The Sunday Night Football showdown between the Carolina Panthers and New Orleans Saints (both are
The Saints were destroyed last Monday night in Seattle while the Carolina Panthers won their eighth consecutive game to catch the Saints. The game will be in the Super Dome, where the Saints are very tough to beat, especially when quarterback Drew Brees is flinging the ball all over the field.
Carolina's defense is among the best in pro football and has been a big reason for the resurgence of the Panthers in the division race. Plus QB Cam Newton is playing to the team concept this season and it has paid dividends for the team.The winner of this game will have the inside track for the division crown, but these two teams will go at each other again in two weeks in Carolina, so there is no comfort level no matter the outcome on Sunday night in the Big Easy.
There are some other key matches going on elsewhere, including the Cincinnati Bengals hosting the Indianapolis Colts (both at 8-4) in a AFC battle that could very well decide the number-three seed in that conference come playoff time.
Likewise in the NFC where the Detroit Lions travel to Philadelphia to face a surging Eagles team that is deadlocked with the Dallas Cowboys atop the NFC East division. The Lions (7-5) lead the NFC North by one game over the Chicago Bears, who will be facing the Cowboys (7-5) on Monday Night Football in the Windy City.
And out in the NFC West, the Seattle Seahawks (11-1) will travel down the coast to face the San Francisco 49ers (8-4) in a division battle that could see the 'Hawks lock up the crown with a win.
All in all, it should be another exciting week in the NFL, so here goes another preview and predictions for the games as the schedule dwindles down to the final four games of the season.
Indianapolis (8-4) at Cincinnati (8-4) - The Bengals are tough at home and the Colts have been struggling on the road in recent weeks.
Buffalo (4-8) at Tampa Bay (3-9) - The loser of this game moves up the ladder in the position for the NFL draft.
Kansas City (9-3) at Washington (3-9) - The Chiefs are looking to snap a three game skid. The Redskins are done this year.
Minnesota (3-8-1) at Baltimore (6-6) - The Ravens NEED this one and cannot let the Vikings steal one on the road.
Cleveland (4-8) at New England (9-3) - Tom Brady facing one of the league's better defenses at home should make for a good game, but the Patriots have no excuses not to win this one.
Atlanta (3-9) at Green Bay (5-6-1) - This game got bumped from "prime time," so that tells you something about what's going on with these teams.
Oakland (4-8) at NY Jets (5-7) - This ain't the "Heidi Bowl" going on here. Two teams going nowhere as the season winds down.
Detroit (7-5) at Philadelphia (7-5) - Two of the league's better quarterbacks go at it in a huge NFC game that could determine playoff positioning.
Miami (6-6) at Pittsburgh (5-7) - The loser of this one can kiss the post-season goodbye.
Tennessee (5-7) at Denver (10-2) - It's supposed to be bad weather in Denver so does that mean a bad game for Peyton Manning? Nope ... take the Broncos.
NY Giants (5-7) at San Diego (5-7) - Fact- Giants QB Eli Manning has never beaten the Chargers in his pro career. Meanwhile, 'Bolts QB Philip Rivers is having a solid season.
St. Louis (5-7) at Arizona (7-5) - The Rams would love to play spoiler for any chances the Cardinals may have for a "wild card" playoff spot.
Seattle (11-1) at San Francisco (8-4) - The 49ers will not let the Seahawks have their way like earlier this season. Should be a close game that goes down to the wire.
Carolina (9-3) at New Orleans (9-3) - The Saints are a different team at home and the Panthers are due for a loss.
Dallas (7-5) at Chicago (6-6) - It's Mike Ditka night in Soldier Field where the Bears will be retiring his uniform number and honoring "Da Coach" ... Do the Cowboys stand a chance? Da' Bears!
The Heftyinfo picks for Week Fourteen . . . . . (Home teams are listed in BOLD; Lock of the Week pick is listed in BOLD CAPS)
Houston over Jacksonville
Cincinnati over Indianapolis
Tampa Bay over Buffalo
Kansas City over Washington
Baltimore over Minnesota
NEW ENGLAND over Cleveland
Green Bay over Atlanta
Oakland over NY Jets
Philadelphia over Detroit
Pittsburgh over Miami
Denver over Tennessee
San Diego over NY Giants
Arizona over St. Louis
San Francisco over Seattle
New Orleans over Carolina
Chicago over Dallas
Last Week's Record: 11-5
SEASON RECORD: 121-70-1
Lock of the Week Record: 11-2
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