Previewing Week 14

Last week's predictions: 10/16
Season tally: 130/191, 68%

Baltimore Ravens @ Washington Redskins (-2.5)
Here's a summary of what the Baltimore Ravens (Super Bowl contenders, mind you) did last Sunday:
A) they lost
B) at home
C) to the Pittsburgh Steelers, whose quarterback was third-stringer Charlie Batch, the oldest non-kicker in the NFL
D) and the Ravens' best player, Ray Rice, did not touch the football in the fourth quarter.
The pick: There's no way I would ever pick this team to beat Robert Griffin III right now. Redskins.

Kansas City Chiefs @ Cleveland Browns (-6.5)
The annual "Which Sports Town Does God Hate More?" Bowl.
The pick: Browns.

San Diego Chargers @ Pittsburgh Steelers (-7.5)
Hm, let's see. West Coast team on a four-game losing streak with a lame duck coach flying east for a 1:00 PM game to face perhaps the best pass defense in football. Seriously, good luck with that, San Diego.
The pick: Steelers.

Tennessee Titans @ Indianapolis Colts (-5.5)
The Colts had unquestionably the worst roster in football last season en route to a league-worst 2-14 record. Now, a win this week against the Titans puts the Colts at 9-4, all but locking up a playoff berth. Amazing.
The pick: Colts.

New York Jets (-2.5) @ Jacksonville Jaguars
And you probably thought that Browns-Chiefs was a lock for ugliest game of the week.
The pick: Jets.

Chicago Bears (-3) @ Minnesota Vikings
Adrian Peterson is averaging over 120 yards per game. If he ups that average to 140 over his final four games, he'll break the all-time record for rushing yards in a season. This guy tore his ACL and MCL a year ago.
The pick: If only Peterson had some help. Bears.

Atlanta Falcons (-3.5) @ Carolina Panthers
The 11-1 Falcons have been the luckiest team in football so far, winning an unlikely number of close games. Their Week 4 victory at home over the Panthers, for instance, required a 40-yard field goal as time expired. There's upset potential here.
The pick: Falcons.

Philadelphia Eagles @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers (-7.5)
Since taking over as the Eagles' starting running back, Bryce Brown has been a revelation. The former seventh-round pick has rushed for 347 yards and four touchdowns in just two games. Brown's breakout performance hasn't mattered much though; the Eagles' defense has allowed opposing quarterbacks to throw for 16 touchdowns -- without a single interception -- over the past six games.
The pick: Buccaneers.

St. Louis Rams @ Buffalo Bills (-3)
Apparently, the Rams only show up when they're on the West Coast. They're 4-0 (plus a tie) against their division rivals in the NFC West, but 1-6 against everyone else.
The pick: Bills.

Dallas Cowboys @ Cincinnati Bengals (-3)
The Cowboys have DeMarco Murray back in the fold and Dez Bryant is finally living up to the hype. Dallas is also just a game behind the Giants in the NFC East. It's Tony Romo in a must-win road game in December; what could possibly go wrong?!?
The pick: Cowboys, before I have time to really think about that last statement.

Miami Dolphins @ San Francisco 49ers (-10)
Here's a simple little timeline:
-->Rams tie 49ers
-->Rams lose to Jets, make Mark Sanchez look good
-->Rams beat 49ers
So do the Rams just have the 49ers' number, or is San Francisco phenomenally overrated? If it's the former, then they'd better pummel the Dolphins at home to prove it.
The pick: 49ers.

New Orleans Saints @ New York Giants (-5)
Will the Giants show up? It's become a weekly mystery. Fortunately for them, Drew Brees has been off his game recently, having thrown seven interceptions against just three touchdowns in his last two contests.
The pick: Giants.

Arizona Cardinals @ Seattle Seahawks (-10)
This season, the Seahawks have now beaten the Bears, the Patriots, and the Packers. All of their losses have been by a touchdown or less. They have just one fewer win than the mighty 49ers. Given how well Russell Wilson has played, I can't think of a potential playoff matchup I'd be more interested in seeing than one involving the Seahawks at home.
The pick: Seahawks.

Detroit Lions @ Green Bay Packers (-10)
At one point last week, the Lions' mathematical probability of beating the Colts sat at 99%. Then they allowed Andrew Luck to score two impossibly late touchdowns, one of which happened on 4th down as time expired. Nobody can top the Lions when it comes to finding new ways to lose.
The pick: Packers.

Houston Texans @ New England Patriots (-3.5)
A Monday night game with implications for home-field advantage and AFC bragging rights. It's tough to see how the Texans can pull this off on the road. Their defense has slipped in recent weeks and the offense might not be good enough to match Tom Brady if a shootout develops.
The pick: Patriots.