NFL Week 14 Predictions
Srikar Kalapala
Overall Record: 121-72-2
Last Week's Record: 11-3-1
Los Angeles Rams (3-9) vs. Las Vegas Raiders (5-7)
Raiders. The Raiders have gone on a little bit of a streak in the last couple of games after beating the Broncos. They beat the Seahawks two weeks ago and then upset the Chargers last week. They face a Rams team this week without Matthew Stafford, so I think they could make it four wins in a row here.
Detroit Lions (5-7) vs. Minnesota Vikings (10-2)
Vikings. I could see this being one of the games of the week, if not the year. It is crazy that a Lions vs. Vikings game could warrant such praise, but that is exactly what it feels like it will be. The Lions offense has been amazing this year, and the 2022 Vikings have been as well. In their last matchup, Detroit was winning the whole game until a 4th quarter meltdown gave the Vikings the win. I can see a shootout happening in this game, but I see the Vikings making the stop they need to win this game.
Pittsburgh Steelers (5-7) vs. Baltimore Ravens (8-4)
Steelers. I could definitely see this being a 50-50 game without Lamar Jackson. This Steelers defense has been amazing, and Kenny Pickett has been able to lead this team for a couple of wins. I think the Steelers are very underrated, and they could win this game against a Ravens team that struggled to put up 10 points against the Broncos.
Cincinnati Bengals (8-4) vs. Cleveland Browns (5-7)
Bengals. This looks like a sure-fire pick with how rusty Deshaun Watson looked against the Texans last week, but this is anything but. The Bengals got absolutely destroyed by the Jacoby Brissett-led version of this team a few weeks ago, and there isn’t much to say that it won’t happen again. However, they played playoff-caliber football in their win against the Chiefs last week, so I’m hoping it will carry over to this game.
Buffalo Bills (9-3) vs. New York Jets (7-5)
Bills. Kind of like the Bengals, this pick should also seem surefire if not for a Jets upset a few weeks ago over this team. That Jets team was led by Zach Wilson too. However, I can’t pick against Josh Allen in a divisional game, and I think he will get his act together and get his revenge over one of the teams that he has lost to this year.
Dallas Cowboys (9-3) vs. Houston Texans (1-10-1)
Cowboys. Yeah, there shouldn’t be much for me to write about this one. The Cowboys, after a close three quarters, absolutely smoked the Colts in the 4th quarter and put up over 50 points. Something similar could happen against the hapless Texans, and this might be one of the most boring games this year.
New York Giants (7-4-1) vs. Philadelphia Eagles (11-1)
Eagles. I could actually see a scenario where the Giants upset the Eagles, but I don’t think it will happen this week. I really like the Eagles defense in this one to contain Saquon Barkley, and I think the offense will do enough after their explosion vs. Tennessee.
Tennessee Titans (7-5) vs. Jacksonville Jaguars (4-8)
Titans. If Trevor Lawrence plays in this one, I wouldn’t be surprised if there was an upset. However, the Titans just got blown out by the Eagles, and I think this Mike Vrabel-led team will bounce back against their rivals.
Denver Broncos (3-9) vs. Kansas City Chiefs (9-3)
Chiefs. The big problem for the Broncos this season has been that they cannot score. At all. That problem becomes bigger when you have to face a juggernaut offense like the Chiefs. The good news is that their defense has been stellar, but if the Broncos can’t score any points, they don’t have much of a chance in this one.
Seattle Seahawks (7-5) vs. Carolina Panthers (4-8)
Seahawks. The craziest thing about this Panthers team, despite how bad they are, is that they had a chance to control their own destiny for a playoff run if the Saints kept their lead against the Bucs on Monday night. That just speaks volumes about how bad the NFC South has been this year. Anyways, they take on the Seahawks this week, and this game is crucial for the Seahawks’ playoff chances, so I don’t think they can lose it.
San Francisco 49ers (8-4) vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6-6)
49ers. Yes, I am picking Brock Purdy to lead his team to victory over Tom Brady. The Mr. Irrelevant of last year's draft suddenly has become very relevant after reports said that Jimmy G is out for the year. The funny thing is, San Fran might be the most QB-friendly team, which means that I think this team will still be very successful in the postseason. This defense is legit, and pair that with a Tampa offense that has struggled, and I like Brock Purdy to get his first win as a starter over Brady and the Bucs.
Los Angeles Chargers (6-6) vs. Miami Dolphins (8-4)
Dolphins. The Chargers need to win this game for their playoff chances, but Miami comes at a bad time for them. This Miami squad is very talented, and despite the loss to the Niners last week, they will come in and try to bounce back. Desperation could factor in for the Chargers, but I don’t think it will play a factor against the Dolphins.
Arizona Cardinals (4-8) vs. New England Patriots (6-6)
Patriots. This game has “low-scoring” written all over it. Both teams’ offenses have struggled a lot, which will probably mean this will be a very close game. I like the Patriots defense and Bill Belichick to somehow find a way to win over the Kingsbury-led Cardinals.
