ShareThisCapsule previews for NFL Week 14 action. All times Eastern.
SUNDAY:
New Orleans Saints (12-0) at Atlanta Falcons (6-6), 1 p.m.
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.
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.
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.
The Texans had a brief flirtation with playoff aspirations, thoughts that were dashed by a four-game losing streak. Don't worry, Seattle struggles on the road.
Prediction: Texans 24-14
Denver Broncos (8-4) at Indianapolis Colts (12-0), 1.
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.
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, Raiders and Browns.
Prediction: Jaguars, 17-16
Buffalo Bills (4-8) at Kansas City Chiefs (3-9), 1.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Based on the way they performed in winning at Pittsburgh, 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.
When pondering the worst teams in the NFL, consider that the Rams don't have a cornerback with an interception this season.
Prediction: Titans, 30-3
San Diego Chargers (9-3) at Dallas Cowboys (8-4), 4:15.
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 ,
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
MONDAY NIGHT:
Arizona Cardinals (8-4) at San Francisco 49ers(5-7), 8:30.
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
(Distributed by Scripps Howard News Service, www.scrippsnews.com.)
EMBARGOED for SUNDAY releaseMust credit Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
