Poore's Picks Week 14
Jim Poore
Dec. 8, 2011
It is amazing how fast the NFL season goes by. We are already at week 14,
and before we know it the Super Bowl will be here. Then the April
draft, mini camps and then pre season just a couple of short months
later. The NFL really is a year round fascination now, and will be for
years to come, if not forever. Unlike the NBA, I think there would be
outrage if the NFL ever lost any games due to a labor strike or owner
lockout, which is why the potential conflict this year ended somewhat
quickly. It is a multibillion dollar business which grows more every
year, and it will continue to get bigger and bigger. The possibilities
really are endless.
There are a lot of big games this
week, many which will have an impact on the post season. Hopefully I
can have another good week as I climb back towards .500 for the season.
Let's get to the picks.
As always home team in CAPS.
Pittsburgh 14 Cleveland
The
Steelers are fighting for home field advantage in the AFC. The Brownies
will not stand in their way. The points are high but it won't matter
here. Take the Steelers at home.
Steelers 31-13
Miami 3 Philadelphia
The
Dolphins are on a roll, but it is too little too late. Perhaps they
have saved Tony Sporano's job though. Andy Reid's job is in jeopardy in
Philadelphia, but it could just simply be time for a change. The Eagles
just need the season to be over.
Dolphins 26-21
New England 7 1/2 Washington
The
Patriots, as usual, are a handicapper's worst nightmare, as they proved
last week. They are impossible to deal with on a weekly basis. This is
why I think this is a tough game handicapping wise. The Redskins stink,
but my instinct is telling me to take them this week. But because they
stink so bad, I won't listen to my instinct. Take New England here, but
very cautiously.
Patriots 30-17
GREEN BAY 11 Oakland
After
seeing last week's win against the Giants, I think the Packers have an
excellent chance of finishing the regular season undefeated. The
playoffs are a different story though. But, Oakland this week isn't the
playoffs. So, therefore, I am picking the Packers.
Packers 35-21
Atlanta 3 CAROLINA
The
Falcons are right in the thick of it in the NFC, while the Panthers
are, well, not. To their credit though Carolina has played very hard
and have kept most of their games pretty close. I don't think they have
much of a chance here though. The Falcons need every game they can get,
and though they are on the road they should be able to take care of
Carolina, who needs a couple of more years before they get serious.
Falcons 27-17
BALTIMORE 16 Indianapolis
The
Ravens are also fighting for home field advantage in the AFC, and they
look really good right now. So do the Colts. Sort of. Not really. The
points are high but I see no problems beating a Colts team clearly
playing for the number one pick.
Ravens 30-7
New York Jets 9 Kansas City
The
Jets have quietly been better, but nobody is really talking about
them. I guess it's understandable. I still believe the New
Yorkers make the post season and make some noise. The Chiefs haven't
made any noise all season , and they won't make any this week either. I
don't see any issues for the Jets here.
Jets 27-10
San Francisco 4 Arizona
I
have a feeling the 49ers will roll through the regular season and then
get bounced early in the playoffs. I don't know why I think this.
Instinct may be.
49ers 28-14
Denver 3 1/2 Chicago
This
is amazing to believe but I think the Broncos might actually win the
AFC West. Incredible. Maybe Tim Tebow can't be stopped. He can. But for
some reason teams are having trouble figuring out how. It's just a
matter of time. Not this week though.
Broncos 19-12
DETROIT 8 1/2 Minnesota
The
Lions are now fighting for their playoff lives, but they will get in.
Not the Vikings, who have really struggled this year. I see no problems
here for Detroit, who will be a tough out in the post season.
Lions 37-16
SAN DIEGO 6 1/2 Buffalo
The
Chargers will make their usual late-season run, but will fall short of
the postseason. Say Goodbye to Norv Turner, though it is at least three
years too late. The Bills have totally fallen apart after a great
start. I'll take the Chargers here being at home.
Chargers 29-20
New Orleans 4 Tennessee
The
Saints are really looking good right now, but the Titans have totally
gone under the radar in the AFC. They are right in the middle of the
AFC race, and Chris Johnson is getting hot. He is not as hot as New
Orleans is right now though, so I am going to take the Saints here.
This is a really big game for both teams.
Saints 31-26
DALLAS 3 1/2 New York Giants
Not
only can Tony Romo not be trusted, neither can Jason Garrett. He will
probably try to ice Romo this week. It won't matter. I think the Giants
are better right now, and Eli Manning is quietly having a great season.
I like the Giants here.
Giants 27-23
SEATTLE 6 1/2 St. Louis
Another meaningless NFC West game. There have been way too many this
year. And last year. And the year before.
Seahawks 30-14
Game of the Week
Cincinnati 3 Houston
There
are a couple of big games this week, but this might be the biggest in
the AFC. I was never sold on the Bengals and I'm still not convinced. I
am convinced with Houston though. Nobody is talking about them in the
AFC because of their injuries but they should be. They have the number
one defense in the NFL statistically and a monster running game. In
case anybody forgot, defense wins championships. I like the Texans here.
Texans 21-20
Stinker of the Week
JACKSONVILLE 1 Tampa Bay
The Bucs have to win sometime. I think.
Buccaneers 23-21
Record For Week 13: 10-6 ( 11-5 without the spread )
Record Through Week 13: 90-94-8 ( 120-72 without the
spread )
Game of Week Record: 8-4-1
Stinker of Week Record: 4-9
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Jim Poore has been a long time contributor to Patriots Insider with his weekly picks column. Let him know what you think. Email him here:
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