Week 14 Picks, cont.

If you had taken Dave's picks to your bookie last week you wouldn't be eating this week. Dave went a miserable 5-11 against the number last week.

If you had taken Gabe's picks to your bookie then you would still be eating. Gabe went 8-8 so you would have only lost the vig.

On the bright side, we have both hit 100 in the win column this week.

So far this week we are both 0-1. (Thank you Big Ben. How do you get sacked by the Browns 8 times? The quarterback for Roast Beef St. wouldn't get sacked by the Browns 8 times.)

Last Week: Gabe: 8-8 Dave: 5-11

This Week so far: Both 0-1

Season totals: Gabe: 105-84-1 Dave: 100-89-1

On to the rest of Week 14!

Denver (+7) at Indianapolis

Gabe: Indianapolis - Peyton Manning might be the greatest football mind not named Bill Walsh we've had the pleasure watching. Denver, for some reason, seems to not want to use Brandon Marshall the way they could. I think Indy will keep winning until they lock up home-field advantage and they start to coast. Indy wins by 10.

Dave: Denver - Colts seem to play each week down to the wire and the Broncos are a tricky enough team to give them fits. I've been saying it for weeks and have been looking like an idiot, but Indy is bound for a let down eventually, so why not against a desperate Broncos team who has at least some life on D? Colts by 3.

Cincinnati (+6.5) at Minnesota

Gabe: Minnesota - This is a huge match-up. Cincy needs to win this game to prove they really are one of the best teams in the AFC. Minnesota needs to win to keep pace with New Orleans. I think the difference is going to be Minnesota's defense. They are going to make the Bengals more one-dimensional than they already are. The Bengals won't win if the Carson Palmer has to throw the ball 50 times. Minnesota by a touchdown.

Dave: Cincinnati: Same rules apply as last week for Minnesota when they played Arizona. Cincy is stout on run D, which means Brett Favre will have to win this one on his own and we know how Favre plays in December. Plus, Jonathan Joesph and Leon Hall(I feel like I'm gonna repeat myself alot this week) are the best cornerback tandem you've never heard of, which means we'll see another Favre 3-INT performance. Bengals not as explosive on offense as 'Zona but their grind-it-out style will limit possessions for Minnesota, making Favre's TOs more costly. Bengals by 6.
New York Jets (-3) at Tampa Bay

Gabe: New York - The Bucs are showing some signs of life and are starting to play well under QB Josh Freeman. But...the Jets defense will keep the youngsters in check. I wish I had the onions to take the push, but I think the Jets will win by 4.

Dave: Jets - Josh Freeman threw 5 picks(at least 3 of which in the red zone) against a Carolina team that quit a month ago. Now, he gets Darrelle Revis and a Jets team that's actually fighting for a playoff spot. The Sanchize is sitting this one out, which actually makes me like Gang Green more. Jets by 9.

Buffalo (pk) at Kansas City

Gabe: Kansas City - I'm taking KC simply because they are at home. KC is on the way up and no one knows what to expect out of Buffalo. Buffalo has no run defense and a very inconsistent running game. KC has a rise star in RB Jamaal Charles. KC by 3 because of home field.

Dave: Kansas City - I agree here with Gabe. Last week's egg-laying not included, the Chiefs are usually money at home in the winter months and Buffalo is inept enough to continue that trend. Chiefs by 6.....reluctantly.

Green Bay (-3) at Chicago

Gabe: Green Bay - The Packers are playing inspired football right now. Aaron Rodgers is probably the best quarterback in the league not named Brees, Brady, or P. Manning. Chicago has faded and faded fast. Jay Cutler is not as good as advertised. That being said, this is a division game so it is going to be hard fought. Packers by 7.

Dave: Green Bay - Playing it dangerous here. Packers are 4-0 in the last 4 games I've picked against them, so this will be a test to that trend here. Bears are on their last legs. Lovie Smith feels Mike Shanahan breathing on the back of his neck. Jay Cutler has become the most reverred man in Chi-Town since Al Capone. The defense is Charmin soft. On the flip side, the Packers look like a deep sleeper come playoff time, as they finally found out how to protect Aaron Rodgers AND muster a pass rush. So, hopefully, this isn't jinxing them, but Packers by 10.

New Orleans (-10) at Atlanta


Gabe: New Orleans - The Saints learned all the lessons of a loss and still got the W last week in Washington. The Falcons are hurt at all the key positions on offense. They have zero pass defense. One of their best D-lineman just got popped for pot possession. Drew Brees and the Saints win huge and roll themselves (and further my fantasy team, The Michael Scott Paper Co.) into the playoffs.

Dave: New Orleans - Too many big names missing for Atlanta and the Saints need to rebound from last week's lackluster(yet winning) performance. Saints by 14.

Detroit (+13.5) at Baltimore

Gabe: Detroit - The Lions have great players on offense. The Baltimore defense is getting old and slower, but they can still light it up when they need to. I think the Baltimore D steps up and keeps Megatron and Kevin Smif in check. I think Baltimore wins, but by less than 14.

Dave: Baltimore - Is it weird that I can see Detroit covering if they WEREN'T starting Daunte Culpepper? Culpepper's happy feet will kill the Lions against a Baltimore defense that isn't as good as it used to be(especially with Ed Reed and Terrell Suggs out again) but are still potent. I think Culpepper blows this one and goes back into retirement and Baltimore's offense led by Ray Rice(FROM! RUTGERS!) goes nuts on the Lions' swiss cheese D. Baltimore by 17.

Miami (+2.5) at Jacksonville

Gabe: Miami - Miami is playing great football right now. They still have a good chance to make the playoffs, if they win out. Truthfully, I don't know why Miami is the underdog in this game. I think they run away with this win. Miami by 10.

Dave: Jacksonville - Because I'm down big to Gabe and, in 14 weeks, I still haven't figured these two teams out.

Carolina (+13) at New England

Gabe: Carolina - There is something wrong with Tom Brady. He is playing scared. He looks very jumpy in the pocket. It came out late this week that he is hurt. He is the key to the Pats winning. I think New England still wins, but only by a touchdown.

Dave: Patriots - There IS something off about Tom Brady, that much is true. In fact, the whole Patriots organazation hasn't been right since Belichick's brainless call on 4th and 2 against Indy almost a month ago. However, the Pats know what's at stake here. Miami and New York both have winnable games, so New England knows it has to unleash hell here. Carolina has been the No Show Team of the Year and the Pats are pissed, so I like them to cover. Pats by 16.

Seattle (+6.5) at Houston

Gabe: Houston - Seattle stinks and has probably packed it in for this year. Houston is still really dangerous on offense. I think Houston wins big.

Dave: Seattle - Two months ago, Gabe and I circled this game as the chance for us to go head-to-head on Sportstalkbuzz. Now? Gabe's stopped writing for about a month and I might have subconciously quit as well. Regardless, I have a hard time getting behind Houston and, after they upset SF and made me look stupid last week, I have a harder time betting against Seattle. A touchdown difference is a bit steep but I'll take it. 'Hawks by 7.

St. Louis (+13) at Tennessee

Gabe: Tennessee - Three words: Chris "Mufuckin'" Johnson. Done and done. Tennessee wins by 17.

Dave: Tennessee - You don't think the Rams are going to blow their chance at the man who SHOULD have won the Heisman, Ndomakong Suh, by putting up a fight against the Titans here, do you? Titans pull off the shutout, win by 28.

Washington (-1) at Oakland

Gabe: Oakland - This is exactly the kind of game Washington always loses. They played really well against the Saints last week and are feeling great about themselves, so now they'll travel and lose to one of the worst teams in the league. To be fair, Oakland seems to be putting things together and playing pretty well. I think the Raiders win by a touchdown.

Dave: Oakland - Last week's win against Pittsburgh would have looked more impressive if Big Ben and company didn't fall off their motorcycle again against Cleveland a couple days ago. That being said, nobody wins in this game. If there ever was a good chance at picking a tie, this is it. I think Oakland puts Nnamdi Asomugha against the Redskins' new weapon, Devin Thomas, and shut down the 'Skins at home. Raiders by 3.

San Diego (+3) at Dallas

Gabe: San Diego - Dallas falls apart in December and everyone knows it, but here's a stat for you...San Diego hasn't lost a game in December in over three seasons. Plus, San Diego is playing out of their minds right now and is the last team you want to see in the playoffs in the AFC. Chargers win by 10.

Dave: Chargers - It's not just that it's December, it's that the Chargers, to me, are the best team in AFC and their passing attack is going to be too much for a battered Cowboys' secondary. It also helps that SD flew in some fermeldahyde to preserve the rotting corpse of LT for at least a few more weeks. Chargers by 13.

Philadelphia (+1) at New York Giants

Gabe: Philadelphia - I actually grimaced when typing this pick. I would love to take my Giants in this spot, but it ain't happening. The Giants got lucky on big plays last week. Philadelphia is a better team. It will be hard fought, I hope, but in the end Philly wins by a touchdown.

Dave: Giants - Again, I'm down big and if I have to pick one of these teams to shit the bed, I'll go with Philly who is beat up on O. Giants by 6.

Arizona (-3.5) at San Francisco

Gabe: Arizona - Arizona is to the NFC what San Diego is the AFC...they are the talented team that no one wants to see late in the year or in the playoffs. I think they build on last week and win by 7.

Dave: Arizona - San Fran shot down all its momentum by choking against Seattle. Arizona sees the chance to close out the division here on Monday night and, after upsetting Benedict Favre and the Vikes, momentum has swung to their side. Cards by 10.