Week 14 in the NFL could see several division races clinched. And, for once, the Patriots aren’t obscenely favored (check WagerWeb.com on Sunday for a full preview of Steelers-Patriots): Chicago (+3 WagerWeb.com line) at Washington, Thursday: Two teams in dire need of a win. Washington has lost four in a row, while the Bears have alternated wins and losses in the past nine games. The Bears lost the last one, so that means it must be their turn again. The pick: Bears.
Miami (+7) at Buffalo: The Winless Watch continues in Buffalo. Miami’s best chance to get a W was last week at home against the Jets, and the Fins imploded.
Buffalo might get running back Marshawn Lynch back this week. The pick: Bills.
St. Louis (NL) at Cincinnati: There is no line currently at WagerWeb.com due to the status of Rams QB Marc Bulger. He returned to practice Wednesday, and the team expects him to play. But one hit and he’s done ... and the Rams' backup is Brock Berlin. Ouch!Expect the line to be the Bengals by a few points. The pick: Bengals.
Dallas (-10.5) at Detroit: Dallas continues to roll along, while Detroit has imploded. Yet the Lions seem to play up to good teams at home. This is a total gut feeling, but I see a closer game than expected. The pick: Lions to cover.
Oakland (+10) at Green Bay: Brett Favre expects to play despite being knocked around in the Packers’ loss to Dallas. The 10-day break undoubtedly helps that matter. Not sure why Oakland isn’t starting JaMarcus Russell, but you can bet he will play. The pick: Raiders to cover.
San Diego (pick) at Tennessee: Rather shocked this game is a pick’em. The Chargers are surging, having beaten the Ravens and Chiefs rather handily.
Tennessee, meanwhile, had lost three straight before beating Houston last week. The pick: Chargers.
NY Giants (+3) at Philadelphia: Eagles QB Donovan McNabb (ankle, thumb) practiced fully Wednesday and said, “I feel like I'm ready to play." Both of New York’s starting safeties could be out. The Giants also keep rotating running backs because of injuries.The pick: Eagles.
Carolina (+10.5) at Jacksonville: This is a lot of points for a team that doesn’t score a whole lot in Jacksonville. Carolina has struggled with injuries at the quarterback position, and had scored 17 points or fewer in five straight games before a 31-14 win over San Francisco last week. Think Vinny Testaverde can keep this game somewhat close. The pick: Panthers to cover.
Tampa Bay (NL) at Houston: This line is in flux at WagerWeb.com due to the uncertain status of Bucs QB Jeff Garcia. He expects to play, but I just can’t get on the Bucs bandwagon. Houston can score and TampaBay seems prime for a letdown game after salting away the division last week. The pick: Texans.Minnesota (-8.5) at San Francisco: Minnesota is streaking, with Chester Taylor and Adrian Peterson running wild. In fact, the Vikings have won three in a row for the first time since 2005. They will make it four ... just not by more than a touchdown. The pick: 49ers to cover.
Arizona (+7) at Seattle: The Seahawks can put away the NFC West with a victory, and Seattle should have beaten Arizona in Week 2, but a late fumble gave Arizona the victory. Too much motivation here for Seattle. The pick: Seahawks.
Kansas City (+6.5) at Denver: Denver has been one of the mostdisappointing teams in the league, while poor QB play is finally catching up to Kansas City. The home field should be enough for a comfortable win, plus Travis Henry will run wild now that he doesn’t have the drug suspension looming over him. The pick: Broncos.
Pittsburgh (+10) at New England: The game of the week, and this is the Pats’ biggest remaining challenge- at least until Week 17 at the Giants. New England clearly has been figured out, at least somewhat, by Philly and Baltimore, and the Pittsburgh defense is better than both of those - and will get safety Troy Polamalu back. I see 13-0, but barely. The pick: Steelers to cover.
Cleveland (-3) at New York Jets: One team is motivated, one is playing out the string. And the Jets’ receiving corps is a wreck with injuries.
Jamal Lewis and Derek Anderson have big days for the Browns. The pick: Browns.
Indianapolis (-9) at Baltimore: The Ravens should have beaten the Pats on Monday night, and in fact did on about three occasions, but fate intervened. Will they have anything left in the tank for the AFC’s other superpower? I say enough to keep it close, especially if Kyle Boller plays like he did Monday. The pick: Ravens to cover.
New Orleans (-4) at Atlanta: Think the “Monday Night Football” folks would like to reschedule this game? Atlanta apparently will be starting Chris Redman at quarterback. Chris Redman?! The pick: Saints - in the lock of the week.
Bet on Week 14's NFL games at WagerWeb.com; note: all lines as of Thursday
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