NFL week 14 picks and predictions: Vikings keep playoff hopes alive
By Jordan Ison
Teams are now trying to follow in the footsteps of the Dallas Cowboys, and clinch a playoff spot. With a lot of key match-ups, here are the NFL week 14 picks and predictions.
After week 13, one NFL team has clinched a playoff berth – the Dallas Cowboys. Heading into week 14, several others will have a shot to do the same thing. While some teams try to clinch a playoff berth, some teams, like the Minnesota Vikings, try to keep their playoff hopes alive.
As divisional races get tighter, teams are trying to play their best football down the stretch. The playoff picture is starting to get clearer, but there are still some questions to be answered during the rest of the season.
Week 14 will help us to answer some of these questions. There are big divisional battles up and down the schedule in week 14, beginning on Thursday night. With that being said, let’s jump right in with my NFL week 14 picks and predictions.
Oakland @ Kansas City
Derek Carr is a beast and is definitely the future of NFL quarterbacks, but Kansas City just finds ways to win. A few more turnovers for the Arrowheads will lead to a home victory for KC.
Final Score: Kansas City 26 Oakland 24
Pittsburgh @ Buffalo
A big win for Big Ben and the Steelers over the Giants in week 13, but that won’t get them going for this tough road match against the Bills. A huge day from LeSean McCoy leads Buffalo to victory.
Final Score: Buffalo 31 Pittsburgh 27
Denver @ Tennessee
Wait, Denver really struggled with Jacksonville. The reigning Super Bowl champ barely beat the Jags? Something is wrong in Denver folks. This isn’t the same team as last year.
Final Score: Tennessee 20 Denver 10
Washington @ Philadelphia
A tough loss to Arizona let the playoff position for Washington slip away…temporarily. Going up against a struggling Carson Wentz and Philadelphia will be a good way to get them back on track.
Final Score: Washington 31 Philadelphia 17
Arizona @ Miami
The Dolphins win streak came to an abrupt halt after the dismantling handed to them by the Ravens. Expect them to stay down after being hit that hard by the hands of defeat.
Final Score: Arizona 23 Miami 13
Minnesota @ Jacksonville
What is the best way to bounce back from a 1-6 slump? Play Jacksonville, Cleveland or San Francisco. Vikings’ fans can put their hearts at rest with a blow out of the struggling Jags.
Final Score: Minnesota 28 Jacksonville 6
Houston @ Indianapolis
A good Andrew Luck is fantastic, but a bad Andrew Luck is disastrous. One thing I’ve learned about the Colts – when the season is on the line, bad Luck shows up.
Final Score: Houston 27 Indianapolis 16
San Diego @ Carolina
I, for one, have been waiting to see the Panthers of last year show up this year. It’s not going to happen, Jordan. I’ve accepted that. But they are still talented enough to take down the Chargers.
Final Score: Carolina 30 San Diego 21
Cincinnati @ Cleveland
Do we have to talk about the Browns again? Ok, ok, here we go. They’re not good. They can’t win games. They will go 0-16. Give me anyone, including Ohio State, over the Browns.
Final Score: Cincinnati 29 Cleveland 12
Chicago @ Detroit
Matt Barkley vs Matt Stafford? This isn’t even a battle. The Lions can basically clinch a spot over the Minnesota Vikings with a victory over the Bears, and that won’t be hard.
Final Score: Detroit 34 Chicago 14
NY Jets @ San Francisco
Both of these teams have struggled mightily this year. Still, you look at the Jets roster and wonder why they are so bad. They have talent, and it will show against the 49ers.
Final Score: New York 24 San Francisco 13
New Orleans @ Tampa Bay
Jameis Winston has found his groove. With a defense like Tampa’s and the unbelievable receiving corps they possess, the NFC should be on watch for this squad. Expect a victory by Tampa Bay in a high scoring affair.
Final Score: Tampa Bay 35 New Orleans 28
Atlanta @ Los Angeles
Without Todd Gurley’s success, the Rams are having a hard time finding any kind of offense. Even though I wouldn’t call Jared Goff a bust yet, he’s not ready to keep up with Matt Ryan and the Falcons.
Final Score: Atlanta 31 Los Angeles 14
Seattle @ Green Bay
Green Bay is starting to look like the team everyone expected them to be this year, but so is Seattle. If this were in Seattle, it would be an easy choice, but it’s hard to pick against Rodgers at home.
Final Score: Green Bay 28 Seattle 27
Dallas @ NY Giants
The Cowboys are now officially the first team in the NFL playoffs. The first time these two teams met, the Giants came out victorious. I actually expect them to do it again, led by a huge day by OBJ.
Final Score: New York 30 Dallas 28
Baltimore @ New England
Joe Flacco shredded the Dolphins in week 13, and made the case that the Ravens actually have a shot at the AFC. Tom Brady will shut that case down like a lawyer in week 14.
Final Score: New England 28 Baltimore 13
Next: Harrison Smith may be out for the season
There are some huge playoff implications for a lot of NFL teams in week 14. Vikings’ fans, this is a must win against Jacksonville. In a game in which we are favored to win on the road, the Vikings really need to bring their A-game to keep up in the NFC playoff race. With some help needed, the Viking still must do their part, and it all begins with a victory in week 14 in Jacksonville.
#SKOL