Yes, they’re late (sorry Andrew, been a very bust week – C). But here are our picks for the NFL 2009 week 14 matches.

Sunday 13th December

New Orleans Saints @ Atlanta Falcons
C - A few times this season we have seen the Saints on the brink of defeat, only for them to claw their way back and snatch victory. It’s this that makes a team great. The Colts too have done this. No one seems to be able to kill the game off against them. They are beatable for sure, but it’s just finding the right team to do it on the right day. For that reason, i’m backing New Orleans to take the win here and remain undefeated. Atlanta are a decent side, but i feel the Saints are stronger across the board.

A – A lovely NFC South Matchup… The Saints can count themselves lucky last week after just edging past the Redskins – I don’t want to talk about it, but the upshot is that they’ve booked their place in the post season and are looking odds on for a first round bye. The Falcons are 2 games down on a wildcard spot and only one game up on the Panthers, who are starting to get going (albeit it a little late!). They need this one.
But the lucky wins they’ve had, combined with when they’ve been playing well, is starting to make me think that the Saints could go unbeaten this season. I’m going with my heart here and backing them in this game.

G – We all predicted an easy win for the Saints last weekend and almost ended up looking very silly. While they are still unbeaten, we know they can be beaten. That said I don’t think they will drop their record in this game. Saints Win.

Detroit Lions @ Baltimore Ravens
C – We couldn’t ask for a better match really. The Steelers lose to the Browns, and we are up against a Lions side who, although have improved, are there for the taking. Winning this gets us one step closer to the play offs, so the boys will be up for the game. I’m looking to see Flacco improve as his last few games have been quite disappointing. Hopefully we won’t see quite as many penalties in this game though! Ravens win.

A - Oh Baltimore, Baltimore… only the Steelers’ five game slide is keeping the Ravens in the wildcard race. And no mistake, they are well and truly in it. A game against the Lions is probably just what the doctor ordered and I see them picking up a win.

G - Craig should take some joy from this game just as he has from the Steelers downfall. Ravens win.

Green Bay Packers @ Chicago Bears
C -Green Bay have been great to watch this year. The team has clicked and everyone is doing their bit. The defence has been tight, the offence has been scoring freely, they’re looking like the team i thought they would be at the start of the season. (Packers were my pick for the Superbowl). I’ve got to go for them against the Bears this Sunday. I don’t see any other outcome.

A – Another great division matchup, this time in the NFC North. The Packers have recovered from a 4-4 start to be 8-4 and in wildcard contention. They could yet catch Minnesota, but would suffer from the tie-breaker if it came to it. Aaron Rodgers is quietly having a great year and the rest of the Pack have stepped up in the middle part of the season to put them where they are now.
The Bears… well, they’ll want to forget this season and look to come back stronger next season. I think this will be a close game, but fancy Green Bay to be hungrier here.

G – Green Bay dropped off for a while, but it seems they are back and have been playing some nice football. I have to pick them to overcome the Bears.

Denver Broncos @ Indianapolis Colts
C – I still think the Colts are beatable, as are the Saints (as i said previously). It’s just finding the right team to beat them. I think the Broncos will give the Colts are really good game. Their defence is pretty solid (bar a few minor mistakes) and the offence is good on it’s day. I’m sticking my neck out and going for a Broncos win! (Hey, it worked for the Browns! :D )

A – The Broncos have done well to arrest a mid-season slump that threatened to put them in full-on crisis mode. They’re not tucked one game behind the Chargers and looking good value for it.
That said, I don’t think anyone would pick against the Colts this week. And I’m not going to either.

G - This should be a great game. I still think the Broncos are class, but the Colts are in a league of their own at the moment. I pick the Colts.

Buffalo Bills @ Kansas City Chiefs
C – Not the most explosive match up of the day to be honest, but it could be a good watch. With not much to pick between them i’m going for a Bills win.

A – When I’ve said before that a game looks like one to avoid, it’s been a barn-stormer. So I’m not going to say that this time, just that I think the Bills will get past the Chiefs.

G – I let the end of my fantasy season rest in the hands of Fumblin’ Fitz and it didn’t work out too well. That said I think things will come together for the Bills and I am picking then here.

Carolina Panthers @ New England Patriots
C – As the boys have said, i can’t see the Pats losing 3 on the trot by any means. I still don’t know how they lost their previous 2 to be honest. They are a strong team who have blipped. I see them getting back on track this Sunday. Pats win.

A – The Patriots, by their standards, are struggling. Two losses in a row has meant that the Jets and Dolphins are both just one game away. The Dolphins – at 4-2 in division – are definitely creeping up on them. Carolina took their time to get going, but a win today could put them second and give them a thin chance of playing in January, so they’ll be up for this.
This isn’t the best way to predict games, but I can’t see the Pats losing 3 in a row so I have to pick them.

G - I am sure the Pats will want to put last week behind them and this is a great game to do it. They really should win this one, I hope so, I can’t stand to see that look of disbelief on Brady’s face again. Pats win.

New York Jets @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers
C – I’m going with a Jets win. I feel the Bucs are starting to gel and will definitely put up a good game, but there is still no consistency. Freeman has done a good job since gaining the starting QB position and my hat is off to him. Sanchez is out by the looks of it so we could very well be seeing a run orientated Jets team. Unfortunately for the Bucs they don’t have the best rush defence in the world, so i’m basing my prediction on this.

A – Surely the Jets here. They have their problems, but are a better team than the Bucs.

G – I am going to pick the Bucs here. The home advantage will give them the boost that they need, and the Jets are inconsistent enough to slip up here. (Oi, i make the bold predictions round these parts! -C)

Cincinnati Bengals @ Minnesota Vikings GAMEPASS BLACKOUT WARNING
C - Has the makings of a good game. However i would say the Vikings should win this. Can find myself to go against this team! (I’m sure i’ve said this before >_>)

A – This could be a great matchup, with the top two North teams facing off. The Vikings are a better team, but the Bengals have won games when it mattered and are a staggering 6-0 in division.
In the Dome though, I think I fancy the Vikes.

G – As Andrew says this should be a good one to watch, but the Vikings should pull this one off.

Miami Dolphins @ Jacksonville Jaguars
C – I’m going for the Dolphins here. (So much so i have put Hartline in my fantasy team for this weeks important play off game. I did debate putting Henne in too, but i think Schaub will come good finally.)

A – The Dolphins “six-pointer” (in soccer speak) against the Pats last week has put them just one game away from the AFC East lead and they’re looking good value for it. You never know with the Jags, but I see the Dolphins gaining in confidence. That alone should get them past their state rivals.

G – Can’t wait for this game. Miami are in a good position to be able to win their remaining games against teams who, at the start of the season I wouldn’t have written off so easily. My daughter will be supporting the Jags, so it will be a nice noisy game at home. Miami win for me.

Seattle Seahawks @ Houston Texans
C – As Andrew has said, it’s getting frustrating watching the Texans play. They’ve started strong, and at the moment are really a different team. Schaub hasn’t been playing like the QB he was earlier in the season, maybe the injury will make him play the simple yet effective game instead of the ambitious and reckless one? We’ll see. I still think they’ll get it done over the Seahawks, who have been largely disappointing.

A – I’ve practically given up predicting the Texans. Who knows what they’ll do on any given sunday? Still, I’m going to stick with them as the ‘Hawks are at least as erratic!

G - Hmm, Crystal ball time. What Texans team will turn up? I am not sure, but there is more chance of their ‘good’ team turning up than Seattle’s good team, so on that weak basis I pick the Texans.

St. Louis Rams @ Tennessee Titans
C – I think VY, CJ and the Titans will get this done. The Titans can shut down Jackson and not have to worry about threats from elsewhere.

A – The Titans are the turnaround team of the season so far and will look to build on this. It’s hard to fancy the Rams in Nashville.

G – Tennessee win for me.

Washington Redskins @ Oakland Raiders
C – After last weeks performance i think the Skins will be going into this game with a large amount of confidence. Rightly so. Whilst the Raiders have provided a few shock victories this season, i still think the Skins will see them off comfortably.

A – If there’s one positive to take from this season, it’s that the Redskins have not quit. They’re out there playing hard every week, and were very unlucky against the Saints last week. The squad is stepping up, the vets are playing hard and Campbell is probably playing for a job somewhere else next season.
This isn’t even a fan-blind pick: Redskins to win.

G – This could end up being the game of the week. The Skins are getting better and you just never know what to expect from the Raiders at the moment. I am going to back the Skins and hope at the very least I am correct about the great game.

San Diego Chargers @ Dallas Cowboys GAMEPASS BLACKOUT WARNING
C - I’m going for a Chargers win too. Vincent Jackson v Miles Austin. I can see both players being double marked, so it’s whoever has the movement to create something, i think Austin has the agility edge here. Rivers v Romo. I can see Rivers having a far more consitent game. Barber v LT. LT appears to finally be getting into the groove, where-as Barber seems to be losing it. Overall, i think the Chargers are the ones in form and i see the Cowboys losing this one.

A – December, the Cowboys? Seems easy enough… The fact that it’s the Chargers makes it even easier! I’m backing the Chargers, but have a feeling I could be bitten with this one.

G – Stupid gamepass blackout! The Chargers go into this one as the underdog according to the bookies. I can’t see it myself, the Chargers are the better team in my eyes and are my pick here.

Philadelphia Eagles @ New York Giants
C – This is going to be a good game. IF the Giants win and the Cowboys lose, then i think that 3 teams in the NFC East will be on 8-5. That’s how close it is. BUT, i see the Eagles getting one over on them.

A – The Giants are stumbling on, and the Eagles are looking like the class of the NFC East right now. But it’s never that clear cut in a most competitive division. I think the Giants will have enough about them here, it what I expect to be a close game.

G - Another very close game. I fancy the Eagles to win it by a beak……did you see what I did there? (You’re killing us, G. — Andrew)

Monday 14th December

Arizona Cardinals @ San Francisco 49ers
C - A tough one to call, i do like the 49ers. I think that Gore is a real asset to the team, Crabtree is playing now and is doing well for himself, and Smith has come in and is holding his own. The Cardinals are strong, especially at receiving. They are very much a passing team. the 49ers need to shut this down. Overall, i see a high scoring game to be honest. However, i think the 49ers will edge it.

A – Ooh, a tough game to call. The Cardinals are 3 games clear and will be looking to wrap the division up sooner rather than later. The 49ers are looking to finish strong, knowing that a playoff spot is probably beyond them now and the pressure is off. They’re becoming an infuriating team to call…
But I can’t see past the Cardinals here. Sorry Graham.

G - On paper an Arizona win. But, I am taking the 49ers for a home win.

Image Credit: Keith Allison