For the first time in three weeks, the NFL looks to be in the clear for all the games to go off as scheduled. The COVID-19 virus has been doing much damage to the league in recent weeks and the action for Week Fourteen kicks off tonight with the New England Patriots (6-6) taking on the Los Angeles Rams (8-4), who lead the NFC West division, in L.A. in a game that has big time playoff implications for both teams.
The Patriots have won four of their last five games to get back into contention in the AFC playoff picture while the Rams have been battling the Seattle Seahawks all season long for first place in the NFC West. These two teams played in the Super Bowl two years ago in what became the lowest scoring contest in the history of the game as the Patriots won, 13-3 to get their sixth title. Pats QB Cam Newton just needs to avoid mistakes and keep the ground game going if they want to win this game. Things could go either way in this one for the Rams, with they key being quarterback Jared Goff protecting the football, as he has ten turnovers in the last five games.
On Sunday, the Kansas City Chiefs travel to play the Miami Dolphins (8-4) and their strong defense. The Chiefs (11-1) have won seven straight games and lead the AFC in scoring and are second in the NFL to only the Green Bay Packers, averaging 30.8 points per game. Meanwhile, the Dolphins give up 17.4 points per game, which is second best in the NFL. If the Dolphins can contain Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City offense, they could pull off the victory. Miami is equally as hot as the Chiefs as well, winning seven of their last eight games. This one could go down to the wire.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-5) host the Minnesota Vikings (6-6) in a huge game for playoff positioning in the NFC. The Bucs have struggled in recent weeks as QB Tom Brady has been throwing an unusual amount of interceptions. The Vikings have won five of six after a terrible 1-5 start this season and if quarterback Kirk Cousins doesn't turn the ball over, then Minnesota can keep it close and perhaps get the win.
The surging New York Giants are 5-7 and have won four in a row and lead the NFC East division and will host the Arizona Cardinals (6-6), losers of four of their last five games. The Giants defense was tremendous last week in an upset win at Seattle while the Cards lost at home to the Rams. The Giants might have Daniel Jones back as the starting quarterback for this game so that could be a boost on the offense. The Giants defense has allowed 16.5 points per game during the win streak and if they can pressure Arizona QB Kyler Murray into mistakes and turnovers, they could make it five straight wins.
A big game in Las Vegas will have the Raiders (7-5) hosting the Indianapolis Colts (8-4) as both teams are right there in the AFC playoff race. Colts QB Philip Rivers has been steady after a rough start to the season and if the Colts can get the running game going again it will be a tough combination to beat as they have averaged 27.5 points per game while winning three of their last four games. The Raiders survived the lowly New York Jets last week, getting a last second TD pass from QB Derek Carr to wide receiver Henry Ruggs in the 31-28 win. This one could be a high scoring affair that could be decided by whoever has the ball last.
The two "prime time" games this weekend will have the Pittsburgh Steelers at the Buffalo Bills on Sunday night and then the Baltimore Ravens (7-5) face the Cleveland Browns on Monday night.
The Steelers (11-1) lost their first game last week against Washington and now have to go against one of the hottest teams in the NFL. The Bills are 9-3 and are coming off a Monday night win against the San Francisco 49ers on the road. Bills QB Josh Allen has been on fire and threw four TD passes last week while Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger struggled somewhat in the loss. Pittsburgh has to establish a running game if they want to make life easier for Big Ben, who attempted 53 passes last week. The Bills also need to run the ball better as they have averaged just over 95 yards rushing per game this season. This game will be tight and protecting the ball is a must.
As for the game in Cleveland between the Ravens and Browns (9-3) on Monday Night Football, it should be a tilt as the Ravens seemed to get back to their brand of football last week, rushing for 294 yards in a 34-17 rout of the Dallas Cowboys. The Ravens did blast the Browns, 38-6 in the season opener in Baltimore as well. Meanwhile, the Browns (winners of four straight games) rolled over the Tennessee Titans for a road win last week to keep them two games ahead of Baltimore in the rugged AFC North division. They mirror the Ravens in that they can run the football and have a good tandem of backs just like Baltimore does. Avoiding turnovers and controlling the clock will determine the winner of this game.
The rest of the action in Week Fourteen is featured below in the capsule style form and the Heftyinfo predictions follow up.
Houston (4-8) at Chicago (5-7) - Can the Bears snap their six-game losing streak? The Texans are tough with Deshaun Watson at quarterback.
Dallas (3-9) at Cincinnati (2-9-1) - The stinker game of the week with both teams playing backups at quarterback. The Cowboys QB is Andy Dalton, who is making his return to Cincinnati, where he played for nine seasons.
Denver (4-8) at Carolina (4-8) - This game will be close with two pretty good defensive teams going at it.
Tennessee (8-4) at Jacksonville (1-11) - The Titans need to bounce back after getting blown out last week. The Jaguars are looking to snap their eleven game losing streak.
New York Jets (0-12) at Seattle (8-4) - The Seahawks can't lose at home to an inferior team for the second straight week can they? Not a chance.
Green Bay (9-3) at Detroit (5-7) - The Lions usually play the Packers tough at home, so this game could be a close one.
New Orleans (10-2) at Philadelphia (3-8-1) - The Saints have won nine in a row while the Eagles have lost four straight and have benched their starting quarterback. Take the Saints.
Atlanta (4-8) at Los Angeles Chargers (3-9) - These two teams both find ways to lose football games. Who knows, maybe this game ends up in a tie.
Washington (5-7) at San Francisco (5-7) - (Game played in Glendale, AZ) - The 49ers have to win out to have a shot at the playoffs while Washington is flying high after stunning the Pittsburgh Steelers on the road last week. Toss up in this one.
The Heftyinfo picks for Week Fourteen . . . . . . . . (Home teams are listed in bold; Lock of the Week is listed in BOLD CAPS)
L.A. Rams over New England
Chicago over Houston
Dallas over Cincinnati
Kansas City over Miami
Arizona over N.Y. Giants
Tampa Bay over Minnesota
Carolina over Denver
Tennessee over Jacksonville
Indianapolis over Las Vegas
SEATTLE over N.Y. Jets
Green Bay over Detroit
New Orleans over Philadelphia
L.A. Chargers over Atlanta
San Francisco over Washington
Pittsburgh over Buffalo
Baltimore over Cleveland
Last Week's Record - 8-7
SEASON RECORD - 134-57-1
Lock of the Week Record - 10-3
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