NFL Tipping Sheet: Week 14 Previews and Handicap picks

SportNeverSleeps.com
09 December 2012

Can Brady lead his team to a big win over the impressive Texans?

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It's week 14 in the NFL and there's all to play for. Most teams still retain a hope of getting in the playoff mix up.

'A huge clash between two teams many have picked to meet again in the AFC Championship game. This is what Monday Night Football is all about'

Atlanta Falcons @ Carolina Panthers
Sunday 18:00
Matt Ryan and the Falcons have bossed the NFC South this year, it's been suprisingly easy for them. Whereas the Buccaneers have been plucky and picked up some big results the Saints and especially the Panthers have failed to live up to expectations. The good news for Carolina is the fact that the 'dirty birds' may have taken their foot off the pedal, could Cam Newton have one of his good games and capitalise? Unlikely, although the Falcons have secured their division the next goal will be on impoving their playoff seeding.
Recommended Bet: Atlanta -3

Baltimore Ravens @ Washington Redskins
Sunday 18:00
Baltimore still stand on the brink of claiming the AFC North but suffered a rare home loss to the Steelers last weekend, this Sunday they face a tough task travelling down the road to face a Redskins team that's on a roll. Three straight wins and continually impressive performances by RG3 give Washington serious momentum, they still have a shot at the playoffs and come off a huge divisional victory against the Giants last week. With Baltimore's injury woes still not improving their infamous defence has become far less resilient, the 'Skins should have opportunities.
Recommended Bet: Washington -3

Chicago Bears @ Minnesota Vikings Sunday 18:00
When they played two weeks ago the Bears won 28-10, that day they got out to a 25-3 lead by halftime and took the Vikings out of their game. This week the Vikings should be more competitive and have what it takes to reverse that outcome. With Percy Harvin out for the season it's going to be tough for the Vikings to air it out but they can always rely on 'All Day' Peterson. As for the Bears, they're banged up, the defence has key injuries to MLB Urlacher, the figurehead of the organization and CB Jennings, who was having an amazing year, they have lost their swagger and may continue to struggle for the rest of the season, currently sharing the divisional lead with the Packers they will probably limp over the line to the playoffs. With the Vikings in last chance saloon it should be a good spectacle. The loud Metrodome and the Vikings pass rush should slow down Cutler and co. and then it will be Peterson's opportunity to exploit the Bears defensive frailties.
Recommended Bet: Minnesota +3

Dallas Cowboys @ Cincinnati Bengals
Sunday 18:00
This is a big game for Cincy. If they get passed the Cowboys, they will still have a shot at the playoffs, they're in great form after winning four in a row. This apparent red hot form could be misleading however as the wins were against the worst the AFC West had to offer, are the Bengals really as good as their recent results suggest? The Cowboys have been mainly winning lately but they too have been beating teams with loosing records and without totally convincing. Romo keeps finding Dez Bryant and he has produced the goods putting up big numbers. If the Bengals key on him too much then the Cowboys have other weapons in Austin, Witten and Murray who could put points on the board. The Bengals too have options, Andy Dalton is playing a solid sophomore campaign at quarterback and A.J Green could torch the Dallas secondary. It's a bad time to travel to Cincinnati, should be a lot of points but the Bengals should stay in the hunt in the AFC North.
Recommended Bet: Cincinnati -3

Kansas City Chiefs @ Cleveland Browns
Sunday 18:00
Brady Quinn led his Chiefs team to an emotional victory over the Panthers under trying circumstances last week but may find life tougher in Cleveland this time. The Browns are looking for their third straight win and the defence is improving game by game. They have become affective against the run and if they stop Jamaal Charles they will neutralise the Chiefs main threat. Little significance in the big picture but the Browns should clock a home win.
Recommended Bet: Cleveland -6.5

NY Jets @ Jacksonville Jaguars 18:00
It's been brutal for these two. Neither team have shown much quality this year, the outcome won't matter much but this could still be an interesting watch. The Jets have been an absolute mess, whilst Rex Ryan bullishly sticks with Mark Sanchez it doesn't seem to be working. Tebow still doesn't get a look in and he's injured anyway so the only other option would be McElroy. Although they sneaked passed the Cards last week it was far from convincing. The Jags are showing few signs of improvement and are missing their star running back Maurice Jones-Drew badly. To be polite they're a work in progress. Surely Sanchez can take advantage of playing the worst defence in the league.
Recommended Bet: New York -3

Philadelphia Eagles @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Sunday 18:00
Philadelphia have lost eight in a row, they seem to be focused on 2013, Andy Reid is lucky to still have his job. Have the Eagles hit rock bottom? No not yet, not until Doug Martin and co tear through them. Martin, now known as the The Dougernaut should run all over the Eagles poor defence. The Bucs are coming off losses in their last two but they were against very good opponents in the Falcons and Broncos. They didn't play that bad against Denver last week, they just came across a team led by Manning, they'll be frustrated and the lowly Eagles could be the perfect tonic. Back the Bucs to win and return to the race for the NFC playoffs.
Recommended Bet: Tampa Bay -7.5

San Diego Chargers @ Pittsburgh Steelers Sunday 18:00
Steelers fans will likely see Roethlisberger's return this Sunday and after last week's huge win in Baltimore they now have a firm shot at the playoffs. They are starting to welcome back some major players from injury and should continue their perfect record against the Chargers at Heinz Field. The Chargers look poor and Rivers' performances have been below par due largely to a lack of protection from his offensive line. Should be a routine home win for Pittsburgh.
Recommended Bet: Steelers -7.5

Tennessee Titans @ Indianapolis Colts Sunday 18:00
Andrew Luck's exceptional season continues and the Colts look set for the playoffs, they do still have to face the Texans twice this season so need to make sure that they deal with the Titans this weekend. Tennessee are in poor form and Jake Locker has been looking out of sorts in the last few weeks. The Titans have the nucleus of a decent roster and could challenge next year but is Locker the man to lead them? Expect Luck and the Colts offence to do enough in Indy.
Recommended Bet: Indianapolis -5.5

St Louis Rams @ Buffalo Bills Sunday 18:00
Two teams that have had up and down seasons so far but they are both showing real promise. Whilst the Rams got the impressive win over the 49ers last week the Bills smashed the Jags. 5 wins at this stage is not going to be good enough to snatch a wildcard unless they go perfect from now on in. A must win game for both teams but the Bills; home field advantage should help them. Jackson and Spiller give the Bills a dual threat on the ground that should trouble the Rams despite their recent impressive defensive stands. The Rams are looking for hatrick of wins but Bradford will be put under intense pressure and may be without clutch receiver Danny Amendola. Despite a horrific injury list Buffalo should just have enough to halt St. Louis.
Recommended Bet: Buffalo -3

Miami Dolphins @ San Francisco 49ers
Sunday 21:05
Kaepernick gets the nod in front of Alex Smith despite a pretty average performance in a disappointing loss to the Rams, the 49ers still have the lead in the NFC West but Seattle are hot on their tail. The Dolphins have shown promise this season but Tallenhill and the offence have rarely really developed a consistent rhythm and will find it tough at Candlestick. The 49ers' defence is totally unforgiving and their solid rushing attack should mean that Kaepernick is not put under too much pressure. It'll be hard fought but San Francisco should get back to winning ways but to beat a 10.5 point handicap, maybe not
Recommended Bet: Miami +10.5

Arizona Cardinals @ Seattle Seahawks Sunday 21:25
The Seahawks grabbed an impressive away win against the Bears last week and look hungry, they have been dominant at home all year and should make it tough for Arizona. Russel Wilson seems comfortable and reliable whilst Marshawn Lynch is churning out the yards. Arizona have had quarterback issues all year, with Kolb still injured Skelton will start but his figures this year make for ugly reading. After a great start it's all gone wrong for the Cardinals and this could be loss number nine in a row, they won't enjoy the entertainment in Seattle.
Recommended Bet: Seahawks - 10.5

New Orleans Saints @ NY Giants Sunday 21:25
Just a couple of weeks ago the Giants seemed to have the NFC East sewn up but now they only hold a one game advantage over both the Redskins and the Cowboys, the pressure is on Eli to get them backing to winning ways after a painful loss to Washington on Monday night. The Saints too lost a divisional matchup last weekend and will need Brees to be on better form if they are to outgun the Big Blue. No reason not to think this will be an end zone party as both teams have numerous receiving stars and high calibre QBs. Brees has been uncharacteristically loose with his passing in the last two but usually shines against the Giants defence that has gone soft lately.
Recommended Bet: New York -5.5

Detroit Lions @ Green Bay Packers Monday 01:20
In the late game it's the 4-8 Lions against the 8-4 Packers in a NFC North divisional
Faceoff at Lambeau. The Lions have tanked recently and have not claimed a win here for 20 games but the last time Stafford rolled into town he had a 500 yard game despite the loss. There's no doubting the Lions passing game and Calvin Johnson proves week after week he's unplayable. They also possess an aggressive pass rush, they could make it hard for Rodgers who is already missing a bunch of receivers to injury. The Packers are focused and homing in on the playoffs and will be determined to stick in front of the Bears in the division, they'll find it tough this Sunday but should have enough to push through.
Recommended Bet: Packers - 6.5

Houston Texans @ New England Patriots Tue 01:30
A huge clash between two teams many have picked to meet again in the AFC Championship game. This is what Monday Night Football is all about, the seemingly unstoppable Patriots offence against the J.J. Watt led Texans defence and perfectly balanced Texans offence. Both teams have clocked six wins in a row and both will win their division, it's going to be a hell of a contest. The Texans have been awesome on the road this year and managed to beat both the Broncos and Bears away but this just might be a bridge too far. With the secondary riddled with injuries there is no doubting Brady will find his targets as long as he can evade Watt's swatting arms. Unfortunately for the Pats there will be no Gronkowski for Brady to hit over the middle, that's a big loss but he can still rely on the wily Wes Welker on the screen. If the Texans defence doesn't perform it'll turns into a shoot out and in which case Belichik should be grinning come the final whistle
Recommended Bet: Patriots -3.5