PREVIEW - WEEK FOURTEEN

Oakland Raiders @ San Diego Chargers
Line: Chargers -9.5
O/U: 42.5
Keep in mind that a Raider win would tie them for second in the division with the Chargers. Also consider that the Chargers didn't exactly dispose of the Raiders with ease the last time the two teams met. The only factor making me wonder if this will be a Charger blowout is desperation...in front of a home crowd and a national TV audience on a Thursday night, San Diego would love to prove that they suck less than everyone thinks.
Chargers -9.5. I think Oakland has given up. Chargers win 31-13.

Cincinnati Bengals @ Indianapolis Colts
Line: Colts -13.5
O/U: 42
The Bengals won't score much against the Colts, but 14 points is a lot to win by. Cincy has a solid pass D, too. I'm very tempted to go against this one, but my thought is that the Indy offense didn't score any TDs last week in Cleveland, and now that they're coming home, they'd love to show off that passing attack in front of the Lucas Oil Faithful. Plus the two cities are relatively close together, so the atmosphere could be decent. Assuming Bengals fans care anymore.
Colts -13.5. Indy wins 33-13.

Jacksonville Jaguars @ Chicago Bears
Line: Bears -6.5
O/U: 40
Jacksonville can't do much of anything lately. Chicago knows they likely have to win out to have a shot at the playoffs, and won't be taking any games lightly.
Bears -6.5. Chicago wins big at home 34-17.

Houston Texans @ Green Bay Packers
Line: Packers -5.5
O/U: 47
This is an absolute must-win for Green Bay. They're likely out of the playoff picture, but after giving Rodgers his big contract extension, they need to show the fans that they can at least hang around. Houston has a solid little offense, but Green Bay gets a lot of INTs, and Schaub is fresh off an injury and may make some mistakes.
Packers -5.5. Green Bay wins at Lambeau 27-21.

Cleveland Browns @ Tennessee Titans
Line: Titans -14
O/U: 37.5
Cleveland may not be great at stopping the run, but their defense has held up pretty well recently. I was ready to pick against this, and was wondering why the spread was huge and the over/under was so low...and then I remembered...Derek Anderson tore his MCL, and is done for the year. So this team is now led by Ken Dorsey. Nuff Said.
Titans -14. How can I not go with it? Tennessee Wins 30-10.

Minnesota Vikings @ Detroit Lions
Line: Vikings -9.5
O/U: n/a
Linebuster!
With the appeal of the Williams' suspensions, they should be able to play this week. Granted, this is a game Minny should win even without them. The Vikings need to ensure a win in case the Williams boys do find themselves out for the remainder of the year, as their loss could result in a tough couple of games leading into the playoffs, and Minnesota would hate to have a strange substance abuse issue cost them a postseason spot.
Vikings -9.5. Minny runs away with it 30-13.

Washington Redskins @ Baltimore Ravens
Line: Ravens -5
O/U: 35.5
Linebuster!
Are the Ravens really that good? They have 8 wins, but have beaten the Browns and Bengals twice each, the Texans, the Raiders, and the Dolphins. Their only "quality" win was a blowout of Philly, and how "quality" was that win, really? The Skins are a solid team, especially on defense. If the Ravens win, it won't be by 5.
Skins +5. Washington wins outright 17-13.

Philadelphia Eagles @ New York Giants
Line: Giants -7
O/U: 43
Will the off-the-field issues catch up with the Giants? Antonio Pierce is off worrying about being deposed in front of a grand jury, not about the Eagles! Burress is done for the year. Last week, Pierce played great, as he finds football an escape from everything else. But how long can that last? The Eagles finally got the offense together last week, but can they keep it up against a much better defense? There will be a lot of emotion in this game, and though seven points is a lot, I just don't believe the Eagles can pull it all together two weeks in a row.
Giants -7. The Giants come away with the W 34-21.

Atlanta Falcons @ New Orleans Saints
Line: Saints -3
O/U: 51
Atlanta has a very tough stretch coming up to end the season, and will likely find itself on the outside of the postseason looking in. New Orleans needs to win out to have any shot at the playoffs, though, so both teams are desperate. The kicker in this one is that the Falcons haven't won three in a row all season...and I don't think they will.
Saints -3. New Orleans gets the passing attack working and wins 36-28.

New York Jets @ San Francisco 49ers
Line: Jets -4
O/U: 44.5
I hate all of this week's games. The Jets played like crap the last time they were on the west coast, losing to the lowly Raiders. But now they have confidence and are fighting to keep the division lead, so maybe they'll have their heads on straight. It's a matter of whether or not I think the Jets will show up. I hate to say it, but I think they will.
Jets -4. New York wins 28-23.

Miami Dolphins @ Buffalo Bills (in Toronto, Ont.)
Line: pk
O/U: 42
Linebuster!
This basically amounts to a neutral site game, as anyone who could afford tickets is likely not a fan of either team. Buffalo is struggling mightily, but the Fins are a rival, and if the Bills can get back on track, this is the game in which they may do it.
Bills pk. Buffalo damn well better win this game. 23-20.

Kansas City Chiefs @ Denver Broncos
Line: Broncos -9
O/U: 48.5
Denver is coming off a big win, and has a ton of confidence. Now they head home for a rematch with a team that beat them earlier in the year. They'll be amped up and ready to go, and should score a ton of points. The D shouldn't allow KC to get much going, and the Broncos should win the game easily. Which is precisely why I have to go the other way...
Chiefs +9. The Denver Rule=Always go against your gut. Broncos still win 33-30.

St. Louis Rams @ Arizona Cardinals
Line: Cards -14
O/U: 48.5
Again, what's with the huge lines this week? Seriously folks, I wouldn't place any bets this time around...things can just get too screwy with lines this big. The Cards should crush the Rams, especially coming off a loss. But will the Rams show up? I doubt it.
Cards -14. Arizona wins 34-10.

Dallas Cowboys @ Pittsburgh Steelers
Line: Steelers -2.5
O/U: 40
Dallas is piecing everything back together, and should be a tough opponent for Pittsburgh to handle. Though the Steelers have the #1 Passing, Rushing, and overall defense in the league, the Cowboys have the offensive firepower to break through it. But will the Dallas D hold up? I think they will for once.
Cowboys +2.5. I hate to pick the Boys, but I have to go with my gut. Dallas 23-20.

New England Patriots @ Seattle Seahawks
Line: Pats -4.5
O/U: 43
Linebuster!
I'm sick of dealing with the Seahawks. I call blowout.
Pats -4.5. New England cruises 30-10.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers @ Carolina Panthers
Line: Panthers -3
O/U: 38.5
Linebuster!
What a great game for a Monday Night! Huge divisional implications, two great teams...I'll definitely be watching this one! I've gotta go against the spread, because even though great teams usually split divisional games, Tampa KILLED the Panthers the last time out. I expect the Bucs D to be on point, and Garcia to be excellent. Tampa knows they should be first in the division, and this is their chance to take a commanding lead, with 2 wins (and the tiebreaker)over the team that would be 1 game back.
Bucs +3. Tampa shows who should be #1 in the NFC South. 24-13.