The Dallas Cowboys travel to Washington to face the football team that is 6-6 and has a four game winning streak going. The Cowboys (8-4) lead the NFC East division race and face Washington twice in the final five games. The Cowboys have been erratic since getting out to a 6-1 start, so they need to get it right in this one. If they do, they will have a three game cushion with just four to play. But if WFT can get their fifth consecutive win, it will be air tight in the NFC East race the rest of the way.
The Las Vegas Raiders (6-6) face the Kansas City Chiefs (8-4) in a big AFC West battle. The Chiefs have won five in a row and their defense has been nothing less than stellar during the streak after a terrible start this season. Las Vegas needs this game in the worst way and if they can pull it off, it could bolster them into the AFC playoffs, either as a division winner or a wild card team.
Another big AFC battle will take place in Cleveland where the Browns (6-6) will host the Baltimore Ravens (8-4), the leaders in the AFC North division. The Ravens offense has struggled mightily the past four weeks and quarterback Lamar Jackson needs to cut back on the turnovers in order for his team to win this one. Just two weeks ago in Baltimore, the Ravens won a tight 16-10 defensive struggle against the Browns, so the Browns cannot afford to lose this one. It will be interesting to see what develops in this game and the winner will be the team that does not turn over the football.
The San Francisco 49ers (6-6) travel to Cincinnati to face the Bengals (7-5) in a game that will go a long way to help sort out the wild card races in both the AFC and NFC playoff races. The 'Niners lost in Seattle last week while the Bengals got smashed last Sunday at home against the Los Angeles Chargers, committing four turnovers in the process. The Bengals still have a legitimate shot to win their division while 49ers are vying for a wild card spot in the NFC.
The Buffalo Bills (7-5) lost a tough one at home last week against New England and that put them into the seventh and final AFC playoff spot heading into this week's inter-conference game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (9-3), who lead the NFC South by four full games. The Bucs have won three in a row after a slump and are just one game behind the Arizona Cardinals for the top spot in the NFC playoff picture. The Bills had best have their "A game" ready for this one or they could fall out of the playoff ranks and into the "in the hunt" category.
Finally, the Monday Night Football Game features the Arizona Cardinals (10-2 and the top dog in the NFC playoff picture) hosting the Los Angeles Rams, who are 8-4 and have already lost to the Cards this season. This one is a must win for L.A. if they want to stay in contention for the NFC West title. Look for a high scoring game with the Cards pulling it out late to all but wrap up the division crown.
The rest of the action for this week's NFL games are featured below in the capsule style format and the Heftyinfo picks follow up.
Atlanta (5-7) at Carolina (5-7) - The loser of this game will pretty much be out of the playoff chase in the NFC.
N.Y. Giants (4-8) at L.A. Chargers (7-5) - This one could be closer than most people might think. The Chargers could be without their top two wide receivers due to COVID protocols while the Giants will likely have their third string QB starting this one. Take the 'Bolts in a close game.
Detroit (1-10-1) at Denver (6-6) - The Broncos will look to snap the one game win streak the Lions have going while also helping their chances for making the AFC playoffs.
Jacksonville (2-10) at Tennessee (8-4) - Can the Titans avoid another embarrassing loss to a bottom feeder team? They have lost two in a row and one was to the Houston Texans.
Seattle (4-8) at Houston (2-10) - Who cares?
New Orleans (5-7) at N.Y. Jets (3-9) - The Saints are looking to snap their five game losing streak while the Jets are just playing out the string of remaining games. Toss up in this one.
Chicago (4-8) at Green Bay (9-3) - The Sunday night game between two of the oldest rivals in the league. Take the Packers.
The Heftyinfo picks for Week Fourteen . . . . . . . . (Home teams are listed in bold; Lock of the Week is listed in BOLD CAPS)
Minnesota over Pittsburgh
Dallas over Washington
Carolina over Atlanta
Tennessee over Jacksonville
Seattle over Houston
New Orleans over N.Y. Jets
Kansas City over Las Vegas
Cleveland over Baltimore
Cincinnati over San Francisco
L.A. Chargers over N.Y. Giants
Denver over Detroit
Tampa Bay over Buffalo
GREEN BAY over Chicago
Arizona over L.A. Rams
Last Week's Record - 9-5
SEASON RECORD - 117-76-1
Lock of the Week Record - 10-3
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