. Offensively the teams are closely matched, defensively the edge goes to the Texans. Home field for the Pats might negate the Texans defensive advantage; however, I just don’t see it being quiet enough in the end. PICK: TEXANS
UPSET PICK OF THE WEEK: ST. LOUIS RAMS to continue the solid play and steal a win in Buffalo.
LOCK PICK OF THE WEEK: SEATTLE SEAHAWKS to remain unbeaten at home on the year.