Poor Arthur Blank. The Atlanta Falcons owner has had probably one of the worst weeks of his life. This guy is having worse luck than anybody in sports. First, he gives a loser quarterback millions of dollars, only to see him get sent to prison on dogfighting charges. Then, the coach he hired to turn his franchise around also turns out to be a total loser. It is too bad that Blank obviously hired the wrong guy. Head Coach Bobby Petrino resigned this week, showing how much of a gutless coward he really is. He was hired by the University of Arkansas to take over their football program. If Petrino prefers the college game, than that is his right. However, quitting your current job in the middle of a season is the sign of a total coward in my opinion. He should of at least had the decency to finish out the first year of his contract, and then choose his career path. If the University of Arkansas wanted him bad enough, they could have waited another month to pursue Petrino. I actually feel bad for Arthur Blank. From what I hear he is a good guy, and he is good for the NFL. Right now, he has arguably the worst team in the NFL and no head coach. The head coaching duties for the remainder of the season will be given to Emmitt Thomas, a long time assistant and former player. It might take Blank several seasons to clear up this mess, which, unfortunately, he is ultimately responsible for.
As for my picks, I went 12-4 against the number last week, my best week of the season. As we draw to a close for the regular season, I am inching back towards .500. Let's see if I can continue with the good selections.
As always home team in CAPS.
HOUSTON 1 Denver
Both of these teams still have outside shots at the playoffs, but they need to win and get some help. Both are unlikely. Both won last week however, but one obviously has to lose this week. I think it will be Denver. The Texans are at home where they have played pretty decent. The Broncos have been mediocre all season, and that trend will continue this week. I like the Texans at home.
Texans 23-20
Cincinnati 8 SAN FRANCISCO
Both of these teams are goign nowhere, but just the fact that the Bengals are the better team makes me pick them here. This was a definite candidate for Stinker of the Week.
Bengals 37-21
NEW ORLEANS 3 1/2 Arizona
This is actually a pretty big game in the NFC. Both teams have a shot at the playoffs, but will need some help. Neither team deserves to make it to the post season. The Saints have been a mild disappointment, but quite frankly the Cardinals have been too. I like New Orleans here being at home.
Saints 27-17
TAMPA BAY 12 Atlanta
The Buccaneers will be in the playoffs in the NFC, even if they lose another game. They have been a surprise, but they won't get very far in the postseason. The Falcons are a total disaster right now, especially after the resignation of Bobby Petrino. I would like to pick the Falcons here because often after a head coaching change, the team steps up and wins for the new coach, but I don't see that happening here. I like the Bucs.
Bucs 31-14
Baltimore 3 MIAMI
Both teams are lousy, but the Ravens are still better. I wanted to pick Miami to win, but I don't think it is going to happen. No team wants to be the one to lose to a winless team, so I don't think Miami can pull this one off. I really wouldn't be shocked if they did though.
Ravens 20-14
Green Bay 9 1/2 ST. LOUIS
This should be a tune up to the post season for the Packers, who have played really well this year. The Rams have not, though they have been better lately. Even though they are away from Lambeau Field, I don't see too many problems for the Packers this week.
Packers 33-21
PITTSBURGH 4 Jacksonville
This is another huge playoff type game this week, and the implications could be big. Both teams are likely headed to the postseason, but both teams probably won't get too far. The Steelers need to bounce back after a bad loss last week. They should be able to at home. I like them here.
Steelers 27-21
Seattle 7 CAROLINA
No surprise as the Seahawks once again wrapped up the NFC West division. Lately they have been playing very well, and if they continue on this pace they could be a tough out in the post season. The Panthers haven't been a tough out all year, proving to be another disappointing team in the NFL. The Seahawks have more on the line here, so I will take them this week.
Seahawks 30-20
Tennessee 4 KANSAS CITY
The Titans had a bad loss last week, one they really needed as they are trying to get into the postseason. The Chiefs started out ok but have been a bad team for most of the season. The Titans do still have a chance at the playoffs, so they obviously have more on the line this week than the Chiefs. That is why I like them here. Take Tennessee.
Titans 26-17
Indianapolis 10 1/2 OAKLAND
The Colts right now don't seem to miss Marvin Harrison too much, but they will really need him for the playoffs. They shouldn't have any problems with the Raiders, who actually have not been terrible this year. But they still aren't good. The Colts are, and they should win this game fairly easily.
Colts 38-23
SAN DIEGO 9 1/2 Detroit
The Chargers have been better lately, and now they need to get ready for the post season. May be it just took them a few weeks. For a few weeks the Lions were real good, and now they are real bad. They have totally fallen apart. I don't see how they can compete in this game, but I am sure they will be able to score some points. Just not enough points to win.
Chargers 36-21
DALLAS 10 Philadelphia
All is good in the land of the Big D, but not in the city of Brotherly Love. The Eagles were expected to be better this year, but like a lot of teams in the NFL have just been disapponting. The Cowboys were expected to be good, but not to the point where they only had one loss. They have clinched home field throughout the playoffs, and I am sure they would like to finish off a division rival too. They should be able to, especially at home.
Cowboys 31-16
NEW YORK GIANTS 4 Washington
The Giants are headed to the postseason, and the Redskins are not. This is another heated division rivalry, and this game should be pretty good. I think the Giants will be able to pull it off, as they want to get a higher seeding for the playoffs, thus they have more on the line.
Giants 26-21
MINNESOTA 9 1/2 Chicago
It would have been expected that this game would have favored the Bears at the beginning of the year, but that is not the case. The Bears have been really mediocre, while the Vikings have surprised. They won't get very far in the playoffs, but they weren't expected to be in. The Bears were. I like Minnesota here, especially at home.
Vikings 34-24
GAME OF THE WEEK
CLEVELAND 5 1/2 Buffalo
The pick of this game might surprise some people, but I picked it because of the playoff scenario. the Browns have really surprised, and the Bills, though they only have an outside shot at the post season, do still have a chance. I don't think they will after this game. The Browns are at home, and a win here will almost guarantee them a playoff spot. I don't see them losing.
Browns 24-14
STINKER OF THE WEEK
NEW ENGLAND 25 New York Jets
This is the Stinker for obvious reasons. The game will be over after five minutes. It is going to be ugly early, and it is going to be ugly late. The Jets have no chance. None. Zero. Zilch. The points are obviously ridiculous, but it might not be high enough. I will be stunned if the Jets can find a way to cover here.
Patriots 59-10
Record for Week 14: 12-4 ( 13-3 without the spread )
Record Through Week 14: 95-104-9 (129-79 without spread )
Game of Week Record: 9-5
Stinker of Week Record: 6-8
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: