NFL: Week 14
Only four weeks remain in the NFL season and there are a lot of big games this Sunday, plus college football's ultimate award, the Heisman Trophy, will be handed out Saturday night. A lot to get to, so here are my predictions for this week's games, including Bengals/Texans, and who I see taking home the Heisman.
Week 14 Picks (Home team in CAPS)
PITTSBURGH over Cleveland: The Browns are one of the league's most disappointing teams and they were no match for the Steelers Thursday night even when Big Ben was out of the game. Cleveland failed to do anything offensively, shocker, and you can bet Steelers LB James Harrison will be receiving another fine for this hit on Browns QB Colt McCoy.
DETROIT over Minnesota: Lions have not been playing very well of late, but neither have the Vikings at 2-10. Detroit rebounds with a win at home.
New Orleans over TENNESSEE: The way the Saints offense is rolling right now, they could put up 300-yds and 20 points on any defense, from any era in NFL history. Tennessee's defense is nowhere near good enough to stop QB Drew Brees, who is on pace to destroy Dan Marino's single season passing record.
MIAMI over Philadelphia: I've picked the Eagles all season, but their run is over, and even with Michael Vick back, I don't think they beat the red hot Dolphins.
NY JETS over Kansas City: Kansas City has struggle mightily on offense since QB Matt Cassel was lost for the season with a hand injury. Tyler Palko has been awful, so Kyle Orton was signed to take over the reins. He managed to get hurt on the first play against the Bears and his status for Sunday's game is uncertain, but no matter who is at quarterback, I like the Jets to win at home.
New England over WASHINGTON: Brady and the Patriots win their fifth straight setting up a Mile High showdown next week against Tim Tebow and the Broncos.
Atlanta over CAROLINA: This could be a really good game with these high powered offenses, but I like the Falcons on the road.
Tampa Bay over JACKSONVILLE: Jaguars QB Blaine Gabbert has not shown much progress in his rookie season and with the Buccaneers making the short trip up north to Jacksonville, there could be a lot of Tampa Bay fans in attendance. The game will still not be sold-out, however, go figure.
BALTIMORE over Indianapolis: Indy's losing streak hits LUCKy number 13, as the Colts miserable season continues.
DENVER over Chicago: No Jay Culter + no Matt Forte = no win for the Bears in Denver, as Tebow wins his sixth straight.
San Francisco over ARIZONA: The 49ers move one game closer to clinching a first round bye in this year's playoffs.
GREEN BAY over Oakland: If the Raiders can't win in Miami against the sub .500 Dolphins, then their chances are pretty slim against QB Aaron Rodgers and the undefeated cheese heads in Lambeau.
SAN DIEGO over Buffalo: It's going to be a long trip from Buffalo to San Diego for the Bills. I think the Bills lose for a sixth straight week and San Diego keeps their very small playoff chances alive, for now anyways.
DALLAS over NY Giants: The winner moves into the driver's seat in the NFC East, but even if Dallas losses, I still think they win the division. And I think they win this game Sunday night in Big D, as well.
SEATTLE over St. Louis: Probably one of the worst Monday Night Football games you will ever see. 2-10 St. Louis at 5-7 Seattle. "C'mon Man." I'll take the Seahawks at home I guess, in a game that most people probably will not be watching.
BENGALS over Houston: There are only four games left in the season and this is a must win for the Cincinnati Bengals. At 7-5, the Bengals cannot afford a loss and fall to 7-6, which will probably force them to win out in order to make the playoffs. There is no reason why the Bengals should not win this game and here's why.
Houston is going to be without star WR Andre Johnson who injured his hamstring last week. They are also on their third string quarterback, T.J. Yates, after starter Matt Schaub and backup Matt Leinart were lost for the season due to injury. Winning on the road in the NFL is one of the toughest things to do in sports, so even though the game is not sold-out, the Bengals have the edge at home.
Andy Dalton and the Bengals defense will be tested by former UC Bearcat LB Connor Barwin and the Texans defense that ranks third in the league against the pass, and fourth against the run. Former Cincinnati Bengal CB Johnathan Joseph will be on WR A.J. Green and that should be a really good matchup to watch.
The Bengals must limit the penalties and turnovers if they are going to keep their playoff hopes alive and I'll get to see for myself, as I will be down at PBS this Sunday for Texans v. Bengals. I'll be tweeting during the game and I think I'll see a winner, Bengals 17, Texans 13.
Heisman Trophy Winner
QB Robert Griffin III, Baylor: There is no doubt that QB Andrew Luck, out of Stanford, is the best player in college football, and I really like what Alabama RB Trent Richardson has done this season. However, I think, and so do the experts on ESPN, that RGIII will win the Heisman Trophy Saturday night.
RGIII had a monster 2011 season for Baylor, throwing for 3,998-yds, 36 TD, 7 Int, while completing 72.4% of his passes. Griffin is also one of the nation's best dual threat quarterbacks rushing for 644-yds and 9 TD. Griffin led the nation with a 192.3 efficiency rating and he was number one with 10.8-yards per attempt. It will be a close race, maybe one of the closest in recent history, but RGIII will walk away with the hardware.
This Week: 1-0
Last Week: 9-7
Overall: 126-67
Week 14 Picks (Home team in CAPS)
PITTSBURGH over Cleveland: The Browns are one of the league's most disappointing teams and they were no match for the Steelers Thursday night even when Big Ben was out of the game. Cleveland failed to do anything offensively, shocker, and you can bet Steelers LB James Harrison will be receiving another fine for this hit on Browns QB Colt McCoy.
DETROIT over Minnesota: Lions have not been playing very well of late, but neither have the Vikings at 2-10. Detroit rebounds with a win at home.
New Orleans over TENNESSEE: The way the Saints offense is rolling right now, they could put up 300-yds and 20 points on any defense, from any era in NFL history. Tennessee's defense is nowhere near good enough to stop QB Drew Brees, who is on pace to destroy Dan Marino's single season passing record.
MIAMI over Philadelphia: I've picked the Eagles all season, but their run is over, and even with Michael Vick back, I don't think they beat the red hot Dolphins.
NY JETS over Kansas City: Kansas City has struggle mightily on offense since QB Matt Cassel was lost for the season with a hand injury. Tyler Palko has been awful, so Kyle Orton was signed to take over the reins. He managed to get hurt on the first play against the Bears and his status for Sunday's game is uncertain, but no matter who is at quarterback, I like the Jets to win at home.
New England over WASHINGTON: Brady and the Patriots win their fifth straight setting up a Mile High showdown next week against Tim Tebow and the Broncos.
Atlanta over CAROLINA: This could be a really good game with these high powered offenses, but I like the Falcons on the road.
Tampa Bay over JACKSONVILLE: Jaguars QB Blaine Gabbert has not shown much progress in his rookie season and with the Buccaneers making the short trip up north to Jacksonville, there could be a lot of Tampa Bay fans in attendance. The game will still not be sold-out, however, go figure.
BALTIMORE over Indianapolis: Indy's losing streak hits LUCKy number 13, as the Colts miserable season continues.
DENVER over Chicago: No Jay Culter + no Matt Forte = no win for the Bears in Denver, as Tebow wins his sixth straight.
San Francisco over ARIZONA: The 49ers move one game closer to clinching a first round bye in this year's playoffs.
GREEN BAY over Oakland: If the Raiders can't win in Miami against the sub .500 Dolphins, then their chances are pretty slim against QB Aaron Rodgers and the undefeated cheese heads in Lambeau.
SAN DIEGO over Buffalo: It's going to be a long trip from Buffalo to San Diego for the Bills. I think the Bills lose for a sixth straight week and San Diego keeps their very small playoff chances alive, for now anyways.
DALLAS over NY Giants: The winner moves into the driver's seat in the NFC East, but even if Dallas losses, I still think they win the division. And I think they win this game Sunday night in Big D, as well.
SEATTLE over St. Louis: Probably one of the worst Monday Night Football games you will ever see. 2-10 St. Louis at 5-7 Seattle. "C'mon Man." I'll take the Seahawks at home I guess, in a game that most people probably will not be watching.
BENGALS over Houston: There are only four games left in the season and this is a must win for the Cincinnati Bengals. At 7-5, the Bengals cannot afford a loss and fall to 7-6, which will probably force them to win out in order to make the playoffs. There is no reason why the Bengals should not win this game and here's why.
Houston is going to be without star WR Andre Johnson who injured his hamstring last week. They are also on their third string quarterback, T.J. Yates, after starter Matt Schaub and backup Matt Leinart were lost for the season due to injury. Winning on the road in the NFL is one of the toughest things to do in sports, so even though the game is not sold-out, the Bengals have the edge at home.
Andy Dalton and the Bengals defense will be tested by former UC Bearcat LB Connor Barwin and the Texans defense that ranks third in the league against the pass, and fourth against the run. Former Cincinnati Bengal CB Johnathan Joseph will be on WR A.J. Green and that should be a really good matchup to watch.
The Bengals must limit the penalties and turnovers if they are going to keep their playoff hopes alive and I'll get to see for myself, as I will be down at PBS this Sunday for Texans v. Bengals. I'll be tweeting during the game and I think I'll see a winner, Bengals 17, Texans 13.
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| Robert Griffin III could become the first player from Baylor to win the Heisman Trophy. (Patrick Green/Cal Sport Media) |
QB Robert Griffin III, Baylor: There is no doubt that QB Andrew Luck, out of Stanford, is the best player in college football, and I really like what Alabama RB Trent Richardson has done this season. However, I think, and so do the experts on ESPN, that RGIII will win the Heisman Trophy Saturday night.
RGIII had a monster 2011 season for Baylor, throwing for 3,998-yds, 36 TD, 7 Int, while completing 72.4% of his passes. Griffin is also one of the nation's best dual threat quarterbacks rushing for 644-yds and 9 TD. Griffin led the nation with a 192.3 efficiency rating and he was number one with 10.8-yards per attempt. It will be a close race, maybe one of the closest in recent history, but RGIII will walk away with the hardware.
This Week: 1-0
Last Week: 9-7
Overall: 126-67
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