NFL 2017 Week 14 picks

I had a good week last week, so let's see if I can keep that going.

Thursday Dec 7
New Orleans Saints at Atlanta Falcons:  The Saints are rolling this year.  The Falcons are looking to return to the Super Bowl, but they are not having an easy time of it. Their offense is still potent, but they aren't consistent. The defense has holes. The Patriots exposed that, and the Falcons haven't really overcome from that.  SAINTS

Sunday early games
Chicago Bears at Cincinnati Bengals:  The Bears could not beat the pathetic 49ers.  Nuff said.  BENGALS

Dallas Cowboys at New York Giants:  Last week, the Giants proved that Eli Manning is not the cause of their woes.  That may validate the Giants fan, but doesn't really please them.  They'd be pleased with a win.  They'll have another disappointing weekend.  COWBOYS

Detroit Lions at Tampa Bay Bucs:  The Lions have not had the best season, but they are still chasing a potential wildcard spot.  The Bucs have struggled with Jameis Winston injured, but they nearly beat Green Bay last week in his return.  They might find more of a challenge in the Lions, though.  LIONS

Green Bay Packers at Cleveland Browns:  Brett Hundley had a good game last week, his best since replacing Aaron Rodgers.  Given the Browns' troubles, Hundley won't need a good performance to seal a victory.  PACKERS

Indianapolis Colts at Buffalo Bills:  Speaking of a team struggling without their starting quarterback, the Colts are suffering this season.  The Bills may have lost four of their last five games, but this game should be a pretty easy win.  BILLS

Minnesota Vikings at Carolina Panthers:  The Panthers want a strong win after a tough loss to the Saints last week, but they may not get that.  The Vikings have won eight in a row on a strong offense and stingy defense.  The Panthers struggle against a strong defense, so this should be a challenge.  VIKINGS

Oakland Raiders at Kansas City Chiefs:  The Chiefs have fallen far after a 5-0 start, and they don't seem to be getting out of it.  Jason Peters demonstrated his frustration last week, and now he sits this game.  I don't think the Chiefs would have won even if Peters played.  RAIDERS

San Francisco 49ers at Houston Texans:  Jimmy Garrafalo won his first game as the starting QB for the 49ers, but that was against the Bears.  Against the Texans defense, I think he'll have a harder time.  TEXANS

Sunday late games
New York Jets at Denver Broncos:  The Broncos are having a quarterback problem, as none of them seem to be able to generate a win.  The Jets have succeeded, despite preseason concerns.  The Jets will continue to prove their worth this week.  JETS

Philadelphia Eagles at Los Angeles Rams:  Either team could win this game.  Both teams are very similar, although the Eagles offense relies more heavily on a running game than the Rams do.  Although it seems unusual that a team as successful as the Eagles could lose two in a row, I have to favor the home team.  RAMS

Seattle Seahawks at Jacksonville Jaguars:  While the Seahawks are known for their defense, the best defense in the league this season lives in Jacksonville.  The Seahawks have done better on the road this season than usual, but they struggle against tough defenses, and they face the toughest one this week.  JAGUARS

Tennessee Titans at Arizona Cardinals:  It is odd for a 8-4 team to have a losing point differential.  The Titans lose big and win close games.  They should win this game, but it could be another close one.  TITANS

Washington Redskins at Los Angeles Chargers:  The Chargers are chasing a playoff spot, and they have the strength to do it.  The Redskins inconsistencies have people questioning the skills of their key players, but it's not a lack of skill, but miscommunication and poor decisions that have hurt the Redskins.  After a slow start, the Chargers have been operating with great precision, something lacking in the play of the Redskins.  CHARGERS

Sunday night
Baltimore Ravens at Pittsburgh Steelers:  The Steelers can practically win their division with a win here; they'd be only one win away.  Statistically, these two teams are very close, but the Ravens have been a different team on the road this season.  STEELERS

Monday Night Football
The Patriots will clinch their division title with a win. They'll get it.  PATRIOTS