5 day forecast
Gerry Dulac's NFL Forecast: Week 14
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Last week: 10-6 (.625)
Season record: 124-68 (.645)
Steelers (6-6) at Cleveland Browns (1-11), 8:30 p.m., Thursday
The Skinny: Is there any reasonable amount of logic to explain the Steelers losing by the same 27-24 score to the Kansas City Chiefs and Oakland Raiders? If they can allow that many points to two of the three worst offenses in the NFL, who's to say it can't happen against the league's most putrid offense?
Prediction: Browns, 27-24
New Orleans Saints (12-0) at Atlanta Falcons (6-6), 1 p.m., Sunday
The Skinny: The Saints are living a charmed existence, if such a thing is possible in New Orleans. If they were going to be surprised, it was against the Redskins ... and it didn't happen.
Prediction: Saints, 34-30
Detroit Lions (2-10) at Baltimore Ravens (6-6), 1 p.m., Sunday
The Skinny: Joe Flacco only needs to look at Detroit's Matthew Stafford to remember what it was like to do amazing things as a rookie. He has not been doing them this season for Baltimore.
Prediction: Ravens, 30-6
Green Bay Packers (8-4) at Chicago Bears (5-7), 1 p.m., Sunday
The Skinny: The Packers and Bears have met more times (178) than any two teams in NFL history. Recent history will note that the surging Pack has won four in a row.
Prediction: Packers, 27-20
Seattle Seahawks (5-7) at Houston Texans (5-7), 1 p.m., Sunday
The Skinny: The Texans had a brief flirtation with playoff aspirations, thoughts that were dashed by a four-game loosing streak. Don't worry, Seattle struggles on the road.
Prediction: Texans 24-14
Denver Broncos (8-4) at Indianapolis Colts (12-0), 1 p.m., Sunday
The Skinny: Both teams started 6-0, but it was the Colts who managed to avoid a four-game losing streak. They can set an NFL record with 22 consecutive regular-season victories.
Prediction: Colts, 24-20
Miami Dolphins (6-6) at Jacksonville Jaguars (7-5), 1 p.m., Sunday
The Skinny: The Jaguars have won four of their past five games and five in a row at home. The only thing more surprising is the Steelers losing to the Chiefs and the Raiders.
Prediction: Jaguars, 17-16
Buffalo Bills (4-8) at Kansas City Chiefs (3-9), 1 p.m., Sunday
The Skinny: Word of advice to the Bills: Don't spot the Chiefs a 17-7 lead, don't have a pass skip off the tight end's hands and don't let Chris Chambers run a crossing route. Otherwise ...
Prediction: Chiefs, 17-14
Cincinnati Bengals (9-3) at Minnesota Vikings (10-2), 1 p.m., Sunday
The Skinny: The Vikings' only two losses were to teams with Steelers-affiliated coaches. Maybe that will work for Marvin Lewis and the Bengals, who are trying to sweep the NFC North, too. Nah ...
Prediction: Vikings, 27-20
Carolina Panthers (5-7) at New England Patriots (7-5), 1 p.m., Sunday
The Skinny: Tom Brady has won 19 consecutive home starts for the Patriots. It is unlikely that a sore arm or bad finger will keep him from No. 20, especially against the Panthers.
Prediction: Patriots, 31-14
New York Jets (6-6) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1-11), 1 p.m., Sunday
The Skinny: Last year, the 11-5 Patriots didn't make the playoffs, not even as a wild-card team. It is disturbing to think that teams such as the Jets still have a chance this season.
Prediction: Jets, 14-13
Washington Redskins (3-9) at Oakland Raiders (4-8), 4:05 p.m., Sunday
The Skinny: Based on the way they performed at Heinz Field, especially in the fourth quarter, the Raiders should have no problem against the Redskins. Right? RIGHT?
Prediction: Redskins, 23-20
St. Louis Rams (1-11) at Tennessee Titans (5-7), 4:05 p.m., Sunday
The Skinny: In the battle to see which team is the worst in the NFL, consider that the Rams don't have a cornerback with an interception this season. Wait a minute, that sounds familiar.
Prediction: Titans, 30-3
San Diego Chargers (9-3) at Dallas Cowboys (8-4), 4:15 p.m., Sunday
The Skinny: Has anyone noticed that the Cowboys have only one victory against a team with a winning record. The aptly-named Chargers are doing just that, winning seven in a row.
Prediction: Chargers, 31-30
Philadelphia Eagles (8-4) at New York Giants (7-5), 8:20 p.m., Sunday
The Skinny: Caution: Do not count out the Giants, not after beating the Cowboys. A victory against the Eagles, who have won the past two meetings, would be another reason why.
Prediction: Giants, 27-24
Arizona Cardinals (8-4) at San Francisco 49ers(5-7), 8:30 p.m., Monday
The Skinny: The 49ers were hoping for a parlay last week: A victory against Seattle and an Arizona loss to the Vikings to maybe tighten the NFC West race. Neither happened.
Prediction: Cardinals, 24-21
First Published December 9, 2009 7:02 pm
