Week 14 Picks

Ever notice how everything just goes nuts around the holidays. Yeah...sorry about that. Anyway, I'm back now with the picks for Week 14 (already?!).

Upset Special
Washington Redskins @ Oakland Raiders
Line: Washington by 1
What to Watch For:
Now, you may not think a 1 point underdog really counts as an upset, but the Raiders are the home team here, remember. Frankly, I just don't think the Redskins are a mature enough team to come off their best, most emotional game of the year and show up against a lousy Raiders team. The Raiders, on the other hand, are riding high off a big win and look like an actual NFL team with Bruce Gradkowski at quarterback. I think the Raiders will surprise the 'Skins here and take this game outright.
Prediction:
Raiders 23
Redskins 17

Blowout
Green Bay Packers @ Chicago Bears
Line: Packers by 3
What to Watch For:
Listen Bears, putting up 17 points on the Rams at home last week proves nothing. This team is a mess, and the Packers, coming off a sloppy dismantling of the Ravens last week, are starting to get it together. These are two teams moving in completely opposite directions. And to make it worse for Chicago, Devin Hester is hurt and might miss this game. Give me the Packers laying three, and winning by a lot more.
Prediction:
Packers 31
Bears 20

Most Interesting Game
Cincinnati Bengals @ Minnesota Vikings
Line: Vikings by 6 1/2
What to Watch For:
I want to see Brett Favre play in December. I'm not even worried about him playing in cold, bad weather, as he's in the Dome this week. I just want to see how his 40 year old arm is holding up after 12 games of football. Favre finally looked mortal last week, and it will be interesting to see how this talented Vikings team rebounds off an embarrassing loss. As for the Bengals, I'm curious how their new-look defense will hold up against the Minnesota offensive juggernaut. They can run, pass, or kill you with trick plays, and this is the biggest test Cincy has faced all year. I'm also curious to find out what the Bengals offense can muster against what has to be an angry Vikings defensive front. I think Minnesota will come out pissed off, throw some haymakers, and look to knock the Bengals out early. Cincinnati is a good team, but they're not ready for an angry Jared Allen or Adrian Peterson.
Prediction:
Vikings 27
Bengals 20

Marquee Game
San Diego Chargers @ Dallas Cowboys
Line: Cowboys by 3
What to Watch For:
Coming off a humiliating loss and now playing a San Diego team that is red hot, how are the Cowboys favored in this one, even at home? I was tempted to pick this one as my Blowout, but the implications are too big. The Cowboys' playoff future is on the line here. They need this game to stay ahead of whoever wins Giants/Eagles later that night. For the Chargers, they need to keep their momentum up, as the Broncos are starting to gain ground. Throw in the fact that the Chargers have historically been dominant in December and the Cowboys...well...haven't, and this one could get crazy. The Chargers look to keep rolling, and the Cowboys will be trying to prove to everyone that they don't choke in big games in December. So of course, they will.
Prediction:
Chargers 24
Cowboys 21

Record:
Last Week: 3-1 straight up, 2-2 against the spread
Overall: 35-16 straight up, 28-23 against the spread

~Freeze